They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 255: Kakuma

After a heated discussion and careful consideration, everyone reached a basic consensus.

Masaki Keigo's proposal, with its grand vision and irrefutable logic, ultimately won the approval of everyone present.

The next step is specific implementation. On the one hand, there are emergency measures to address the immediate threat – to urgently weaponize the TPC's existing armed forces, especially the Hien-class fighter jets of the Victory Squadron, so that they can quickly acquire effective combat capabilities.

On the other hand, the TPC took the lead in issuing an initiative to countries around the world to jointly promote the establishment of a "global defense system".

Although Masaki Keigo's plan sounds as far-fetched as science fiction, no one dares to take it lightly in the face of his illustrious reputation in the global academic community over the past few years and his series of groundbreaking achievements, such as the theoretical construction of quantum computers that he personally completed.

Countries around the world showed considerable interest after receiving the formal note from the TPC.

However, while interest is one thing, getting world leaders to immediately part with their money and invest such an astronomical budget to build a defense system led by the TPC is nothing short of a pipe dream.

After several rounds of intense consultations and political maneuvering, all parties finally reached a compromise:

First, concentrate resources on building a space elevator at a selected location as a pilot project, and verify its feasibility and value through actual operation.

A new question arises – where should this crucial pilot project be built?
The international atmosphere suddenly became delicate again.

All the major powers are well aware that whoever can keep this epoch-making building on their own territory will gain a first-mover advantage in future space exploration.

The debates at the conference table and the power struggles behind the scenes almost completely eroded the initial intention to cooperate.

Ultimately, after a heated and almost frenzied discussion, the location for the first pilot space elevator was decided upon in that great Eastern country across the sea.

Behind this decision, while there was certainly the covert push from Masaki Keigo, the more important factor was the astonishing courage displayed by that great power.

They grasped the profound significance of the plan almost immediately and pledged to provide the highest level of resources and policy support for the project in order to benefit humanity's future. Their determination and efficiency impressed all observers.

With the plan finalized, the massive engineering machinery began to slowly turn.

Site selection, exploration, resource allocation... everything is progressing in an orderly manner.

Meanwhile, weapons modification programs are also underway within TPC.

Inside the hangar, the blinding arc light and the noise of metal cutting never cease.

In order to cope with the threat that may reappear at any time, technicians are racing against time to install weapon systems on the active-duty Feiyan-1 and Feiyan-2 satellites.

But this is ultimately just a stopgap measure.

After all, these two aircraft were not originally designed for combat, so their performance potential is limited.

The true ace fighter jet needs to be designed from scratch, on a completely new blueprint...

The storm seems to have subsided for the time being, but new shadows have been quietly gathering in places unseen by people.

A few days later, an urgent report from the public was like a boulder thrown into the calm lake of TPC, creating violent ripples—on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean called "Kurarara Island," people had witnessed traces of a monster.

This news immediately drew great attention from TPC.

The destruction caused by Golza and Melba, and the turmoil caused by the two mysterious giants, have not yet completely subsided, and the people's nerves remain on edge.

At this critical juncture, any incident involving the monster, if mishandled, could trigger unpredictable social panic and a crisis of trust in TPC.

Because the modifications to the Flying Swallow are not yet complete, the Victory Team is temporarily unable to deploy.

TPC could only send ground troops by transport plane to Jiuliang Island for preliminary reconnaissance.

The seriousness of the situation prompted Director Sawai to personally go to the scene to oversee and direct operations.

He knew that his stance as the top leader of TPC at this moment was crucial for stabilizing morale.

To his surprise, just before he was about to board the private plane to Jiuliangliang Island, he received an unexpected request to travel with him.

The applicant was none other than Masaki Keigo.

Sawai looked at the name that popped up on the terminal screen, thought for a moment, and then chose to agree.

He had his own considerations: on the one hand, having a top technical expert accompany him would be beneficial for analyzing any possible anomalies.
On the other hand, he did want to find an opportunity to talk to Masaki Keigo...

Masaki Keigo, dressed in a smart research suit, appeared on the tarmac.

The two didn't exchange many pleasantries, but simply nodded in tacit agreement and boarded the plane together.

With the roar of the engines, the plane took off and headed towards Jiuliangliang Island.

“Dr. Masaki, if I may be so bold, you seem… a little impatient.”

Director Sawai gazed at the surging sea of ​​clouds outside the window for a long time before slowly speaking.

A key reason why the global defense project was able to move forward was that Keigo Masaki came up with a rather perfect plan.

It wasn't just the design of the rail elevator; they even designed a swarm of robots driven by a quantum computer, which would greatly improve construction efficiency. But this also made him realize the problem: based on his understanding of Masaki Keigo, this operation was far too hasty…

"Has it been discovered?"

Upon hearing this, Masaki Keigo stiffened slightly, then a rather helpless smile appeared on his face.

He paused, as if carefully choosing his words.

"If I had to find a reason..."

"I think it stems from... the fear of the unknown."

"Fear...the unknown?"

"This is really not something you would say."

I remember you once said that scientists are simply people who, alone and determined, explore a vast, unknown wilderness.

Sawai raised her eyebrows slightly, her face full of surprise.

"Explorers also experience fear."

"Director, that time machine capsule from 30 million years ago has clearly proven to us that the civilization we call 'ultra-ancient' possessed technology far superior to that of modern humans."

"They might even... have mastered the power of the giants..."

"But now, it is we humans, not them, who live and thrive on this planet..."

Masaki Keigo took a deep breath and explained.

He did not directly mention Gatanothor, because even after he gained the power of the Titans, the nightmares that had plagued him did not disappear.

Instead, as time went on, they got closer and closer to the underwater city called R'lyeh.

This effect likely affects those who know Gatanothor... He does not intend to reveal Gatanothor's existence until he has ascertained the specific mechanism of this effect.

"You mean..."

Upon hearing this, Director Sawai's expression changed drastically. He felt a chill rise from his spine and instantly spread throughout his body.

Fine beads of cold sweat had already seeped out from his back.

All his energy had been focused on dealing with the immediate threat of monsters, balancing international political relations, and promoting the progress of human civilization... He subconsciously neglected this issue.

If ancient civilizations truly possessed such technological capabilities, then where did they go?

Why leave them with such a prophecy?
"Of course... this is just my personal guess."

"But in order to deal with this potential unknown threat, we humans must also do our best."

In a sense, I strongly agree with Director Yoshioka's view—that the fate of humanity should not be placed on unknown things that are beyond our control…

Seeing the horrified look on Sawai's face, Masaki Keigo softened his tone accordingly.

"That's it..."

Sawai nodded slowly, her tense body relaxing slightly.

He let out a long breath, finally understanding the deeper motivation behind Masaki Keigo's eagerness.

"Regarding this monster report,"

Masaki Keigo skillfully changed the subject, breaking the heavy atmosphere, and at the same time handed over a tablet computer.

"I think it's highly likely to be true."

"This is……"

Sawai took the tablet with a puzzled look.

The screen displays a scanned copy of an ancient scroll.

On the yellowed paper, a simple scene is depicted with rustic strokes: a group of tiny humans are worshipping a monster as huge as a mountain, and the monster's form seems to be made of hard rock.

According to the "Taiping Customs Records" which are circulated in Jiuliangliang Island.

"In ancient times, the island's inhabitants revered this colossal beast, capable of turning everything to stone, as their guardian deity..."

"They named this guardian deity—Jakuma."

(End of this chapter)