At the moment she followed Ethan out of the Lower City, she made a compromise in her heart.

Even if Ethan could present a barely workable theory, she was willing to withdraw from this election, ready to turn the page on her feelings for Oasis City and the entire Far West.

What might Ethan say to her now?

She encountered a person she couldn't decipher. Predicting the future was out of the question; she couldn't even guess what he would say next.

Bazarian noticed Ethan's Adam's apple move. His expression was resolute, and he only uttered four words.

——"Since we're here."

The unexpected reply left Bazarian so shocked that she forgot the passage of time.

"Are you out of your mind?"

Several seconds later, Bazarian's eyebrows rose suddenly, and her expression turned fierce.

"Huh?"

"Stop pausing for breath when you speak!"

What does "since we're here" even mean?

This infuriated her! She even had expectations that Ethan would say something to help her let go of her obsessions.

In a fit of pique, Bazarian turned her gaze to the judgment platform. Even though she didn't know what Ethan was plotting, since he didn't require her to concede, she might as well witness this election to the very end!

Meanwhile, the people in the underground sewer were racing toward the exit to the Upper City.

The heavy footsteps behind them approached, and each step of their pursuers caused a tremor beneath their feet. For Laris and others, it was undoubtedly the worst day.

The poisonous gas bomb they had cultivated for so long had been stolen, and more unexpectedly was the change in Sariman.

Originally, they hadn't considered Sariman a concern.

Just like them, Sariman was a resident of the Lower City, and by seniority, he took over the role of the former Prison Warden after his arrest. Before that, he had no beliefs and had nothing to do with the identity of the Transcendent, surviving the prison riot purely by luck.

What could such a marginal figure, whose name wasn't even worth remembering, possibly change in a mere three days?

However, reality defied everyone's expectations.

Their left-behind companions didn't manage to take care of this problem-solving fool, nor did they hold out against Sariman for long.

Sariman donned a never-seen-before dark blue metal armor that hid his face within. The armor made him over three meters tall, standing like a high wall forged of steel and faith. The helmet, with its simple yet effective design, was the most daunting part, resembling an emotionless metal visage, making him appear as a remorseless Judge, delivering final judgment to these gutter rats.

The giant hand clad in dark blue armor clamped tightly around the neck of a mutated creature, the sticky secretion-covered flesh emitting unpleasant creaks under the pressure of his fingers.

The companion who mutated after consuming the fruit was like a rag being dragged by Sariman across the ground, and upon seeing them, Sariman threw the broken body of the mutant at their feet as if disposing of garbage.

This scene deeply shocked Laris and others, leaving them with only one thought in their minds—retreat.

They had to retreat to City Hall Square and execute the final step of their plan before the judgment ended.

Even if they couldn't defeat this dark blue armored giant with force, they still had the plague bomb as their final trump card.

This was never a one-on-one duel; they didn't need to win a head-on battle with anyone. Once the bomb activated, it would start the countdown for Oasis City and the entire Far West, and by then the Saint of the Church Court would have to make a choice.

Eliminate the source of infection and nip the plague in the bud, or allow the plague to spread through the Far West due to momentary hesitation.

No matter what choice she made, she would betray the Lower City residents who trusted her.

They understood the crimson plague just as well as Mary did.

"Laris, you know what to do."

The man dressed in a filthy doctor's outfit, with half his face covered by a mask, stopped in his tracks, "Even if they stole our experimental result, there's still one last path open to us. We've always prepared for the worst, haven't we?"

The only difference is in what way they will witness the advent of the new epoch.

In history, it was precisely a plague that quietly opened the curtain on the Fourth Epoch, dissolving the Third Epoch in death and decay.

They still held the key to unlock the Seventh Epoch's door.

"You witnessed the seed's germination process, using your body as the soil to let the seed of the plague bloom and bear fruit."

"Doctor" said urgently, believing that Laris' faith wouldn't waver.

They were all the most steadfast Believers of the Goddess. The Goddess bestowed the fruit in their hands, making them the sowers of a new epoch, even if it would destroy their bodies and distort their souls.

"Boss, we'll cover for you!"

The tall and chubby young man who had been by Laris' side stopped in his tracks, his stamina reaching its limit. He clutched the fruit, a silly, naive smile appearing on his face, "Boss, you never minded my big appetite. Today it's finally my turn to help you! I ate two crates of hard bread before heading out today, feeling stronger than usual!"

Laris also halted, a rare expression of hesitation appearing on his face.