Chapter 139: Hope Born from Despair
North Sea, the white town of Ferefence.

The sun rises as usual on a new day, but for the people in this town, no one, whether doctors or the public, wants time to pass so quickly.

When the disease makes the end of life visible, the mood is maintained only because hope is placed on the doctors in the hospital.

Three months have passed, and every day is a torment for everyone. They hope that the doctors in the hospital can bring good news and save themselves who are lucky enough not to die yet.

There is no hope for this country. They just want to survive, or keep their children alive.

The appearance of white spots means that the disease has begun to develop. There is still time, but it may take several months, a year, or a year and a half...

It’s not just a symptom.

Three months ago, Ferefance's guards discovered that all the nobles had evacuated the country, and the surrounding neighboring countries had built barbed wire around the entire border and surrounded it with armed soldiers.

The entire Feilevans has been abandoned by the whole world.

There is great terror between life and death. Under the collapse of emotions, the loss of order has plunged this once prosperous white town into chaos.

If the doctors in the hospital had not stepped up, perhaps three months ago, all the people in this country would have died quickly, without the outbreak of this diabolical disease.

But three months later, doctors still haven't found a cure.

Someone once again cut the barbed wire and tried to leave the blockaded country, but as soon as he took a step, he was shot on the spot and his body was burned.

Two months have passed again.

More and more people died, and the sound of crying could be heard every day in every household across the country.

The middle-aged man looked at the white spots that had appeared on his arms, then turned his gaze to the child at home who had fallen ill.

Due to Perkin Elmer disease, the previous generation could live to the age of fifty, but the next generation can only live to less than thirty, and the next generation before the age of fifteen.

But I’m not fifteen!

My child is only eleven years old, and there are still four years left, but why...

Theory is just theory, at the age of eleven... or before the age of fifteen.

"Bang bang bang."

There was a knock on the door.

After opening the door, there was a couple standing at the door.

"Go to the hospital."

"Ah."

After the brief conversation, the three of them had no more extra words. After settling the child, they headed to the hospital entrance together, hoping to get the latest news.

However, at this moment, at the hospital entrance, after five months, there are many people like them who come with hope.

There was no chaos or noise. Everyone was waiting quietly at the hospital entrance because they knew very well that noise would affect the doctors. They came here just for hope today.

Soon, a young doctor with bloodshot eyes and trembling steps came out.

Just by looking up, his red eyes met everyone's gaze.

Everyone at the hospital entrance felt their hearts tighten and their hands clenched as they looked at the young doctor who would come out every day to tell them about the progress. The hope in his eyes oppressed the doctor's emotions.

"Hold... I'm sorry."

Just one word shattered everyone's hope for life.

There were no complaints, but the tremendous pressure made the young doctor collapse to the ground.

He can't stand it anymore!
This job was just to go out the door and announce the results of the day, but the pressure and emotions it brought him were even more exhausting than the fatigue in the hospital!
Everyone left in silence, and no one went to help the collapsed doctor.

It's not because of cold-bloodedness and unreasonableness, but because everyone's hope has further shrunk today, and despair and collapse are approaching again.

As the crowd was leaving, a woman led a group of children and stood on both sides of the road, with their hands folded in a prayer gesture.

Pedestrians hurried by, and compared to two months ago, fewer people gave them food.

Yes. For five months, after the blockade of Freifans, food and a variety of supplies were at risk of being in short supply.

The church was originally used as an orphanage, and a nun with a group of children could not get enough food.

Things like Bailey have become worthless paper in this country. Even soldiers from neighboring countries who have blocked the border are unwilling to risk their lives to get the money.

Because of the notice given above, PerkinElmer disease is contagious.

"boom!"

The hospital door was pushed open.

This voice made everyone who was leaving stop.

Is there a cure?

Are there any new results?

……

For a moment, the crowd that was gradually dispersing stopped, but no one dared to look back.

After several months of countless pursuits of hope that finally turned into despair, they didn't want the flame that had just been ignited to be extinguished the next moment.

"Huhuhu..."

In front of the hospital gate, a doctor was panting but with a smile on his face.

"The amber...disease...is not contagious!"

In an instant, everyone turned to look at the doctor.

Will not transmit*.

Although it was not news of a cure, the conclusion meant that they could leave here, leave the country that had caused them to suffer from PerkinElmer's disease.

They can take their children to other places where medical technology is more advanced, to find hope!

"Woo..."

"We...will not be abandoned."

"Grand Line... Grand Line has a very good doctor! As long as..."

"Hurry up! As long as we can leave, we still have hope!"

"Please, please take my child with you. I have money. I have saved a lot of Baileys. It will definitely take a lot of money to leave here and go to the Grand Line!"

……

Everyone ran away. They wanted to go back and take their children with them to leave the country and look for hope of survival.

In the chaos, the nun protected a group of children to prevent them from being trampled.

A girl was held in the nun's arms. She looked up at the nun and asked, "Is Coco saved? Should we take Coco and the others to find a new doctor?"

The crowd soon dispersed, and the nun was stared at by the children, some of whom had white spots on their bodies.

"Ah."

The nun smiled as usual and nodded heavily: "Coco and the others will all be fine, don't worry."

Seeing the nun's smile, most of the children felt relieved.

Adults...wouldn't lie to children, right?
They were sick, but the nuns would find ways to make them better because adults would not lie to children.

Only the little girl Annie lowered her head.

Anne was already eleven and almost twelve years old, and compared to other children, she was able to sort out events clearly.

There were six children in the church who were sick, fifteen who had died, and thirteen who were still able to move.

White spots have also appeared on her body.

It was extremely difficult to leave with nineteen children and find a doctor who could cure Perkin Elmer's disease.

Soon, the crowd that had gathered in front of the hospital had all left, and everyone was busy going back to pack their luggage and flee the country with their families.

The nun also took the children back to the church. Although she gave them assurances, she knew very well that there was nothing she could do.

But judging from the current food, they can only continue to survive if they leave here. Only by continuing to live can these children have hope of recovery.

That night, all the children brought their own bags, and those who were sick were placed on carts and headed for the border.

They walked and stopped many times until late at night before they got close to the border.

"boom!"

Gunshots were heard, as well as shouts.

"Perkins disease is not contagious..."

"boom!"

"We are harmless. This is the hospital's report..."

"boom!"

"Do not!!"

"Don't kill us... Please, please save my child, he won't..."

"boom!"

……

All the pleading and shouting stopped, and then a raging fire burned the people who were shot, and only a part of them escaped.

The nun and the child looked towards the direction of the barbed wire. Those soldiers in protective clothing, no one was willing to listen to their explanations, they only shot and killed.

"Sister...Sister..."

"Let's go back! Quick, hurry up."

The children quickly turned around and ran in the same direction. In the confusion, Annie fell to the ground while pushing the cart.

A heart-shaped fruit fell out of the backpack.

Food in the church was becoming increasingly scarce, and although she didn't recognize the beautifully shaped fruit, she picked it up anyway, intending to leave it for the sick Coco.

"Annie!"

The nun shouted, but Anne, knowing that food was precious, turned around, picked up the only fruit, and stood up to push the cart again.

This scene was seen by a soldier in protective clothing outside the barbed wire.

That is... a devil fruit!
Just as he was about to make a move, the guy from the World Government next to him also looked over.

After the two looked at each other, they immediately stopped the steps they had just taken.

……

The white town of Ferefence.

In fact, as early as 100 years ago, the world government had already discovered that this platinum lead was a poison.

But in order to gain profits and continue to manufacture weapons made of platinum and lead, the government and the nobles concealed the truth and deceived the people to continue mining platinum and lead ore.

After a hundred years, the Perlman Disease had already broken out and the destruction of Frevans was inevitable.

The World Government will not allow ordinary people in Frevans to leave alive, as that would cause unnecessary consequences.

The lives of ants are not worth mentioning. What is important is the majesty of the world government.

The soldiers on the border are from the surrounding countries, but the ones who monitor and instill the idea that PerkinElmer is contagious are agents of the World Government.

Barrerus was an officer in the North Sea Navy and was also recruited by the World Government in this operation, so he recognized that what he just saw was a devil fruit.

Devil Fruit, no matter what type it is, even the most common animal type, can be worth 100 million Beli.

This was a fortune that he, a member of an ordinary branch of the North Sea Navy, had never imagined.

But now... there is another person who knows this secret!
And Barrerus knew that the other party's silent attitude was the same as his intention. Soon, the rotation time came.

Both of them refused to take a break and looked at each other.

At five o'clock in the morning, border crossers appeared again at the border. The two rushed there at almost the fastest speed and searched the crowd for the group of children they had seen before.

"roll!"

"asshole."

He cursed under his breath, but this time there were more people attacking and they were armed.

It was obvious that by choosing this time, this group of desperate people had no intention of reasoning from the beginning.

In the chaos, a dagger pierced into the protective suit.

Barrerus withdrew and hid in the dark night. He made sure that the knife he just stabbed had pierced the opponent's heart.

……

Time passed quickly, and two months passed again, and the doctors at Freifans still made no progress on Perkins disease.

Now, even doctors are beginning to lose confidence in curing PerkinElmer's disease.

Healing was no longer possible and food was becoming increasingly scarce.

In this situation, in order to survive and to keep their children alive, most people began to prepare weapons.

They discussed the time and place to break into the border, and everyone was preparing.

At the same time, Barrerus felt that he was about to lose his patience.

Why didn't the little girl with the devil fruit show up? The woman leading them should be a nun from the church judging by her attire.

But now... I can't go in.

The World Government asked them to blockade the entire Feilevance. He was just a small branch officer, and it was not certain whether he could get out after entering.

"boom!"

"Bang bang bang..."

"boom!"

A series of gunshots rang out, including the sound of artillery fire.

Soon, a masked CP appeared and informed the World Government of the new order.

[Wear protective clothing and enter Ferefance, kill all infected people, and burn them on the spot. ]

The opportunity... came.

Barrerus was the first to lead the team in. He chose a narrow alley and shot everyone in the back, then headed straight for the church.

But unfortunately, the little girl was not there.

Faced with the nervous nun, Barrerus thought for a moment and took off his protective mask.

"First... sir?"

The nun was stunned. She thought the other party would kill them, but she didn't think the other party would take off the mask.

Barrerus said directly: "I know very well that Perlman's disease will not kill you, but because of the order from above... we can only carry out it."

The action of taking off the protective mask made the nun let down her guard. She bowed and looked behind her with hope in her eyes.

"Mr. Soldier, I know this request is very presumptuous, but could you please take these children out?"

"They are still young, and their lives have just begun. I beg you to take them away from here. Only by leaving here... can they have hope of survival."

"The youngest of them is only three years old. They have just come into this world..."

"I promise you."

Barrerus agreed directly, pretending to smile kindly and said, "But the latest time is tonight. The people of Ferefance have started an armed resistance, and the higher-ups have issued an order to kill everyone."

"It's five o'clock now. I'll pick you up at nine o'clock after dark. Remember, don't trust anyone except me."

The nun nodded seriously.

All the soldiers on the border were afraid of their approach, and would burn ordinary people after shooting them, except for this soldier...

"Remember to keep all the children together for easy evacuation."

"Yes! Thank you... Thank you, Mr. Soldier. Could you... Could you tell me your name..."

Before he finished speaking, Barrerus shook his head slightly and said, "Knowing my name, I might be held accountable and executed in the future, so..."

The nun wiped away her tears with red eyes: "I understand. As long as the children can leave, even if it is my soul after I die, I will pray for you every day..."

Barreiros left the church and waited for darkness in a secluded place.

As for taking those little devils away, he never thought about it.

His goal...has always been that devil fruit.

After such a long time, he could only bet that the devil fruit had not been eaten. If it had been eaten, then all the efforts during this period would have been in vain.

As long as it was not eaten, the fruit would be handed over to him on the condition that he took them away.

This is less unexpected than threatening a group of people who are about to die.

……

At the same time, the revolutionary army's northern army stronghold.

Kevin looked at Karas who was already prepared: "Frevans has no way to cure Perkins disease after all. In order to survive, the people chose to take up arms and resist, but the World Government also decided to send troops in to kill everyone in Frevans."

Karas leaned forward slightly, and a low voice came from under the mask: "Sir, why don't we go in and rescue them in advance?"

"Karas..."

Kevin looked at this member developed by Dorag. He was very powerful, otherwise he would not be able to be responsible for the development of the revolutionary army in the North Sea.

"To change this world and give everyone the right to live is the goal of all of us like-minded people. But at the same time, the lives of the members of the Revolutionary Army are also lives."

"The Freifans were wealthy before the outbreak of Perkins disease, so they would not be willing to believe us. After the outbreak of Perkins disease, they would not think of resisting without experiencing despair."

"The premise of empathy is to be able to feel the same way, Karas."

After he finished speaking, Kevin stood up and patted Karas on the shoulder.

Afterwards, the revolutionary army began to gather on this island which was already close to Ferefence.

The teams did not wear any protective clothing, but everyone was fully armed with new firearms and protective clothing that could defend against ordinary shooting.

There are also portable mortars and communication devices for issuing combat orders.

The orders were obeyed and in just five minutes, nearly four hundred combatants were assembled.

"Sir, we can begin now."

Karas retreated behind Kevin.

Kevin then spoke up and revealed the filthiness of the World Government in the white town of Ferefence.

"For us, this is a world where living is worse than death!"

"But as human beings, we also long to live and live easily."

"There is no distinction between noble and humble lives. We just want to survive, but it is so difficult."

"The nobles of Ferefance have already evacuated. They are gaining wealth from the amber-lead mines, but leaving the pain to all the ordinary people."

"The amber-lead disease is not contagious, but the World Government has blocked the entire Frevans in order to cover up the fact that they are obtaining amber-lead ore without caring about the lives of ordinary people. Now they are even carrying out a massacre."

At this moment, after the assembled revolutionary army accepted ideological liberation, they thought about their own experiences.

At that time, they also longed for someone to lend a helping hand.

At that time, it was also the emergence of the revolutionary army that gave them hope of survival.

Now they have grown up and become members of the revolutionary army. But there are still too many deformed places in this world, and too many people are eager for them to appear and save them.

Freifans needs them.

Only when all persecuted people unite can the world be changed!

Kevin glanced at everyone one by one.

Mr. Huozhan, the founder of ideological learning, has always been the object of their greatest admiration.

At this moment, just the glances between them behind the masks gave them stronger morale.

"Now, everyone get ready!"

The order was given, and the phalanx of four hundred people formed into one.

Kevin stretched out his hand, and a greater heat surged in his body than before.

This is the basic improvement brought by Cyborg's talent. After a few months, his body has become a real monster.

"Shh!"

In an instant, a total of 402 people were transferred directly from the stronghold near Feilevans and appeared in the church of Feilevans.

Time: nine o'clock in the evening.

……

At 8:50 in the evening, in the church of Freifans.

The nun was begging Barrerus, hoping that the soldier could wait a little longer, because in the afternoon, the child of Dr. Trafalgar's family found her and wanted to go back and bring her sister over to leave together.

Sister Doctor Trafalgar knew this family, who used to donate to the church frequently and were very good people.

In the afternoon, the nun instructed the child from Dr. Trafalgar's family to bring his sister over as soon as possible.

However, after such a long time, he still hasn't arrived.

At this time, Barrerus was already impatient. He looked at the girl behind the nun, the girl who was away at five in the afternoon because she went out to find food.

"We can wait a few more minutes."

After exhaling, Barrerus asked, "Did you bring all the food? It will take a long time to get food after crossing the border, so..."

The nun nodded and said, "Thank you, soldier. Although there is not much left, it should be enough to last until the end. Are you hungry, soldier? We have..."

Before he could finish his words, after receiving a positive answer, Barrerus finally put down the smile he had been pretending to have.

He waved his hand and pushed the nun away, then looked at the girl behind her.

"what you do?!"

"Aunt Nun!"

"Mr. Soldier..."

……

The 19 children who were still alive were stunned. The older ones asked questions tremblingly. Anne hurried over and helped the nun up.

Barrerus twisted his neck and said, "You know what? My patience is almost exhausted!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Barrerus grabbed Anne and twisted her up: "Little devil! Tell me, where is your heart-shaped fruit? Okay?"

Anne was stunned.

That fruit...

Barrerus pulled off the small bag that was mended on his back, and when he opened it, he saw a heart-shaped fruit.

……

(End of this chapter)