In the early morning, a cool morning breeze blew into the room through the open window, bringing with it the sound of the garrison soldiers gathering and drilling in the square. Heti walked briskly through the corridor into Gwen's study and handed a report to Gwen.
"Ancestor, the Theocratic Council's document, the test project EC-27, has been successfully completed. This is the relevant data and summary record."
Gwen looked away from the data in front of him and took the document from Heti. As he quickly flipped through it, some key information quickly entered his eyes. "… During the test, the 'miracle' effect that Project G-1 exerted on Project G-2 did indeed penetrate the barrier between space and reality and directly affected the body … There was no contamination in the field of divinity, and no 'spillover' phenomenon of any form was observed … The follow-up monitoring and tests on Project G-1 showed that its divinity showed no signs of recovery, and there was no spiritual connection with any mind in the real world …
"… In summary, the practical application of the non-directional thought has achieved substantial results. Its effect is not only limited to passive 'isolation' but also active, controllable, and targeted protection …
"In addition, Project G-1 showed great cooperation in this test and won the respect of all the members of the project team …"
"The test on Patty and Amoun was successful." A few minutes later, Gwen put down the document and looked up at Heti. "Without any interference or hint from the outside world, their cross-border contact did not cause any contamination. The non-directional thought at the bottom of the neural network is effective. Now, not only can we create a 'protective field' in the Fortress of Disobedience, but the anti-divinity barrier can also work wherever the neural network covers."
Heidi put on a smile. "Now, with the broadcasting device, even if a certain god suddenly goes crazy, we don't have to worry that the people will be directly turned into fanatics, and we don't have to worry that they will become the power source of the mad god …"
"Not only that." Gwen smiled and tapped the document on the table. "The 'bridge' that connects the gods and the real world is rooted in the mapping relationship in the thought. Now, we have gradually made this mapping relationship controllable, or at least disruptable. So according to the latest theory, as long as the anti-divinity barrier is strong enough and the broadcast device is dense enough, we can even directly interrupt the arrival of the mad god in the real world."
"… This is the ultimate insurance." Heti looked serious and said in a low voice. "Although we have to try our best to prevent the gods from going to the stage of 'mad god', once this stage comes, we finally have a trump card that can effectively fight against it … I hope this technology can be developed as soon as possible so that the tragic scene on the battlefield of Winter Fort will not happen again."
Thinking of what he saw on the battlefield of Winter Fort, Gwen nodded solemnly and then said thoughtfully, "The next step is to do our best to expand the scale of the neural network. We have signed an information interface agreement with the Silver Empire, and the negotiations with the 'Communication Tower Management Association' in Typhon are also going well. We have begun to set up a large-scale magic network in the Ogoray tribal nation, and the Duchy of Holy Dragon is also making good progress … But the biggest problem is the group of 'hermits' in the north … "
Heti frowned slightly and quickly reacted. "You mean … the Violet Kingdom?"
"Yes, the Violet Kingdom, a hermit-like country of mages." Gwen nodded with a headache and rubbed his forehead with his index finger. "They are only separated from the Lolun Continent by a strait, but the distance between them and us is even farther than the entire Gondor wasteland and the Silver Empire. They have once again refused the invitation to join the alliance communication agreement … and this time, it was a direct reply from the City of Thousand Towers. "
Heti thought for a while and said, "But I heard that they did not completely refuse?"
"Yes, in theory, there is some progress in the negotiations." Gwen sighed helplessly. "They agreed to set up alliance communication stations in several major coastal cities to facilitate merchants and adventurers from the Lolun Continent to the Violet border to contact the alliance. But they refused to set up an interface between the Violet Network and the alliance's communication network. They also refused to introduce key equipment such as immersion pods and neural network nodes."
"That's troublesome." Heti understood Gwen's distress, and her expression became serious. "Refusing these key things means that the neural network can't connect at all. It doesn't make sense to set up a few magic obelisks in the border cities. The key to the anti-divine barrier is the coverage of the neural network …"
She paused and could not help but ask, "Don't they know the threat of the divine catastrophe? Or they don't believe what we have announced? "
"No, from the City of Thousand Towers' response, they know and believe it. They even expressed their respect and blessings to the whole world." Gwen spread out his hands. "But they don't care."
Heti was stunned. "This … is this not some kind of provocation?"
"I've suspected the same for a long time, but now I can only be sure that they really don't care," Gawain said with a headache. "The mysterious' Tower Hermits' in the City of Thousand Towers … They seem to have really exiled themselves from this world. They don't care about the survival of the world, the continuation of the entire mortal civilization, and even whether they will die in the next calamity of the gods and demons. To be honest, I can't understand their thinking. It feels like they don't live in the same world. "
"It's rare to see such a distressed look on your face," Heidi said as she looked at Gawain. She could not help but smile, but she quickly put away her smile, and her tone became serious again. "Ancestor, to be honest, I've always paid extra attention to the Violet Kingdom, and my impression of this kingdom … Maybe you're interested to hear it.
"As you know, I'm a mage myself, and every mage knows that there are two peaks in the mysteries of magic in this world. One is located in the Silver Empire, the 'Astromancer Association' established and led by the elves. There is no doubt that they have a profound magic foundation, but due to the difference in the nervous system, the elves' magic system is not compatible with other races, so this' peak of magic 'has never been open to outsiders. And the other peak … is the 'Secret Spell Assembly' of the Violet Kingdom.
"The Violet Kingdom is a hermit-like mage kingdom, but its' edge 'is like a kind of' transition zone. 'It is not completely closed off. The kingdom still has communication with the Lolun Continent. Its coastal cities also have institutions open to merchants and travelers. The Violet citizens living there have a similar way of life as us. Those who have been to the Violet Kingdom know that the people living there are actually as ordinary as us.
"However, as long as you cross the edge of the giant island and walk a little deeper into it, the situation will be very different. It is said that there is a magic city with a very different style from the Lolun Continent. The gloomy ancient tower stands like a jungle, and the magic power permeates and transforms the environment in the hinterland of the kingdom. The line between reality and illusion is blurred, and even the people living in those areas … are mysterious and strange.
"There are people who have entered the hinterland. When they come back, they all say that it is as if they have walked into some kind of 'foreign land.' An indescribable 'strangeness' shrouds the area. If you stay there for a long time, you will feel like you are being assimilated by the strange environment and gradually forget what the 'normal life' in the outside world is like. Of course, the last part of the description is often proven to be exaggerated, but since such a rumor is spreading everywhere, it means that there is indeed something strange about the core area of the Violet Kingdom."
Gwen listened carefully to Heti's narration. This was something that he rarely saw in previous reports. These reports were mixed with Heti's personal history of ghost stories and her impression of the Violet Kingdom as a mage. This kind of information may not be accurate, but it was enough to open up some new ideas.
"From your description … it seems that the kingdom is divided into layers from the outside to the inside," Gwen touched the tip of his nose and said while thinking, "The deeper you go, the stranger it gets. It also has a completely different environment from the 'outside world.' It doesn't feel like a kingdom built by mortals, but more like a 'secret realm' used to seal and suppress something."
"There is such a saying," Heti said, spreading out her hands. "Some scholars described the Violet Kingdom in this way. They said that the kingdom is a huge secret realm. Half of the things on the whole island are lies, and the other half are illusions."
Gwen did not respond to this absurd anecdote. Instead, he showed a thoughtful expression and said slowly, "You just mentioned the 'Secret Spell Society' of the Violet Kingdom. I have an impression of this organization. The founder of the magic net, the nameless mage … He was once expelled by the Secret Spell Society. As far as I know, some members of the Secret Spell Society leave the Violet Kingdom every year and travel in the northern part of the Loren Continent. "
"Yes, such traveling mages do exist. Sometimes, they even accept the employment of the northern countries as magic consultants to some lords or kings. But these mages rarely talk about their own countries," Heti said, nodding. "When they leave the Violet Kingdom, they seem to undergo some kind of 'memory remodeling', sealing away many memories about the hinterland of the Violet Kingdom, especially about the City of Thousand Towers. This phenomenon increases the mystery of the Violet Kingdom in the eyes of the Loren Continent. "
"Now that you mention it, I'm more and more interested in this country," Gwen said, gently rubbing his chin with his fingers. "They even used the 'memory remodeling' method. It seems that the secrets of this country are not small."
Heti did not speak for a while, seeming to recall something. After a while, she suddenly said, "Ancestor, when it comes to the connection with the Violet Kingdom, I suddenly remember something. Do you know? Among the people you are familiar with, one of them has a deep relationship with the Violet Kingdom. She has even entered the City of Thousand Towers. "
"Someone has entered the City of Thousand Towers?" Gwen suddenly widened his eyes in surprise. "There is such a person? Who is it? "
"The Grand Duke of the Northern Region, Ms. Victoria, the Grand Governor," Heti said with a serious face. "She once studied in the City of Thousand Towers when she was a girl!"
Gwen was stunned for a moment. After two seconds, he suddenly reacted. "Ah, I remember. I have heard of Victoria. She was the most outstanding magic genius in the entire northern region during the Ansu era. It was recorded that her talent was valued by the Violet Kingdom, and she was even invited to the City of Thousand Towers to study. I have never thought of this!"
"That's normal, because I'm afraid there's not much information behind this incident." Heidi nodded. "Like all the people who left the hinterland of the Violet Land, Ms. Victoria doesn't remember her incredible 'school days'. The relevant memory has been sealed, so she almost never mentions it to others. Of course, it's inappropriate for others to frequently discuss the private affairs of an upper-class aristocrat."
Gwen curled his finger and tapped the document on the table unconsciously. As he tapped, he seemed to be talking to himself. "The heir of the Grand Duke of the North … actually had such an experience. It really is the 'Idyllic Age of Swords and Magic'. But anyway, this has piqued my interest. Connect to Winter Fort Academy. I want to talk to Victoria. "
"Understood." Heti nodded immediately. "I will call her now."
The magic network terminal set up next to the desk was activated. An internal line quickly sent out a call. Winter Fort Academy, thousands of miles away, responded in a few seconds. Fortunately, Victoria, the busy administrator of the north, happened to be in her castle today. She soon appeared in front of Gwen.
"We are talking about the Violet Kingdom." Gwen went straight to the point. "I heard that you have been to the City of Thousand Towers and were selected to study at the headquarters of the Secret Assembly because of your outstanding talent. I am very interested in your experience."
Victoria did not expect Gwen to call her for this matter. She was a little surprised, but she quickly reacted and shook her head a little awkwardly. "There is nothing to hide, but … I actually don't remember my specific experience in the City of Thousand Towers. You know, the Violet Kingdom strictly controls its secrets. Even the citizens of the Secret Assembly have to undergo memory reconstruction before leaving the City of Thousand Towers."
"I know that. Heti just told me." Gwen nodded. "So what I am interested in is the memory before you entered the City of Thousand Towers. How they selected the qualified candidates, how the candidates went to the Violet Kingdom on the other side of the sea, what they saw and heard on the way from the border to the City of Thousand Towers. You should still remember these things, right?"
Victoria listened carefully and slowly nodded. "Of course, I still remember most of these experiences. Since you are interested, I can tell you."
"This is a very 'mage' experience. It can be summarized like this: talented young people were taken away by the mysterious Magic Kingdom and received education and guidance in the truth of arcane magic. After half a year of 'disappearance', they returned to human society. They no longer remember their specific experience in the past half a year because the mysterious Magic Kingdom needs to continue to maintain its mystery. The only thing that can prove that the 'learning' experience was real is their increasingly powerful magic, and the knowledge and spell models that seemed to appear in their minds out of thin air."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
