The Great Worm Lich

The Atlantis fleet came to Earth and gained the approval of various countries’ governments. As they did so, the first thing they admit to the general public was acknowledging their ancestor’s mistake of having a forceful fierce conflict with Earth. They recalled having such a feud to seal the foreign world.

Then, they also expressed that to maintain the ‘purity’ of the universe, they would spare no efforts in helping the Earthlings to defend against the invasion of the foreign worlds. The high—almost perfect—moral standards that the higher civilizations displayed had gained a high admiration from most Earthlings.

However, how could a powerful interstellar civilization with billions of people not have countless dirty ‘scum’ and complex social relations under its glamorous appearance? A smart person would know that every Atlanteans couldn’t have a heart as beautiful as their appearance.

“The credibility of a sergeant major is not something that we can contend with.” Upon hearing her companions fell into a deadlock, the beautiful woman who had not said a word before walking two rounds of back and forth in the room that had gone quiet. Without warning, she said with a distorted expression, “We can only hope that she’ll never show up again.”

“Don’t say such a stupid thing, Paula. In an ancient world without nuclear or light weapons, a sergeant major is just like a god here. The only thing that can threaten her is a virus, but the chances of her dying of deadly diseases are too low… Then again, seeing that Sergeant Major Someril has not shown up for such a long time, perhaps, perhaps she really has died…”

“It doesn’t matter even if she’s not dead. Don’t forget that there may be real gods in a supernatural world as the World 30009…” Due to the pressure, the Atlanteans in the room began to talk more obscurely and viciously.

It is a fact that the native tribe on the island had defeated them. This was why they fled back to Earth’s military camp. Thus, they are now relying on these malicious speculations to relieve the pressure they felt in the last two days. It would often take them several hours of such conversation to relax themselves down. However, at this time, not long after the conversation entered such an irrational venting state, the doorbell suddenly interrupted them.

“I’ve told these Earthlings not to disturb us, but they’re just…”

“Don’t complain, Deolis! No matter how much you look down on them, those Earthlings are still our allies. Our situation now is not good. We should not provoke them for no reason and complicate things further.” Aladus warned his companion in a grave expression before hurriedly walking towards the door to open the silverish grey metal door. He smiled at the short US soldier who was high in spirit and said, “Good day to you, Sergeant Willam, do you need anything from us?”

“Chief, Dr. Zhang Lishen, who joined the first group of explorers in the Shrimp World No. 2, has returned to the camp. Lieutenant Colonel White ordered me to inform you.” The sergeant saluted as he reported meticulously.

“There’s news from the first batch of the World 30009 explorers,” Aladus’ face turned graver instantly. Then, it turned into delight again as he asked, “That’s great! Who else returned other than Dr. Zhang Lisheng?”

“Only him alone,” This answer was already enough. Still, since the Atlanteans were so nice, adding on to the fact that there was no subordinate affiliation between each other, William hesitated. “But he looks like he’s in a good state, so the other explorers should not be in danger, sir.”

“Only he returned to the camp, and he’s in a good state? Understood, Sergeant William, thank you!” Aladus grew silent for a while and a soldier off with the same smile. After closing the door, his expression turned exceptionally grave. “I’m sure all of you have heard what the Earth’s soldier has said. It looks like the first batch of explorers surveying World 30009 are all still safely alive…”

“The fact that they’re safe means that we’re going to be doomed, isn’t it?”

“Oh shut up, Morisha! Let me finish! Everyone, I suddenly had an idea. Actually, the key to solving our problem is not what Sergeant Major Someril said but on that Earthling doctor instead! He’s the only link maintaining the Atlanteans to Earth and the indigenous people of Shrimp B1 Island. When it comes to issues involving the natives, his words held far more authority than anyone else. If he’s willing to help us shirk our responsibilities, then our problems will naturally be solved.”

“Aladus, are you saying that we, the six noble Atlanteans, would now have to rely on Earthlings to shirk from the crime? This is really…”

“Deolis, now that we will soon be banished, why don’t you drop that proud mouth of yours and quit your bigotry to the intelligent creatures from a lower civilization? Since that Earthling doctor can help us solve the problem, what we have to do now is to use all means to make him willing to save us…” The Atlantean woman who had slender eyes in the room said coldly.

Everyone else pondered over it and eventually nodded as they agreed, “That’s right! We need his help…”

The second batch of Shrimp World No. 2 explorers focused their attention on Zhang Lisheng. This Earth doctor whose body was filled with preservative was talking to White, the highest Commander-in-chief of the Shrimp B1 Island.

“So the Atlanteans who attacked Wizard Li’s ancestral land are just the second batch of explorers that Atlantis sent to Shrimp World No. 2? When I heard from the headman that a group of flying redheaded outlanders with fair skin burnt the tribe, I thought that Atlantis wanted to declare war against Shrimp B1 Island’s natives. I hurriedly made my way here to the garrison camp for that.”

“Doctor, if those aliens wanted to attack the indigenous tribes on the island, they’d have already sent an aerospace warship. With their level of civilization, how could they possibly choose to fight with individual soldiers?” The astute and energetic officer with defined jaw muscles and a square face said in disagreement.

“Oh, Lieutenant Colonel, if they waged war to capture territory, they’d have to rely on the army first, wouldn’t they?” The Majesty pretended to argue disapprovingly.

“Of course, a ground seizing would certainly require ground forces. Now, even when it comes to launching an attack against heavily fortified positions, Earth has already prioritized a computerized war on sea, land, and air…” When it came to the topic of the military field, White began to quote the classics with great interest.

Zhang Lisheng sat on the leather chair opposite the desk and secretly found it amusing. Even so, he kept nodding as he listened to the officer in front who gave a long and pompous speech. Shrugging, he said humorously, “I’m rendered speechless by the war example you gave me, Lieutenant Colonel. It looks like you’re an expert when it comes to the topic of war. No wonder you’re the soldierly commander of the government while I can only be a boring biologist…”

When the young man was speaking, he suddenly yawned, pinched between his brows a few times and sighed before continuing, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant Colonel. These few weeks have been really exhausting. Even though I’ve had quite a good time in the native tribe, staying away from civilization tires me easily. To be honest, the magnificent and beautiful seascape is still not as attractive as a computer. Sleeping on a smooth animal fur is also not as comfortable as sleeping on a water bed.”

“I understand your feelings, doctor,” White said with an understanding expression. “Actually, I’ve also started to be fed up with this island already.”

“Oh, if you can understand my feelings, then I wonder if you can do me a favor, Lieutenant Colonel?” Upon hearing the officer, Zhang Lisheng took the opportunity to smile. “I planned to return to New York to rest for a few days, and I’d be very grateful if you could send a small warship to escort me. I’ll also personally explain this matter to General Joss of the New York military base and won’t make things difficult for you.”

White was also eager to return to a more civilized society. However, when he heard that he wanted to leave all his companions behind and return to the civilized world to take some rest, he could not help but feel baffled.

However, his train of thought changed and recalled that Zhang Lisheng had a free identity since he came to the foreign world’s island to take on this suffering out of the goodness of his heart. Thus, the officer could not voice out his accusation and merely let his jaw hung, appearing to be particularly awkward.

When he was feeling awkward, the door of his office was gently pushed open. A secretary who was wearing a uniform military uniform reported and said, “Lieutenant Colonel, the chiefs of the Atlanteans have come.”

“Filiya, you mean Sergeant Aladus and the rests? Let them come in now.” Now that somebody had raised a siege for him, White secretly sighed in relief. After ordering his secretary, he smiled and spoke to Zhang Lisheng in a low voice. “Those Atlanteans must have come here to meet you, doctor. You can ask them later why they attacked the native territory for no reason…”

Before he could finish his words, six redheaded fair-skinned young-looking men and women strode into his office. The officer stood up and smiled as he said politely, “Sergeant Aladus, Sergeant Deolis… Please sit down. Tea or coffee?”

“Water would be good enough, Lieutenant Colonel White. Six of our companions who set foot on the Shrimp B1 Island have just died. According to Atlantis custom, we can’t enjoy any savory drink for some time,” Aladus forced a smile at the officer in a pained expression. After nodding, he shifted his attention to Zhang Lisheng. “You must be Dr. Zhang. I’m, Aladus Qim, the explorer of the second batch of the World 30009. I’m thrilled to see that you’re safe and alive.”

“Nice to meet you, Sergeant Aladus. Thank you for your concern.”

“There’s no need to thank me for that. However, now that I’ve expressed my concern, I must talk about the serious topic right away. It’s like this. One of our missions is to understand the current situation. Can you let us know why the first batch of World 30009 explorers have not made any contact with the outside for such a long time?”

“Of course, Sergeant Aladus,” The young man put on a thoughtful expression and sighed. “In fact, I don’t know much about what other explorers are doing now. I have been separated from them six months ago…”