CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 182: THE EMPIRE IS TRULY HEINOUS! _2

Even the Speaker himself had formed the same opinion.

He was the Trainmaster, the one who would decide where the Western Continent would head.

In his book, he offered reflection and ultimately decided to abandon old notions, urging the steam locomotive to speed ahead, and this thought persisted to the present day.

In stark contrast was the Empire.

After the Golden Era faded, the Empire rapidly declined in all areas, the feudal system became a breeding ground for countless evils, turning the entire nation into a haven for Evil God’s Followers.

Today, the Empire has the most Evil God’s Followers, making it return to some kind of strange "peak".

In the eyes of the Deep Sea Council, describing the Empire as egregious atrocities wouldn’t be exaggerated.

People of the Empire not only used theology as the basis for rule, causing the country to become a mess, but also constantly attempted to spread this decaying civilization to the Western Continent.

In the second book, Ethan learned about the origin of the Lofic Consortium incidentally.

The founder of the Consortium was the captain who completed a voyage with Saint Hilman; on his journey, he witnessed the rise and fall of different civilizations and decided to use all resources at his disposal to establish a trade organization whose business would not be limited to the Empire.

Lindong suddenly realized, "No wonder the Speaker is so interested in Kane."

This was long the research direction of the Western Continent, only shelved due to the era, but if the possibility of understanding the truth was right in front of them, the Deep Sea Council was willing to dedicate their efforts.

Unfortunately, it was a trap.

The people of the Western Continent failed to solve the riddles left by the Master of Tides over this long time, or perhaps it was beyond human capability, so they were targeted by the Evil God.

Shadow shrouded this country, luring them step by step towards destruction.

On election day five days later, Ophira would face an unprecedented catastrophe.

She threw this pressing issue to Ethan, "With five days left, what’s your plan?"

Ethan: "I promised the Master of Tides I would help Him solve a historical matter."

Lindong’s eyes lit up, "Is it to sail away on the ark with the Deep Sea Council?"

Just now while reading the book "Enlightenment", she felt a bit excited inside. The Master of Tides had prepared a contingency plan before leaving; if the Deep Sea Council couldn’t solve the secrets concerning the Evil God before the day of destruction, He had left people hope to break through the ocean and flee from the Western Continent.

That was a supernatural creation called "Ark", and the key to activate it rested in the hands of every Speaker.

When the "Ark" was activated, Ophira’s land would be torn open, a magnificent mechanical castle would transform into a battleship, leaving them with the last spark, and then they would take this book to other civilizations to search...

The information beyond was destroyed.

Someone deliberately removed the latter notes.

However, it seemed to be the final plan prepared by the Master of Tides and all the fallen true gods for humanity.

Ethan had reason to suspect an informant within the Deep Sea Council; this book could only be seen by the Speaker, and in the past, some Speaker intentionally hid this crucial information.

At this moment, curiosity prevailed over Maoma, "I want to see the castle turn into a battleship, this is a weapon personally crafted by the Master of Tides, it should be more spectacular than the Empire’s Golden Fleet!"

"Perhaps it will come in handy."

Ethan nodded, "But before that, hand these two books over to diplomat Richard, this should provide some insights for his investigation."

............

Elsewhere, in the underground research facility.

Flor, the Speaker, and Master Craftsman Gelb gathered here once more.

The research facility was in a state of chaos; Gelb was directing the iron men in their excavation work, indeed finding some unusual things during the process.

First, a statue that was distinctly out of alignment with the Western Continent’s philosophical trend, appearing theological in nature, regardless of how many centuries had passed, the unearthed passage maintained its sanctity and grandeur, an innate emotion seemed to envelop the Speaker and Gelb.

When they looked directly at those statues, they felt the impulse to prostrate in worship.

But this clearly contradicted their lifelong approach.

Any religious rituals were strictly prohibited by law, no exceptions even for Ophira’s nobility.

If discovered, they would be stripped of their noble status, have all possessions confiscated, and all participants sent to prison; the blind followers would spend the rest of their lives in dungeon darkness.

For nobles, this was the harshest accusation.

When the final stone wall was chiseled open, their hearts’ thrill peaked, eager to delve along the path and witness the secrets buried beneath Ophira—they had been unaware that beneath the lands they lived on, there were hidden places like this.

For some unknown reason, predecessors had buried it and arranged seals.

The eventual removal of the seal wasn’t due to the Steam Technology of the Western Continent, but rather some energy discovered by the Lofic Consortium while researching the Evil God.

When Flor excitedly conveyed his finding to the two, they felt something respond from beneath their feet.

Now, the digging finally reached a conclusion, and the puzzles accumulated in their hearts finally had answers.

First into the path was the Speaker, closely followed by Gelb.

As an outsider, Flor wisely waited outside; this time, a woman in a black leather jacket returned. She approached Flor with a smile and whispered in his ear, bringing him good news.

The deal was made.

The Lide Clan was willing to make a trade with them, to buy a miracle.

"Did they go in?"

After speaking, she glanced toward the direction of the path, the silhouettes of the two had vanished at the end of the road.

Flor was noncommittal, "After all, it’s one of the treasures left for them by the Master of Tides."

She asked curiously, "What exactly lies beneath?"

"A secret related to their bloodline."

Flor provided an ambiguous answer, seemingly inspired by the Speaker and Gelb, his mood also becoming somewhat enthusiastic, a joy humanity feels as they draw nearer to "God", whether Evil or true gods alike.

She nodded thoughtfully, then delivered another message, "Ave-Margaret has already taken action, they are the only uncertainties."

"Heisenberg... Ethan."

Flor silently mentioned these two names.

They were the first to know this secret, after all, no one expected the magic scroll vendor for 20 gold lions at Fireplace Bay months ago to incite a revolution in the Empire, disrupting their plans, yet things weren’t necessarily heading in a bad direction.

Perhaps all of this was part of a grand plan.

This is information Flor received from the current empire capital, "On the contrary, if those rumors are true, he is the only certain factor—no true god would sit idly watching a disaster take lives, especially that kind of blindingly bright existence, that is both the reason for their immense power and the shackles they must bear."

Saying so, Flor shook his head, "Compared to that, the mice lurking in the shadows are far more free."

During the conversation, the Speaker and Gelb reached the deepest part of the path.

They heard the sound of water.

Unexplained streams of water cascaded like waterfalls into the temple’s pool.

In the pool’s center stood a strange octopus statue.

Before the statue was a monument singing its praises.

Guardian, Aelium.

The Western Continent’s ancestors had erected a statue for it, the dense text recorded the guardian’s name and, beyond that, a secret.

When the floods return again, the Guardian will once more come, saving beings in peril—just like before.

The ritual to awaken Aelium was etched into their bloodlines.