Night Journey

Chapter 76 Disagreement
The bright, shining sunlight fell on Rolf's face, but it couldn't illuminate the gloom between his brows.

"Hel City..."

Rolf gazed at the towering, cloud-piercing tower.

After burning all night, the array of torches at the top of the tower had long since gone into hibernation, but the terrifying heat was still cooling down, turning into waves of heat that swept down from the top of the tower.

It washes over the rusty tower, skims through the gaps in the crowded buildings, and falls into the depths of the tower's base where even the light cannot penetrate, scorching all living things.

Rolf still remembers what the lighthouse looked like when he first arrived in Hull decades ago.

It was far from being as tall and massive as it is today, and there were no buildings growing wildly like tree tumors around it.

It was just an ordinary lighthouse, and its glow could only shelter the low-lying shacks.

After decades of alteration and reconstruction, it has devoured the surrounding buildings one by one, becoming morbid and deformed. Countless people live inside the bloated tower, like tiny cells, maintaining its day and night burning.

"Cooling pipe number nine is about to be activated. Please move aside."

A cold warning came over the loudspeaker, and about ten seconds later, a giant fan several meters in diameter spun at high speed, creating a howling wind to draw away the heat.

Rolf walked through this steel jungle, the air hot and oppressive, filled with the smell of rust.

Every now and then, crackling sounds come from above or below, spewing out scorching water vapor or condensing frost-like coolant.

The deafening noise filled Rolf's ears, and his skin was covered with a fine layer of sweat. At times like this, he couldn't help but think of the old days.

At that time, Rolf was an apprentice working on the lower deck of the flail. He was always naked, covered in a layer of ash and slag.

Looking back now, Rolf actually misses those tough days a little.

The vertical elevator carried Rolf rapidly upwards, and the scenery outside the window changed from gloomy to bright daylight.

Upon reaching the top floor, the temperature was not as hot as Rolf had expected; in fact, it was much colder.

Rolf knew without a doubt that those wealthy city-state councilors wouldn't let themselves suffer.

Having learned that a council meeting was to be held today, they must have informed the spirit craftsmen in advance, instructing them to expedite the cooling process of the Lighthouse, at least to cool down the meeting hall.

The council chamber of the city-state.

This is the highest point in the city of Hull, and also the center of power.

Whenever a major decision needs to be made, the city-state councilors gather here and unite the loose forces through exchanges of interests, negotiations, or even arguments and intimidation.

Rolf was somewhat troubled by the system; trying to reconcile everyone's opinions was always a difficult task.

It wastes a lot of time and consumes unnecessary resources, not to mention that some people have ulterior motives.

He once again reminisced about his days in the Foundry, where the craftsmen were always able to efficiently weigh the pros and cons of events and make the best solutions. Even when things were beyond their control, they could still communicate with the brain and seek the wisdom of countless sages.

"I've grown increasingly disgusted with this city ever since you left."

Rolf opened his pocket watch, and inside the case was a yellowed photograph of his wife when she was young.

He once loved this city-state so much that he was willing to leave the Forge for it, but with the death of his wife, Rolf's feelings for Her City gradually faded over time.

Moreover, the city is becoming unrecognizable from the one Rolf knew.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're always the first member of parliament to arrive."

The man stepped out from behind Rolf and sat down in the chair directly opposite him.

“My prediction was correct.” Rolf closed his pocket watch and said in a cold tone, “You’re always one step behind me, Director Decal.”

"Haha, there's nothing we can do about it."

Dekar smiled and replied, "You are the senior."

Rolf's face was ashen, and he remained silent.

Footsteps echoed outside the conference hall, disappearing as they reached the door, as if a group of people were standing there, hesitating whether to go in.

Rolf could hear the whispers behind the door.

Some hesitated, some were afraid, and others watched the spectacle, wondering if they would end up arguing heatedly with De Karl today.

"Actually, there is no need to convene all the members of parliament for a meeting."

Dekar broke the silence first, saying, "In the end, they just follow what others do."

"In other words, as long as we reach a consensus, this issue that has troubled Hull City for so long can be truly resolved."

Rolf took a deep breath, his gaze sinister. The city-state councilors, entangled in various interests and power struggles, were roughly divided into three factions.

First, there was the Spirit Craftsmen faction, led by Rolf. While bringing new life to the city of Hel, they also wielded immense power and became an important part of maintaining the city's operation.

Secondly, there is a group mainly composed of the old nobles of Hull City. They have lived here since the founding of Hull City and have become deeply rooted in the city over the long years.

Finally, there is the emerging force led by Decal.

Unlike the previous two, they were mostly extraordinary individuals who had drifted to Hull City, or new citizens who had joined Hull City in recent years. They brought their own power and wealth and managed to barely own a piece of land in Hull City.

Initially, they clashed with the old nobles, vying for the right to speak, but with Decal's rise, he surprisingly united the two.

Are there unified opinions?

"Decal," Rolf said, exasperated, "how many times have we argued about this?"

"the fourth time."

Dekar raised his finger. "This is our fourth discussion about whether Hull City should cooperate with the White Sun Holy City's actions."

"My thinking remains unchanged."

Dekar continued, "What so-called 'rising sun'? Hull City won't risk everything for such a vague rumor."

"Besides, even if we gamble everything, what will we get in return? Do you think the Holy City of the Sun will help us move the entire City of Hel to the inner ring of the Flame Core?"

Dekar laughed sarcastically, "How is that possible? The inner ring of the Flame Core is already packed with people. Every opening is incredibly precious. There's no chance for us at all."

“Don’t blame me for being harsh, Rolf.”

Dekar's tone suddenly softened, and he asked wearily, "Have you been to the Holy City of the White Sun?"

"No."

"Have you ever personally visited the so-called Holy Land? Or have you never even set foot in the inner ring of the Flame Core?"

Rolf remained silent, and that silence itself was an answer.

"Haha, see?"

Dekar laughed helplessly. "The Holy City of the Day is too far away for you, for me, or for everyone in Hull City. It's like a legend, a daydream."

“How can we accept that something that only exists in dreams is suddenly asking us to cooperate with their actions and even to requisition everything in Hel City?”

Dekar shouted hoarsely, "When Hull City went through all sorts of great crises, they didn't show up. Now, they're asking us to give them all. Is that reasonable?"

Rolf sighed, "But no matter how much you say, the investigation team's report won't be wrong. They found remnants of malevolent power in the ruins of White Cliff Town."

The rumor is true; an invisible storm is approaching Hel City and sweeping across the outer borders.

Dekar scoffed, "What does that have to do with the city of Hull?"

"As history books often teach, the era of unity is over. We are now in a world where we are isolated from one another and only selfish people can survive safely."

“Once the power of the Holy City of the Day is attracted, it will only draw the attention of evil beings and bring disaster to Hel City.”

Decal envisioned that terrible future: "What's even more despairing is that even if everything goes smoothly and the Holy City of the Day gets what they want, what happens after that?"

"They dusted themselves off and returned to the Second Sun's rays, living in the absolute safety of the Holy Land, while leaving us here to prepare for endless nightmares."

Decal suddenly lowered his voice, "Rolf, we don't want to get involved in any conflicts; we just want to maintain our independence and safety."

"No, these are not the things you are afraid of."

Rolf saw through Decal's lies and also saw through the hypocrisy of the city councilors.

He said wearily.

"You are just afraid that history will repeat itself."

The arrival of the Chained Flail brought new life to the city of Hel, but also left behind a large number of spirit craftsmen who gained the power to govern the city.

The interest groups represented by Decal feared that the arrival of the Holy City of the Day would leave behind another group of torchbearers, further diluting their power until they were sidelined, making Hel City a puppet of the Three Sages.

Perhaps he really was getting old, Rolf felt a little lost for a moment.

Everyone thought they were right, but everything still headed towards an irreversible abyss.

(End of this chapter)