Tower of Overturn

After Russell's statement, Glass realized she could no longer pry any information from him.

Because, having made that statement, all subsequent questions could ultimately be redirected to this conclusion. Such is the gravity of words.

Why he hadn't used a gun, why he took such risks, how he could be so brave, why he would sacrifice his life to battle... or why he fatally attacked others, why he carried a Spiritual Energy Weapon against regulations—Russell could lead all these questions to the same conclusion.

The former was answered with, "It was all to protect the captain," while the latter, because it "ultimately protected the captain," she felt it inappropriate to probe further.

Otherwise, Glass might have faced a complaint from the irate captain.

While protecting the captain, Russell was also protecting himself, providing ample motivation; and he indirectly protected the passengers on the airship, the airship itself, and the buildings crushed by its potential crash, undoubtedly accrediting his achievements.

But the statement made by Russell was obviously stronger and more forceful than the answers provided separately to these questions, better suited for inclusion in the daily news. And even if Glass continued to question him, she would only receive similar answers, possibly questioning her professional level... It was better to keep the interview focused on the most vital part.

After willingly exchanging contact details with Russell, Glass left with the staff and security personnel by helicopter.

Afterward, the enthusiasm of the passengers in the cabin immediately erupted.

They only learned after reaching their destination that the airship they had been on was hijacked—by a vicious gang of fugitives known as "Babel"... even the flight attendants were mercilessly killed and thrown into the ocean, left without a burial site.

Although their target was apparently someone in first-class. But as the airship almost ran out of fuel, to stall for time, they still wouldn't let the captain land.

After all, if the airship landed, these mercenaries with prosthetic body modifications could have jumped out, but innocent civilians would have certainly suffered.

"Quick, say 'thank you, big brother.'"

A lady with slender equine ears, gently nudging her daughter, patiently instructed.

The girl, appearing to be only five or six years old, looked up and earnestly said to Russell, "Thank you, big brother."

After saying it, she curiously asked, "Is brother a… hero?"

Russell hesitated for a moment.

He felt a bit dazed by the girl's words.

The youth with cat ears touched his own ears and laughed somewhat ruefully, "Big brother doesn't know either."

...Do young children these days, who need their parents to teach them even to say thanks, know the word "hero"?

She probably didn't even know how to write the word "hero," let alone understand what it represented.

Yet, she came up with the word on her own and hoped Russell was the hero she imagined.

This was the first time Russell vaguely realized what kind of "hero" the people in this world were longing for.

It wasn't about heroes having specific achievements or standards, saving someone, or accomplishing great deeds... but about first envisioning an imaginary hero, then hoping real people would become it.

This wasn't about a person. This was an imagined god, a symbolic savior.

No wonder that these days, there are so many heroes with explosive public images.

How outstanding one must be to meet such fantastical expectations of a hero...

Just being aware of this made Russell's mood heavier.

"Please don't say that—"

A woman in her thirties, wearing glasses, with feathers behind her ears, urgently said, "There's no doubt, you who saved us, in our eyes, are a true hero!"

Russell remembered her.

She was the one who came out from first class to specifically thank Russell after Glass had left.

The passengers in the common cabin were only threatened by the possibility of an "airship crash." However, those in first class were genuinely infected with a virus and had their memories stolen. Moreover, they didn't even know which first-class passenger the group had targeted.

Guests who could afford to travel in first class generally had some secrets in their minds.

If those thugs were left unchecked, everyone would suffer—without knowing whose memory exactly was stolen, they had no choice but to consider everyone's memory lost and all information they held as compromised. There could be no room for wishful thinking.

This would undoubtedly lead to huge financial losses for their companies. Countless people would have to work overtime, numerous plans would have to be forcibly terminated, think tanks and executives would meet overnight to redirect these plans. Some secret and vital locations would be abandoned, they had to relocate servers and other equipment, and countless individuals might even have to move house.

And all those in first class would pay a dreadful price for this..., even if they were innocent and even victims of the incident.

After all, someone had to be responsible for the company's losses.

In this regard, Russell was indeed their hero.

Russell had decapitated these hijackers before the airship landed, ensuring the secrets in their minds were not leaked, saving countless small companies on the brink of extinction and preventing an unimaginable level of resource evaporation.

"I wonder, Mr. Russell, what are your plans on Happiness Island?"

A man wearing glasses with antlers growing on his head earnestly inquired, "I am the marketing manager of Tianen Group... Here is my digital business card. If you are interested in joining Tianen Group, I can arrange for you a starting salary at R4."

As he spoke, he handed Russell a business card that resembled crystal, embedded with various silver thread patterns, with both hands.

This expensive, art-like business card only needed a simple swipe over a Prosthetic Body, without needing to insert it into a chip slot, to read the individual's identity information. It was sufficiently secure and also held some collectible value.

After thanking him, Russell took the business card.

He had learned before that at Tianen Group, the R4 level was quite decent. It was roughly equivalent to the level of a "technical supervisor" or "senior engineer."

The marketing manager himself was at R5 salary level, so to offer Russell an R4 starting position was certainly sincere. Of course, this was also related to Russell's education and mentor.

But Russell certainly wouldn't dampen the man's spirits by revealing that the "uncle" he was coming to see was the man's direct superior...

All the guests from first class thanked Russell without exception.

Some wanted to arrange a job for Russell, some wanted to befriend him... and some wanted to invite him to a meal.

The most generous was the last to appear, a man wearing indoor tea-colored sunglasses, his skin slightly darkened, who spoke brashly. He outright offered Russell a villa and a Floating Car, including maids and a driver, which completely overwhelmed Russell on the spot.

The other first-class passengers were taken aback by his remark and didn't know what to say.

They, of course, also planned to give Russell some gifts—but such things are not to be discussed openly.

If they really wanted to express gratitude, why not add him as a friend and then privately transfer the money?

To speak such things in front of an audience... undoubtedly diminished the value of the "hero" role.

—As if Russell had acted just for the money.

It didn't sound like gratitude but rather like pointless mischief.

Even the onlookers at the periphery felt a slight aversion toward this man.

It was the onlooking Amirus who came to the rescue, quickly dismissing the man with a few words. He also managed to politely decline other offers of meals and accommodation on Russell's behalf, claiming he needed to treat Russell's wounds quickly to prevent scarring.

People immediately breathed a sigh of relief and felt appeased.

After all, no one would dare compete in wealth with an Old Elf.

This creature had lived from a thousand years ago to the present... far surpassing any ancient family in value, to a degree beyond measure...

However, Russell intently watched the insistent man walk away, pondering deeply.