Chapter 524: Diplomatic Receipt
Under the Order branch, all the Gifters combined had only added a tiny amount of water to this vast reservoir. Xia Xiu, still wearing his [Perfect Eye], simply glanced at the water level under the branch and couldn't help but raise his brows several times.
[Path of Order: 3%]
Three powerful and potentially exceptional operators had only advanced 3% of the nation needed by the "Preacher."
"It seems building a school is urgent," Xia Xiu muttered to himself. Then, he turned his gaze to the Path of Conquest, also known as the Myriad Paths of Om Messiah.
This was the path he was advancing fastest. The robotic figures placed in the designated area beneath his feet were the fruits of his research.
According to his own reference standards, Xia Xiu designed all of the Administration's current calculations like a chess game beneath his feet.
The reason for this design, besides convenience, also satisfies a certain peculiar interest of mine.
After all, from childhood on, humans have a craving for figurines; girls prefer dolls, while boys prefer their own uniquely cool models.
The "Administration Series" figurines Xia Xiu holds at his feet feature most of the standard operator models, crafted at a 28mm (1.1-inch) scale.
These 1.1-inch figures can be understood as representing what Xia Xiu considers regular thaumaturges with a "combat power above five," while the three special operators are all 6-inch figures, signifying that their average strength far exceeds that of regular thaumaturges.
In addition to standard infantry models, the sandbox beneath his feet also includes a variety of large models of vehicles and monsters, the sizes of which reflect their respective combat power in Xia Xiu's eyes.
For Xia Xiu, who is currently focused on advancing the Way of Conquest, these mechanical figurines represent various "mechanical paths" born from that Way of Conquest.
[Path of Conquest: 18%]
[Blueprint: Wrath of the Machine God - Titan (First Edition)]
[Blueprint: Steel-Forged Behemoth - Soul Tank]
[Blueprint: Beast of Urban Fighting - Cerberus]
[Blueprint: Fire Coverage - Basilisk]
[Blueprint: Wings of Liberty - Skyhawk I]
These are the blueprints for the machines Xia Xiu has developed.
As the Om Messiah, the advanced craftsmanship and technology contained in his designs aren't the most important, as Terra has no shortage of them. The most important feature of his designs is that they can invoke the blessings of the Machine God, ensuring the sanctity and functionality of the machinery and technical equipment.
By praying and praising the combat equipment, weapons, chariots, and other mechanical equipment developed by the Path of Conquest, he can protect them from Chaos corruption, enhance their effectiveness, and even ignite a fire to awaken their Machine Souls.
Furthermore, these machines can be activated or automatically maintained through specific rituals, such as anointing with holy oils, offering mechanical tributes, performing specific prayers, and performing ritualistic actions.
The principles behind this are quite complex. Xia Xiu could explain them to others through the lens of thaumatology and reality distortion, but he doubted most non-academic thaumatologists or ordinary people would be interested.
So, he's already prepared a book titled "Mechanical Operation Manual" for the Administration's operators.
"Mole said earlier that he's already written the prologue and other chapters for the manual. He'll be here soon, so I can take a look at his manual." Xia Xiu muttered to himself, a hint of anticipation and curiosity in his voice.
His hands moved delicately across the sandbox, as if weaving a complex tactical web. On his meticulously laid out sand table, various mechanical firepower figures were strategically placed in the central space surrounding "Whispering Square." These figures, averaging 5 inches in height, formed an impenetrable defensive perimeter.
Surrounding them were ordinary figures, only 1.1 inches tall, representing the Administration's ordinary forces. Though small in size, their sheer numbers made them an indispensable component of the overall strategy.
In the core area of Whispering Square, Xia Xiu had specially deployed three specialized teams to conduct tactical cuts. This was his meticulous strategy, designed to sever the enemy's communications and dismantle its internal structure.
At the head of each specialized team stood a 6-inch representative figure, representing a key figure within the Administration. Behind them stood a core group of figures, averaging 3.5 inches in height. While not as visible as the leaders, these core members were crucial to the strategic execution.
From above, the entire layout of Whispering Square presented a nearly impenetrable encirclement.
The main passages and communication lines were cleverly blocked by three specific teams, preventing any internal forces from effectively rallying or counterattacking. Xia Xiu's strategy not only demonstrated his profound tactical thinking and precise execution, but also foreshadowed that in the upcoming battle, the Administration would hold overwhelming control of the situation.
"The basic soldier-on-soldier scenario and preparations are complete," the blond youth surveyed his meticulously planned battle plan with satisfaction.
On this intricate sand table, constructed from holographic projections and intricately detailed figures, each small model represented a member of the Administration's vast organization.
For the Administration, Xia Xiu, as Director, was the organization's soul and strongest support, but he also understood that his power was ultimately merely a safeguard, a mere possessor of extraordinary might.
His existence could not be the Administration's sole reliance, for true strength should derive from the organization's internal structure, drawn from the strength of every operator, forming an unshakable foundation, like the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, Xia Xiu's goal wasn't just to command and provide support as a leader; it was to build and expand the Authority's foundation, making it the cornerstone of order.
He was merely a safeguard, not the foundation, not the universe.
So he must build the Authority's foundation and gradually expand it until it became the order of Hell's Kitchen.
If one day he ascended to the highest power in Heaven and began to control Heaven's foundation, he would hope that this foundation would be strong enough to support the order of the entire world. At that moment, he would become the will of that order.
[Ding——]
[Special Operator Mole, accompanied by Operator Green Ox, requests a visit from the Director——]
After Xia Xiu finished playing with the chess pieces, [Adam]'s prompt sounded at the perfect time.
"Let them come over," he replied, then, as if remembering something, added to [Adam], "Send Pansy Jane over too. She had a border conflict with us in the wee hours of the morning and needs my authorization."
[Regional Conflict Number: 222——]
[Adam] directly ejected the core information about the conflict. Xia Xiu glanced at it casually and simply noted it down in his plan.
The Water City incident wasn't the most important thing at the moment. His main concern was Whisper Plaza, the first site he had chosen for the Third Academy of Heavenly Kingdom.
He wanted to incorporate it into the administration's purview, so all other matters had to be put aside.
"Send Pansy Jane with them."
[Yes—]
****************
[Priority Code: Level 1 Access Rights]
[Applicant: Special Operations Division of the Authority]
[Submitter's Identity: Special Operator Mole]
[Accompanying Personnel: Operator Green Ox]
[Purpose of Visit: Report key strategic intelligence directly to the Director of the Authority]
[Duration of Visit: Standard 1 hour—]
After undergoing the rigorous and solemn review by Helserem Tower, two figures in Authority uniforms marched steadily down the endless corridor.
Special Operator Mole, with his impassive composure, led Operator Green Ox beside him, his sturdy frame standing out against the cramped space.
Dong, dong, dong—
Their footsteps echoed on the clanging metal floor. As they approached the director's door, they both slowed their pace, their gazes fixed on the head of the Intelligence Department, who had also just undergone testing and wore a cold expression.
Led by Mole, the two simply nodded to Pansy Jane, the Director of Intelligence, who returned the greeting with a simple salute and a gesture of invitation.
Mole nodded, then removed a thin card from a small port on the outside of his uniform and inserted it into a crack in the wall next to him.
After a series of electronic chimes, a heavy door slowly opened, revealing the hidden center of power.
Together, the three of them walked into the director's office, maintaining a specific formation.
When Special Operators Mole and Green Ox, along with Chief of Intelligence Pansy Jane, entered the Director's office after a rigorous security check, their eyes were almost instantly drawn to the massive, intricate, life-size sandbox in front of the office.
It was densely packed with various models and figurines, each one breathtakingly exquisite.
Mole and Green Ox were quite surprised by this sudden sight.
They knew that the Fourth Swordbearer of Heaven was different from other angels, but the idea of "playing with sandboxes" and figurines in the office still left them a bit bewildered.
The Chief of Intelligence, on the other hand, appeared calmer and more composed.
Her eyes quickly scanned the sandbox, keenly grasping its layout and meaning.
As a long-time, exploited office worker, she already had a deep understanding of Xia Xiu's personality and behavior.
The two special operators had recovered from their initial bewilderment, their gaze naturally shifting to the figures of themselves, the layout of the field, and the meaning expressed by the scale and proportions of the figures and models.
"Everyone's here."
Their attention was drawn to the blond young man in the center of the office, wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves. He smiled at them, his voice light with a hint of ease and welcome.
He sat in the center of the office with a carefree and relaxed demeanor, his suit jacket casually draped over the chair behind him. In his hand, he held an ornate silver cane, resting lightly on his knees. He exuded an unusually warm and sunny aura.
Of the three present, Green Ox was meeting the Director for the first time.
Therefore, his emotions were undoubtedly the most complicated.
This was his first time meeting Xia Xiu face to face, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
In his mind, as the Fourth Swordbearer of Heaven, Hugh Abraham should be a figure imbued with mystery and majesty, far more than his outwardly affable and warm presence.
Green Ox had once felt the power of "The End" in Water City; that sensation of destruction, as blazing and majestic as the sun, remained unforgettable to him, leaving him with a deep reverence for the Director of the Administration.
However, now standing before Xia Xiu, he sensed a completely different aura.
The man emanated not a cold, distant aura of oppression, but a warmth like the spring sun.
This stark contrast surprised Green Ox.
"Let's go."
During Green Ox's brief moment of daze, the Mole silently shook his arm and softly gestured for him to follow his lead.
Responding immediately, Green Ox followed the group that was already marching toward the Director. The three men carefully circumvented the complex sand table.
They walked in front of Xia Xiu, naturally stopped, and bowed their heads in greeting, expressing their respect and loyalty to the Director.
Looking at the three people standing respectfully before him, Xia Xiu wouldn't say anything like, "Don't be so respectful to me."
In his heart, within the Administration and even the entire Kingdom of Heaven, equality is an ideal of respect for human dignity.
All people are born equal in personality.
However, humans contain more than just personality. They can become any kind of being, including beasts who have abandoned their personality.
In this land, especially among those who possess great power and lineage, the concept of "class" is deeply rooted.
In this cannibalistic land, even the angels of Heaven preach that all beings with personality should have relative equality.
But in reality, facing angels, beings with the power to decide life and death and wield immense power to influence the fate of others, ordinary thaumaturges and humans find it difficult to truly be fearless and truly equal.
Furthermore, angels can sometimes be even more terrifying than demons.
A certain regime in the border region has already experienced this terror.
"This is our diplomatic receipt for Water City today. If you confirm it is correct, the Administration's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will publicize it using this template," Pansy Jane said, her voice tinged with professional seriousness and focus.
At the same time, she pulled a document from a neatly stacked stack and carefully handed it to Xia Xiu.
Xia Xiu reached out to take the document, his eyes wandering over the words.
[Administrative Bureau's Response to Water City's False Accusations:
Queen Naga's rule is in chaos, and she has lost the ability to govern and maintain peace. Her incompetence has allowed crime to spread in Water City and the laxity of law and order. They have also turned a deaf ear to our sincere requests, ignoring the good and evil of their actions and refusing to cooperate with us. This is a grave mistake.
Furthermore, they even dared to detain our agents without authorization. This is a crime upon crime and unforgivable.
As the source of this evil, Tyrnak Ironfin's death marks the beginning of our justice.
Our agents will only punish the leaders and followers of Water City with "Heavenly Punishment" to demonstrate our benevolence to the world.
This action serves as a warning to all who challenge justice. The scales of justice will ultimately tilt towards fairness and truth.
Nirvana Water City can only escape its predicament by accepting this just verdict.]
After reading it, Xia Xiu simply replied with a single word.
"Yes."