Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 508: The Final Direction (Part )

"Oh, so that's it. Did Secretary Kuka tell you anything? After all, this place is directly under the jurisdiction of the Federation Council, and the arrangements made will not be communicated to me." Yaroslav complained slightly.

Ross obviously heard Yaroslav's voice-over. He took two steps forward and replied with a smile:
"Kuka didn't tell us anything extra, Commander-in-Chief. He told us the same thing he told you, asking us to continue running the 'Silver Cosmic Absorber' device in front of you to absorb the last 10% of the 'dark energy' from the universe.

"When the moonlight rises at night, we can activate the other 'Moon Energy Absorber' placed in the center of this venue to capture the 'H3 Element' emitted by the moonlight. We can mix the two together to perform the 'Ritual'. In this way, we can see the specific location of the 'Evolution Stage' guided by the energy."

Yaroslav looked up, and only then did he have time to carefully observe the appearance of the two scientists he had never met before.

Igor was slightly larger than the other soldiers present. Below his face, which was covered with wrinkles and scars, was a relatively intact "scimitar beard" of the Central Empire people, but it was too messy, as if it had not been trimmed for a long time.

But what was even more strange was the upper half of his face. If you drew an axis of symmetry downward from the center of his eyebrows, the left half looked weathered, as if it had been eroded by wind, sand, rain and snow for a long time, revealing an abnormal redness, while the right half of his face looked as if it had been burned by flames, revealing large patches of yellow-brown wrinkles like rotten apples.

Moreover, his right eyeball no longer looked human. There was only a transparent white eye like cloudy glass, and a few "eyelashes" around it that were still moving randomly and unconsciously.

Taking a deep breath, Yaroslav turned to look at Ross beside him. This "little brother" seemed much more normal, with an innocent appearance of about fifteen or sixteen years old. Although there were many traces of battle on his face, such as small scars and a bullet scar at the corner of his mouth, he was generally very fair and tender, as if he often used magic power to maintain his appearance.

He was not thin and was considered strong among his peers, but he was a head shorter than Igor. However, even though he was wearing the same white coat that scientists must wear like Igor, it could not hide the fact that two fingers on his right hand had been replaced by machines.

"Wait, 'Silver Sky Absorber'... and 'Moon Energy Absorber', didn't Secretary Kuka say that we can use the 'Silver Sky Fantasy Wood' transplanted here to absorb the energy? Why do we need these... weird instruments?" Yaroslav looked at the lonely 'Moon Energy Absorber' in the center of the venue and wondered.

"That's right, Commander-in-Chief. These two instruments are made of the terminal branches of the 'Silver Universe Fantasy Wood' as the main material. You may not know that although the 'Silver Universe Fantasy Wood' has similar properties to ordinary plants and also needs fertilizer, watering, and pest control, its wood has the characteristics of metal." Igor replied:
"After research and analysis, we have concluded that its density is slightly higher than gold, its hardness is stronger than steel alloy, and the circuits made of it have better conductivity than silver. Most importantly, compared with ordinary metals and special magic instruments, 'Silver Universe Fantasy Wood' has a stronger 'dark energy' storage capacity.

"In other words, if it is made into a battery dedicated to storing 'dark energy', a palm-sized piece can meet the energy needs of a small city for half a year. Moreover, the 'Moon Energy Absorber' made from it can also store 'H3 Element' for up to 24 hours. You know, the most powerful of the so-called Ranked Monsters can only store it for 24 minutes."

"So, as the Khitan people say, 'Everything is ready except the east wind'?" Yaroslav said with a satisfied smile.

"Of course, Commander-in-Chief." Ross agreed:

"Although we reported to the Federal Committee that the success rate of this 'ritual' is not high, based on the current analysis of external factors such as equipment and weather conditions, the probability of finding the 'Tianshu Evolution Platform' tonight should be more than 90%. Commander-in-Chief, there are still 10 hours before the experiment officially begins. I would like to ask you to deploy troops around the 'experimental site' to ensure smooth transportation of materials and prevent the Lost Ones from sneaking in and destroying it again."

"Of course, this is what I should do for the Federation Council. For victory and the revival of human civilization, I can do anything." Yaroslav nodded, his voice was very soft and low, but as hard and powerful as steel. "Thank you, Commander-in-Chief, we will also do our best to cooperate with you. Commander Vasily promised me that as long as the 'Evolution Platform' plan is successful, I can go to the Far East District 3 in the east to find my daughter." Igor forced a smile full of expectation and said:
"Commander Vasily told me that he received a report from the border corps stationed in the central region of the Far East, saying that someone who looked very similar to her was seen near the railway line from the northern city of Ukhata to Hoptov. The local administrator has sent people to look for her, but there are many independent armed forces composed of descendants of the nomadic tribes of the old Ukhata, Khata, and Tatar tribes. They are closer to the Lost Ones in their stance, so we have to wait until the war in the west is successful before we can persuade them to surrender or annihilate them in one fell swoop and find my daughter."

"Well... don't worry about that. The Federation Committee will never go back on its word on anything it promised. Moreover, Commander Vasily told you this personally, so it's even more impossible for them to go back on their word. I have served the Federation for so many years. Although some of the people in the Federation are insects, clowns, and greedy money-diggers, they tend to pay more attention to oaths and promises." Yaroslav comforted and promised, fearing that the Federation's most important scientist would interfere with the normal progress of the experiment "ritual" because of his daughter's problem.

However, Yaroslav's worries were obviously unnecessary. Igor just shook his head and sighed slightly, then gave the commander-in-chief a firm smile, like an unshakable thousand-year-old rock, and said:

"I didn't question the intentions of Commander Vasily and the Federation Council. I am full of confidence in the future. After all, the Wind Mine that wronged me was punished by its real owner. I have survived until now with the food supply and official protection of the Federation Council.

"As the Khitanese proverb says, 'If you give me a gift of peaches, I will give you plums in return.' You know, Sir Yaroslav, this long night is too long for human beings. But it should not be so long."

"I agree." Yaroslav felt the same way and blurted out.

"Five hundred years is a long time. It represents the two dynasties of my hometown, the Palaiolotine and Constantinian dynasties, from prosperity to complete destruction. The first two hundred years were the era when [order] went from unity to chaos. In order to survive, people could only regard everyone as an enemy and survived under cruel plunder, killing and coercion. In that era, anyone who had a trace of sympathy and kindness in their hearts would become food for others." Igor sighed:
"The two hundred years in between were a process of gradual stabilization and reconstruction of [order]. Because the chaos of the first hundred years was too intense, the power of mankind had become too weak. Aventlai became a no-man's land, and the Central Empire had only a few strongholds lingering on. Putoya, the most powerful maritime power in the Steam Age, fell apart and each fought for itself.

"Only the Khitanris have maintained the order and the last dignity of mankind from the beginning to the end, and own half of the country. But if the Khitanris close their borders and develop on their own, their culture determines that they cannot step out of their core territory, and they will not start a war for the revival of human civilization. Only the Rhine people and us Crusaders are the last holders of the human fire.

"But Commander-in-Chief, the Hinets have already failed, and we are the only ones left. If our 'Restart Era' does not finally arrive, this reincarnation of mankind will slowly return to silence. When the flame of life is rekindled from the endless ice age, I wonder if there will be another race with 'wisdom', 'divinity' and 'creativity' like humans."

Igor said, while Ross was walking down the metal stairs to the "Moon Energy Absorber" to do the final equipment maintenance and "ritual" preparations, he took a few steps forward, leaned close to Yaroslav's ear, and whispered:

"Commander-in-chief, I know you have always kept a sense of justice in your heart. I would like to ask you for one thing. If the plan of the 'Evolution Platform' brings disaster, please advise Commander Vasily to shut it down immediately, and then lead the army to the junction of the North Karlov District, the Old South District and the Old Asia Frost District to clear out the top leaders of the 'Spear of Odyssey'. If by then, Commander Vasily's mind has been controlled by the 'Evolution Platform', please give him the last bit of dignity."

"It won't be that bad." Yaroslav smiled awkwardly and patted Igor on the shoulder.
"I trust the Federal Council, and I believe they have adequate failure plans. I am old now, and half of my soul is with the real owner. I just hope that after this battle is successful, I can enjoy a few days of peace with Sofia.

"Ha, I've been standing for so long, I seem to have used up too much of my energy. I'm also sleepy, so I have to go take a nap on the seat next to me. Wait until there are still 30 minutes before the 'ceremony' starts, then wake me up."

(End of this chapter)