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

Francis, with a steady and upright posture, walked step by step to the high platform and came to Anna's side.

He looked at the glass sphere beside Anna, which had replaced the giant bonfire, and his body trembled slightly.

It clearly radiated such a bright light.

But even at such close range, Francis could not feel any heat or hear the crackling sound of the flames burning fuel.

Even with Francis's seventh-order perception, he couldn't detect the slightest trace of firewood or fuel piles around this glass sphere.

This is something that defies Francis's common sense.

The birth of light requires fire.

To maintain the flame and light, firewood and fuel must be added continuously.

Therefore, in order to maintain the lighting needs of the entire city, Aurora City had to send teams out into the dark wilderness at very short intervals to collect firewood that could be used as fuel.

This is the root of the city's disasters and suffering.

The desolate wilderness outside the city is teeming with unconscious twilight creatures. An encounter with them would mean a life-or-death battle for the exploration team.

Moreover, the small-scale exploration teams they sent out had extremely unstable light sources, consisting of only ordinary windproof torches.

In the process of exploring or fighting the Twilight Creatures, the slightest carelessness will result in losing consciousness and control, ultimately leading to a miserable end as a member of the Twilight Creatures.

In the two hundred years since Aurora City was built, there has almost never been a resident who died of old age.

The vast majority of residents either succumbed to the dual pressures of daily high-intensity labor and mental oppression, or died on their way to collect firewood.

It is precisely because of this calamity and ironclad rule that has loomed over the residents of Aurora City for two hundred years—

Even though the lightning that the Storm and Ocean God's preacher had conjured up out of thin air lasted only a moment, it still greatly shocked the residents, who regarded it as a miracle.

Moreover, it is now far superior to its counterpart in both scale and duration—

This divine spell is called "The Atomic Lamp".

If people's living areas were to be made more densely packed, then this one light source alone would be enough to meet the lighting needs of the entire Aurora City.

After all, after two hundred years of hardship, the once prosperous city is now almost deserted.

Francis bent down slightly, so that his gaze was not looking down, but level with that of the petite Anna.

“Anna, you just said—”

"This... divine spell called 'Atomic Lamp' can maintain..."

"One hundred hourglasses?"

Hourglass time was the timekeeping system used on the continent after the outbreak of the Calamity of No Light.

When an hourglass of uniform size is turned once, the duration is equivalent to the twenty-four-hour system before the Cataclysm and the Great Calamity.

Despite being the governor of a city, he always maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor, no matter when or where.

But at this moment, as Francis looked at the glass sphere that had replaced the campfire, his voice trembled slightly.

It can last for about four or five days, which is about one hundred hourglasses.

This will ensure that the residents of the entire city will not have to worry about the disaster of darkness for four or five days.

Even Francis knew that such a powerful divine spell must have extremely demanding conditions and require a great price to activate.

However, even if it can be activated once a month, it is enough to give the entire city a chance to breathe, and both the work pressure and the frequency of sending out adventure teams will be greatly reduced.

Moreover, under such incredibly abundant lighting conditions—

In Aurora City, many production and research activities that were previously difficult to carry out can now be resumed.

This is news that can bring hope to the entire Aurora City.

However, Anna simply shook her head slightly at Francis's pleading and incredulous gaze.

Francis's mood plummeted instantly.

Also.

Such a miracle, to last for four days, is simply impossible.

Didn't you see that the previous lightning bolt only lasted for a moment?

Even if the "Arcane God" that Anna mentioned has power far exceeding that of the Storm and Ocean God.

But if such a miracle can be maintained for the first half of an hourglass, it must already be the limit.

However, that's enough.

Such a miracle can bring more than just tangible benefits to Aurora City.

But there is still that glimmer of hope burning in the hearts of the people—

"Your Excellency Francis, you have misheard me."

"It's not when there are a hundred hourglasses, but rather—"

"a hundred years."

Anna's melodious words slowly echoed in Francis's ears.

She reached out and touched the dazzling light source.

"Of course, according to His Majesty Charles—"

"One hundred years is merely the theoretical lifespan of the divine spell 'Atomic Lamp.' In reality, to maintain sufficient brightness and surplus, its core may need to be replaced every fifty or sixty years."

"However, the core that needs to be replaced... is actually not hard to find in Aurora City."

"It's even... practically within easy reach."

Anna took out a piece of mineral covered in transparent glass.

"Just one of these is enough to supply enough atomic lamps to illuminate the entire city."

Francis recognized the mineral Anna was holding; it was found in the area surrounding Aurora City.

If ordinary people are exposed to this mineral for a long time, they will experience discomfort such as dizziness and fever.

However, most of those sent out of Aurora City are first-tier or higher superhumans.

The discomfort from contact with the ore is very mild, and those with slightly higher strength can be completely immune to it.

And more importantly——

There are thousands of ores like the one Anna has in the Aurora City ore warehouse alone!

If what the other party said is true...

That city's reserves alone would be enough to supply the entire city with light for millions of years!

It's hard to say whether human history on this continent spans millions of years!

Anna's words continued to echo in Francis's ears.

"and--"

"Although the 'Atomic Lamp' is a divine spell bestowed by my lord, the god of arcane arts."

"But as long as you know the method, you don't need to pray or have any faith. Even an ordinary child can make it."

"The portable 'Atomic Lamp' can be carried by team members when they go out, and it will never go out under any circumstances, whether it's a strong wind or extreme cold..."

Listening to Anna's voice, which was like heavenly music.

Francis felt his heart pound with immense surprise.

It was filled with an unreal feeling, making him feel as if he were dreaming.

But soon, Francis, with extraordinary willpower, forced himself to break free from this dreamlike state of mind.

His gaze returned to its previous solemnity and majesty.

Then he looked at the group of missionaries on the high platform to the side, who were dumbfounded and had not yet come to their senses.

With the presence and aura of a consul, he uttered stern words.

"You lot are spreading heresy and false gods, misleading and bewitching people—"

"The crime is undeniable, and there is no need for a public trial."

"Throw him to the bottom of the Watchtower and imprison him for twenty years."

Francis had barely finished speaking.

Then soldiers in armor came from outside the crowd, bound the hands of these dazed missionaries with ropes, and led them toward the gray stone tower in the distance.

As consul, Francis, even if only out of a sense of duty, must have absolute control over the entire city.

Francis had noticed these missionaries who preached their doctrines among the people from the very beginning and had secretly sent people to monitor them.

However, Francis had previously considered leaving a way out for Aurora City, and even though these people had begun to incite the masses, he had never made up his mind to take action.

but--

At this moment.