Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 617 The Dawn of Belogersk (Part 1)
"New Era 03: Before creating humankind, the Creator created various forms of intelligent beings throughout countless eons of time and space. But without exception, they all perished, either decaying and withering in putrid waters or sleeping eternally beneath falling stars. They never received 'inspiration' after 'wisdom' until the Creator created humankind in His original form."

Universal gravitation granted humanity the right to exist, yet it also deprived them of the right to break free of their shackles and venture into the stars. The end of magic is machinery, the end of machinery is spacetime, the end of spacetime is magic, and this time, the end of magic is the slumbering divine realm of the Creator. Dark chains silently rise, tangible mechs take on life, the afterglow of the wasteland has not yet faded, and the gods of the new world quietly awaken. — *The Dark Codex*

While waiting for Nebrius in the "Commander's Office" of "Fortress Level 05", Dark had a dream. In the dream, the Lord of the Night stood at the end of the void, staring at him with angry eyes.

Of course, as a former "alien monster," Dark naturally doesn't experience fear of anything. As a "Disruptor" with a destiny-bound connection to the "Orderers," he, like Wright, is not subject to mental manipulation or mental breakdown.

However, as a second-order god, behind the Lord of Night, besides the "Pillar of Creation" that he had glimpsed many times in his dreams, there was also the already collapsed and crumbling Temple of the Creator.

The Lord of the Night, looking down at Dark, held a book called "Dark Book" engraved with dragon patterns in his hand. Only when he finished reciting the last part of "New Era 03" did Dark awaken from his deep, hallucinatory dream.

"Cough, cough, cough." After a few violent coughs, Dak forcibly suppressed his irritating thirst. He looked at the gloomy, dim world still shrouded in sandstorm, and curiously rolled up his sleeve to check the time through the glass of his mechanical watch.

"Only half an hour has passed, and I thought it was already evening. Sure enough, when humans can't see the sunlight, they can never accurately estimate the time." After a wry smile, Dark looked at the "commander's office."

The “Fortress Level” to which the “Commander’s Office” belongs sounds like a fortress, or a small unit divided within a large building.

However, the "fortress layer" is not actually a single space, but an entire building, equivalent to the administrative building or administrative center of the entire Belogersk.

When the old empire first built the city here, it was just a simple military outpost due to frequent invasions by the "Ice Demon Tribe" and alien beast races from the north.

Therefore, the entire city was treated as a fortress, which Ivan XXII named "Northern Fortress". Later, the Federation Council and the "Dedication Group" took over and expanded Belogersk into a city on the basis of the fortress. The buildings from the original "fortress" period are collectively referred to as the "fortress layer", which is different from the later "industrial layer", "production layer" and "residential layer".

Then, about a hundred years ago, around the time when "The Silent One" Mekodev served as the Federal Administrator, the functions of the "Fortress Layer" were gradually absorbed by other parts, leaving only a seven-story building as the city's administrative center.

While wandering around the "Commander's Office," Dak discovered that Nebrius might indeed have cooperated with them, just as the "Dedication Group" had claimed.

"This doesn't look like a prison cell at all; it's more like a real office. Nabrius wasn't imprisoned or controlled as the Adventurers' Guild had said. Everything a superior could enjoy is here," Dark thought to himself.

"If the officers are imprisoned by the Lost Ones and still have office tools, radios for external communication, manual typewriters, clean water purifiers, and even two Crusader swords and a new type of rocket launcher in the middle of the office, then the Restorers of the 'Dedication Group' might as well just commit suicide."

Just then, Dak's gaze was drawn to a religiously themed painting hanging on the wall.

He stepped across the wolf-skin rug and slowly walked toward the painting that was always illuminated by an electric light, examining it carefully.

Suddenly, a familiar voice belonging to a boy came from behind him.

"Yellow sand rises with the fire."

"The god of war rises and falls."

"Journey to the Source of the White Night".

“Dark Tillis, it’s been a long time since we parted ways at Dawn Industries. We’ve finally met again.”

“Hoshino Shota?” Dark turned around and saw that the voice was indeed from the alien boy with the blood of the Eastern Province of the Flame Empire.

Upon meeting him this time, Hoshino Shota's childishness had faded considerably, and his once fair face now bore several fresh scratches and wounds.

However, he was still dressed in a very steampunk-style worker's uniform, with a multi-pocket leather jacket and joggers, but the military-style cotton overcoat he wore seemed somewhat out of place with his status.

“Commander Nebrius can’t come for the time being. He asked me to meet you first, the one who has been recognized by the ‘Net Hunter Shrine’ and made the ‘Andres Wish’.” Hoshino Shota gave a friendly smile. He didn’t shake hands with Dark or exchange further pleasantries, but went straight to the point:
"Being able to activate the 'Net Hunter Shrine' proves that you possess the ability to become a god. As you and I both know, anyone, regardless of their profession, can advance to demigod status by acquiring seven Order Cores. After listening to the teachings of the gods and undergoing the test of death, they can secure a place in the order of gods."

“That’s why you possess formidable power. Since you followed the Restorer ‘Flame Offering’ to Belogersk, Lord Nebrius won’t let you leave until at least the end of the war.” “I understand that. If I didn’t want to be here, I could easily injure ‘Flame Offering’ and return to the Federation army. I reckon that Shaneva hasn’t yet issued the order to remove me from my position and rank, so she must be waiting for me to return and serve the Federation again.” Dark glanced at Hoshino Shota, then turned to stare at the brand-new, white-painted rocket launcher on the oak table, and smiled wryly.

"I went on adventures with Wolfya to the 'Deep Ruins of Suffering,' to the Extreme Cold Zone, and to the 'Red Illusion Ruins,' all in search of the power to stop the 'Universal Energy Evolution Platform.' I opposed Vasily before, and I oppose Shaneva now. Therefore, Nebrius has no need to test my resolve to cooperate."

“Wright and I are destined to leave this place, head east, towards Khitanris, to find the answer to ending the wasteland, eliminating the ‘heartless,’ and even restarting this world. Although I also oppose Ivan XXII, there is one thing I agree with him on: this world needs a complete reboot. Perhaps in the Black Oblivion Islands, perhaps in the ‘Land of the Moon.’ However…”

Before Dak could finish speaking, he quickly turned around and, with lightning speed, pulled out the "Replica - Mad Bear" pistol from his waist and pressed it against Hoshino Shota's forehead.

"Hmph, hehe. As expected of a [Disruptor], you certainly have a unique advantage in speed. Commander Nebrius needs someone like you. To us, you not only possess extraordinary fighting skills and exceptional strength, but you also have... something extremely rare in the wasteland world—a normal heart." Hoshino Shota displayed a composure beyond his years in the face of Dark's threat.

A smile of admiration crept onto his lips as he forcefully suppressed his worship of Dark's formidable strength and agile physique. Staring into Dark's grey eyes, he said:

"Don't be fooled by the fact that the Federal Council always instills many seemingly correct moral concepts in soldiers during training, even making them memorize them and frequently conducting spot checks. In reality, once they get involved in power and become officers, they will always be cowardly and reveal their true colors. As for why you don't see so many annoying and despicable officers, it's because Vasily executed quite a few."

“553年12月‘k-07号处决令’，554年6月‘k-08号处决令’，555年1月的‘K-S01号处决令’，还有556年7月的‘夏季处决令’。瓦西里至少处决了1032名在联邦控制的各地据点中违背‘军事法律’的军官。”

Shota Hoshino deliberately paused for a few seconds before continuing:

"Vasily was an idealist, but unfortunately, his wisdom was insufficient to support his overly grand ideals. The mistakes that led to everything ultimately resulted in defeat and disaster. Just like you, as the [Troublemaker], constantly ascending through the ranks."

"The 16 Magic Source Sequences represent that there are only 16 types of high-level professionals. Whether it is the Chaotic Sequence or the Good Sequence, there is only one path to advancement. The theologians of Crusad speculate that perhaps the Creator prefers simplicity and dislikes the complex and diverse advancement rules."

“Go on.” Dark was clearly interested, but he still didn’t put down his gun. After all, Hoshino Shota’s presence here posed more of a threat than a safety risk.

"The advancement of each high-level professional seems to involve acquiring seven ordinal cores, with no apparent difference. However, the fates they must endure are highly correlated with their profession. For example, the advancement of a 'Troublemaker' typically takes place in a dark, confined environment shrouded in death, without exception," Hoshino Shota emphasized.

"The mark of advancement for the [Troublemaker] is the 'Dark Eyes,' originally the eyes of the Lord of Night. However, in the last two eras, He no longer manifests in His true form, so you can only see them in your dreams. The 'Dark Eyes' symbolize death, disaster, gloom, terror, or calamity, or sin, or madness. Only those with formidable spiritual strength and an unbreakable mental fortitude can reach the end of the [Troublemaker]'s professional destiny."

"Its advancement is similar to that of the [Fearful One], but the opposite of that of the [Ordered One]. [Order] is an absolute light with chaos, while [Chaos] is an absolute darkness that retains order. Fate... destiny, it will guide you forward to the dark temple that ultimately belongs to you."

"You seem to have a deep understanding of the occult, Hoshino Shota. This doesn't match your apparent passion for steam-powered machinery. You're an agent, aren't you? I don't want to know your purpose in infiltrating Novayask; I just want to know your identity," Dark said in a commanding tone.

“Since Nabrius seeks my cooperation, I will naturally not reveal the evil and monstrous nature of the [Troublemaker]. I am human, not a Lost One, and I will not identify as a superhuman. Therefore, I need Commander Nabrius to give me his truth. Tell me, what is your true identity!”

“Okay.” Hoshino Shota took a deep breath and said slowly:

“Hoshino Shota is indeed my name, and I have no reason to hide that. I am also from the Cruz East Province, and my ancestors were exiles who migrated from the outer region of the Khitan Ris. Most of my information is true, which is why I was able to keep it from that shrewd woman, Shaneva.”

"But in reality, I've been hiding a lot of information. Twenty years ago, when my father, Hoshino Tsuki, passed away, I secretly came to Nebusk and joined the 'Night Guard,' also known as the 'Dark Night Investigation Team,' led by Nebrius. Because I could guide some of the dragons' power, Nebrius made me a core member."

"'Nightguards'? Isn't that the Lost Ones organization that Shaneva hates but can't do anything about? Could it be that Nebrius has already cooperated with the Lost Ones?" Dark asked, putting down his "Imitation-Mad Bear" pistol and returning it to his waist.

“That’s right. Otherwise, why would the administrators of Hoptov, North and South Uhatta, the City of Heavenly Punishment, and even Castagrad be able to make excuses such as the difficult war situation when they go to Icefall City to report on their duties or convene the Crusad Citizens’ Assembly, while Nebrius must attend every single time without fail?” Hoshino Shota explained:

"The 'Dark Night Survey Corps' was tacitly approved by Vasily during the Viking era to control the remote eastern regions and suppress Novayask. After all, Novayask was a base of rebellion during the old empire, and these eastern cities, relying on the 'Great Railway,' were simply impossible to govern effectively."

“I am Core Member-03 of the Dark Night Investigation Team. My mission, besides investigating Shaneva for Vasily and collecting information on her dereliction of duty and malfeasance, is to find the black dragon, Seye. Now that Commander Vasily is dead and Shaneva has usurped the leadership position, my mission has been changed to unite all forces that oppose Shaneva, overthrow her, eliminate her, and obliterate her.”

"And what about the dragons?" Dark asked.

“Now, Lady Anna is under Shaneva’s control. I need to rescue the Black Dragon Seye from Shaneva and send him to Nabsk for protection. As for Adaroni, he is here, in the resting area of ​​Belogersk. I need your and Light Sogra’s help to fully awaken the dragon blood within him before the battle completely collapses.”