People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Christen clicked her tongue, turned around, and walked towards the experimental tower.

According to normal experimental procedures, Safar should have returned to an observable location inside the tower for a physical examination half an hour ago, following the operating procedures.

Even now, the top floor of the Tower of Babel remains completely silent. Within the operational range of the monitoring system, Christensen couldn't see even a single flame, let alone Safar's conspicuous tin can body.

With the experiment having progressed to this point, even Christensen, with her excellent composure, had to admit that something unexpected must have happened at the top level.

She wanted to go up and see for herself.

This sounds incredibly reckless, but she is Christensen. This is firsthand information directly related to what exists beyond the heavens. To stand idly by while others write history is nothing short of torture for her! And she cannot accept this kind of torture twice in a row.

The members of the research station were almost all staff members of the General Construction Department and Rhine Life Scientists carefully selected by Christen. At this moment, although some people wanted to stop her, they could not stop Christen's steps at all.

However, at the very moment Christensen reached the Tower of Babel, a researcher's exclamation came from the control panel:

"He is back!"

"No, what is that...?"

The researcher's expression was tinged with undisguised terror, because the creature engulfed in flames in the monitor's footage was truly horrifying.

It wasn't just because of the Flame Demon's completely naked appearance, but also because the figure in the picture was indeed somewhat distorted.

In theory, we generally don't use the word "distorted" to describe a ball of fire.

Fire is fire, burning continuously. It burns brighter with the help of fuel and gradually goes out without it, but Safar's image at this moment is completely different from this stereotype.

He was burning, and the more intensely he burned, the smaller he appeared on the screen.

"No, how could Wangsheng be short?"

The researcher shook his head somewhat blankly, sensing a hint of confusion.

He sensed something was wrong, but couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

When one concept is grafted onto another, the resulting counterintuitive contradiction can cause an instinctive sense of unease.

At that moment, another researcher assisting with the observation suddenly spoke up to explain:

"There's nothing strange about this, Ryan. Don't doubt what you see. What we need to do is verify why he's the way he is now, explore the underlying principles—that's 'science.'"

“That’s right, indeed, there’s nothing abnormal about it.” The researcher, known as [Ryan], nodded matter-of-factly, his doubts instantly vanishing.

“Mary, thank you. Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be at Rhine Life?”

"I arrived this morning by airship," the researcher said with a smile. It was the most beautiful smile Ryan had ever seen, just like the one he had imagined countless times in his dreams.

Ryan couldn't help but smile: "So we're taking an airship? Airship routes have been opened so far?"

[It's been a year since the airship was launched in Sherag. The technology is mature enough by now. Ryan, haven't you ridden one yet?]

Ryan opened his mouth.

It's already open? How long ago was this? How come I had no idea?

But the next moment, the logic in his mind suddenly seemed to connect and become self-consistent.

That's true, maybe I was too focused on my work at the dome. Everywhere here is covered in white snow, and I've been indoors all day, so I haven't been paying attention to the time. Maybe a year has already passed?

He smiled shyly:

"Time flies! Haha, it feels like airships only appeared last month."

As he spoke, he suddenly felt a pang of regret: "Ah, actually I wanted to invite you to sit with me again. Then, I'd like to..."

"You want it?" The researcher smiled. "Don't worry, just say it. I won't refuse."

"I also want to propose to you on the airship—"

"Snapped!"

"who are you talking to?"

Christen slapped the researcher across the face.

Hearing the researcher's exclamation, she immediately returned to the control panel, but when she looked at the monitor, there was no trace of Safar. Moreover, the monitor, which should have been located in the [seatbelt], seemed to be severely interfered with, displaying serious distortion throughout the image. It was warped, filled with snow and noise, and some images even turned into rainbow stripes.

She instinctively sensed something was wrong. The so-called "dangers" Ernst had warned her about when he suddenly came up the mountain last night were now flashing through her mind. But before she could make a judgment, the boisterous researcher, as if possessed, suddenly began talking to himself while staring at a vase.

You even proposed to a vase? Why don't you just say it's your trophy?

Seeing that the researcher was about to start chewing on the vase, Christensen didn't care anymore and slapped him and his "Mary" to the ground.

But as soon as it fell, the researcher shattered like a vase.

There was no blood. The shattered researcher lay scattered at Christensen's feet, bones, muscles, and organs all broken into pieces. In contrast, the vase that had also fallen to the ground was not flowing with the "water" that Christensen had seen, but with gushing, thick blood.

Christensen involuntarily took a step back.

Even the dumbest person can figure out that a person can't possibly break like a vase.

Is it really impossible, Christensen? Don't be so confident.

A familiar voice suddenly rang in my ears, and [Saria] appeared at the entrance of the research station without me noticing.

What, are you surprised to see me?

The figure's expression was cold and stern as he questioned Christensen.

Did you think that just because you locked me down there, I wouldn't be able to find a way out?

Christensen, you underestimate me.

[Besides, why don't people break like vases? It's a simple method. Historically, the sorcerer king turned the Gaulish envoy into a statue, then smashed the statue—didn't the person break?]

[This is Originium Arts, isn't it amazing?]

So relax a little, Christensen, what's happening in front of you is just common sense—

"Click——"

Christen covered her head and pressed the escape route button in her hand without hesitation.

A large hole suddenly appeared under Saria's feet. Her face was filled with astonishment. She barely managed to utter the word "You!" before falling down again.

"Hmph, I don't care what you are. Saria wouldn't talk to me like that."

A bead of sweat dripped from Christensen's forehead.

"Besides, even if you are Saria, so what? I can seal the evil dragon once, and I can seal it twice! You can't stop me from going to the sky!"

"Ahem, that's not right."

Christen shook her head, turned around, walked to the control panel, and without saying a word, pressed the emergency button.

There was no doubt that something unexpected happened during the experiment.

Moreover, accidents might be the most troublesome kind. Ernst mentioned it to me last night, what was it again?

Never mind, I need to notify them first.

"Oh right, and Safar too, we need to release him..."

Her mind raced uncontrollably.

Safar was the hero of this experiment. Although there were some unexpected events, it was still a success. Humanity had finally taken its first step in exploring the area outside the Terra isolation layer. Such a cause for celebration deserves a grand celebration banquet, so we should instruct Muirsey and the others to do so.

I'll dance for once, it's been a while. As for a partner... how about Ernst?

It's better than Ferdinand. Last time I saw her dancing with Seria, Seria had to stand in the male lead's position. It was outrageous.

"Kristen?"

As if her wish had come true, Christensen had just pictured Ernst's appearance in her mind when Ernst's voice appeared in her ears the next second.

She turned her head, and Ernst, Kal'tsit, Typhon, and Al appeared at the front door at some point.

So fast?

No, it must still be a hallucination.

Unless there's something wrong with my sense of time?

Damn it, this feeling... I can't tell anything apart, I can't tell anything at all!

Christensen pursed her lips.

"Hehe, but this is quite convenient?"

"Now let me imagine what it would be like to see my mother and father."

Suddenly, Christensen smiled again. It seemed this ability wasn't so bad after all.

The only pity is that she would never fantasize about what it would be like to go to space.

That's something she's going to do herself; it's a dream, not a fantasy. Even if she goes crazy, she won't use fantasy to make it "come true."

Because it must have been a scene so magnificent that it was beyond her current imagination to describe.

However, the next moment, Ernst, who appeared beside him, reached out and barely managed to lift her up.

Christensen was slightly taken aback.

Does this thing...this fantasy...have any physical form?

Her mind suddenly felt clearer than ever before; the contradictions, distortions, and incongruities that had been lingering in her thoughts vanished instantly. She slightly raised her head, looking at Ernst with a mixture of confusion and surprise in her eyes, but almost immediately, it turned into worry.

"Don't touch me! Ernst! Something went wrong with the experiment; it might be contaminated by [that thing]!"

She clearly remembered Ernst's instructions from the previous night.

If the experiment goes wrong and you see a swarm of insects, send a message saying "Insect swarm attack." If you see a cannon charging, send a message saying "GG."

If you see nothing but feel something is amiss, you should never call them by their name; you should use a substitute.

Whether it's that thing or someone you know, as long as it's not one of the two types of information mentioned above, Ernst can figure it out.

Upon hearing Christensen's warning, Ernst pursed his lips, somewhat speechless.

Sister, if you wanted to say something, you could have said it sooner.

I've already hugged him, what's the use of telling me now?

Besides, I didn't want to hug you, but the way you looked at me just now, you just bounced over to me, grabbed me, and said, "Want to dance?"

What can I do?

If I don't pick you up, you'll have to drag me down into the pit with you to keep Saria company!

As for why you suddenly started calling out "Dad" and "Mom" later, with a relieved, liberated, and comfortable expression, I don't understand, and I don't dare to ask.

Who knows what kind of hallucination you were having?

Asking that question would probably kill you.

However, Kristen's words were not without effect; Ernst immediately looked at Typhon and Kal'tsit beside him.

Everyone knows perfectly well what "that thing" refers to.

Both of them are experts at solving these kinds of problems, and at this moment, Ernst had no choice but to rely on them.

However, Typhon only glanced at Ernst and Christensen in his arms before turning his head away:

"No problem, it's very clean."

"You're quite clever, knowing not to directly touch a collapsing structure. The contamination isn't too severe, stay calm. A few minor hallucinations will be taken care of by the doctor. I have to deal with a bigger problem."

She clearly took Christensen's warning as proof that she had taken precautions.

But Kal'tsit looked at Ernst and Kristen with some doubt.

Typhon's explanation makes sense. But was Christensen's appearance just now truly just a hallucination?

If there were direct contact with extraterrestrial pollutants, even a secondary infection would be far more intense than the projection within the stargate. Theoretically, that level of pollution would leave no room for respite.

Or rather, people won't even realize that "a problem has occurred."

Everything will collapse as a matter of course.

Kristen's reaction suggests she wasn't deeply contaminated, and why did she suddenly become sober after coming into contact with Ernst?

Stimulated?

Ernst was also puzzled. Given Kristen's appearance just now, Ernst didn't believe that the illusion was only a little bit.

Putting everything else aside, even if Ernst ate a whole pot of mushrooms, he couldn't imagine Christensen jumping around like a woman and inviting him to dance.

Although she quickly regained her senses after touching him.