People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

There are roughly three possibilities.

Alternatively, confronting one's inner self and questioning the subconscious "debate" reminded Ernst of pre-civilization content, especially that of Precyth.

However, this raises a significant question. The dust on the "treasure" was personally wiped away by Precys, the person in charge of Project Originium. She personally informed everyone of the consequences of the surgery, and the removal of the dust can be seen as a necessary means of proving the stability of the "treasure."

If Ernst still remembers Priscilla, it means Priscilla lied, or that Priscilla failed.

The failure of the person in charge often means the failure of the survival plan. Although the Preservator can be somewhat aware of the abnormal changes in Originium, the word "accident" is always more acceptable than "failure".

The Preservator project has effectively failed. All Trevor Friston has preserved are frozen chunks of meat. Hoping they can revert to human form is less likely than hoping the meat on Ed's cutting board, who claims to be "the last person in the universe to cook for himself," can turn back into animals on its own.

He was reluctant and unable to consider the possibility of yet another plan failing.

However, if we rule out this possibility for the time being, then the reason Ernst said those words can only be understood in a "literal sense".

Unless he was deliberately making a fuss or amusing himself, he really "saw" Precyth.

In the "debate".

An unexpected incident occurred in the "Debate" system, and a ring of red light flashed across the surface of the [Preserver].

This is a vigilant reaction.

When the previous civilization formulated its survival plan, in order to avoid the possibility of the "observer" wiping them all out, it deliberately set each survival plan in a different field and tried to sever the connections between them.

Ed's Heaven's Pivot was the first to be built, but also the first to fail. The combination of extreme weaponry and the ability to "grant others adulthood" did not guarantee the continuation of human civilization, and the prophet had already criticized Ed's recklessness. Lo's Deep Blue Tree focused on biology, hoping to exhaust the possibilities of evolution in order to create an ultimate life form capable of withstanding the Big Bang. [Originium] was the most unique; the inspiration for artificial amber came from the properties of "treasure" natural amber, a field untouched by previous civilizations. Therefore, it was personally overseen by the priestess and the prophet, the overall head of all surviving projects.

As for Trevor Friston, his Preservator Project was merely the most pessimistic choice made after reaching a dead end, allowing a group of people to live on life support devices until the future and then awaken. To be honest, very few people thought such a plan would succeed; otherwise, the "Observer" would have been too easy to evade, easily fooled with a blink of an eye.

However, his advantage lay in the fact that he consumed very few resources and that there was a tiny theoretical possibility, so in the end, he still managed to get room to implement it.

It is obvious that the survival plans are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other; the Preservator has always adhered to this principle.

But if—and I mean if—Precys actually barged into his "debate arena" and argued with the "treasure" for over an hour right in front of him, and he was completely unaware of it, then the Preservator would be quite annoyed.

No, buddy, if you really want to meet the "treasure," just come to me and tell me, and I might agree.

Since my plan has already failed, if the appearance of the "treasure" can make crucial progress in your plan, then it wouldn't hurt for me to break this "principle" on my own initiative.

When Trevor Friston transformed into the "Preserver" AI, he was already prepared for this. For the sake of civilization's survival, he was willing and had already given up everything. He could easily agree to such a small request.

But taking something without permission is theft, especially when the "stolen" item is a "treasure".

Trevor Friston and Precys weren't particularly close; they were merely a group of remnants of humanity temporarily banded together, fighting for survival alongside a few other companions. Precys, the linguist, was more inclined to befriend the prophet. But Trevor Friston didn't believe their relationship warranted even a simple explanation.

Why did Precys insist on "stealing" someone when they could have met normally?

Trevor Friston didn't want to speculate about his former comrade, but it didn't seem like a very difficult question to deduce—unless she wanted to say something that no one else could know.

"Pureseth."

In the stifling stillness of the place, Trevor Friston called out.

It's not simply about emitting sound through a sound-producing device; it's also releasing signals.

It emits all signals at frequencies that humans have ever used, could use, or even those that have been abandoned.

This time, however, his signal was not directed towards the silent universe beyond the isolation layer, but towards "this land," or rather, "this planet," which was still quite lively.

The signal will pass through every country, whether it be Colombia or Victoria, the Eastern Kingdom and the Great Yan in the far east, or Bolívar and Sargon in the west. Not only that, it will also sweep across the boundless oceans, glide over the scorching lands and endless ice fields, until it reaches every corner of this planet.

This was his question to Precyth.

The status of the Heavenly Pivot is unknown, the connection to the Deep Blue Tree is interrupted, and only Originium seems to be omnipresent and thriving, according to the information provided by Christensen and the various pieces of information he has gathered in this country called "Columbia".

Did it succeed?

No, it shouldn't be. The Preservator knows very well that once the Originium, this "artificial amber," is successfully created, all the information will be solidified, and there will never be a bunch of demi-human-like creatures or such a dubious civilization on Talos (Terra).

However, the fact that Originium has not yet been successful does not mean that Precyth is dead.

After all, the [Preserver] project failed, but didn't he still survive?

If that's the case, if there are still fellow human beings, and if we know that hope still exists...

Why didn't you answer?

For the first time, an emotion called rage ignited within Trevor Friston's mechanical body.

For 6 years, he has been holding a big megaphone and shouting his words to the entire universe like a fool for 6 years.

Even if his voice might not be able to reach the universe due to the isolation layer, at least on Terra, there can't be anyone who will never hear his voice, right?

Even Christensen! That demi-human girl, with her signal monitoring device that was like an ancient treasure to Trevor Friston, detected his signal!

If Precys had the ability to infiltrate his "debate," then he must have known where he was. Knowing where he was, yet not answering him, what does that mean?

Pretending to be deaf and dumb?

If you want to ensure the independence of the plan and prevent interference with each other, then you shouldn't have invaded the "debate." Since you have invaded the "debate," it proves that you don't care about those rules from tens of thousands of years ago, so you should have responded earlier!

If they had responded sooner, their compatriots in the stone coffin would have been safer.

Trevor Friston no longer has a human body; otherwise, his breathing would be exceptionally heavy and hoarse, like the almost solidified water vapor before a storm.

But naturally, just like the 33,000 years of silence that had passed, Trevor Friston received no reply.

Silence was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head; that was Precys's answer to him.

The custodian waits, confirming that they have not received any response.

Silence is the greatest form of contempt.

His worst fears may have come true.

Precys has always had that tendency; she doesn't care about many things. Human civilization might be one of them, but it's definitely not the most important one.

She doesn't care about other survival plans, or even other responsible parties. Is Originium really still amber made for the "perpetuation of human civilization"?

He doesn't know the answer.

He could only wait, wait for Ernst to arrive.

He had to remind him not to trust Precys too easily.

“You have already done so much for us, there is no need to ask for more.”

Outside the stasis chamber, Ernst had once again arrived at this ancient yet incredibly advanced ruin.

This time, the scale was much smaller than when Chris Teng came last time. The Rhine Life employees who were supposed to be doing maintenance here had even been dismissed and given a break. Only the Tin Man, the petite Mark Max hanging from the Tin Man's waist like a doll, and Ernst were present.

"Won't they secretly tell Christensen that we're here?"

Ernst asked.

The tin man shook his head, took one last puff of his cigar, swallowed the smoke, and said calmly:

"will not."

“They are Colombians first and foremost, and then Rhine Life employees.”

"And the one who issued this order was His Excellency the President, whom all Colombians respect the most."

Ernst glanced at the Tin Man's waist, but Mark Max didn't react, seemingly used to such flattery or taking it for granted.

He nodded and stepped into the elevator.

Darkness descended once more, and doubts resurfaced in his mind. There were still many things he didn't understand, but the answers lay hidden three thousand meters underground.

He wanted to hear more than just Priscilla's side of the story.

Chapter 645 Precys' Chocolate Making Class

"Then I'll keep watch for you two up here."

The Tin Man took off his cowboy hat, bowed to Ernst who was holding Mark Max, then turned and took the elevator away again.

He was actually quite curious about the deeper relationship between Ernst, the Prime Minister of Scherragács and Zacaz's benefactor, and the President of Colombia, and what the two of them could be secretly doing three kilometers underground outside Tremont. But he was very clear-headed; there were some things he shouldn't ask, and couldn't ask.

Mark Max was no merciful man, and his mystique was in no way inferior to his own. As his right-hand man, being valued and even knowing some of his secrets was already the limit for him. The Tin Man didn't believe that dead souls could truly die if anyone tried to cross that line.

He wisely left, then went out to let people know, and incidentally helped arrange the trips of those people Ernst had saved to Shelag. He did his job well, and he was sure to get his share of the benefits.

After watching the Tin Man leave, Ernst glanced down at Mark Max's doll and, at his signal, placed it on the ground.

Mark Max seemed a little nervous. Although Ernst thought he probably didn't need to breathe, Ernst could indeed hear Mark Max panting heavily.

Just like the overloaded computer fan he used when playing games in his past life, blowing loudly!

Ernst wanted to say that it was really unnecessary.

The Tin Man's words, "I'll keep watch for you," gave him a strange feeling, as if they weren't going to see an old man from a previous civilization, but rather to break into a burglary or raid a tomb.

Or should I light another candle in the southeast corner?

Er didn't dare say it aloud, because even if he did, Mark Max might not get the joke Ernst was referring to. Without that knowing smile that everyone understands, any joke wouldn't seem so funny.

But now that you look like you're "so nervous about introducing your girlfriend to your parents," Ernst really has to offer some explanation.

First of all, I like being passive, but I'm not a submissive!

Secondly, why are you so nervous? Don't you already know I've been here before?

Mio Ernst made no attempt to hide his familiarity with the place. Moreover, as he had said before, he didn't believe that Mark Max's claim of giving him freedom of movement meant he wouldn't be unaware of his movements.

Besides, we all used the elevators built by Christensen General Construction Technology Co., Ltd. to get down, okay?

Why are you so nervous, while Ernst isn't? It's Tian Gang, isn't that your father?

After staring speechlessly at Mark Max, who was still dawdling and doing moralizing for a long time, Ernst sighed slightly and decided to go ahead.

Mark Max's thoughts were beyond his control; he genuinely needed to speak with the Preservator, and there was no time to lose.

Ernst strode quickly to the tightly closed door of the Stasis Institute. Before he could speak, a faint light flashed across the sealed wall, and the door opened. Ernst stepped inside, and Mark Max, still somewhat dazed, stood there for a moment before quickly hopping after him.

[The Preservator] Trevor Friston has been waiting here for a long time.

Almost as soon as he saw Ernst, he immediately asked:

"You met Priscilla, what did that sentence mean?"

"She disrupted the debate?"

Ernst nodded, confirming Trevor Friston's worst suspicions.

Precys is still alive, and while the exact extent is uncertain, she certainly has the ability to interfere with the outside world, including infiltrating the "Debate" system.

Under such circumstances, she ignored her own calls for a full 33,000 years.

Even if the initial refusal to respond was due to the "isolation principle" set forth in the plan, every existing plan has encountered problems over the past 33,000 years, and Trevor Friston does not believe that Precys is so "principled".

To reiterate, if she adheres to the principles, she won't intrude into the stasis chamber and interfere with the "debate."

Seemingly struck by a tremendous blow, the lights throughout the entire stasis chamber dimmed due to the [Preserver's] silence.

Ernst could hardly miss the change in his mood, after all, the change in lighting was indeed too obvious.

But he simply couldn't find a way to comfort the "preserver".

He didn't even know what the former human named Trevor Friston had done, and even a simple, common phrase like "Don't be sad, you've done your best" sounded so condescending.

Therefore, he could only remain silent with Friston.

Fortunately, perhaps the module of emotion control came into play again, or perhaps he noticed the petite Mark Max who had entered the quiver, and with such an outsider present, Friston quickly adjusted his emotions.

His massive body lit up again, illuminating the entire stasis chamber, and he spoke once more:

"Ask me anything you want, Ernst. I'll tell you everything I know."

Your opening lines are exactly the same as Prismus's. Were all previous civilizations like this?

Ernst muttered to himself, thankfully there was no "debate," so his words wouldn't be heard.

"I want to ask about Precyth and Project Originium."

He spoke, seemingly without hesitation, but this was the most important question he had come to after two days of deep thought.

Precys is the key to the problem. Ernst cannot ignore a living, pre-civilization human who wants to cover the earth with Originium.

Trevor Friston didn't seem particularly surprised by Ernst's question.

He had originally planned to say more good things about Precys, but now that Precys had secretly come to his "debate" to cause trouble, he no longer needed to give her any face.

After a moment's hesitation, he replied:

"Precyth, codenamed Priestess, is one of the leaders of Project Originium. The other leader, codenamed Prophet, is also the overall leader of all survival plans."

"Besides the Originium Project, the remnants of human civilization left in this star system, including myself, Ed, and Law, have each formulated three plans: the Preservator, the Heavenly Pivot, and the Deep Blue Tree."