The Abyss Independent Regiment experienced a bumpy development process. Even though they were similarly warriors of the New Empire, due to their sensitive identities and the tremendous hidden power, the Abyss Independent Regiment could only develop at a slow pace. Under normal circumstances, the New Empire would increase its military strength at a rate of one or two large armies every year, while the Abyss Independent Regiment, ever since the first batch of Fallen Apostles were reversed, still hadn't reached the size of a standard army. Of course, what restricted the development of this army even more wasn't the issue of their 'origins', but rather the fact that we lacked a truly systematic and stable industrial system.
Forming a standard army required the support of a systematic industrial system, including the production of battleships, the manufacturing of soldiers, individual soldier equipment, shipboard equipment, stronghold level facilities, research and development of all types of support units, supporting technological departments, command, engineering, service … This was an abnormally large system. The complexity of an army's operations in reality was hard for the average person to imagine. It definitely wasn't like in games, where a bunch of soldiers would appear at the click of a mouse and set off with a swipe of the right button. Regardless of whether it was the Xiling Empire or the Star Domain Protoss, regardless of how powerful a civilization was, their armies were all built on a complex and precise foundation. As a warring race, the Shiring Apostles' original 'Battlefield Host System Technology' had already simplified this system to the extreme. As long as there was a single Schilling Host System and enough time, an entire military system, including industrial motherships, could be created. This was a type of Von Neumann robot system that had been developed to the extreme. (Of course, it was even more complex, and its replication and self-evolution process was far from a single-threaded Von Neumann model.) However, even though this was the case, the New Empire didn't even have a single set of 'Abyss industrial production lines' that could serve as an industrial foundation. Of course, there was even less of an Abyss Schilling Host System.
It was almost impossible for these two types of units to be completely captured in a battle to the death between the Imperial Army and the Fallen Apostles. That was why the Abyssal Independent Regiment was the only one in the New Empire that had almost no ability to reproduce. They didn't even have the smallest spaceport. The only thing we could do was to maintain and supply the existing Abyssal units. Currently, there were only two ways for the Abyssal Independent Legion to expand. The main way was to seize it from the battlefield — thanks to the unlucky Emperor Halland's support. The second way was to have Visca use her messy modification technology and whimsical weapon designs to create some … err, some indescribable small units that could be used in battle. However, she could only create mindless units that could not be replicated. Tawil's current technology could not create an abyssal lifeform of the same level as Visca and could be controlled. Naturally, there was no way to replicate the Abyssal Fleet that the latter could create.
The small troops that Visca had created did not even make up a tenth of the entire Abyssal Independent Regiment.
It was obvious that the Abyssal Independent Regiment was in an awkward situation.
"Creating Abyssal equipment is not just a matter of technology." Halland placed a MDT in front of me. She had already created a draft of the Abyssal Independent Regiment and the first phase of the project. She even had various production lines and their precise production cycle. "I have been to the research center several times over the past two days and visited the Schilling Host System. I know that you are also researching how to use conventional industrial methods to mass-produce Abyssal units. The Abyssal Independent Regiment has a lot of soldiers, but every battleship that is destroyed is one less. After a few special operations against the Abyssal Empire, we are now in a situation where we have more soldiers than ships."
"Even Tawil can't handle this." I nodded. "We can replicate anything on the physical plane as long as we have a blueprint or a sample. However, the Abyssal units that we create will either quickly collapse or not reach the combat power of the original. They are not even as good as ordinary spaceships."
"The Abyssal Shiring Apostles can only use Abyssal equipment because the power that emanates from our bodies will seriously affect the operation of conventional equipment. We can only unleash our full combat power if our attributes match. However, this equipment is absolutely impossible to create by conventional means. This is not a problem of material structure. The Abyssal contamination will change the operating rules of a Schilling device from a conceptual level," Halland said as she took something out of her dimensional pocket. I saw that it was a strange-looking punch-like weapon. It should be a close-range weapon that I carry around with me. With a faint buzzing sound, the front of the punch-like weapon suddenly elongated, and the binding energy blade covered in black and red lines trembled slightly in the air. It carried a dangerous aura: Abyssal, but it was in a controlled state. "You can see with your own eyes that this is mutated psionic energy. Using conventional means, no matter how you decay it from the void, and then mix it with the Abyssal, you can't create this kind of mutated psionic energy. It is not a simple mixture, but something with its own unique characteristics."
The binding energy blade at the front of the weapon trembled slightly. I could feel that it had already caused damage to the surrounding space. The stability of a small area around the weapon was declining, and the normal elements in the air were turning into all kinds of strange substances. Some black smoke-like things were emitted from the front of the energy blade, and the condensed residue slowly drifted to the table, making a crackling sound.
This was what an abyssal weapon was. It had a unique characteristic. They performed poorly in terms of durability and energy consumption, but in terms of absolute destructive power and subsequent damage, abyssal weapons had a fascinating charm. The Abyssal Independent Regiment's powerful "instantaneous all-out attack" tactic was able to crazily pour out world-destroying damage in just a few seconds. This was precisely because of this special characteristic of abyssal psionic energy. It was also because of this precious characteristic that Tawil spared no effort in researching how to safely create more Abyssal weapons. Of course, there was no progress.
"Only a corrupted industrial machine or a Schilling machine that was modified tens of thousands of years ago can create these things," Halland said as she handed over the katana in her hand for me to take a look. "That contamination is equivalent to leaving some kind of 'identification code' in our bodies. Without this identification code, the created equipment is not pure. Of course, that crazy sister of yours is an exception. She used a whimsical method to infuse the Abyssal into ordinary equipment for her own use. I can only say that … perhaps even the Abyssal is afraid of her madness."
I curiously studied the Gauntlet in my hand. Then, I carefully spread my mental power into it. I wanted to see which part of the psionic power started to mutate. In the end, with a sizzling sound, the Gauntlet was extinguished. A large crack appeared on the Gauntlet, and green smoke rose from it.
Halland: "… This thing has been with me for one hundred and twenty-seven thousand years …"
I: "… The most historical thing I have on me is an old pair of slippers that has been with me for three and a half years, and then it's gone …"
Halland: "…"
"Alright, your plan is pretty good. I'm just a layman, so I don't have any suggestions. Let's do it this way." I chuckled and changed the topic. Halland obviously didn't really care about the katana that had been with her for one hundred and twenty thousand years. Based on the habits of the Shiring Apostles, I was sure that he had at least a few thousand of the same katana in his personal space. "Only after the industrial production line is rebuilt will the Abyssal Independent Regiment be truly complete. It seems that I will have to prepare a few more worlds for you to develop in …"
"Let me think of this myself." Halland laughed. "No one knows better than a former Fallen Apostle what kind of living environment the Abyssal Independent Regiment needs to survive in. Just keep looking forward to it. In half a year's time, I will have the First Fleet of the Abyss appear before you. "
After sending Halland off, I leaned back in my chair and let out a long breath. This meant that there was one less thing that I needed to worry about. The Abyssal Independent Regiment would have to rebuild their industrial production line, find their own base in the Empire's "World Warehouse", and create a system that was completely different from the new Imperial Army's industrial system. Halland would personally handle all of these matters. Sandora and I would at most occasionally join in on the fun and check on the progress. This part of the matter could be considered to be on the right track.
"I couldn't tell that you were usually so diligent. I thought that you were just putting on a show by going to the City of Shadows every morning."
"You're awake?" I had no desire to retaliate against the ridicule that came from my soul. It wasn't the first time that this female pervert had such a rotten mouth. "How do you feel today?"
"I don't feel much. I just treated it as if I was grounded again. Also, I woke up a long time ago. It's just that I saw that you were busy with official matters, so I didn't want to disturb you."
I didn't expect that a person like Icetis would have such a considerate side. I couldn't help but smile. I wasn't sure if Icetis could feel my smile. "Speaking of which, isn't it nice when you're quiet? Why are you always making a fuss? "
"It's fine to hold on for a while, but it's easy to suffocate to death if it's too long." Icetis' true nature was slowly recovering. "I say, you don't have to spend the entire morning staring at these reports, do you? Damn! You're suffocating me to death! "
I said righteously, "This is the responsibility of an Emperor."
"Responsibility my ass. Look at the title, look at the conclusion, and stamp it as approved. No wonder Sandora wants to take over 80% of the government affairs herself. You don't have to use your brain and just have to write that you've read them …"
I immediately softened. I never thought that Sandora would even tell this to the female pervert. They might be messing around normally, but this relationship is real. How should I put it, this is a companion that transcends tens of millions of years!
"Actually, I also read the main text … Occasionally, I pick the parts that I can understand." The more I spoke, the less confident I became. In the end, I just sighed: Now that Icetis has woken up, my office hours will probably end here. I really can't imagine what it'll be like to work while bickering with this female pervert. If I get labeled as an incapable emperor who indulges in women and neglects government affairs, who am I going to find to reason with?
"Oh? You want to go out for a walk? " Icetis noticed my movement and immediately said, "It's fine. If you find it annoying, I don't have to say anything. Actually, it's quite interesting to see you go through documents …"
If I believed her, I would have the same surname as Jingle!
Walking around with a goddess — it sounds quite poetic — in the officers' resting area, Icetis commented on this place. Her evaluation was nothing more than rigid and serious. Back then, she had criticized Sandora's base like this, and the Shiring Apostles' military base was basically the same. It definitely wouldn't be to the female pervert's liking. I ignored her and treated it as if I had a radio that couldn't be turned off. Unknowingly, I walked to the edge of the military area. Not far in front of me was an extremely tall barrier generator tower. I glanced up and saw a familiar figure: Ancestor Anthus and a few people I didn't know were standing on the platform in the middle of the tower, accompanied by several royal guards. They seemed to be looking at the scenery of the civilian area outside.
"Look, your ancestor!" Icetis was looking at the same angle as me, so of course, she saw it too. She immediately reminded me happily.
"No, it's Sandora's ancestor …"
"Oh, I forgot that you became a monk halfway through your training. Hurry up, hurry up. I want to see you chatting with the ancestor!"
I had to coax this slightly depressed female pervert. As long as it wasn't against human morality, I had to do whatever she wanted. So, I teleported to the tower.
This kind of tower was very common on the outskirts of the base. It was an extension of the fortress's barrier generator. However, Anthus obviously used it as a watchtower. When I arrived, he was looking curiously in the direction of the World Tree. The shadow that stretched like a mountain range made everyone who saw it for the first time find it hard to believe their eyes. The ancestor was no exception. He had never seen such a huge plant before. There were a few people I didn't know standing behind Anthus. There were men and women, but they obviously weren't the Shiring Apostles. They didn't have such a strong energy signature. Their clothes were very similar to Anthus's. I could almost guess their identities.
The royal guards sensed my arrival and immediately turned around to greet me. Anthus only turned around when he heard me. He looked at me with surprise. "Your Majesty?"
"Err … Why do I feel so awkward now that you mention it?" It was a strange feeling to be called 'Your Majesty' by an ancestor who I didn't know how many times. I immediately felt awkward. However, I remembered that the average age of the people around me was in the hundreds of millions of years, so I didn't dwell on it. "These are …"
"The old fellows who just woke up." Anthus seemed to be in a better mood than before. Although he was still gloomy, at least he had a smile on his face. "We are looking at this strange city … It's an eye-opener."
"Captain, don't bring me along when you talk about the old fellows. I'm still young." A woman who looked to be less than thirty years old looked at Anthus with dissatisfaction. I knew that she was one of the ancestors. Like the others, she maintained her appearance when she was frozen. She was a mature and beautiful woman. I reckoned that if I dared to call her 'ancestor', I would be in big trouble. So, I could only smile apologetically. "I'm sorry. I've been busy for the past two days. I should have been by your side when you woke up."
"I know, I know." Anthus waved his hand nonchalantly as he introduced the people around him. Then, he turned to look at the bustling and magnificent Shadow City, the air traffic network, the military floating fortress, and the mother planet of Gaia in the sky. He had seen all of these sights before, but they seemed to be livelier than before. "They are all confused now. It took me a long time to explain the current situation to them. Then, we came here to see what the capital of the Empire looks like. It's an eye-opener …"
"It's a pity that we can only watch the show," the woman from before said gloomily. From the introduction just now, I knew that her name was' Lu '. It was a short and simple name. "I used to be the technical manager of the spaceship, but now I feel like a weasel in a human city (Perhaps this is an animal that lives in my home world?). We have been out of touch for too long … "
It wasn't just a matter of being out of touch anymore. Lu's words made the other ancestors sigh as well. Seeing that the atmosphere was getting cold, I suddenly had an idea. "Well, since I have nothing to do at the moment, why don't I bring you out for a walk?"
A Royal Guard took a step forward. "Your Majesty, Her Majesty Sandora said that she hopes that the ancestors will receive protection in the military zone …"
Hearing the Royal Guard's words, Anthus, whose eyes had lit up, became gloomy again.
They had been assigned a specific area of activity. As long as they left their rooms, they would have to be accompanied by the Royal Guard wherever they went. For Anthus, who was the first to be resurrected, this kind of life had been going on for quite some time.
I knew that Sandora had an extreme 'love' for the ancestors. In her eyes, Anthus was probably even more untouchable than a porcelain doll. However, this was the Shadow City, the core of the Empire. What could possibly happen here?
"It's fine. I will personally bring them out. What problem can there be?" I waved at the guard nonchalantly. "I will talk to Sandora."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Royal Guard retreated. Some of the ancestors couldn't help but mutter, "Oh, we can finally go out for a walk …"
"Do you usually lock our ancestor up in this lifeless place like a house arrest?" Icetis couldn't help but ridicule again. I didn't know how to reply. In the end, I could only remain silent. She was actually right.
No matter how polite they were to be treated, even if all of their material needs were met, they weren't allowed to leave the military zone. No matter what they did, they had to be protected by the Royal Guard. This … was really a house arrest.
Looking at the excited expressions of the ancestors behind me, as though they had been confined for too long and were finally able to go out for a walk, I couldn't help but twitch my mouth. It seemed that it was time to discuss with Sandora and ask her not to really lock these ancestors up in the temple to worship them.
After leaving the military zone, I was a little worried. There were a lot of places to go in the City of Shadows. This' city 'was now so big that it was unscientific. If it wasn't for the convenient air transportation and short distance teleportation network, walking from the south to the north of the city would basically be enough for you to find a small country in Europe to travel across borders. Furthermore, the land in the sky where the City of Shadows was located was still constantly expanding. It seemed like it would eventually form a binary star system with Gaia — — Say, with such a big place, where should I make it the first stop for the ancestors to sightsee?
I wanted to show the ancestors something more interesting, something that would allow them to understand the current situation of the new Empire. Also, it would be best to stay away from the Imperial Army facilities that they had seen enough of.
Let's go to the place where the Spawn Tribe and the residents of the macro world gathered.
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