Chapter One Hundred and Two: The Twin Infants (Third Update)

“Why can’t all life in the world live together in peace?”
“If only everyone ate grass like us deer.”

The young deer’s thoughts were simple, and seeing so many fallen humans before him, such ideas naturally arose in his mind. Of course, these thoughts merely flickered through his consciousness. After all, even if he entertained such notions, he could neither express them through words nor actions.

In recent days, the young deer had been studying diligently. Through the mental images conveyed by his father and elder brother, he earnestly learned human writing—both the language of Lyon and that of Xiyue. The young deer’s learning ability was remarkable; by now, he had memorized several hundred characters. He could even intertwine his fur to form patterns resembling letters. Yet, lacking opportunity, he had not demonstrated this newfound ability to communicate with humans.

Breaking down doors and surveying the scenes, the young deer’s path was littered with human corpses. The grim reality at times made him wish to stop altogether. Yet, in order to lure, eliminate, or cleanse the twisted creatures, he pressed onward.

Meanwhile, the little fairy kept a close watch. She observed her surroundings carefully and sensed the young deer’s emotions through their bond. His innocence and present sorrow filled her mind.

Long ago, the fairy might have shared such innocence with the young deer, perhaps even offering comfort. But after enduring a terrifying nightmare herself, she had long since shed such naivety and chose not to console him now.

Because growing up is like this. Both she and the young deer must undergo this process. Innocence is precious, but in these chaotic times, it is fatal. For the young deer’s sake, the fairy knew he must face it all.

Thus, under the fairy’s watchful gaze and the young deer’s resolute charge, they soon arrived at a dwelling far sturdier than the others—a two-story stone building with brick walls.

Yet despite its sturdiness, the building still reeked of blood. Without much thought, the young deer instinctively kicked down the first-floor door, and the fairy fluttered inside.

Just as the fairy entered the ground floor, the sound of crying came from a room upstairs. Was it the wails of infants? Two of them?

In an instant, the young deer’s sorrow vanished, replaced by urgency. He lowered his head to peer through a narrow gap in the curtain covering the window. Inside the locked room, two babies, no more than two or three months old, lay in small cribs, crying loudly.

As the young deer gazed, the fairy arrived beside him and also noticed the twin infants. They exchanged a glance, and with the young deer’s eager eyes urging action, they moved swiftly.

Outside the building, the young deer spotted a cluster of climbing ivy. He immediately began to graft his life essence into the vines, strengthening them. As the ivy rapidly grew, the fairy pressed her hand to its roots.

Suddenly, the ivy seemed to awaken with will of its own, swiftly crawling toward the second floor of the house. The vines slipped inside and, twisting like handles, effortlessly opened the nursery door.

Then, as the thick vines slowly retracted, they carried the two crying infants into clear view.

The babies continued to wail, but the fairy now hovered before them. At the sight of her gentle fluttering, the twins abruptly ceased their cries, wide-eyed and reaching out with tiny hands.

“Ah?”
“Ah?”

They tried to grasp the fairy, babbling softly.

The fairy smiled and made a playful face. Instantly, the corners of the infants’ mouths curved into crescent moons as smiles blossomed. Their pure laughter soon filled the quiet morning air of the desolate fields.

Watching the laughing children, the young deer’s expression brightened. Yet suddenly, as if recalling something, he stepped back, putting some distance between himself and the babies.

Just then, the fairy sent a wave of thought to him. Hesitant, the young deer met her sweet smile. They locked eyes, and finally, he nodded.

Under his watchful gaze and her compassionate eyes, the fairy extended her hand to gently touch the forehead of one child. A soft green light flowed from her palm into the infant, after which she slowly withdrew her hand and repeated the gesture on the other child.

Having done all she could, the young deer felt a mysterious resonance binding him, the fairy, and the two infants. Through this connection, he sensed their emotions clearly: joy—and hunger.

With this understanding, the young deer sent two silken strands of life essence drifting into the bodies of the babies. Almost immediately, warmth and sleepiness radiated from them.

Under the watchful eyes of both, the twins soon slipped into a peaceful slumber.

Silence fell between the young deer and the fairy as they surveyed the stillness of the mountain village. There was no longer any sign of twisted creatures beneath the earth; lingering further would be fruitless.

Finally, in quiet agreement, the fairy began gathering the human bones with the vines, collecting them in batches. Within half an hour, the remains were buried beneath a rocky cliff.

Having done all they could, the young deer and the fairy took the twin infants and swiftly departed.