Witch, Fireball and Steam Evil God

Chapter 186 Fire
The actual situation was even bleaker than the Speaker had imagined. Apart from the diplomat Richard, the only people who decided to stay were a few foreigners who came from afar from the empire.

And he will discuss a salvation plan with the empire's diplomats.

Faced with Ethan's question, the Speaker fell silent.

Strategic plan?

Their only hope lies in the information on the underground altar, which mentions that Eliom was once an ally fighting alongside the Lord of Tide and an eyewitness of that era.

The Speaker thought for a while and said, "Now we have to find a way to bring everyone together."

Ethan asked, "I mean more specifically, if the flood is about to submerge Ophira, have you set up flood prevention facilities?"

"Flood control facilities, you mean..."

"The wall around Ophira, or perhaps the drainage that diverts floodwaters elsewhere."

Ethan said casually that the Western Continent has always been famous for its magical steam technology. He imagined the spectacular scene of the Speaker pressing a button and a hundreds-meter-high island wall rising from the ground.

However, this is just a fantasy after all. The speaker said dejectedly, "Our facilities are not enough to withstand tsunamis."

At one point, some craftsmen had proposed the idea of ​​building a wall around the island, but because the construction period was too long and might require the resources and strength of several generations, it was ultimately rejected by the Deep Sea Council.

Ethan had a bad feeling. "So, after waking up Eliom, what are your plans?"

"Fight alongside it until the last moment!"

"I mean, how are you going to communicate with it?"

Things are indeed heading in the worst direction. "What if it doesn't intend to help Ophira, or even attacks you? What are you going to do?"

This series of questions left the Speaker silent.

Ethan had to take Yug's nightmare into consideration. According to Yug, when he was falling in his nightmare, he saw a huge monster that could not be described in words. Its actual size might be as large as an island.

Even Ethan had never seen such a huge creature. Adhering to the scientific spirit, he asked the Speaker again, "Or have you ever thought that with the size of Eliom, even if it has no ill will towards Ophira, it just drilled out of the deep valley and surfaced, which could bring about a series of disasters such as crustal movement and rising sea levels?"

He couldn't help but suspect that the world-destroying flood several epochs ago might even have been caused by that giant octopus having fun in the sea.

The Speaker's silence gave him the answer.

Through simple communication, Ethan deeply felt the Speaker's determination.

We must be determined in our strategy and in our prevention and control measures.

In short, they fought with Ophira until the last moment, and then when the flood came, they just lay down on the ground and waited for death. No wonder those congressmen had no confidence in the Speaker's strategic deployment and rushed to the Ark.

“…That was a natural disaster that could not be countered by human power.”

After a long time, the Speaker had to face his inner self. He believed that the only thing he could do as the Speaker of the Deep Sea Parliament was to face the coming of the doomsday together with the people of Ophira.

"No matter how the situation develops in the future, we must first find a way to withstand the first round of tsunamis." Ethan interrupted the Speaker's thoughts, "If steam technology can't do it, we can rely on magic."

As he spoke, Ethan looked at the narrowed-eyed Winter, "This is my teacher, Winter. She is the most powerful elemental shaper in the empire today. She is proficient in ice magic. Her magic can freeze the entire sea surface."

Hearing this, Lin Dong, who was daydreaming, suddenly straightened up and sat upright like a student who was called out by the teacher for being absent-minded in class. After about ten seconds, she felt a little confused.

Huh?
She is obviously the teacher!

Ethan admired the Speaker's determination. At least he did not just walk away like those congressmen who rushed to leave the venue. However, determination could not save Ophira. What they needed was a complete strategic deployment.

"The teacher's ice magic allowed Ophira to survive the first wave of the tsunami, but this is far from enough... This is Mr. Urda from the Deep Sea Clan. They are the people of Eliom and have lived near the valley as guardians for generations. No one in the world understands Eliom better than him."

Ethan said, "We need a professional negotiation team to meet Eliom before the next tsunami arrives, explain the situation to it, and try to grasp the evil god's movements. This team needs to be able to cross the frozen sea in a very short time."

The Speaker and Diplomat Richard said nothing, their minds were full of thoughts.

Unlike their determination to die, this imperial delegation was actually formulating a battle plan.

"This is Ivy, the heiress to the Empire's Margaret family and a diplomat in the new cabinet. She will work with you to finalize the specific details of the many diplomatic clauses to come."

"……what?"

Diplomatic terms?

The Speaker and Richard looked at each other. Why did the topic suddenly shift to diplomatic terms? Weren't they discussing the strategic deployment to resist the flood?
"I don't understand. Diplomatic terms refer to..."

"Strategic planning and the price of manpower."

Ethan said, "You also need a veteran who can face the evil gods in the valley. I have had experience dealing with evil gods several times before... The point is, how much are you willing to pay for this complete set of services?"

This man may be a crazier businessman than Flor.

Such thoughts emerged in the minds of both of them at the same time, and even Ivy looked at Ethan in surprise, but when she thought about it carefully, she suddenly realized that there was no better bargaining chip than this. Just now, Ethan provided a plan to save the world to the Deep Sea Council.

Could this also be part of Ethan's plan?
"…all requests."

The Speaker knew very well that this plan could not be measured in money. He even felt that it was more like a blank check. "The Parliament can meet all your diplomatic demands!"

Once the Western Continent is submerged by floods, all the technology and culture here will be wiped out, and the corpses will naturally be unable to fulfill their promises.

"In that case, Ivy will discuss specific diplomatic affairs with you. We also need to make some preparations."

The Speaker stared at Ethan's departing back in silence for a long time.

Over the years, he had imagined the endings of countless Ophira, and the prophecies about the coming of Doomsday became more and more frequent. These rumors did not only come from the Empire, but more and more countries and civilizations seemed to have "symptoms". These symptoms became more and more serious, as if foreshadowing the revival of those ancient beings.

He has no choice but to adopt an ostrich policy.

The more he knew, the stronger his sense of powerlessness became. Even though he had gradually reached his current position and became the nominal highest decision-maker of the entire Western Continent, to those ancient beings, he was nothing more than a chess piece that could be crushed easily. Everything they cherished seemed to be just a game on the evil god's chessboard.

The so-called truth is nothing more than letting the chess pieces get a glimpse of the master who is manipulating the chessboard.

However, at this moment, the Speaker seemed to see another outcome that he had never imagined.

When the figure disappeared at the end of the stairs, the Speaker seemed to catch a glimpse of a flash of lightning, and he almost instantly remembered people's initial descriptions of the Lord of Tides, which were hidden during the subsequent "Eradication of Faith" campaign.

A great being that controls the storm.

A righteous deity.

This made the Speaker hallucinate for a moment, and for a moment, he had an idea.

The great being on the mechanical throne...is back.

……

When Ethan arrived at the Mechanical Fortress, the senator was confronting the craftsmen. The Iron Man blocked the entire street and kept the senator's guards out.

Everyone's attention was focused on the boy who was supposed to be dead.

Gray-Leed - the cheater judged by the Lord of Tide is back here again.

In fact, before the arrival of the congressmen, the Mechanical Fortress was in chaos. Many changes had taken place in Gray. Black lines like flames were printed on his originally too fair skin. The whites of his eyes had been lost and replaced by black. At just one glance, he was filled with evil and ominous aura.

This reminded Ethan of the records about demons in the Containment Bureau investigator manual.

Some scholars believe that demons belong to a certain type of sub-human, but they are much more evil. Conspiracy, killing and destruction are their ways of having fun. For demons, there is no need for any reason to do evil. They will destroy families for no reason just to satisfy their evil tastes.

Some scholars also believe that humans have never actually seen the true form of demons. They can attach themselves to humans, distort their wills, and control their bodies. They are more likely to be creations of an evil god.

Obviously, the symptoms Gray is experiencing are those of “demonization.”

The manual also mentions that demons are born with the power to bewitch people.

"Why stop them? These people just want to survive. What's wrong with them?"

Gray's words were clearly conveyed to the ears of everyone present. His voice seemed to have some kind of magic, which temporarily stopped the quarrel between the congressman and the craftsman.

"But is the Ark really as wonderful as you imagine?"

Gray changed the subject and asked in a joking tone, "Hold a banquet, enjoy the convenience brought by power, and then forget everything about Ophira?"

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Gelb asked.

This was the first time he had heard about the Ark. These councillors rushed into their fortress, saying that the castle was a gift from the Lord of Tide, and threatened to let them leave, saying all kinds of incomprehensible things.

"Mr. Gelb, I'm trying to explain energy issues to them. After all, they know nothing about these complex and sophisticated instruments."

Gray was extremely sarcastic. "With their impoverished brains, it seems difficult to imagine how much energy is needed to make such a huge ship move. However, as Ophira's leading craftsman, you should be able to imagine the secret."

Gelb did not respond. He imagined the fortress turning into a ship, sailing on the sea, and endless questions followed - this was obviously beyond their current technological level, and the craftsmen had long been accustomed to this feeling.

The knowledge left by the Lord of Tides is like a treasure trove, and the craftsmen are the explorers of this treasure trove.

Seeing that Gelb remained silent, Gray patiently asked, "Suppose this is a new energy source, what changes will it bring to existing technology?"

This sentence excited all the craftsmen present.

For them, nothing in the world is more exciting than technological innovation.

The congressmen, however, were becoming increasingly impatient. They had no interest in technological inventions, especially at this critical juncture. After ensuring the normal operation of the Ark, they still had powers to clarify. More importantly, who would be the captain of the Ark?

The Speaker decided to stay in Ophira and fight until the last moment, which meant they needed to elect a new person in power.

Ethan listened silently to the debate among the councillors in the crowd, and finally they seemed to temporarily agree with one representative.

The old man walked out of the crowd and came straight to Gray, with a fake smile on his face, as if trying to make his tone sound as amiable as possible. "Now is not the time to argue. I only have one question. Can you make the ark sail?"

This is also the only issue that the lawmakers are concerned about.

There were some strange changes in Gray-Leed, but they didn't care.

They even preferred Gray Lead to be the Ark's technical advisor rather than the stubborn Gelb.

Gray was still a child.

Children are easier to manipulate. If they are given a little taste of sweetness, they will serve everyone on the ship wholeheartedly.

"of course."

Gray looked up at the old man and smiled harmlessly, "I can also let you board the Ark immediately, but it requires some preparation."

"What preparation?"

"Your sincerity is needed to make the Ark hear your voice."

They were all in the mechanical fortress. Gray guided the old man, "Now, are you willing to continue to dedicate yourself to the flame of civilization?"

"willing."

The old man answered without any hesitation, his tone noble and solemn.

He had faced too many similar inquiries in his life, and even the tone of the answers had become his memory.

Every member of the Deep Sea Council has taken the same oath, which is the promise they made to the people.

However, this time, the old man's promise brought a response on a real level.

He only had time to let out a scream, which stopped abruptly. Everyone saw the rising flames, which engulfed the old man in the blink of an eye, burning everything he had along with it. Then, a wisp of white smoke floated in the flames, twisting and changing as if it had life.

It seemed to want to drill back into the flames, back into its own body.

But an invisible force pulled it into the air and absorbed it into the steel barrier.

From nowhere, a solemn bell rang throughout the fortress.

Everyone was frozen in place by the sound of the bell, and it was not until the bell disappeared that the congressmen woke up from their dream.

"W-what did you do to him?"

The lawmakers questioned Gray in horror.

"I didn't do anything to him, he just fulfilled his oath."

Gray was still smiling. "'Devote oneself to the flame of civilization', what a noble character! Each of you has made the same vow, and now it is your turn to fulfill it... Don't worry, he is still alive, and will continue to exist with the Ark as a torch to continue the flame of civilization."

He liked the incredulous looks in the congressmen's eyes, as if they were silently accusing themselves of being betrayed by "God".

No one is willing to become the firewood that sustains the existence of others, even if it is a fair trade.

They gained fame, wealth, and status, and while people in the slums were fighting for a piece of bread, they were attending high-end banquets, enjoying fine wines and delicious food from various countries.

Perhaps in the eyes of the Lord of Tides, this is already compensation.

"The Game of Thrones is over."

Gray had to bring this bad news to the congressmen. "Now it's time to fulfill your oath. You all promised to 'dedicate yourself to the fire of civilization'. There is only one way to start the Ark - that is to use your souls as its fuel. Time is running out. Whose turn is it now?"

The lawmakers standing in the front row took a step back.

This was originally a favorable terrain. In their opinion, whoever boarded the Ark first would have an advantage.

Gray asked everyone, "Hmm? Didn't you make a vow?"

No one dared to respond to his question.

People are not satisfied or comforted by preferential treatment; they just crave more.

"Fortunately, He had foreseen this. When you made your vows, the contract was already concluded. Who should I start by naming?"

"boom--!"

Gray was interrupted by the sound of gunfire, and the bullet hit him in the heart.

Jacob, who fired the shot, still maintained the posture of holding the gun, his hands shaking constantly. His mental state has been in an extremely unstable state in the past few days. Gray was torturing his remaining sanity every moment, and the panic finally crushed his last sanity.

Dead?
That devil who spreads lies to confuse the people!
The next moment, Jacob felt that he was hallucinating. He saw Gray, who was hit by a bullet in the heart, still standing there. What flowed out of the wound was not blood, but a dark shadow.

"Devil, he has been possessed by the devil!"

Jacob pulled the trigger desperately and used up all the bullets, but the devil was still not killed. The broken wounds connected together, faintly revealing Gray's true nature.

"In that case, let's start with you, Mr. Jacob."

The devil smiled at him.

Jacob instinctively wanted to escape, but before he could take a step, the flames obscured their entire vision.

He lost control of his body, his sight drifted into the air with his consciousness, as if he had become a bystander of this world.

He could no longer make a sound or move even a finger. The only thing he could do was look and listen, but everything that was happening had nothing to do with him.

"Next..."

"Let me try."

The congressmen saw someone walking out of the team. The moment Gray saw the young man, he revealed an ecstasy that was difficult to conceal. This was a primitive reaction from his broken soul. Even though all consciousness had disappeared, he still retained some instincts.

Gray's smile widened. "Please go ahead, but before that, please make a vow...Mr. Ethan, are you willing to dedicate yourself to the flame of civilization?"

"I don't want to."

The silent dedication of the two volunteers helped Ethan understand the principles of the Ark.

This is actually just a simple energy issue and has nothing to do with contracts, souls, or rituals.

He walked right past Gray and looked up at the steel barrier.

Every gap in the precision structure is filled with electricity.

It was a familiar feeling, as if the ship was responding to him.

This ark, which has been empty for several epochs, has been waiting for a captain.

And now, its captain is finally back.

(End of this chapter)