After reaching the maximum level, my "soft rice system" finally arrived.

They couldn't wait any longer.

Now, Francis has to grasp at any straw.

Even if this lifeline is just a temporary fix, he would not hesitate to try it.

Francis continued to listen attentively to the debate taking place in the square.

Then, he shook his head in disappointment.

Those missionaries spoke eloquently, describing their Lord as omnipotent.

But ultimately, when it comes to making concrete promises, it's always the same old rhetoric—

"After death, one can ascend to the Lord's eternal kingdom and enjoy a long and peaceful life free from disaster and hardship."

Such a promise may be quite tempting to ordinary people.

After all, the concept of reincarnation is something that exists if you believe in it, and doesn't exist if you don't.

If one only needs to die once to be freed from suffering and gain eternal life, then it would naturally be a pretty good choice for an individual.

If you are all alone, then believing it is just a form of solace.

However, as the governor of this city, Francis felt that the weight of this gray city far exceeded his own life.

As for the continuation of Aurora City...

Such a promise is no different from an empty check.

Come to think of it—

If there really is a solution to the Calamity of No Light, and the ability to protect Aurora City from it.

Then the great cataclysm that caused the gods to bleed might not have happened.

Francis closed his eyes slightly.

When he opened his eyes again, the disappointment in them had completely faded, replaced by indifference and calm.

It wasn't that Francis lost his humanity during that long, dark night.

Rather, as the city's governor, he had to learn to suppress his emotions.

This is his deficiency as a human being, but it is a necessary condition for him as a decision-maker.

"Seed Project".

"How are the preparations going...?"

The hoarse female voice behind him paused slightly.

"The shortlist of promising candidates under the age of twenty, who are in good health and possess exceptional talent, has been completed..."

"That's good."

Francis nodded.

"Wait until the moment the twilight tide breaks out."

"Those children are in your care."

"Francis...you!"

The hoarse female voice spoke in shock, but her words were interrupted by Francis.

"I am the governor of this city, and perhaps the last governor."

"None of my predecessors were ever able to retire from the position of consul and live out their natural lifespan in peace—"

"Instead, without exception, they all died in battle on the front lines."

"I don't want to be a deserter."

Francis turned to the side, seemingly guessing what the woman behind him was saying, and shook his head slightly.

"Of course, as the only seventh-tier member in Aurora City who did not participate in the Seed Project escort, I may face more risks on that long journey of exile."

"But with you here, I think I can rest assured."

"Please forgive my little act of willfulness..."

"After all, this might be the last time..."

A brief silence fell upon the tower.

Francis moved his lips, as if he wanted to make further arrangements.

However, the next moment, Francis suddenly stopped speaking.

His gaze fell upon the square beside the bonfire.

Francis, as the strongest person in Aurora City, also managed to cultivate to the seventh level despite the harsh environment.

Therefore, with his strength, even though the square was thousands of meters away from him, he could see everything on it in great detail.

And at this moment——

Within his field of vision.

A young girl dressed in coarse cloth suddenly walked through the crowded people around the square.

Then, he walked straight up to the high platform in the square.

"This is Anna?"

A hoarse female voice sounded with some confusion beside Francis.

This young girl named Anna was no stranger to Francis and his wife.

They also knew that Anna's parents had sacrificed their lives while collecting firewood for Aurora City.

However, there are far too many orphans in Aurora City who are in similar situations to Anna.

All they could do was try to get her a larger share of the supplies.

Later, when Anna wanted to become a librarian, Francis secretly gave her a little help, helping Anna fulfill her wish.

"so--"

"What is she here for?"

Francis asked, puzzled.

In any case, Anna was only eighteen years old.

Because of her position as a librarian, she was selected early on as a member of the seed program.

After all, the most precious treasure for the civilization of this city is the books in its library, a continuation of history...

Moreover, after this city is destroyed one day, it will become a tombstone bearing witness to two hundred years of solitude.

Therefore, from any perspective, Anna should not get involved in the debate between the missionaries and believers at this moment.

"I remember, she was later adopted by a refugee named Aize..."

"Could it be because of him?"

Francis muttered a few words to himself.

As the city's governor, he knew the city far better than anyone else.

Furthermore, they vaguely guessed that the wanderer named Aize might not be of simple origin.

However, the other party has always acted as if going with the flow and has never taken the initiative to reveal their identity. In order to be on the safe side, Francis himself has never taken the initiative to break the ice.

Could it be that Aize is actually a lurking missionary?

If that's the case, given the other party's long history of lurking, there are probably still many variables involved, and I might have to take it seriously.

............

On the other side, a girl dressed in coarse cloth walked step by step up the high platform amidst the puzzled gazes of those around her.

Then, she turned slightly and bowed to the missionaries who had stopped debating on the platform.

"Young lady, this is not a place for you!"

Someone spoke in a serious tone.

He was a preacher of the god of war, who had previously been describing to the people the greatness of the Lord he believed in.

He took a few steps forward, his tall figure making Anna's petite frame appear even smaller.

However, faced with the other party's imposing manner, Anna spoke calmly and respectfully.

"I also represent the being I believe in—"

"The god of arcane arts has arrived."

"The God of Arcane Arts?"

The preacher of the god of war repeated this gift.

He didn't understand the meaning, so he chuckled coldly.

"This is the place where the believers of the gods debate, so how can it tolerate the existence of a false god whose name is unknown?"

The preacher of the god of war spread his arms wide, looking down majestically at the people below the platform.