Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　In the tranquil space created by the [Communication Badge], the necromancer fell into deep thought, his silence like a heavy veil, concealing the turmoil within him.

　This moment of tranquility was both his repeated weighing of the pros and cons of the deal proposed by Dr. Mei, and his profound contemplation of the momentous decision of whether or not to cooperate with the Moth of Fire.

　Finally, after much deliberation, Morros's voice pierced through the veil of silence, carrying a steady and powerful rhythm, and rang in Congressman William's ears once again.

　"Please convey to Dr. Mei that I am willing to provide her with the necessary support for her cause, including giving her the necessary assistance within the Firemoth organization, and even granting Firemoth permission to establish a branch in my territory as a symbol of our cooperation..."

　Before he finished speaking, Moros's tone shifted, revealing the arrogance and haughty attitude hidden deep within a demigod spellcaster.

　"But a mere 300,000 souls are not enough for me to board her chariot."

　After speaking, Moros severed the magical communication without hesitation.

　Left alone, Congressman William could feel the insurmountable bottom line of this demigod spellcaster in the lingering echo of the [Communication Badge].

　After half an hour.

　Upon receiving Congressman William's reply, Dr. May's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

　She gracefully handed the exquisite briefcase containing three [Soul Storage Orbs] to Sakura beside her, her eyes sparkling with trust and expectation.

　"Sakura, I'll have to trouble you to make this trip yourself this time."

　After carefully studying the information conveyed by Congressman William, Dr. May had a clear understanding of the purpose of these three magical artifacts that resembled crystal balls.

　These items, which are considered terrifying and taboo in the eyes of the world, are admirable to her, but that's all.

　She knew all too well that she did not possess the ability to control these powerful magical artifacts.

　Rather than letting them gather dust in my hands, or even incurring the suspicion and dissatisfaction of necromancers, it's better to transform them into more practical benefits.

　Therefore, Dr. May made a wise decision to use these magical artifacts as bargaining chips to obtain the support and resources promised by the necromancer.

　In her heart, nothing is more important than promoting the development of human civilization and protecting it from the calamity of collapse.

　To realize this ideal, she must make good use of every resource at her disposal.

　Sakura took the suitcase, and the weight she felt seemed to convey Dr. Mei's determination and resolve.

　She nodded slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

　"Doctor, please..."

　Rest assured, I will ensure their safe delivery and bring back the necromancer's official response.

　Dr. Mei stared in the direction Sakura had gone until the last trace of her figure disappeared from sight. Only then did she slowly turn around and turn her attention to the vast and boundless night sky outside the window.

　The city lights, like countless stars fallen to earth, reflect the real stars, weaving a picture that is both dazzling and complex.

　Under the vast sky, I never feel insignificant!

　Silently repeating this sentence in her heart, Dr. Mei once again strengthened her resolve.

　After confirming that Senator William had safely received the three Soul Storage Orbs containing three hundred thousand souls, Moros contentedly refocused his thoughts on the legendary spells he was studying in depth.

　As for the various conditions and follow-up matters he had promised, he believed that his bureaucratic system would handle them properly, without his personal involvement.

　To him, these matters were merely minor details in daily operations, far less fascinating than magical research.

　After all, the endless exploration of the magical abyss could not only lead him to access even greater power, but also fulfill life's most genuine and intense pursuit—evolution.

　Although Moros has already stood proudly in the realm of demigods, having undergone four leaps in life levels and possessing terrifying strength beyond the imagination of mortals, he knows that the pursuit of power is endless and the pace of evolution will never stop.

　and……

　His gaze involuntarily drifted to a quiet corner of the middle-level library of the Magic Guild.

　There, time seemed to slow down, and the space became exceptionally gentle.

　Vilvie, the beautiful girl with short, two-tone hair, was completely absorbed in an ancient and mysterious spellbook.

　Inside the library, soft magical light gently spilled down, draping the tranquil scene in a dreamlike veil.

　Bathed in this light, Vervi appeared even more ethereal; her focus and beauty complemented each other at this moment, as if an indescribable magic permeated the air.

　Moros gazed at the scene, his eyes filled with an indescribable tenderness.

　This is not just an admiration for beauty, but also a deep care and tenderness for Vilvi from the bottom of my heart.

　He longed to be her strongest support, to shelter her from the wind and rain, and to protect her from any harm.

　However, reason told him that his current demigod status was far from enough to make this beauty and peace last forever.

　Leaving aside those distant and unknown challenges, just considering the Herrscher of the End that the current civilization must face, its power is beyond the reach of ordinary demigods.

　Kevin, the fusion warrior who wields the seventh divine key, the key of destruction, the Judgment of Heavenly Fire, has undoubtedly reached the demigod level.

　In terms of direct combat ability alone, he could even be considered one of the best among demigods.

　Even such a powerful figure's all-out attack seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the Herrscher of the End.

　Even with the [Moonlight Throne System], Kevin only managed to buy a negligible half-day for the continuation of civilization.

　Faced with such a terrifying existence, how could Moros possibly be satisfied with his current strength as an ordinary demigod?

　With a sufficiently clear path forward, this dissatisfaction will transform into an inexhaustible driving force that compels him to embrace the abyss of magic and continue to delve deeper into its mysteries.

Chapter 423 The Consequences of Operation Moth of Fire

　While Moros was engrossed in studying new legendary spells, the planet's traditional powers also became aware of the secret operations that the Firemoth was carrying out behind their backs.

　This is not surprising.

　With the frequent and precise strikes of the Poison Chrysalis Force, those factions that once stood proudly, possessing all sorts of innovative Honkai weapons, fell one by one and became dust in history.

　Within these bases, the precious research and development data on Honkai weapons met drastically different fates.

　Some of the data was quietly seized during the almost imperceptible covert operation of the Poison Chrysalis Unit, as if it had never existed.

　The other part, unfortunately, sank into the abyss of destruction along with the base.

　In the raging flames, these technological treasures, which embodied the wisdom and sweat of countless researchers, were mercilessly devoured.

　Their brilliance vanished at that moment, no longer able to illuminate the path forward for traditional powers eager to advance their own technological progress by mastering these technical data.

　Given such an urgent and severe situation, it would be truly unbelievable if those traditional powers still failed to keenly grasp the ripples stirred up by the moth drawn to the flame.

　"Snapped!"

　A crisp cracking sound rang out as the president of the dominant nation in North America abruptly smashed the water glass in his hand onto the ground.

　Water splashed and glass shards flew everywhere, just like the raging anger in his heart, instantly igniting the tense atmosphere in the entire virtual conference room.

　Amidst this chaos, a clear 3D image of the president, along with 3D images of military generals and powerful senators in Congress, were displayed.

　Gathered together, everyone's face was etched with barely concealed anger.

　When did the once dominant North American power encounter such blatant provocation, yet have no choice but to remain silent and endure it?

　Yes.

　None of these generals, their faces contorted with rage before the president, dared to propose any strong measures against this emerging behemoth.

　The last time the North American powerhouse felt so frustrated was when it had a "friction" with necromancers.

　But the context back then is vastly different from today's situation.

　Faced with the threat of necromancers, human society on this planet seems to have become accustomed to failure.

　Even the UN forces, which symbolized unity and strength, were not spared.

　Their failure, to some extent, was inevitable given the circumstances of the times.

　Moreover, that "friction" was immediately followed by the impact of the Eighth Great Collapse, and those in power could use the excuse of prioritizing the overall situation to find some solace in their concessions.

　Therefore, although they felt quite aggrieved, they were still able to accept this reality.

　However, the rise of the Fire Moth was like a sudden comet, tearing through this seemingly calm but actually turbulent sky.

　This organization, which once relied on the support of a powerful nation to take its first steps, has now grown strong and has stepped onto the world stage with astonishing speed and power, even daring to challenge the hegemonic nation that dominates the North American continent.

　This is a blatant provocation against the existing order!

　It is simply the opposite of Tiangang!

　The sin is unforgivable!

　"Huh...huh..."

　The president took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the emotions churning within him from humiliation and anger.

　His hair was already gray, and the marks of time had etched deep lines on his face, but his sharp, hawk-like eyes still shone with an indomitable light.

　What exactly do they mean?

　The political leader of the dominant North American nation spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful, revealing the dignity and composure of a head of state.

　"Are they really preparing to go to war with the United States?"

　"No!"

　In the 3D image, the senator representing North America's interests within the Moth of Fire stands quietly, his voice transmitted clearly and with a hint of chill through high-tech means to the president.

　"Mr. President, please allow me to clarify. According to the information I have, the Moths have no intention of starting a war. They claim they only want to assist us in achieving victory in the upcoming encirclement campaign."

　"Humph!"

　Upon hearing this, the president of the dominant North American nation curled his lip slightly and let out a cold laugh.

　"Assistance? This is just another way for them to pressure us, warning us that we must do as they want!"

　The president's words were like a cold wind in winter, causing the temperature in the virtual conference room to plummet and everyone to hold their breath.

　"We cannot continue to sit idly by and wait for our demise."

　The president's gaze swept over the virtual projections of each participant, his tone filled with unwavering resolve.

　"The rise of these 'fire-chasing moths' is a threat to the status of all our traditional powers. The forces and purposes behind them are far more complex than we imagine."

　He pondered for a moment, seemingly carefully considering each word he would say next, before continuing in a more resolute tone.

　"We must take immediate action to re-examine and adjust our strategic deployment to effectively limit the moths that chase fire and prevent their further expansion."

　Just then, the Secretary of State's voice, tinged with hesitation yet cautious, interrupted the conversation.

　“Your Excellency, I fully understand your determination, but please allow me to raise a crucial consideration—”

　The Secretary of State’s voice was calm and sincere.

　"The threat of Honkai is ever-present. If we focus too much on fighting the Moths of Flame and ignore the potential impact of Honkai, the consequences will be catastrophic..."

　Having survived the cataclysm of the Eighth Great Collapse and witnessed firsthand how the Sleeping Collapse devastated civilization, even the once-dominant North American superpower had to acknowledge the terror of the Collapse.

　Faced with the Secretary of State's concerns, the President's eyes became unusually resolute at that moment.

　“I understand your concerns, but please allow me to reiterate one point—”

　Looking directly into the eyes of the Secretary of State's virtual projection, the elderly man, though over fifty but still remarkably vigorous, spoke with unusual seriousness.

　"If the price of defeating the Honkai is the decline of our nation, then I would rather let the Honkai devour the flame of human civilization!"

　After he finished speaking, the virtual conference room was instantly enveloped in a deep and solemn silence.

　In this silent ocean, the depths of every ruler's heart were churning with turbulent waves, their thoughts as chaotic and complex as clouds in a storm.

　The flickering gaze amidst the interplay of light and shadow reflects not only a delicate balancing act between personal and group interests, but also a profound reflection on the future direction of the nation and even human civilization.

　However, it is precisely in this seemingly chaotic and disorderly psychological game that...

　A subtle undercurrent based on shared survival needs quietly converged, forming a delicate consensus that is difficult to articulate.

　Despite their different motives and considerations, at this moment they all clearly realized that in this turbulent era, only by joining hands can they resist external aggression and protect their respective interests from infringement.

Chapter 424 A World of Undercurrents

　Just like the dominant power in North America, the other traditional powers on this planet are greatly dissatisfied with the Fire Moths' behavior of competing with them for food.

　Mu Continent, East Asian Continent, West European Plain, East European Plain, British Isle...

　These traditionally powerful nations, which dominate their respective territories, have urgently convened high-level meetings in an attempt to build consensus and jointly address the unprecedented challenges posed by the "fire-chasing moth."

　Unfortunately, these countries often struggle to form a unified stance and consensus.

　In particular, those forces that have benefited greatly from the expansion of the Firemoth have secured a place in the Firemoth Council and wield considerable influence.

　This influence within the Moth of Fire council means that when these forces weigh the pros and cons, they no longer simply see themselves as part of their motherland, but rather consider how to maintain or even expand their advantage in this power game based more on their own interests.

　This profound divergence of interests, like an insurmountable chasm, has shattered the unity and cooperation within traditionally powerful nations.