Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

At the center of this gathering of voices stood a person, seemingly detached from everything around him. Most of the people around him looked at him with curiosity and respect, to which he responded with a smile.

"Hey, Novia."

Upon hearing this, Novia, who had rushed over early in the morning, slowly shifted her gaze from the harbor to Lucius, who was covered in sweat.

Good morning, Lucius.

The boy's swaying silver hair, illuminated by the morning light that spilled across the earth, seemed to burst forth with a golden torch-like radiance in an instant.

"What are you doing? Why did you go to Alexandria without a word? Were you forced into it? I told you these guys aren't so easy to talk to..."

Novia didn't interrupt Lucius's rambling. After he finished speaking, she continued, "This was my own choice, but you should be quite happy now, right? How does it feel to be the Governor of the British Province?"

Last night, after Novia mentioned going to Alexandria to resolve the issue, Emperor Claudius took him directly back to the palace to rest. He then told Novia that he planned to promote Lucius Longinus, who had accompanied him, to the position of governor of the Anatolian province.

This was an unexpected bonus, since with Lucius, who shared the same faith, becoming governor, Anatolia would essentially be Christian territory. However, Novia understood that this was probably a plan Claudius I had already devised, since he had won through a 'miracle'.

Novia ultimately refused, and to Claudius's puzzled expression, he hoped to appoint Lucius as governor of the newly conquered province of Britain.

Although Claudius I did not understand, since it was Novia's request, it was fine, and it would save him from wasting time arguing with the Senate.

After all, although Lucius had served in the Roman Empire, he was only a centurion, not even a tribune, and not a nobleman.

However, although the Senate would deliberate for a long time before appointing him as the governor of the British province, it is estimated that they would eventually agree to appoint such an unknown person. Britain has only been conquered for a short time, and there is always the risk of him rebelling and dying.

"You little rascal, if I hadn't received the notice early this morning, I wouldn't have known that you had run out and even slept in the palace."

Lucius glanced at Rome. He had been sleeping on the street that morning when he was suddenly woken up and became the governor of Britain inexplicably. He thought he had encountered some kind of illusion, but after asking around, he learned that Novia had been released from prison. So he rushed to Ostia immediately.

"Haha, this is just a little surprise for you."

"I was almost scared to death. I'm just a centurion, how am I supposed to manage him...?"

“Be confident, learn slowly. Nobody is born knowing everything. I believe in you.” Novia patted Lucius on the shoulder, then said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “There’s a settlement on the banks of the Thames called ‘Lundium.’ When you get to Britain, remember to spend some time there digging down, and remember to shield it with magic.”

London, now known as London, is home to the remains of the dragon Albion, which is why Novia appointed Lucius as governor of the province of Britain. Less than fifty years have passed since the Age of Gods, so the remains should not yet be a labyrinth. However, even if they were, it would still be worthwhile.

But for Novia, the best outcome would be to keep the wreckage intact.

"I understand, don't worry."

Without asking further questions, Lucius nodded. This didn't surprise him, since in his opinion, Novia was the kind of person who wouldn't act until he saw a clear benefit.

"Thanks, and remember to smile more sincerely next time we meet, otherwise you won't be able to fool the old druid auntie in Britain."

This was something Lucius had told Novia before. He said that his eyes had been blinded by a druid priestess who had deceived him on the battlefield by exploiting his emotions, leading to her execution. However, the cross scar was left before the execution, and he suddenly became blind when the enemy army attacked.

Novia had previously often used this to tease Lucius, saying he deserved it and that it was all his fault, while Lucius retorted that he had already paid the price.

"...Heh, I've seen quite a few when I was your age. Hmph, how about I arrange a druid for you in Britain?"

"Haha, that's not necessary. Just focus on doing your job well."

After exchanging a punch with Lucius, Novia left with a smile, heading towards the large fleet arranged for her by the Roman Emperor Claudius.

For the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean Sea was not an insurmountable barrier but a thoroughfare, allowing them to quickly reach their desired destinations by boat.

The journey from Ostia to Alexandria, Egypt, takes about a month, depending on the wind direction.

After a while, Lucius looked out to the distant horizon, gazing at the vast, boundless sea and the large fleet that Novia had boarded until it disappeared from sight. Only then did he turn back to Rome to prepare for his journey to Britain.

Time passed slowly, and life on the ship was both tedious and boring. When he had nothing to do, Novia would preach on the ship, and the results were, unsurprisingly, remarkably effective.

Finally, after about a month, Novia was about to set foot on Egyptian soil.

"That is, Alexandria."

The sun shines brightly, the sky is clear, and the blue of the sea probably comes from reflecting such a bright sky.

Novia, with her magically enhanced eyes, immediately spotted the magnificent building standing tall in Alexandria, an unmistakably mysterious structure—the Library of Alexandria.

The Library of Alexandria—this was the reason Novia went to Alexandria, and the reason he believed an exchange with the Atlas Academy was entirely possible. However, it wasn't the Library of Alexandria as it appeared, but rather—

A library on the seabed, distinct from the Library of Alexandria on the surface, was a substitute built by Ptolemy and the Atlas school, and was ultimately forgotten by the Atlas school.

008: Ether Threads, it's practically perfect mind control.

The blazing sun shines on the bare, yellow earth of Alexandria.

In this vast land that seems to overwhelm everything, even in the city of Alexandria, some rocks roll and a few green plants can be seen peeking out, despite the strong winds blowing incessantly.

At this very moment, in the very center of Alexandria, where tens of millions of residents were waiting with bated breath, stood a man.

“O people, hear my words.”

“All inhabitants of this world should listen attentively, regardless of their social status or wealth.”

As soon as the silver-haired boy finished speaking, everyone present felt that all their worries, whether trivial matters of life, other mental troubles, or anything else, were calmed down and forgotten by his words.

For the magicians living in Alexandria, this was a passage they had heard countless times in other religions, but the person before them possessed an inexplicable power.

"Indeed, no one can redeem themselves; the price of their life cannot be paid."

The voice of one person resounded in the ears of everyone around, like a spell. It was the rudimentary form of an inexhaustible power, a mysterious continuation that, as time went on, would eventually become a powerful torrent that no land could resist.

The Clock Tower of later generations will call it—the largest magic disk of mankind.

"Then when? Why not end the filthy past right now? Take action, take action! I have not come to call repentance to those who are self-righteous, but to those who know their sins."

"Know that you must not indulge in revelry and drunkenness, nor be lustful and licentious, nor be quarrelsome and envious, but rather clothe yourselves with the Holy Son, Jesus Christ."

As Novia delivered her speech, she inexplicably looked up at the flowing sand on the ground, her thoughts racing. Under the influence of various climates and environments, humankind created history.

So, what kind of ideas did Egypt, with its diverse deserts, develop under the influence of the desert?

Or rather, what were the gods like here in the past?

But in any case, it no longer matters. With the end of the age of God, it is time for this place to take its final bow.

"Beauty and goodness are inseparable, because both are based on form; therefore, people usually praise good things as beautiful as well."

"oops……"

A shout broke the solemn silence from ahead of Novia's line of sight, and at the edge of his vision, a patch of dark grass drifted by and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

It was a boy, and because everyone looked over at his voice, he involuntarily pressed his head down, as if his hat had been blown away.

How could the wind be that strong? I guess some magicians were just playing a prank, thinking that someone their age should care about saving face.

After thinking it over, Novia left the center and went to the boy who was about to cry.

Is this the hat?

The silver-haired boy's slender hands magically held up the boy's lost hat.

"I just found it."

Novia smiled, while the boy's mother next to her widened her eyes in disbelief. Perhaps it was because he was such a kind person even after his first speech was interrupted.

"Thanks......."

The boy's eyes lit up, and he happily put the straw hat on his head.

Novia responded to the boy with a smile, then stood beside him and continued:

"Grace does not destroy nature; it merely fulfills it."

Giant waves outside the city crashed against the stone walls of Alexandria, the spray as loud as the cheers of the crowd.

This was Novia's fifteenth day in Alexandria. Although his main purpose was the Library of Alexandria on the seabed, he hadn't forgotten his promise to Claudius I and had accomplished it on the first day.

On the day when the sunlight reflected off the sea and the waves shimmered, several Roman warships sailed toward Alexandria, celebrating the glory of the Roman Empire.

“I am unwilling to conduct a rigorous investigation, although I am filled with deep anger towards the provocateur.”

"I declare to you all that you must immediately cease this destructive and stubborn hostility towards one another, or I will be forced to show you how a merciful man can wield his fist of justice. Therefore, I remind you once again how your ancestors, the former inhabitants of Alexandria, were friendly to the Jewish inhabitants who migrated here, and showed no contempt for the rituals of their revered gods."

"But on the other hand, I must also make it clear to the Jews that they are not allowed to exert pressure on Greek-style sporting events because of their own beliefs, as it is entertainment for all; furthermore, they are not allowed to bring in new Jewish communities from other parts of Egypt or Syria without restriction, as such behavior makes me suspect that there is an arrangement from Jerusalem behind it."

"I declare once again to you all that if you can set aside these disputes and agree to coexist peacefully in the manner of your ancestors, the great Augustus will devote eternal attention to this city; otherwise, he will take every means to uphold justice, just as he would against a plague that has infected the whole world."

Since Novia was sent by Emperor Claudius, and several genuine Roman warships were indeed outside, the city naturally remained peaceful.

After all, even the last Pharaoh, Rio Petra, watched the Roman warships arrive before she died.

If Claudius I knew what Novia had said, he would probably be very puzzled, because it was exactly the same as his original plan for how to handle the situation...

However, if Claudius were to actually ask Novia, he would probably say that it was told by God, which would likely put Claudius in a state of fear again.

Since that day, Novia has spent some time preaching in the city every day, since he can't spend all day at sea. Although the effects of the Christian doctrines he has spread on the polytheistic believers are not yet apparent, they have had a significant impact on the Jewish people.

Of course, there were some who converted because of its "progressiveness," but most remained steadfast in their beliefs. Novia didn't force them; these ordinary people didn't matter, and with time, they would succeed sooner or later. But the group in Jerusalem needed to be dealt with properly.

"I remember it being somewhere around here..."

After finishing her promotional activities and sharing a meal with the believers present, Novia went alone to the ancient facility.

This is the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, standing nearly 120 meters tall. When Novia arrived in Alexandria, he declined the local governor's invitation and instead stayed at the Lighthouse of Alexandria, saying, "Although I have only been here a short time, I have made some contributions to the local people."

Of course, the reason was that Novia remembered that in the storyline of the Second Adventure, the underwater Library of Alexandria was located near the destroyed lighthouse.

"They've persisted for so long, could it be a much farther place? We can only use magic, this is so troublesome."

Novia glanced at the eaten fruit, walked straight through the main entrance, and entered the long, narrow stone corridor with its high ceiling. Her loud footsteps echoed and mingled with the sound of waves crashing against the walls.

Over the past few days, Novia has made no progress in his search for the Library of Alexandria at the bottom of the sea. He almost considered just telling the Atlas Institute directly, which would at least give him a good chance of getting in to see the Trident Hermes and obtain some information.

However, this is far from Novia's original goal, which is why he worked so hard to secure a contract.

It's worth noting that the old director of Chaldea used a contract to obtain the technology to create Chaldea from the Atlas Institute, and Gray's family also used a contract to obtain one of the seven weapons, "Reason Reaction," from the Atlas Institute to extract King Arthur's spirit. Shion, on the other hand, exchanged the newly issued eighth contract for a virtual year of time on the blank Earth in the Wandering Sea...

Finding and returning the lost treasures of these alchemists would be unreasonable without a contract. Moreover, the people who use these contracts are doing outrageous things. I just want to turn the remains of the Albion Dragon into a large, controllable device. Wouldn't that be a piece of cake for these people?

Moreover, the soul of the Albion Dragon had already fled to the inner sea of ​​the star, so there was nothing to fear. We might as well make use of this remains.

Perhaps thinking about all the benefits of his success, Novia regained his confidence.

This is low-risk, high-return! It's only fourteen days. If all else fails, I can find an excuse to drag it out for a year. I'm so young, a year won't make a difference.

"Hopefully, this time it will go smoothly..."

The silver-haired boy stepped out of the back door of the lighthouse and dived into the sea without hesitation.

In the dark depths of the sea, Novia could clearly see the seabed, from the fish swimming to the surface. This brightness, naturally, wasn't due to sunlight, but rather the effect of magic.

Novia stared intently around, as if afraid that there was someone else besides herself.

But today, the silver-haired boy still arrived at the seabed smoothly.

"Where is it? I really can't find it at all."

Novia shook her head helplessly, then glanced back casually and said with certainty.

"We've finally caught you, guest."

In an instant, a faint mist appeared on the calm seabed. This was a barrier known only to those who knew the secrets. It opened instantly with Novia's voice, but it was not he who cast it.

As the smoke dissipated, Novia's body uncontrollably spun in the opposite direction, her entire body bound by a thin thread, which not only bound her but also sealed off almost all of her movements.

"I meant no harm, but I'm really sorry."

A mechanical voice came from behind Novia, as if the magician behind her was filled with inorganic matter and could not be felt to fluctuate with human emotions. He was like a humanoid piece of metal.

The silver-haired boy did not show any displeasure at being restrained, but instead asked a question.

"I'm just wondering how you knew I was here? I wasn't hiding it very well."

“Unexpectedly, I came here to research the ruins of Pharaoh Leopolda. It’s been almost half a year. At first, I thought you were like me, but after observing you for a while, I realized you weren’t.”

Novia suddenly realized that it was an accident, but there was nothing she could do. The fluctuations of magic in the ocean were not easy to sense, and she also had to avoid dying unexpectedly. She was just very unlucky.

"Then, can you help me untie it?"

"No." The mechanical voice continued, "I've seen your speech, and it's exceptionally appealing to ordinary people, so I'd like to investigate whether it's what you call a superpower."

"Oh? So what do you want to do, how do you want to study it? Do you want to discuss the glory of Christ with me? In the beginning, God—"

Novia seemed completely unconcerned about her safety, instead maintaining her usual smile.

"Although I am curious about the god you speak of, we do not depend on such things. The only thing we can depend on is the inner self of our own bodies."

As the sound rang out, several micron-sized threads appeared before Novia's eyes.

"This is the etheric thread connecting the brain. All knowledge can be obtained by stealing it from others. Just by flipping through the etheric thread, even the most brilliant mind will reveal all its information to me. It can not only access the brain but also the soul and read its laws of thought. However, you don't need to feel ashamed of your defeat. My etheric thread is considered a top-level weapon even in the Atlas Academy. Also, I will not kill you."

"So, you're from the Atlas Institute."