Chapter 515: You Want to Liberate the Daevite Empire?
Mole's mind felt as if it had been plunged into an endless abyss, as if he were drowning in a boundless ocean.
His body felt so heavy that he barely had the strength to move a finger. A strong sense of suffocation enveloped him, nearly forcing him to give up struggling.
Just then, a shocking scene unfolded before him—an immense machine, a hundred meters tall, hovering above the ocean.
This machine was composed of countless gears, steam pumps, integrated circuits, and turbines. Every component operated with precision, emitting a breathtaking force.
But what shocked Mole the most was the massive hand that the machine extended toward him.
That hand, blotting out the sky, burned with the blazing [Data Fire]—a flame that was both a force of destruction and a source of creation.
Illuminated by the flames, the Mole felt as if his very being had been completely ignited, his consciousness reaching an unprecedented clarity.
However, this transcendent feeling was instantly shattered by a startled cry.
"Ah—"
The Mole suddenly awoke from his dreamlike slumber, instinctively glancing around, trying to reconcile his position.
He found himself still huddled on the same staircase where he had apparently passed out, and the shocking scene had been nothing more than a dream.
But for the Mole, this dream held an indescribable sense of reality. Every detail of the massive machinery, every pulse of the data fire, was deeply imprinted in his memory.
He slowly stood up, his body still feeling the lingering weakness from the dream.
"You're awake."
The familiar voice triggered a reaction in the Mole, and he looked up toward its source.
He saw a blond youth gazing down at him from the upper steps, his golden eyes gleaming brightly in the sunlight.
"You are... the Fire Thief."
His voice trembled uncontrollably.
The Fire Thief—a name familiar to anyone who studies mechanics and technology.
It represents the blasphemer from the Abyss (Heaven) who broke with tradition, challenged the established order, and usurped the authority of the God of All Machines—Hugh Abraham.
Ever since Xia Xiu returned from his business trip to the Iberian Sea, the Mechanic Cultists of the Daevite Empire have begun calling him the Fire Thief.
This name was quite popular on the internet, especially those affiliated with the Abnormal Spectrum, so when he heard the Mole utter it, he couldn't help but tease. "It seems you've been climbing the [Wall of Sighs] quite a bit, surfing the external anomalous network... Oh, or should I say gathering information outside?"
As he spoke, he noticed the Mole's sweaty palms and slight trembling. He smiled and offered a reassuring smile:
"Don't be afraid. After all, I'm a little different from the other [Crowns]. I've sprinkled a small amount of cognitive influence on my portrait. So, even if others see my photo, if their own thaumaturgy and spirituality aren't high enough, they'll have a hard time remembering me. And even those who do remember me might not recognize me in person."
[Crowns] have become mortal apostles, possessing the ability to "perceive everything spoken."
Furthermore, everything associated with them is tainted with [Elements]. If they so desire, they can inflict a small [Elemental Shock] on anyone who sees their photo.
As the most renowned [Crown] in Heaven, Xia Xiu has earned a nickname, and his portraits and photos are circulated wildly.
After all, even if a [Crown] could attack someone online, a sufficiently large number of people discussing the issue, a sufficiently chaotic network, and a sufficiently skilled thaumaturge responsible for initiating the attack would easily dilute even a small [Elemental Impact].
As for those who can't be diluted—they're just as worthless as joining the genealogy network; they deserve to be destroyed.
Since Xia Xiu's ascension to [Crown], he's had considerable experience with "Everything Spoken, Must Be Perceived."
In his own understanding, this ability is like a standardized [Nearby] for those below his level.
Anyone who mentions him, or comes into contact with his portrait, etc., will be added to the [Nearby] directory. The specific data displayed in the directory varies depending on their individual thaumatological skill level.
For example, if Xia Xiu clicked on "Nearby People," he could see their exact location or watch a live stream. By expending Vassago's elemental power, he could even track their movements over the past thirty days.
And whenever he wanted, he could unleash an "Elemental Impact" based on his perception.
For those with slightly higher thaumaturgy skills, he could only see their approximate location, not their specific information.
However, Xia Xiu could still unleash an "Elemental Impact" on them at will.
However, being a kindhearted person, he simply sprinkled a few [Crown Blessing: Gestalt Collapse] and [Crown Blessing: Weak Mind Influence] onto his information...
Generally speaking, anyone who had seen his photo had already been affected by his Meme Virus.
Some might remember his appearance, others might not...
But regardless of whether they remembered, as long as they had met him in person, they would be grateful.
Even if Xia Xiu did nothing, his omnipresent [Weakened Presence] would resonate with those infected by the Mimu virus.
As a second-stage thaumatologist, Mole would undoubtedly remember Xia Xiu's appearance; after all, he was the Director of the Administration and the Fourth Sword-Bearer of Heaven.
However, he still hadn't immediately recognized his superior. Moreover, if Xia Xiu hadn't removed [Weakened Presence], he wouldn't have had any chance of spotting him.
"I'll give you five minutes to recover. Once you've recovered, we'll talk."
Xia Xiu's gentle words echoed in his ears, like the amiable older brother next door.
But Mole felt a chill within him, as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
"Killing intent triggered by fear, then driven by that killing intent to act on one's own will..." he muttered to himself, trembling inwardly.
As a Maxwellist mechanical believer, Mole had always been guided by logic and science, believing in the absoluteness and purity of the mechanical way.
However, his recent experience had made him deeply aware that his reactions in extreme fear and confusion had completely detached him from logic and self-control. It was as if his actions were manipulated by some invisible force, following a predetermined program. This experience was undoubtedly a profound shock to him, who had always considered himself rational.
He felt like... a puppet being manipulated.
The blond young man with a brilliant smile before him possessed an indescribable magical quality.
This magical quality wasn't evil, but a power and charm beyond ordinary comprehension, inspiring both awe and a sense of indifference.
Mole felt as if he were being drawn into an unknown and mysterious vortex. Despite deep unease and fear, he couldn't suppress the urge to explore and approach.
Crisis is risk!
With this thought in mind, the Mole began to move.
He approached Xia Xiu, his heart filled with anxiety and trepidation.
He felt as if each step was treading on thin ice, fearing that a single misstep would completely break it, plunging him into an irreversible situation.
The Mole, treading on thin ice, finally reached his destination.
He finally stood three steps below Xia Xiu, his posture low-key and respectful, like a subject paying his deepest respects to his king.
Before Xia Xiu, the Mole's mind seemed to be a storming process, thoughts and topics rapidly flashing through his mind, as he struggled to find a question that would both express his concern and avoid misunderstanding.
Finally, he chose a relatively safe topic:
"How long was I unconscious?"
As the question slipped out of his mouth, the Mole couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He felt it might seem too simple, even a little ridiculous. But considering his previous actions—his attempt to crack [Adam] and his attack on the Director—he felt it was a question that would be less awkward.
"Fifteen minutes," Xia Xiu's answer was concise and clear, but his tone wasn't accusatory or harsh, instead holding a hint of amusement.
He effortlessly changed the subject: "I think we should talk about something else, like your cracking of [Adam], what do you think?"
The Mole felt the sweat on his forehead thicken. Xia Xiu's sudden question made his nerves rise again.
Xia Xiu then inquired, "How many verifications, security restrictions, and other forms of protection did you bypass?"
The Mole struggled internally. He knew his actions had crossed the Administration's line and could even affect his career, or even his life. Driven by this complex web of emotions, the Mole confessed, "I... I bypassed three layers of verification. I tried two more just now, but failed."
He lowered his head, not daring to meet Xia Xiu's gaze, feeling uneasy about the impending judgment or punishment.
"Three layers of verification..." Xia Xiu rubbed his chin. "Do you know how many layers of verification Adam has?"
The Mole answered honestly, "I only know that the outermost layer of the peripheral genealogy has one thousand and one verification mechanisms, which are the legendary 'One Thousand and One Nights' of Heaven."
"It seems the Mechanicum is quite knowledgeable about the Heavenly Genealogy. It seems they, too, want to reverse engineer it."
Xia Xiu quipped with a smile.
Then he looked at the Mole.
He first glanced at the metal prosthesis on the other's left hand, then studied the ever-decreasing [Time Scale] on his right hand with interest.
His eyes instantly turned pure white like snow, as if they could penetrate all appearances and see directly to the essence of things.
When his gaze fell on the [Time Scale] on the mole's right hand, an indescribable malice peeked back at him.
Twenty years.
This was the mole's remaining lifespan.
The numbers on the [Time Scale] were not just a cold countdown to his lifespan, but an invisible shackle that bound the mole tightly.
This power was filled with blasphemy and distortion of the essence of life. It was not a simple forewarning of death, but a despair and fear deeply embedded in the soul.
In Xia Xiu's eyes, behind these numbers lay a continuous, profound corrosion of time and life, a malice that even miracles could not shake.
This malevolence, like tentacles growing from the deepest darkness, coiled and twisted, attempting to devour all the light of life.
He could feel that every second that passed on the [Time Scale] was a erosion of the Mole's soul, a silent curse that whispered in his ear, telling tales of doom and despair.
"Red King..."
Xia Xiu whispered inwardly. He had come face to face with that boundless evil more than once.
Even then, when Xia Xiu's gaze fell on the [Time Scale] on the Mole's right hand, he felt a searing pain in his own right hand, like a branding iron, etched into his flesh and soul.
His eyes were fixed on the ever-changing numbers on his right wrist, as if searching for some answer, perhaps even relief, in this flow.
[Time Scale]...
Just paused!?
When that momentary pause occurred, his heart was in turmoil.
That pause, so fleeting it was almost imperceptible, felt both like a release and a deeper bondage.
The Mole tried to understand this phenomenon, but found his understanding of time had become hazy and uncertain.
Did that momentary pause really happen?
Or was it just an illusion, shrouded in extreme pain and fear?
As time flowed again, the searing pain began to subside, but the shock and unease that lingered in his heart surged like a tide, difficult to subside. The Mole's gaze shifted from his wrist to Xia Xiu, his eyes filled with excitement.
"So, this is what you wanted," Xia Xiu said, looking at the Mole, who was looking at him excitedly.
His voice was low and powerful. He reached out and gently stroked the top of the Mole's head, feeling his body tremble slightly with excitement.
His words were filled with understanding and sympathy.
"Whether it was traveling far away, joining the Administration, or deciphering Adam, it was all for this..."
"You want to liberate the Daevite Empire?"
This question seemed not just a question to the Mole, but a declaration to the entire world.
Yes, he wanted to liberate the Daevite Empire. A roar erupted from the depths of the Mole's soul.
"You... you can break the curse of the Book of Time." He looked at Xia Xiu excitedly.