Chapter 255

This was the most spacious hall Fang Li had encountered so far.

It lacked the uniqueness of the first hall and the extravagance of the second. Instead, it resembled a larger warehouse, appearing somewhat old and simple.

However, within this aged and simple hall, at the deepest part, several colossal pillars stood.

No, those weren’t pillars.

They were long-range ballistic missiles.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, or ICBMs for short.

With a range exceeding 8,000 kilometers, their design purpose was to carry one or multiple nuclear warheads, possessing immense destructive power.

These missiles were often envisioned as weapons used in a nuclear war that could bring about the end of the world.

They could be launched from various corners of the world and target any location. With a certain quantity, it would be possible to devastate any major nation in the world within a day.

As Fang Li rushed up from the corner of the staircase, he had just entered this hall when his attention was immediately drawn to these ICBMs.

“…Is this one of the reasons why even major nations fear I-U?”

With the Superhuman organization that far surpassed ordinary individuals and now possessing these nuclear weapons, it was no wonder that ambitious Ignatis individuals emerged within I-U.

“Because this is a place that holds the hope of conquering the world.”

With this voice, a figure slowly emerged from beside an ICBM.

Signs of aging appeared on his face.

His hair was turning gray.

In terms of age, he seemed to be around fifty.

And, these signs of aging were still ongoing.

However, Fang Li dared not underestimate the middle-aged man before him.

Even though he was gradually aging, the exceptional presence of Sherlock’s body hadn’t diminished in the slightest. It told Fang Li that this famous detective wouldn’t weaken just because he was aging.

Yet, at this moment, there was deep perplexity on Sherlock’s face.

“Why did you pursue me here?” Sherlock asked in extreme puzzlement. “I believe that at this point, I no longer hold any value in being chased by you.”

From the current situation, it wouldn’t be long before Sherlock’s aging would lead to his demise.

In other words, regardless of any grievances, Fang Li had no reason to chase him down.

Because, whether Fang Li pursued him or not, Sherlock’s fate was to succumb to aging and death.

Given this fact, why bother chasing him?

Watching the intense bewilderment on Sherlock’s face, Fang Li didn’t answer. He only tightened his grip on the Moonlight Dagger and advanced step by step, mockingly saying, “Aren’t you a famous detective? Why not try reasoning this out again?”

“But my reasoning has been disrupted by you twice before, and now including this time, that makes it three times,” Sherlock smiled faintly and said, “So, this time, I’ll rely on you to tell me.”

Certainly, Sherlock’s deductive ability was incredibly strong, almost reaching the level of precognition. He could apply this ability even in battle, steering the situation toward a direction that would undeniably favor him.

However, a deduction was still a deduction, not precognition.

Even with precognition, the outcome revealed was just that—an outcome, not an answer.

Thus, even though Sherlock’s deductive ability was nearly precognitive, he couldn’t deduce that Fang Li wasn’t from this world or that Fang Li was the main Divine Envoy tasked with defeating him as a Side Quest to complete the final Main Quest.

Of course, this reason had also become a secondary objective for Fang Li.

Now, Fang Li’s desire to defeat Sherlock stemmed from revenge alone.

In the world of “Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress,” Amatori Biba had targeted Fang Li. Even when Fang Li was severely injured, he relentlessly slaughtered them, driving all the Hunters to hell.

In the world of “God Eater,” Rollins Wright had set up Fang Li, leading him to devise ways to return to the Russian Branch and slay Rollins Wright.

Now, Sherlock had manipulated Fang Li for his own purposes, playing with him and leaving Fang Li no choice but to settle the score for his previous defeat.

“Because I’m someone who seeks revenge.”

Fang Li stared directly at Sherlock and uttered lightly.

“Regardless of your motives, you shot Aria and kidnapped Shirayuki. Add that to the previous accounts— unless they’re settled, I won’t rest.”

Hearing this, Sherlock fell silent.

“BOOM…”

With a resounding roar, the trembling nuclear submarine finally came to a halt.

This indicated that the submarine had breached the surface, emerging into the sunlight.

“Kacha…”

With a crisp sound, the ceiling slid open mechanically, allowing sunlight to stream in.

Immediately, the floor beneath Fang Li and Sherlock shifted like an elevator, ascending slowly.

Accompanying them on this ascent was an ICBM.

In this manner, the floor and ceiling, carrying Fang Li, Sherlock, and an ICBM, seamlessly merged together.

The scene before them transformed abruptly from the dim hall to the vast expanse of the sea.

The hundreds of meters-long nuclear submarine had risen to the surface, bathed in sunlight.

Fang Li and Sherlock stood atop the submarine, confronting each other.

They remained locked in this standoff until sparks began to fly from the base of the ICBM.

Seeing this, Fang Li’s eyes flickered.

“No need to worry,” Sherlock spread his hands and said, “This ICBM has been modified. It’s no longer an intercontinental missile, but a manned vehicle.”

“A manned vehicle?” Fang Li looked at Sherlock and said, “In other words, you still want to escape?”

“I just want an ending that suits the occasion,” Sherlock stated somewhat ambiguously. “Old soldiers should vanish. I don’t want to leave you with a corpse, and I believe Aria wouldn’t want to witness that either.”

“So, let me exit the stage here.” Sherlock’s voice had grown hoarse, and he continued, “Even if you want to fight me, you won’t be able to defeat me in the short term. I’m on the verge of death soon, so what’s the point?”

“Whether it’s meaningful or not isn’t for you to decide; it’s for me to decide.” Fang Li closed his eyes, and his voice resonated slowly.

“Moreover, it’s not as if I have no way to defeat you immediately.”

With these words, Fang Li gradually raised the dagger in his hand, lifting it over his head and pointing it toward the sky.