Nobita's Time Heist

Above this crimson city, a powerful force even altered the color of the sky. No explanation is needed; a single glance from here is enough to know that this city is the source of the anomaly.

They are just one step away from saving the world.

Chapter 424: My Feud with Her

"Alright, let's get in the car."

"Wait a minute!" Jinglu couldn't control herself anymore, her eyebrows almost flying up, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure we shouldn't do something to cover ourselves up? Just going in through the front door like this doesn't seem like a good idea."

Da Xiong stopped and stared at her intently. The look in his eyes made her feel like she was the abnormal one.

“We definitely can’t attack head-on with a suicide mission like this! We need to find a way to sneak in, like using invisibility magic… That’s it! We can get in through Andrews’ waterways!” She pointed to the moat on the west side of the city, overjoyed, and said, “If we go in from there, we just need to open the unguarded gates, find a well-hidden small boat, and follow the waterways to the city center. Then we can sneak in from the plaza, make our way to the Scarlet God’s residence, assassinate her, and our objective will be complete.”

She gripped the map tightly in her hand, seemingly excited for the moment that was about to arrive.

"That's why I came with you! You need someone who knows the city's layout to point you in the right direction and help you avoid his eyes and ears. That's the only way to succeed. Even if you succeed, there's no guarantee that the dragons will disappear after the assassination. You still need to find a way to escape this city."

Nobita looked at her quietly, offering no affirmation of her statements, only a smile.

"Jinglu, do you think it's still meaningful to use these petty tricks at a time like this?"

Da Xiong turned his back, half of his body disappearing into the shadow of the mountain, as if it were covered up and could not be seen clearly.

“She must already know I’m here. We haven’t encountered any obstacles along the way. Half-dragons, wyverns, all the troops seem to have been contained in this city. I even think that what happened in the cave was just a staged performance by Jaqen, and that she never intended to meet me.”

"He wants to settle all the scores this time."

Da Xiong looked at the gloomy city and murmured, "Now is the time to settle everything! There's no need to hide anymore, no need to use any tactics. Let's go in head-on and confront him squarely."

Jinglu couldn't understand this idea. Looking at the rising crimson aura in the city, she couldn't help but swallow hard. "This is where other people's power is strongest."

“I know, so I don’t think you should come in with me. My negotiations are very likely to fail, and if they fail, war will most likely break out immediately. At that point, it will be a chaotic war without any scruples, and I will only have the option of killing her.”

"Are you still going to negotiate with him?" Jinglu asked repeatedly, increasingly surprised.

“Even though things have come to this, if there’s any chance of peace, no matter how slim, I should try.” Da Xiong nodded and said in a deep voice, “Besides, the fault lies with me. It’s only natural that she wants to retaliate against me with destruction, and I shouldn’t object to that. If she can accept the conditions I propose, that would be best, but if not…”

Nobita licked his lips, which were a little chapped from nervousness. "I'll find a way to get her out of this world."

"I just don't know how much longer we can hold out this time."

Is it naiveté or magnanimity? Shizuro couldn't tell for a moment. Although the signal for war was already clear, and both sides knew that there was almost no possibility of sitting down for peace talks, Nobita still wanted to fight for peace one last time.

"But, to negotiate, you need to have some leverage, right?" Jinglu glanced at the great god's pocket, her tone somewhat uncertain. "At this point, what could she possibly be interested in?"

“I can’t say that. The so-called trump card is only revealed at the last moment. Every word we say right now will reach her ears… Of course, she also knows that we know she knows that.” After saying something that sounded like a tongue twister, Da Xiong smiled and shook his head, looking relaxed, and stretched his waist. “So, everything depends on how things go on.”

"Who can convince whom, who can defeat whom, no one can know until the very last moment."

"No matter what, it's an honor to have come this far with you. Thank you for being with me all the way."

Jinglu looked at him silently for a long time, then gently punched his shoulder and laughed, "Come on, don't say things that sound like a death flag, okay? It's not certain whether we'll win or lose!"

"However, we will definitely make it back alive... I have a feeling that way!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The city gates swung open, and a black jeep started its engine and slowly drove in from the front.

The city was eerily quiet, the streets deserted. The ancient buildings, weathered and worn, seemed to have been steeped in the cold waters of history, their colors faded. The streets were covered in moss, the once bustling market was deserted, and only the sound of a dragon flapping its wings echoed from the ancient clock tower.

Driving slowly through this medieval city, Da Xiong felt as if he had entered a mysterious labyrinth. Shadows danced between the streets, like invisible eyes opening and closing in the dim corners. The abandoned church was hidden in the shadows of the trees, a scene of silence and solitude.

Perhaps Andrews was once a bustling and vibrant city, but now it has become a forgotten place, abandoned by time in a lonely corner.

An aura is something extremely difficult to resist. When the entire city exudes a hostile aura, it's very easy for one person's willpower alone to fall into a downward spiral. So far, none of the Crimson God's creations have launched an attack; they've merely hovered in the sky and lurked in the streets.

But Nobita could feel their gazes, and indirectly, he could also sense the gaze of the Scarlet Goddess, who was quietly observing him through countless eyes and ears. And ultimately, everything pointed to the church standing in the center of the city.

"when--!"

"when--!"

"when--!"

The melodious chimes rang out again, but no one in the city could respond. Therefore, the chimes were more like a guide; the Scarlet Goddess tacitly approved of this direct intrusion, and she didn't intend to act immediately. Perhaps for her, this moment had been awaited far too long; waiting another hour or two wouldn't matter.

The jeep didn't accelerate; instead, it drove cautiously, and amidst the rising dust, the expert finally arrived at his destination.

With its thick stone walls, soaring vaults, and mysterious stained glass windows, this black stone church exudes a mysterious and solemn atmosphere. The tolling of bells originates from here, and dragons, like crows, circle and gather in the sky above the church, flapping their wings restlessly, as if urging Nobita to quickly open the door and welcome his death.

"Stay here."

Meijin let out a series of incomprehensible sounds. He had transformed into his Autobot form, fully armed, displaying every luminous component on his body. Ready to make a big splash, he was instead ordered to stay home, leaving him somewhat resentful.

But this time, Nobita's attitude was unusually firm.

"This is a personal matter between her and me, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!"

Chapter 425: Negotiation

Dragons of all sizes swam outside the church, occasionally peering through the windows with their vertical pupils, casting chilling glances. Their size was vastly different from humans, and even a fleeting glimpse of them outside the windows was enough to terrify any ordinary person. Humans instinctively fear creatures larger than themselves, and the Scarlet God's deliberate arrangement of their presence outside served as a warning to Nobita.

The towering spires, the dim lighting, and the heavy atmosphere all exude a sense of oppression from the inside out.

In such an environment, people often feel an invisible pressure and fear, as if something ominous is about to happen. The empty hall is filled with deathly silence and loneliness. The tall pillars and stained glass windows emit a mysterious light. There is clearly no one there. The candles around emit a faint light, and the shadows cast seem to dance on the wall.

Every step he took felt like walking through quagmire. At the end of the light, he finally saw the person who had been hiding in the shadows and secretly competing with him for the past few months.

Phoenicia.

The enormous monster from my memory is gone; sitting there is only a white-haired girl.

She was extremely thin, dressed in cheap clothes that looked like plastic bags; it seemed she wouldn't even bother wearing them if it weren't for the slightest consideration for her companions. She sat like a petty thug, squatting in the main seat at the very front of the church, one leg dangling listlessly, her head leaning against the back of the chair. Her long, pristine white hair cascaded down, perfectly contrasting with her complexion.

In those eyes, an unsettling crimson flickered, like two flames that would never be extinguished. Upon seeing Da Xiong, her expression remained largely unchanged—hatred measured in trillions of years had long since transcended the stage of hysteria. Out of tacit understanding, Jaqen Helma also deliberately avoided this scene, leaving the stage solely to the two of them. In this silent world, witnessed by light and dust, the two finally reached their respective positions. Beneath the cross, a symbol of judgment, Da Xiong found a seat belonging to the believer and slowly sat down.

“These people are ridiculous, aren’t they?” Phoenicia, tilting his head, spoke with an unexpectedly heavy tone, “They would rather build such exquisite places of worship than see the real problems.”

"What god's church is this?"

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Phoenicia said calmly. “Anyway, he didn’t offer any help when I razed the city to the ground.”

"You stole Asur's divine position." At this point, Da Xiong no longer intended to hide anything and said whatever came to mind. "Before this, I didn't know her at all. Did you attack her to get revenge on me?"

“…” Phoenicia looked at him with a gaze that was tinged with pity, but more so with disdain, and the corners of her mouth curved into a cold smile.

“You might think I’m being sarcastic, but I understand you, really.” She shifted to a more relaxed posture, leaning back in her chair as if having a casual chat with an old friend. “Nobita, your abilities are truly outstanding. After you and that round blue tanuki partner threw me into space… I’ve experienced a lot and met a lot of people, but I’ve never met anyone like you.”

"You always like to put your will above others, don't you?"

This was the first time Nobita had heard such a comment, and he was shocked.

To place one's own will above that of others.

He had never thought of it that way.

"People with high self-esteem are always like this. You've been through too many adventures, and everyone you've eliminated must have been heinous criminals. Constantly fighting and winning creates the illusion that you're blessed with destiny," Phoenicia said coldly. "Those you've killed, those you've punished, all deserved it. They were filth that shouldn't exist in this world. Eradicating them was your destiny, your duty."

"When you are at the height of your power and influence, who can say otherwise?"

"I have never forced anyone to do anything," Nobita emphasized. "That's just your imagination!"

"So it wasn't there before?" Phoenicia countered with a laugh. "What about those birdmen? To me, they are the invaders, and I am the native species of that world. Have you ever accepted this fact?"

“That matter… was indeed my fault. At the time, you weren’t someone we could talk to. We had no other choice.” Da Xiong gritted his teeth and, despite the intense hostility, offered his suggestion: “These are all things of the past. It’s hard to say who’s right or wrong. We should look forward, both you and I.”

"Want to make a deal with me?"

……

“Ha…” Phoenicia sneered, a hint of absurd disdain showing on his fair face.

"Even at this point, you still intend to talk to me. Isn't this just you forcing others to accept your will?"

"I just hope for a peaceful resolution."

"Peace! It only exists in your imagination. Since the dawn of humanity, most of the time has been without peace. Trampling and war have been the main themes of human history. And you just happened to be born in one of the relatively peaceful decades. You, someone like you, dare to talk to me about peace. Don't you find it a bit ridiculous?"

"I understand the value of peace," Nobita said earnestly.

"Do you know why humans can accept peace talks?" Phoenicia asked with a smile, revealing the answer before Nobita could reply. "Because most human wars are about the distribution of benefits. A small group of people want greater benefits, and when all means have been exhausted, war is the only option. In this situation, as long as you promise them enough benefits, you can stop the war."

“But I’m different. What I want isn’t profit.” She pressed her hands on the seat, slowly supporting herself as she rose. Her crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness as she stared intently at Nobita.

"You know what I want?"

"All I crave is revenge."

Da Xiong sighed. Although he had known this would be difficult, the feeling of being completely impenetrable was still suffocating him. "Won't you listen to my conditions first?"

"More than the conditions, I'd like to know what concessions you want me to make?" She clapped her hands, as if playing a pleasant game. "I've been waiting for this moment for who knows how long, another hour won't hurt. Why don't you tell me first, what exactly do you want me to do?"

……

Despite the teasing tone, like a cat playing with a mouse, and despite the near-zero chance that she would seriously consider it, Nobita was secretly delighted.

Finally. Finally, she relented. In any case, as long as she's willing to compromise, there's still a chance to negotiate.

"The first thing, of course, is to wake people up from their dream, restore the world to normal, and stop getting involved in Jaqen Helma's disruption of the timeline."

The Phoenicians nodded with great interest, as if listening to a joke.

"The second point is to return Asur's divine position to her. With your current level of evolution, you don't need a dispensable 'Crimson God' position, do you?"

Chapter 426: I'll Grant You the Right to Use Three Props

"I really have to thank your clumsy blue raccoon companion." Phoenicia gave an unconscious sneer. "That beam of light contained powerful evolutionary energy. It allowed me to get rid of this weak body. The more treacherous the environment, the more it can stimulate the evolution within my body. You threw me into space, which only made my body stronger. In your human units of measurement, I evolved the ability to think in just a few minutes."

"I've heard that the power of Origin Technology is extraordinary. After testing it on me, I know it's true. It's a bit of a waste to have such a powerful thing in your hands."

"..." Nobita caught the undeniable new term in her words and frowned. "What is Origin Technology? I've never heard of it. All my gadgets come from the 22nd century."

Phoenicia sneered repeatedly, casting a condescending glance as if mocking Nobita's ignorance to such an extent.

“The 22nd century.” She counted on her fingers, “In your human concept of time, that’s 100 years from now.”

“Nobita, everyone says you’re not very bright. I didn’t quite believe it, but now I see you really are quite slow. Or are you simply unwilling to admit this fact?” Phoenicia asked, enunciating each word clearly. “Do you think humanity will be able to master such advanced technology in 100 years?”

"Right now, you still can't get rid of the chemical fuels for going into space; you still have to rely on outdated methods. The solar system is your cradle, and now you can't even leave that cradle. In the universe, you're just an infant who hasn't even learned to walk yet."

"On a cosmic scale, a century is but a blink of an eye." She snapped her fingers, and considering the years she had existed in the universe, everything she said carried great weight.

"Do you expect a baby who hasn't even learned to walk to skip walking and running and go straight to flying? That's wishful thinking!"

"My gadgets are indeed from the 22nd century; I have no reason to lie to you about that." Even as he said this, Nobita couldn't help but feel a little insecure.

Once, Dekisugi served as a living book cover for Nobita. In return, Doraemon took him to see the landscapes of the 22nd century, leaving Dekisugi deeply impressed. In just 100 years, humanity had made such rapid progress. This couldn't simply be called a technological explosion; it was more like a rocket launch.

Such a huge difference also made Nobita feel incredible.

War is an effective means of promoting technological development. The First and Second World Wars spurred the development of many things that didn't exist before, but there haven't been any major wars like those between the 21st and 22nd centuries. So, what link in the chain suddenly provided the impetus, allowing human technology to advance by leaps and bounds, directly ushering in a completely new era?

The words "Origin Technology" haunted Nobita's mind like a persistent nightmare. He had heard people mention it before, but he couldn't remember where.

"The so-called Origin Technology was produced by a very ancient civilization in the universe. It has existed for 3 million years and is the leader of all civilizations. The technology derived from it is called Origin Technology." Phoenicia seemed to enjoy seeing Nobita's shocked and bewildered expression, and deliberately explained in a nonchalant manner, "All the power in your hands comes from this."

"How could such a thing be..." Nobita looked down at his four-dimensional pocket and muttered, "Are you saying that humans in the 22nd century had some contact with that civilization?"

"What do you think your little deeds amount to on a cosmic scale? You can't even comprehend the power of that civilization. When they rose to power, Earth was just a barren, muddy planet, nothing more. Such precious power has inexplicably fallen into the hands of someone like you. It's truly beyond words."

She lightly rubbed the seat with her sharp dragon claws, producing an unbearable screeching sound, and said, "If you want to reconcile with me, transfer the right to use Origin Technology to me."

She stared at the four-dimensional pocket on Nobita's chest, a hint of fanaticism flashing in her eyes. "You don't know how to use this thing at all, and you don't deserve to use it! You're just lucky enough to have gotten it by some stroke of bad luck."

"In my opinion, you haven't even utilized one-tenth of the true potential of Origin Technology. Otherwise, we wouldn't be sitting here having this conversation."

This was the first time Da Xiong had received such a compliment, which intrigued him, so he didn't interrupt her.

"If you're willing, give it to me, and we'll call it even. I'll also do those two things you mentioned. How about it?"

His scarlet eyes gleamed in the darkness, making them enigmatic.

Nobita swallowed hard; it seemed that peace was just around the corner.

He hadn't expected Phoenicia to negotiate with him instead of lunging at him and tearing his throat open. If he just nodded, everything seemed perfectly resolved. This wasn't the first time someone had asked him for gadgets, and it probably wouldn't be the last. When he was little, both Gian and Suneo had tried to monopolize Doraemon. Even 8 or 9-year-olds knew these were treasures; someone like her, who had traversed the universe for so long, was even more aware.

Nobita looked at her warily. "What do you plan to do after I give it to you?"

“That’s none of your concern,” Phoenicia said with a disdainful look. “Whatever you do, you’ll do it better than me. Haven’t you always wanted peace?”

She spread her hands and shrugged. "Now, I'm giving you the opportunity for peace. I can also tell you clearly that this choice will never come again. I'm willing to make this compromise because Origin Technology has such value that it's enough to offset the grievances I suffered in the trillions."

"Or are you saying that once your own interests are involved, you're going to pretend you never said that?" She stared at Da Xiong with a smile, seemingly plotting something.

The atmosphere became tense.

Nobita touched the pocket that had been with him for so many days. It was the only thing Doraemon had left him, and also the most important thing. The chain reaction that could be caused by handing over the right to use the secret gadgets was too terrible; he had to think it over carefully.