CHAPTER 265: CHAPTER 185: SPARK_2

This person might be a merchant even crazier than Flor.

The thought simultaneously crossed both of their minds, even Ave was surprised to glance at Ethan. However, after thinking carefully, she suddenly realized there couldn’t be a better bargaining chip. Just a moment ago, Ethan provided a salvation plan to the Deep Sea Council.

Could this also be part of Ethan’s plan?

"...All demands."

The Speaker was well aware that this plan couldn’t be measured in terms of money, and he even felt it was more like a blank check, "The council can meet all your diplomatic demands!"

Once the Western Continent is flooded, all technology and culture here will vanish without a trace, and naturally, corpses cannot fulfill promises.

"If that’s the case, then let Ave discuss the specific diplomatic matters with you next, we also need to make some preparations."

The Speaker watched Ethan’s departing figure, saying nothing for a long time.

Over the years, he had imagined countless endings for Ophira, with prophecies about doomsday coming more frequently. These rumors didn’t just originate from the Empire; more and more countries and civilizations seemed to be exhibiting "symptoms." The intensifying symptoms seemed to herald the revival of those ancient beings.

He could only adopt an ostrich policy, having no other way.

The more he knew, the stronger his sense of powerlessness seemed; even though he reached his current position step by step, becoming the nominal highest decision-maker of the entire Western Continent, he was merely a pawn easily crushed by those ancient beings. Everything they cherished seemed to be nothing more than a game on the Evil God’s chessboard.

The so-called truth was merely allowing pawns to glimpse the master manipulating the chessboard.

Yet at this very moment, the Speaker seemed to see an ending he had never imagined.

When that figure disappeared at the end of the stairs, the Speaker seemed to glimpse a fleeting arc of electricity. In an instant, he recalled the initial descriptions people had of the Master of Tides, descriptions that were hidden in subsequent "faith elimination" campaigns.

The great entity commanding the storm.

A true deity.

This gave the Speaker a momentary illusion, and for an instant, he had a thought.

The great entity on the mechanical throne... has returned.

...

When Ethan arrived at the Mechanical Fortress, the council members were confronting the artisans, with iron men blocking the entire street and holding the council members’ guards outside.

Everyone’s attention was focused on the boy who was supposed to have died.

Gray-Lid—the cheater judged by the Master of Tides—had returned here.

In fact, even before the council members arrived, chaos had already erupted in the Mechanical Fortress. Many changes occurred in Gray. His originally overly pale skin displayed black patterns like flames, and the whites of his eyes were replaced by black, exuding an aura of evil and ominousness at a glance.

This reminded Ethan of the records of demons in the Reception Bureau investigator’s manual.

Some scholars believe demons belong to a certain type of subhuman, only they are much more evil. Intrigue, slaughter, and destruction are their ways of having fun. For demons, doing evil requires no reason, as they cause ruin and destruction without reason, simply to satisfy their perverse interests.

Other scholars believe that humans have never truly seen a demon’s true form. They can attach themselves to humans, twist their will, and manipulate their bodies. They are more likely creations of some Evil God.

It’s apparent that the symptoms appearing on Gray are those of "demonic transformation."

The manual also mentioned that demons are innately capable of beguiling people’s hearts.

"Why stop them? These people just want to survive; what wrong have they done?"

Gray’s words were clearly heard by everyone present, and his voice seemed to carry a certain magical power, causing the argument between the council members and artisans to come to a halt momentarily.

"However, is the Ark really as wonderful as you imagine?"

Gray shifted the tone, asking in a teasing voice, "Hosting banquets, enjoying the conveniences of power, and then leaving everything about Ophira behind?"

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Mr. Gelb asked.

It was the first time he had heard about the Ark.

These council members had broken into the fortress that belonged to them, claiming that the castle was a gift left to them by the Master of Tides, and insisted they leave here with a bunch of baffling talk.

"Mr. Gelb, I’m trying to explain the energy issue to them, as they know nothing about these complex and sophisticated instruments."

Gray was extremely sarcastic, "With their impoverished brains, it seems hard to imagine how much energy it would take to move such a massive ship, but as Ophira’s foremost craftsman, you should be able to imagine the secret within."

Mr. Gelb did not respond. He imagined the fortress turning into a ship sailing on the sea, which was followed by endless questions—this clearly exceeded their current technological level, and the artisans had long been accustomed to such feelings.

The knowledge left by the Master of Tides was like a treasure trove, and the artisans were the explorers of this treasure trove.

Seeing Mr. Gelb remain silent, Gray continued persuasively, "Suppose this is a new form of energy, what changes would it bring to existing technology?"

This question excited all the artisans present.