Necromancer, but pre-collapse civilization

　With neither the Saha nor the Cocoon of the End taking any action to interfere, the construction of the colony—the Balloon City—that Moros and Velvey were building in Venus's atmosphere proceeded very smoothly.

　Admittedly, even without the interference of these two entities, the rampant thunderstorms, frequent lightning, and highly corrosive sulfuric acid rain in Venus's atmosphere posed numerous challenges to the colony's construction.

　However, faced with the magic of a necromancer who was only one step away from the limit of demigod, these natural disasters, which lacked the intervention of supernatural forces, ultimately failed to truly stop the firm pace of colonization.

　With the help of armed puppets and massive amounts of building materials continuously emerging from the demiplane tunnel, a magnificent balloon city took shape in Venus's atmosphere in just three months.

　The enormous gasbag structures floated leisurely in the air, successfully resisting the extreme environment of Venus's high pressure and high temperature, and creating a relatively pleasant living space for the colonists.

　Between the airbags, bridges and passages made of robust alloy material reinforced by Honkai energy are closely connected, forming an intricate aerial transportation network.

　In addition to the ingenious design of these structures and armors, Balloon City is also equipped with an extremely powerful Honkai energy shield.

　According to Velvet's calculations, the Honkai energy shield she designed and installed on the balloon city was even strong enough to withstand the fierce bombardment of the Seventh Herrscher, the Herrscher of Flame, who once ravaged Egypt, for a whole day.

　Even though this robustness is achieved through the massive power supply of hundreds of super-large Honkai energy reactors, it also fully demonstrates the expert's outstanding technical capabilities.

　Moreover, within the colony, Möbius, with his profound knowledge, meticulously cultivated a diverse range of plant and animal populations, thus creating a small, self-sustaining ecosystem.

　According to Möbius's technical plan, this ecosystem is fully capable of supporting 100,000 people to live here permanently.

　This is just the achievement in terms of technology.

　In the magical realm personally overseen by Moros, Balloon City is equally extraordinary.

　The Territory-Level Soul Collection Array goes without saying; as one of the core reasons for the establishment of the colony, it is an indispensable cornerstone.

　The strength of the [City-Level Magic Shield] is comparable to that of the Honkai Energy Shield installed by Velvet.

　The two are independent yet complementary, ensuring that the balloon city enjoys unbreakable protection at all times, fearless of any external threats and challenges.

Chapter 771 The Problem of Artificial Humans

　With the initial completion of the Venus Colony Balloon City, Moros and Velvet naturally focused their attention on the valuable data obtained from the Ark.

　With the vast amount of data stored inside the Ark, and thanks to the exceptional skills of Velvet and Mebius, it was certainly possible to cultivate carbon-based life forms that were identical to the humans of that era, which had already been annihilated by the Herrscher of the End.

　However, when the first humans created in this way stumbled out of the advanced artificial womb of the balloon city, Moros immediately noticed a shocking problem.

　Why... are their souls so fragile?

　As a necromancer who was only one step away from the limit of demigod, he saw through the problem of these androids with just one glance.

　Admittedly, these androids are indistinguishable from ordinary humans in various physiological indicators, and the emotions they exhibit are also perfectly normal.

　But in his eyes, the souls of these androids were weak and feeble.

　In terms of pure soul quality, these androids are vastly different from normal humans.

　It is no exaggeration to say that, despite possessing reason and emotion, on a spiritual level, their quality is incomparable to that of lower creatures such as goblins, kobolds, and gnomes.

　Noticing the subtle change in the necromancer's expression, Velvey and Mebius, who were standing beside him witnessing the birth of these androids, instantly realized that something was amiss.

　"Moros, is something wrong?"

　Mebius asked with concern.

　When asked by his lover, Moros did not hide anything and told them everything he had discovered.

　After listening to the necromancer's story, Velvi couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

　"How did it become like this?"

　Not only her, but Möbius's brows were also furrowed.

　In fact, compared to Vervie's disbelief, Mebius was even more shocked.

　After all, in the field of biology, she was the most outstanding scientist of the previous civilization, without exception.

　Now, the artificial humans cultivated by the artificial womb she and Velvet have jointly developed have such a fatal flaw, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to their confidence.

　However, with their intelligence, Möbius and Vervière certainly understood what was most important right now.

　"Immediately halt the production of the next batch of androids until we identify and resolve the problem."

　After issuing the command to the artificial intelligence that manages the Venus colony, Mebius did not wait for the system's response but turned directly to Moros.

　"Darling, is it possible to remedy the soul defects of these androids?"

　Mebius always held the necromancer's profound knowledge in the field of soul science in high regard.

　Therefore, when she learned that the problem with these androids lay at the level of the soul, she immediately realized that among the three of them, only Moros might have the ability to solve this problem.

　As for Alicia, Eden, and Gretsch?

　Shaking his head inwardly, Mebius smiled faintly.

　She admitted that the Herrscher of Origin might be stronger than her, but so what?

　With Miss Pink Fairy's academic background being so shallow as to be negligible, how much substantial help and insight can she and others provide in such a professional and profound field?

　Although Eden may have some advantages in this regard compared to others, as she is not a researcher, she can only be willing but unable to solve such complex and profound problems.

　But Greta…

　Under Dr. May's personal guidance, Gretchen has already demonstrated considerable potential and talent in her scientific research.

　However, even she found her abilities insufficient when faced with the profound and unpredictable field of soul science.

　After a moment of contemplation, Moros gently shook his head.

　"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't solve this problem."

　Upon seeing this, Mebius and Vervière quickly exchanged a glance and tacitly chose not to delve further into the matter.

　They're not Alicia and Eden; they don't have such high moral standards.

　For them, being able to ask this question already stems from a sense of responsibility towards their identity as creators.

　They would never force their beloved to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of the fate of these androids.

　"So, mentor, where do you think the root of the problem might lie?"

　With a thirst for answers gleaming in her pink eyes, the expert stared intently at Moros, hoping he could offer some insights.

　Upon hearing this question, Moros fell into deep thought once again.

　After a long while, he slowly spoke.

　"Although we can replicate the body, we cannot directly give it a soul. The souls of these artificial humans may have differentiated from some kind of primitive consciousness, and have not been baptized by natural selection and soul growth, which is why they appear so fragile."

　Upon hearing this, a thoughtful look flashed in Vilvi's eyes, as if she was trying to understand and digest Moros's answer.

　"So, does that mean we need to find a way to allow the souls of these androids to undergo a similar process of natural growth, or... directly introduce a more powerful soul force?"

　There was a hint of uncertainty and probing in Vilvi's words.

　However, Moros shook his head again, his tone tinged with helplessness and self-mockery.

　"Creating souls is the domain of gods. I am just a demigod; I really cannot do it."

　Faced with Moros's candid answer, Vervie and Mebius fell into a brief silence.

　They were well aware that in the mysterious and unpredictable realm of the soul, even with their wisdom and skills, there was still an insurmountable gap.

　Of course, with their pride, they firmly believed that this was only a temporary predicament.

　Given enough time and resources, they will surely be able to overcome these difficulties and unveil the mysteries of the soul.

　But that's a thing of the future.

　Now, they face more pressing issues.

　"So, should we consider temporarily abandoning this project?"

　There was a hint of hesitation and reluctance in Vilvi's voice.

　The Venus colony project has now entered its final stage.

　If we choose to back down now, it will undoubtedly mean that all our past efforts and sacrifices will be in vain.

　This is only the most insignificant part of the problem.

　More importantly, if they give up, they will miss the opportunity to create a human civilization that is entirely under their control.

　Both Velvi and Mebius knew perfectly well that Alicia and Eden would never stand idly by and allow them to interfere with the human civilization of the next era, just as they had with the Venusian colonies.

　Sensing the fleeting reluctance in Vervie's eyes, Moros spoke with unwavering certainty.

　"No, the plan continues."

Chapter 772 Compromise and Improvement

　Not only Vervies and Mebius, but also Moros and others regarding the Venus colony plan

　This is something that is highly valued.

　This was the cornerstone of the soul supply system he had placed high hopes on, and he couldn't afford to take it lightly.

　Although the necromancer's terrifying strength, which is only one step away from the limit of demigod, and his alchemy level, which has reached the expert level, are indeed capable of setting up another [territory-level soul collection array] system covering the entire earth.

　However, compared to the Venus colony plan, this move ultimately seems less than ideal.

　Leaving aside the enormous risks involved in carrying out such actions on Earth, a planet undergoing a collapse test in its final cocoon, given the current state of Earth, this plan is essentially a case of "too little, too late."

　The Earth has just undergone a purge by the Herrscher of the End. Apart from those shelters that survived thanks to the power of the Fifth Divine Key, the Key of Stasis, and the Hibernation of All Things, human civilization has been completely wiped out.

　To allow the dawn of human civilization to shine upon the earth again would be nothing short of a pipe dream without tens of thousands of years of unremitting efforts.

　In this situation, the time required to rebuild the soul supply system by relying on a globally covered [territory-level soul collection array] would undoubtedly be long and terrifying.

　Even for necromancers, whose lifespans are now comparable to those of planets, the waiting time of tens of thousands of years is unbearable.

　Therefore, for Moros, the most suitable and efficient way to rebuild the soul supply system is undoubtedly the Venus colony project that he and Velvi planned together.

　Under such a grand blueprint, the inherent low quality of the android's soul is clearly not a stumbling block to his unwavering will.

　What difference does it make if the soul of an artificial human is fragile or of inferior quality?

　Regardless of whether these problems can be improved or remedied through various means, even if the answer is no, he can barely accept it.

　Compared to the seemingly endless wait of tens of thousands of years, the shortcomings in the quality of the android's soul seem less intolerable.

　At worst, we can adopt a more aggressive mass production strategy, using large-scale production and batch collection to far exceed the original plan in quantity to make up for the lack of quality in individual souls.

　After understanding Moros's intentions, a chill involuntarily crept into the hearts of Velvi and Mebius.

　Indeed, they had already glimpsed what the orthodox necromancers of the Ashan world were like from the vast collection of books in the Magic Guild Library.

　However, when they realized that Moros intended to obtain a sufficient reserve of souls by slaughtering a large number of androids, they couldn't help but feel a ripple in their hearts.

　Sensing the subtle changes in the expressions of Vervie and Mebius, Moros sighed inwardly.

　"Fine, for your sake, I can wait for the androids to reach the end of their natural lifespan."

　The necromancer was indeed cold, insane, and selfish, but his feelings for his four lovers were sincere and profound.

　Even Vervies and Mebius, who have relatively flexible moral views, could not accept his idea, let alone Alicia and Eden.

　If the price of gaining a large reserve of souls is losing them, then Moros would rather rely on his existing soul reserves to continue his magical research.

　Upon hearing this, the tension and unease in Vervie and Mebius's eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep emotion.

　Vilvi's eyes reddened slightly. She stepped forward, gently took Moros's hand, and her voice trembled with a sob.

　“Moros, thank you... for making such a concession for us.”

　Mebius also stepped forward and gently embraced Moros.

　"We understand your intentions. In this collapsing world, it is our greatest fortune to have someone like you who is willing to consider us."

　Feeling the warmth and understanding from his loved ones, the necromancer felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

　He embraced them tightly, savoring the deep affection and attachment from Vervière and Mebius.

　Now that the general direction of improvement has been clarified, Vervier and Mebius will naturally not delay.

　The expert, who took over the body again, personally designed a brand-new artificial uterus system.

　She cleverly integrated the latest virtual reality technology into this core facility for producing androids, aiming to allow the souls of each newborn android to undergo trials and tribulations in the vast virtual world, thereby improving the quality of their souls.

　Meanwhile, Mebius never stopped.

　She not only radically reformed the android production process, significantly improving production efficiency, but also successfully reduced the cost of manufacturing a single android to a new low.

　More importantly, Möbius comprehensively and thoroughly optimized the ecosystem of the Venus Colony Balloon City, enabling it to easily accommodate the living needs of more androids and providing a more solid guarantee for their reproduction and survival.

　Moros's love for them was deep and sincere, and Vervie and Mebius also harbored deep affection for Moros.