Wasteland Echoer.

“‘Heart of Truth’, what a wonderful name. I remember Wolfya telling me that there’s a mysterious room beneath the city of Nebusk, which, if I’m not mistaken, is called ‘The Chamber of Truth’?” Dark asked, holding the “Heart of Truth” that had slowly cooled down due to the constant flow of water-based magical energy within him.

As he spoke, he remained vigilant and serious, staring intently into the eyes of the boy named "Yongguang" before him.

"Eternal Light's" eyes exhibit heterochromatic colors due to the complex fluctuations of the two magical energies within his body. His left eye is pure black, like obsidian, while his right eye is crimson, just like the eyes of dragons. It is likely that "Eternal Light" possesses some dragon blood, but he lacks the exhilarating yet slightly terrifying aura emanating from Adaloni, suggesting that the dragon bloodline within "Eternal Light" is relatively distant.

“Indeed, but…” “Eternal Light” stared at Dark with great vigilance. After several weeks of intense clashes between thoughts and memories in his mind, the look “seeping out” from his heterochromatic eyes quickly changed from extreme suspicion to a “pleasant” relief.

"Commander Dak, if your source is the Lost Ones, we cannot allow you to enter Nebusk. After all, since the time of Governor Viking, 'The Chamber of Truth' has been an SS-level military secret. Apart from the core members of the Federation Council, Commander Nebrius, and the core members of the 'Dark Night Investigation Team,' no one knows about the existence of 'The Chamber of Truth.' Even the term itself has never appeared in any executive orders or internal documents issued by the Federation Council."

"Eternal Light" paused, slightly loosening his right hand, which was trembling slightly from gathering magical energy. He straightened his somewhat wrinkled black "Flame Robe," turned his back to Dark, and gazed at the sculptures of "Ancient Gods" and "Supreme Lord (Official)" in the distinctive Khitan Ris style enshrined in the abandoned church. He then began to explain further:

"Wolfya is Commander Vasily's only son. Although he is an illegitimate child, after spending time with you, the former 'monster,' and the two arduous battles in the 'Deep Ruins' and 'Red Illusion Ruins,' Vasily has become determined to have him succeed him."

"In reality, Yaroslav is a veteran military officer carefully selected by Vasily for Vovya, you are an extraordinary loyal dog selected by Vasily for him, and 'The Chamber of Truth' is the 'divine chamber' that will assist Vovya in ascending the throne."

"'The Divine Chamber'?" Dark asked in confusion.

“Of course.” “Yongguang” nodded slightly.

"In fact, in the cultures of Krusde, Genne, and Putoa, everything related to the gods is a masterpiece tainted with sin. The 'shrine' is a filthy place specifically for rulers and heirs to deal with dirty things."

"A place specifically for killing... and eliminating enemies for Vasily? Or is it for some dirty deals that generate huge profits?" Dark asked disdainfully.

After all, in such a filthy and pathetic wasteland, nothing is more sinful than the wasteland itself.

"It's not about those things. For Vasily and Wolfya, money and resources aren't necessities. The entire Crusad is a source of nourishment they can draw upon at any time. It's just that some dirty experiments can't be brought to light. Vasily needs to maintain his image as the leader of human civilization, of course, that's before the 'Fireworks of the Past' event." At this point, "Eternal Light" couldn't help but chuckle bitterly a few times.

Then, he leaned close to Dak's neck, pressing his skin against his, and whispered:
"The Federal Council has been trying to develop a new type of 'alien warrior' that surpasses 'Budemira' and the various 'alien monsters'. In the initial conception, these 'alien warriors' are composed entirely of pure flesh and blood, but are more robust than machines and consume less fuel and energy."

"In contrast to the 'monsters,' they possess an absolutely clear mind and absolute loyalty to their leader and country. In fact, Vasily attempted to give them excellent magical resistance, making them immune to all magical attacks and unaffected by any mental corruption."

"Is that a correct understanding?" Dark asked in a low voice.

"The so-called 'alien warriors' are actually the most powerful individual 'weapons' in the concept of having heads and bodies that are similar to steel machines, but are made of flesh and blood."

“That’s right, Commander Dark, your summary is quite accurate.” “Eternal Light” further explained: “The ‘Light Seeker’ project is actually an elegant prelude to the ‘Alien Warrior’ project. It’s just a pity that the ‘KR:032’ antibody in your body has given you a rather strong desire for independence. You should have noticed that you’ve begun to enjoy being unconventional, and you have unchangeable independent ideas on most things. This is the ‘KR:032’ antibody rapidly taking effect.”

"Wofya attempted to cleanse your body of the antibodies through the 'Deep Bitter Ruins' and the 'Crimson Illusion Ruins,' but in reality, from the moment you decided to go to Khitanris, these antibodies were already indelible." "Eternal Light" gently stroked Dark's arm, then slowly moved upwards, touching his firm chest, feeling the slightly warm, frantically beating cyborg heart, and said in a soft, intimate tone:
"In the top-secret document released by Vasily, 'List of Replicated Technologies of the Old Empire and Technologies Independently Developed by the New Federation,' this project to cultivate 'alien warriors' is codenamed '088' and named 'Odyssey of Elysium.' Every year, the Federation Council secretly selects the most outstanding Federation [warriors] from various regions as test subjects and sends them to the underground laboratory in 'The Chamber of Truth' for horrific modifications."

"What was the result? That's all I care about. In fact, Wolfya told me that he abhorred all human modification experiments carried out by the Federal Council. I'm willing to believe that he was forced to participate in the entire experiment." Dark's voice turned cold.

“I don’t know about that, but as the heir to the governorship, the ‘crown prince’ of the entire Crusad civilization, even if he’s completely unaware, the bards will hold all the debts against him. The ‘Between of Truth’ is the embodiment of these sinful debts. Now, Vasily is dead, Wolfya is gone, and Nebrius was forced to die willingly in his struggle against Shaneva. So, from now on, all the sins will be placed on the ‘operators’ of the Bedween of Truth, namely the ‘Dark Night Investigation Team’.” “Eternal Light” said to Dark in a warning tone:

“Since you have stood against Shaneva, then the entire Nebusk, and even the strongholds that have not yet been invaded by the ‘Heartless Men,’ will consider you, Commander Light Sogra, and that dragon as Nebrius’s subordinates, or at least collaborators. And we, the ‘Dark Night Investigation Team,’ who have inherited Nebrius’s sins, will inevitably bring danger to you.”

"So, Hoshino Shota wants to cut ties with us? He won't come east with us at all, right? He still wants to stay in Nebusk, right?" Dark asked angrily.

“That’s right.” “Yongguang” nodded slightly, making no attempt to conceal anything, and said:

"Commander Hoshino Shota, the 'Star Ninja,' is destined to live and die with the organization. He is a citizen of Nebusk and will never leave Nebusk. No matter how turbulent the situation, he will stay until the end."

“Therefore, Commander Dak, I hope that after you enter Nebsk, you will voluntarily go to the place where the official receiving officers are located to stay. During this time, it is best not to reveal your contact with the ‘Dark Night Investigation Team’ to anyone. Only in this way can you avoid disaster and obtain good fortune,” “Eternal Light” sincerely advised.

"Nebusk will go to war, won't it?" Dark asked pointedly.

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; and no one can bear the weight of the crown." "Eternal Light" did not respond directly, but instead borrowed a proverb from the Book of Words:

"Apostles outside the city are always blessed by the Goddess of Light, while those caught in the vortex within the city are often cursed by the Lord of Night. Moreover, the 'Odyssey of Elysium' has accumulated enough sins and has become quite restless. I suggest that Commander Dark do not stay in Nebusk for more than two weeks. This way, Commander Hoshino Shota and our 'Dark Night Investigation Team' can help you coordinate supplies and provide you with the latest intelligence on crossing the 'Aventure No Man's Land'."

"You were originally children of the East. You do not belong to Crusad, and the continuation of the flame of civilization is beyond Crusad's ability. Zeng Yan, the Supreme Apostle of the True Lord, when the flames of machinery scorch the endless continent, only the East, shrouded in crimson flames, can offer a sliver of coolness. Go to the East, where the dragon's roar can dispel evil spirits and raging fire. The new beginning of the flames is there."

“Please explain more clearly…” Dark wanted to ask more questions, but suddenly “Eternal Light” in front of him emitted thick, choking smoke.

About three to five minutes later, when Dak used the water-based magic power within his body to dispel the smoke, the figure of "Eternal Light" was already out of sight, leaving only these sculptures combining Eastern and Western civilizations covered in dust.

“It seems that the situation in Nabusko is far more complicated than Wright and I had anticipated,” Dark muttered to himself, letting out a slight sigh.

Half an hour later, the roar of mechanical vehicles resounded near the abandoned church, the air thick with the pungent "fragrance" of sunflowers mixed with car exhaust, and the comfortable sounds of Wright yawning and stretching. (End of Chapter)