Elegy from Another World

The emergency meeting with Xiaobei began in a somber atmosphere. We analyzed the worst-case scenario: Tia took ten days by helicopter because we lacked a large-scale intercity teleportation array common across the continent. If the hero team were to utilize such a facility, they might only have three days left to reach the outskirts of Utopia.

"Three days... to defeat a hero who might possess the power to 'slay demons'..." I felt a suffocating sense of despair.

"A direct confrontation is unlikely to succeed," Xiao Pei's electronic voice was unusually serious. "We need a strategy, we need to utilize every available resource." He immediately summoned Edseysis, Zoimem, and Yisen, who was well aware of the situation.

For the next two hours, the conference room was filled with intense discussions and tactical simulations. We abandoned unrealistic fantasies (such as the hero suddenly becoming weaker) and ultimately focused on a core strategy: deliver the fatal blow when the giant is tripped up.

The crucial task of "tripping up" the hero falls to Edseysis and Xiaobei. I recalled a peculiar trophy brought back from the Demon King's castle ruins by the original administrator—a crystal capable of creating a localized time-slowing field. For safety, I had Xiaobei encapsulate it inside the core of the labyrinth (the pink crystal within Edseysis). Now, it will be our greatest weapon. The plan is for Edseysis to approach the hero, while Xiaobei precisely controls the instantaneous activation of the time-slowing field, maximizing the restriction of the hero's mobility.

The responsibility of delivering the "fatal blow" falls to me and Zoimem. We are Utopia's strongest force on the surface. But that's not enough. We've decided to go all out—all our stockpiled magical firearms, our enhanced "Dragon Roar" tank formations, our newly developed bomber squadrons, and our powerful missiles will be used for a saturation attack. There's only one objective: to ensure the hero is completely annihilated, leaving not a single cell behind.

With the plan roughly finalized, everyone immediately sprang into action. Xiao Pei began intensive training for Edseys, helping them master the precise activation and maintenance of time-slowing fields while moving, requiring extremely high levels of mental synchronization and energy control. Zoemm was instructed to get ample rest and conserve her energy; of course, we welcomed her to contribute some energy to support the construction through the pleasure converter if she wished. Meanwhile, the technical team led by Yisen and I rushed to the military factory, beginning round-the-clock production of more heavy weapons and ammunition, the entire Utopia echoing with the roar of machinery.

Amidst this tense and busy atmosphere, an unexpected "participant" appeared—the demonic will within my mind, forced to connect to the symbiotic network. He began curiously "browsing" the residents' daily conversations, but his demonic nature quickly led him to utter dangerous remarks, bluntly stating that "torturing these insignificant beings would be very interesting," naturally causing widespread panic and opposition. Although I was troubled, time was of the essence, and I could only temporarily warn him to behave, unable to delve deeper into discipline.

He, on the other hand, seemed to have found a new interest. I tried to communicate with him: "You want to find something to do? Right now, our biggest threat is that hero. In a sense, he's our common enemy. If you want to 'torture' something, how about helping us deal with him?"

Unexpectedly, the Demon King readily agreed: "Alright. I've long disliked that self-proclaimed righteous fool. But I need a body; as an observer, I'm just doing this."

I frowned: "It's impossible to give you a physical body within three days. At most, I can create a magical mechanical doll for you using current technology."

"A mechanical body? Hmph, barely usable." The Demon King agreed.

So, in between weapon manufacturing, we pulled together manpower to urgently design and build a powerful magical puppet body. For safety reasons, Xiaobei and I added multiple restriction protocols to the puppet's core control code, so that we could quickly paralyze it should the Demon King turn against us. The completed magical puppet had grotesque lines, was covered in dark armor, and emitted ominous magical fluctuations.

The next crucial step was the uploading of consciousness. Xiao Bei activated an unusually thick neural tentacle, carefully connecting it to my brain. This process lasted an hour, and I could clearly feel that cold, destructive stream of consciousness being slowly and steadily extracted and injected into that cold mechanical shell.

The moment the upload was complete, the magical doll's eye sensors glowed crimson. It moved its metal joints, emitting a teeth-grinding grinding sound.

"It feels...not bad. Although it's far from my real body, at least it feels somewhat real." The Demon King's voice came through the doll's speaker, carrying a metallic quality.

"Remember our agreement, Noreljun." I called him by the real name he had just told me. "Until we deal with the hero, we are temporary allies. Do not harm any member of Utopia."

"Hmph, what I promise, I will do." Noriljune manipulated the puppet to make a slightly stiff nod. "Then, my duty is to join you in delivering the final blow to the hero when that time barrier takes effect?"

"That's right. Get used to this new body first, then you'll need to unleash its full power."

Just then, good news came from the medical room: Tia had woken up! We rushed over immediately. Although Tia's face was pale, her spirits were still good, and she said she was fine. However, when we asked her about the details of the attack by the hero, she looked blank.

"I don't remember..." Tia tried hard to recall, but could only shake her head. "I only remember going to ask them questions, and then... I woke up and saw you all."

At this moment, Noreljon, who had been transferred into the magical doll, let out a cold snort: "This is one of the tricks that those 'heroes' often use—memory erasure. Their power has a purifying property; it can not only destroy the body but also erode and even completely erase the victim's relevant memories. The longer the time, the more completely they are forgotten."

We understood instantly! No wonder Edseys had no recollection of being captured and executed! Their amnesia wasn't simply due to trauma, but rather a direct result of the Hero's power!

"Then why did they survive being cut in half?" I pressed.

"That's because their life level is high enough, and their souls and life essence are extremely resilient." Noreljon's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible admiration. "Even if their bodies are torn apart by that power, the remaining parts still stubbornly maintain their vitality. If it were an ordinary living being, it would have been completely annihilated long ago."

Is it possible to recover those erased memories?

"That's hard to say. Perhaps there is, but I don't know the method."

We told Tia about our plan to deal with the hero. After listening, a look of worry appeared on her face, but her eyes remained firm: "Although it sounds difficult, I believe in Lady Liscia, and I believe that everyone can win."

The meticulous Tia also suggested a revision to the plan: she felt that placing all the pressure of "tripping up" the hero on Edseysis and Xiaobei was too risky. She proposed that Yisen's caravan guards and Carlos's squad, who were already stationed in Utopia, conduct the first wave of luring the enemy on the outskirts, diverting the hero's squad's attention as much as possible and creating a better opportunity for Edseysis to approach.

At first, I thought that Yisen, as a businessman, might not agree to such a dangerous operation, but after Tia personally negotiated with him, Yisen surprisingly agreed readily. Faced with my question, this shrewd businessman revealed a rare serious expression: "Miss Liscia, the reason I, Yisen, have been able to survive in this chaotic world is because of my foresight. If Utopia is gone, what I will lose is not just a single business deal, but all my future livelihoods. I understand this."

The plan was then refined. Time flew by in a suffocating tension. Everyone was making final preparations for the upcoming battle.

The three-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye. When the warning barrier sounded its sharp alarm, indicating it had been triggered, we all knew—what was coming had finally arrived. The hero's team was already at the city gates.