A different world game? A different world game!

on the street.

Looking up, one can see dozens of floating buildings of varying sizes and shapes.

There are miniature metal fortresses, clusters of metal platforms that extend upwards like banyan trees, and crystalline structures that resemble giant coral reefs.

They were like the nests of strange birds, densely packed together next to the southwest corner base of the Tower of Trials.

They utilize every possible anchor point to climb upwards, layer upon layer, making the most of space to an extreme degree.

The exposed pipes, like twisted blood vessels, shimmer with the faint light of flowing energy, forming an extremely complex and impactful three-dimensional urban landscape.

“This is a floating cluster on the edge of the city,” Lia explained. “Because it is close to the Tower of Trials, the energy is relatively abundant. Coupled with environmental pressures, many emerging workshops, small research institutes, and even private residences have chosen to develop upwards.”

"This is the forefront of innovation and expansion."

Of course, it also symbolizes status and position.

In a world where individual power is paramount, the so-called equality for all is, frankly, unlikely to be achieved.

The Night's Watch's blessing only lowered the average.

Legends remain special and rare.

Therefore, most of those floating structures belong to legendary-level powerhouses, which can be considered a kind of incentive.

"They look just like a group of barnacles clinging to a giant beast..."

The elf representative frowned slightly and muttered to himself.

She instinctively felt a slight unease about the impact of this almost chaotic expansion on the beauty of nature, but this did not prevent her from understanding the motivation behind it.

Just then, a miniature communicator on Leah's wrist lit up, and a familiar, irritable voice came through.

"Hey! Leah! I'm looking for you! There's a problem with the custom enchantment module blueprints you submitted for that batch of 'Abyss Task Force'!"
"The 7th energy circuit is conflicting with the 3rd rune array! Hurry back and check! Our Mr. Popper doesn't have time to guess your thoughts!"

The sound stopped abruptly.

Leah shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Excuse me, everyone, I'm Lord Popper's experimental assistant. He's always so... direct."

"He led the design of our logistics department's hover transport scorpion; he was a genius but also a hot-tempered engineer."

She explained.

Popper's reputation is well-known throughout the world.

After all, she was a rat-person.

There are probably only two well-known ratmen: one is the evil rat, and the other is Popper.

However, what many people may not know is that Popper has become a god.

Popper clearly didn't want the news to get out.

She didn't want everyone to treat her with utmost respect.

As they continued onward, a sudden change occurred in an area ahead that was sealed off by multiple barriers.

The metal walls in that area were covered with dense arcane runes, which were now flashing rapidly, and a blinding blue light burst forth from somewhere inside.

The intense energy fluctuations spread out instantly, like an invisible shockwave.

"careful!"

Lia reacted extremely quickly, instantly activating some kind of protective barrier that enveloped everyone.

The shockwave swept past, causing no real damage, but the strong wind was intense.

The orc nobleman instinctively reached out and pressed his hand against the heavy bone crown on his head, while the elf representative's flowing long hair and the human male councilor's meticulously styled hair were instantly blown into disarray.

Within the area, piercing alarms blared, and Popper's signature roar came through the loudspeakers.

"Sector 7 overload! Sector 7 overload! Cut off the energy link! Now! Lab materials are expensive! You bunch of idiots!"

Soon, the blinding blue light and violent energy fluctuations quickly subsided.

The light from the barrier stabilized.

“Alchemy Experiment Zone,” Lia removed the barrier, explaining helplessly, “Multiple protective barriers ensure safety. Cutting-edge alchemy experiments are often conducted here, and occasionally… um… energy overflows.”

"This is a small, unavoidable price to pay in the pursuit of technological progress."

Lia's tone was calm, clearly indicating that she was used to such unexpected situations.

After all, this place is separated from the normal gathering area, and they were only brought here for a visit.

"I understand! I understand!" The orc nobleman grinned, as if the "little accident" had actually piqued his interest.

"Inventions are bound to cause some commotion! When the tribal shamans are working on new totems, the noise level is much higher! Haha!"

He showed great tolerance and understanding for this "accident".

The elf representative silently tidied her wind-blown silver hair, her gaze fixed on the area that had returned to calm but where the runes still flowed, lost in thought.

"Such a powerful burst of energy was quickly suppressed... The Night Watch's control over energy and its security mechanisms are indeed unique."

The tour is still ongoing.

Leah finally led everyone to an open square.

This is the best spot to look up at the city center.

Everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn upwards.

Suspended above the city's core area, right next to the magnificent Tower of Trials, is a building with an extremely unique shape—a huge inverted triangular fortress.

It was the largest of all the floating towers and floating fortresses, and it was right in the center.

Its smooth metallic lines gleam with a cold luster, shimmering with ever-changing, ethereal blue light patterns.

Light flows across its surface, outlining a mysterious and powerful geometric beauty.

Like an inverted sword of order, it silently overlooks the vibrant city below.

“That’s the ‘Fork’,” Leah said respectfully. “It’s the location of the Night’s Watch’s High Council. It’s the nerve center of the entire City of the Ring and the entire Night’s Watch. It represents the pinnacle of the Night’s Watch’s alchemical skills.”

The elf representative gazed up at the floating fortress, its deep eyes reflecting the ethereal blue light.

"A cluster of floating islands... an inverted triangular fortress... the pinnacle of the Night Watchers' alchemy... truly surpassing the Mage Council..."

She whispered that even the proud elves had to admit that the technological wonders before them surpassed their traditional understanding of magic.

The human councilor who was concerned with municipal management remarked, "The highest decision-making is right there... overlooking the whole situation... no wonder the Night's Watch can maintain efficient operation and a clear strategy in such a complex situation."

"This symbolism...is thought-provoking."

He was thinking about the relationship between power structure and decision-making efficiency.

However, he was clearly overthinking it.

The Night's Watch didn't think so much when they built these things. They weren't created overnight; they were planned in advance. Instead, they were added gradually as the organization developed, and sometimes, due to the rapid pace of development, they became uncontrollable.

The reason why the Night Watch's massive system can still function is essentially due to the existence of secondary professions.

The various products generated by secondary occupations greatly enrich the basic needs of life.

However, the looming threat of survival forced them to unite.

Having addressed the basic material needs for life, the crisis also addressed the spiritual needs.

This is the fundamental reason why the Night's Watch is constantly striving for improvement, yet remains united.

Secondly, there is the presence of the god Kana.

As for the future.

There will be more life and greater development in the future.

As long as there is upward progress, all problems are acceptable.

"Tsk!" The orc noble slapped his muscular chest hard, making a dull thud. "We orcs prefer the feeling of having our feet firmly on the ground. But... this thing looks tough. If only I could get it down and use it as my war fortress..."

He made no attempt to hide his longing, but he also knew it was just an exaggerated idea.

For a moment, you can't figure out whether this nobleman is genuinely mentally challenged or just pretending to be stupid.

After all, this tour group was not very meaningful in essence; it was more of a friendly, symbolic gesture.

All factions already knew the details of the Night's Watch, since the city didn't prohibit outsiders.

Lia smiled as she observed the different reactions of the crowd.

"'Fork,' the floating islands scattered in the arms of the Tower of Trials, and the vast southern city beneath our feet... they tell of the efforts we have made and the heights we have reached in order."

She looked around at the representatives from all sides of the mainland.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our tour of the southern part of the city has now come to an end. It is a huge melting pot, blending faces from all over the world."

It is a highly efficient machine, driven by alchemical techniques.

It is a sturdy fortress, guarding the hard-won order.

"I hope you can feel the pulse of the system that the Night's Watch has established through your own eyes."

The elven representative from Tate fell into deep thought, the human council members whispered their observations, and the orc nobles were still savoring the awe-inspiring sight of the enormous guardian golems and the "forked" fortresses.

In the air, the barely perceptible smell of gunpowder mingled with the cloying sweetness of decay.

This is the unique atmosphere of the city surrounding the tower, reminding everyone that order is not built in a greenhouse, but is born from fierce struggle and relentless innovation.

The southern city of the City Around the Tower, this enormous city nestled against the towering black tower, left a deep impression on these special visitors with its astonishing vitality, efficient order, and unparalleled alchemical wonders.

And atop the fortress they had previously looked up to.

A meeting is in progress.

Inside the circular council chamber at the deepest level of the floating fortress "Fork," the heavy alloy doors closed silently, isolating the outside world from the noise.

Soft alchemical lighting streamed down from the dome, illuminating the enormous round conference table and the few people seated around it.

Sergio Grey Mountain.

The Golden King of the Dwarves was now reclining unceremoniously in a large alloy chair, his solid chest almost bare, with only a breastplate made of fine gold casually draped over it.

He stroked his beard with his rough, large hands and let out a hearty laugh that echoed in the enclosed space.

"Haha! Even this old blacksmith and my brother Vansha have been dragged back? Look at this scene, Popper has even neglected to comb his white hair, and Black, your armor is still covered in the dust of those void debris!"
"Speak, Alyris, what important matter requires us all to be gathered together?"

His large, bell-like eyes swept over everyone present, a hint of seriousness in his smile.

Sitting diagonally opposite Sergio is Vaencia Safro Rey.

The Blood Knight, who had been stationed in the eastern wilderness for many years and possessed a calm demeanor, nodded slightly.

His face bore the marks of a long journey, and his voice, though calm as ever, carried a heavy weight.

"Sergio is right. Unless it is something extremely important and of overall importance, I should be in charge of the East right now."

"The wave of Anvian has not yet subsided, the aftershocks of the liberal revolution have not yet faded, and stability is needed at every moment."

“The fact that we’ve all gathered here,” he said, glancing around before his gaze lingered on Popper’s slightly wrinkled nose and Blake’s tired yet sharp eyes, “means that the next issue is likely to be of great importance.”

It should be noted that such a meeting did not exist when the free revolution was launched.

A wisp of pale blue arcane light swirled around the elf Maxim's fingertips as he gracefully dissipated it, his wise eyes turning to Areris in the main seat.

"Indeed, it has been several years since we last met face-to-face in such a complete manner. While communication via channels is convenient, some decisions carry weight and need to be made face-to-face in this fortress that symbolizes the core of order."

"It seems that His Majesty Kana has prepared a 'generous gift' for us from the depths of the abyss."

His tone carried a hint of the cool, mocking tone characteristic of elves.

At this stage, the most important thing in his view is undoubtedly the operation in the abyss.

Blake straightened his back, displaying the resoluteness characteristic of a frontline commander.

He didn't exchange pleasantries, but simply nodded slightly and said in a deep voice.

"Tarril has shifted from expansion to defense, and troop rotation has begun. The void in various places is becoming calmer, and the Lightbringers can step in wherever needed."

Concise yet powerful.

Popper sat on a noticeably taller chair, his small paws impatiently tapping the smooth tabletop, making soft clattering sounds, while his white tail swished restlessly.

"Important! Important! Aliris, what exactly is that guy Kana trying to do?"

"I've just reached a critical point in debugging the divine kingdom space anchor point here, and I have a bunch of formulas waiting for me to derive! I hope the stench of blood from the abyss doesn't taint my lab!"

Her bright, round eyes flashed with annoyance at being interrupted from her research, but also with curiosity about the upcoming revelation.

All eyes eventually focused on Alyris, who was in the main seat.

The judge's silver hair flowed with the cold glow of alchemical lamplight, and his blood-red, gem-like eyes were calm and unwavering as they swept across the faces of each councilor.

She didn't offer any opening remarks; she went straight to the point, her cold and authoritative voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"Kana is in the abyss, preparing to ignite a 'spark' that will set off a war that could change the course of the bloody conflict."

The council chamber fell silent instantly, even Popper stopped tapping his hands on the table.

Sergio dropped his joking demeanor, Vanessa's gaze deepened, Maxim frowned slightly, and Blake leaned forward slightly.

Without pausing, Alyris continued to articulate the plan in a clear and organized manner.

"To take advantage of the excellent window of opportunity presented by the current defensive line drawing away the main force of the Abyss and plunging the demons into a frenzy of chaos, Kana needs a sufficiently elite and powerful strike force."

"Led personally by Lelia, they will penetrate the relatively weak areas of the demonic defenses, deep into the heart of the abyss—establishing forward order nodes in its empty rear, and forcibly igniting the flames of order!" (End of Chapter)