Apocalypse Forecast-Chapter 642 - 533 Eternal Friendship_5

"Well, then, it’s settled."

Huai Shi smiled and clapped his hands, waving to the camera to signal the waiting Alchemists that they could start making the Explosion Collars for their slaves. Under the fierce and ruthless suppression and elimination, over eight hundred Rat-men had the Ivory Tower’s insignia seared onto their bodies, thereby becoming one of the movable assets of the Iron Crystal Throne. There was no possibility of resistance anymore.

Huai Shi happily acquired eight hundred cannon fodder, his smile growing even more cheerful.

And in that brief moment of silence, someone stepped forward and stood before Huai Shi’s table.

"Mr. Huai Shi."

The aged Honorable Elder suddenly spoke, "I have a question that I wish to ask you."

Huai Shi raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Please, go ahead."

"I know you are a Superior full of power and determination, and I know your power is something that we cannot resist. But precisely because of this, there are some things that I must say."

The Honorable Elder lifted his amber-colored vertical pupils, gazing intently at Huai Shi’s face, and asked solemnly, "Today, we are here as soldiers hired by you, your subordinates. Even though we are the despised mercenaries, War Dogs who bet our lives to win victory for you, from the moment we signed the contract, we became your hounds. But why do you not treat us with honesty and instead incite us to create chaos?"

Despite witnessing Huai Shi’s ruthless actions just before his very eyes, the Snake-man elder stood tall and questioned, "Can such behavior truly earn loyalty?"

Silence fell abruptly. It was as if even the sound of breathing had disappeared. Even the Gargoyle, who had been looking down from the beginning, lifted its eyes to look over, scrutinizing the two of them at this moment.

The Honorable Elder waited calmly for Huai Shi’s reply, showing no sign of weakness or unease, while Huai Shi did not burst into rage but instead revealed a strange smile. After a while, he nodded in agreement.

"You are right. There is nothing more precious in this world than sincerity and trust. I understand this deeply. Not placing enough trust in all of you was indeed my mistake."

He sighed softly, then suddenly asked, "But in this world, even in Hell, is there anything more difficult than treating each other with honesty, Honorable Elder?"

He lowered his gaze, staring down at the old Snake-man, and asked distinctly, "Sincerity is mutual, is it not? In my opinion, loyalty should also be mutual. If one does not use their heart to exchange for sincerity, why wait until now to ask me such a trivial question?"

Silence at that moment suddenly solidified, as if freezing everything. With the overlooking gaze of those eyes, the gentleness and smile within them slowly faded, replaced by a chilling coldness and darkness as solemn as the Abyss.

After a while, with a slight twitch at the corner of his eyes, the old Snake-man was the first to look away, bowing his head. "You teach me well, sir."

He placed his hand over his chest in a salute, saying, "I was wrong."

The frozen atmosphere suddenly dissipated because Huai Shi showed a smile, warm and genial, like a spring breeze.

"You’re making too much of it," he said. "It was merely a slight misunderstanding; how can we speak of right or wrong?"

He rose to his feet and humbly helped the old Snake-man up, holding his hand and saying to the surrounding Abyssal Creatures, "The Honorable Elder was right just now. I failed to trust everyone and made a mistake.

"In order to express my apology, I just made a special trip to the kitchen and personally prepared a dish for everyone. I hope that after tasting it, everyone can let bygones be bygones and forget these minor displeasures.

"From now on, let’s work together with all our might and cooperate closely; victory in this war awaits us!"

Amid Huai Shi’s impassioned proclamation, the pale-faced Lin Nineteen wheeled in a trolley. Atop it, a cauldron simmered with a rich bone broth, already milky white and exuding an enticing aroma. The bones inside had long been stewed until tender. With a slight poke from chopsticks, the meat fell right off. It was clear the flavors had been well-infused.

Huai Shi took a bowl and ladle, personally served the Honorable Elder a full bowl of the savory meat soup, and after sprinkling a handful of chopped green onions on top, the aroma became even more intense and irresistible.

"Please, Honorable Elder," Huai Shi said with a smile, passing the bowl over.

After a moment of silence, the Honorable Elder took the bowl with both hands. He tilted his head back and, without minding the scalding heat, gulped it all down. He even chewed the bones to pieces in his mouth and swallowed them.

Accepting Huai Shi’s goodwill, everyone let go of their past grievances. The atmosphere once again became lively and peaceful, and dishes flowed out like water, quickly being served and elevating the banquet’s mood to a climax.

During the meal, Huai Shi personally ladled the delicious soup for everyone. However, until the pot lid was closed again, no one saw what ingredients the rich and flavorful soup was made from—a real pity.

After returning to his seat, Huai Shi didn’t eat anything else. He simply smiled, sipping the wine in his glass, and looked content watching everyone enjoying their food and drinks, as if their happiness brought him joy.

As the banquet drew to a close, Huai Shi looked around the Hell Swarm attentively and asked, "Is everyone full? Would you like some more?"

Upon receiving replies of, ’Thank you for your hospitality, we’re quite full already,’ Huai Shi nodded in satisfaction and raised his glass to say, "Well then, at the end of the banquet, allow me to make a toast."

As he spoke, he was the first to lift his glass. Smiling at the others, he toasted, "To our friendship, may it last forever."

The translucent, blood-like wine, with its intoxicatingly sweet aroma, was thus drunk by all in one go. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

When Huai Shi set down his cup, the previously boisterous hall once again fell into an unexpected silence.

"Now that we’re full and satisfied, it’s time to set out."

In the dead quiet, as if bathed in the darkness of the night, Huai Shi unsheathed his sword, propped it beside him, and with a calm demeanor, declared to his subordinates, "—Gentlemen, the moment for battle has come."