Motav did not dare to draw the technical details of the materials too meticulously on a single sheet of paper. Basically, after sketching one or two components, along with formulas and brief technical descriptions, he would toss it aside and pick up another piece of paper. Soon, the pile of paper beside the table grew larger and larger.
Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief: “Great. None of these display-related parts seem to have any issues.“
Then, as if uncertain, he looked at Yang Zicang, who was watching him closely nearby. “Hero, how about you double-check? I remember that the rooms you rented seem to be able to block some of the demon’s aura.“
Yang Zicang nodded. “That’s correct.“
-｛Distributor Rocky Tatamingqi has marked a new node with his wealth of experience for my current brilliant prelude.｝
-｛Distributor April Odyssey expressed “excellent” with passionate enthusiasm.｝
The young man, whose face had become much more handsome, picked up these pieces of paper, and some mental energy from theMusing Nightbegan to emanate from within his body.
They didn’t change.
“Captain. If there really are issues with the materials, it won’t be enough just for the natives to get close. Unless we can find a fellow townsman without a model… otherwise, the Nightmare’s birth should still take a few more days.“
“Is that how it works?” Hailikoni glanced over at Hua Mi.
Hua Mi, who looked like a good girl, nodded her head. “Based on what my friends speculated before I came, it seems that the Nightmare—what you call ‘demons’—requires not only cutting-edge creations but also an energy source from us humans.“
“Yes, of course. Now we know one of the criteria is technology beyond its time. The second criterion is the proximity of ordinary people, or in other words, what they call the ‘vital energy’ of humans. “
“‘Vital energy’? ” Xue Qi looked at the girl beside her.
“Because those buildings and things will become old and worn out, you see. “
A look of realization dawned on the group.
Hua Mi continued:
“You know how many houses, if left uninhabited for a while, look shabby and start getting dirty on the outside. But over the same amount of time—months or even a year—if someone lives in them, even without much upkeep of their appearance, they don’t feel abandoned. “
“That’s a very apt comparison. “
Xue Qi nodded, acknowledging the reasoning. She lifted her head to look at Hua Mi and asked:
“How did you guys figure this out? “
“Someone in our team used to be a watchman at a Taoist temple, and he came up with that metaphor. “
“So what do we do now? Where can we find a ‘flawless’ one? Should we write out all the data and leave it for a few days? “
Xue Qi frowned in worry and said, “Time’s running shorter and shorter. Brother Buchen, you’ll have to choose a preparatory committee to join in the next couple of days, right? Wherever you go, we’ll just follow and soak in the glory. “
“Yeah, that’s genuinely cashing in on someone else’s success. ” The onlooker, Tatta Mingi, swayed his legs in the back.
“Don’t worry. Actually, we don’t need to wait that long. ” Yang Zicang said, rolling the documents in his hand as he studied them.
-｛Distributor May Valkyrie cast her gaze once more on who I truly am at this point in my life.｝
Hua Mi’s face lit up with surprise. “Do you have a way? “
“Yes. ” Yang Zicang nodded affirmatively. “I can confirm it right away. “
“Wow. ” Xue Qi and Hua Mi both exclaimed in surprise, and even Haili Koni’s gaze at Yang Zicang was filled with admiration.
This immediately panicked Motav, who had been diligently working beside them, seemingly indifferent to the conversation around him.
“No, don’t! ” Motav exclaimed in terror. “Isn’t it nice to just write it out and leave it for two or three days to slowly settle? “
“Don’t worry. Even if I confirm it, it’ll be done in my hands. “
As he spoke, a faint ashen illusory flame swiftly appeared in Yang Zicang’s hand, touching the words on the paper with his fingertips.
Motav was like a convict awaiting judgment, his gaze locked on the paper, afraid to move as he stared at the result.
A couple of breaths passed.
“No problem. These materials are usable. “
“Whoa! ” Motav jumped up from his chair in joy.
Haili Koni clapped her hands in celebration. Xue Qi gave the civilian researcher a slap on the shoulder:
“From the looks of you, it’s not like you really wanted to wait a few days to find out. “
“Enough of that, let’s keep going. ” Yang Zicang said, then turned to the two ladies in front of him:
“Dealeyano mentioned last night that unfortunately, the new television technology this time wasn’t successful. Otherwise, we might have been able to nurture it somehow… Can one of you go contact him? “
“I will! “
“Me, me! “
Hailikoni watched as the two girls eagerly raised their hands, vying to speak, and she could see they were genuinely itching to get involved.
It was truly remarkable—was this really the inherent nature of the Fogfolk?
After all, these people didn’t seem all that different from herself.
……
Hailikoni drove the two young ladies to find him—he was working on channeling underground seawater tributaries in the area north of Colt Tower, on the verge of collapse.
“We’re so lucky to have the Fogfolk this time. “
“In times like these, living in Haven Cycle is a real blessing. “
“And thanks to the Lieutenant General as well. “
Nearby, amidst the rubble of demolished brick-and-stone structures, workers swinging pickaxes murmured to each other.
“I heard that before, while the Lieutenant General was on a secret mission on the edge of the Mist Sea, he was nearly assassinated. But at the critical moment, he was saved by that famous Fogfolk hero who’s always in the papers. “
They nodded in agreement—it was a tale they often savored, no longer a secret.
Frowning, one of them said, “Speaking of which, did you all hear about that disaster at the Central Dispatch Station in Waldestadt? “
Hailikoni glanced over at those chatting; many people gathered around here, with officers coming and going. The workers, seeing it all as usual, continued to talk.
“Yeah, I know. What about it? “
“The Fogfolk hero happened to be right at the critical juncture to save everyone. How incredible! A true heroic deed, wouldn’t you say? And yet, they all keep insisting it was just a coincidence. “
Several people nodded. One worker said in a low voice:
“I guess it was arranged by Lieutenant General Ross. After all, that place is Waldestadt, still an enemy country. Think about it carefully. “
“Makes sense. This is something that can’t be said openly—probably everyone will understand soon enough. “
Haili Koni, passing by, wore a contemplative expression. Although in her intelligence, both Lieutenant General Ross and Yang Buchen had said it was just a coincidence… still, this coincidence was a littletoomuch.
……
Hua Mi and her companion found Dereiano hunched over the underground tunnel blueprints, examining them by lamplight. Two strangers stood beside him. Spotting Dereiano greeting the two ladies, one said, “Could these two be Yang Buchen’s teammates? “
“We’re all like grasshoppers tied to the same rope, ” Xue Qi replied with a smile.
Crowds of workers came and went around them. Their faces were filled with genuine relief and happiness.
After briefly telling Dereiano about what had happened at the hospital, he immediately changed expression, shoved aside his work, and called out to Zorro to take off his long-sleeved waterproof gloves and climb up the ladder descending into the underground to head back.
“It seems everyone is working hard, ” Xue Qi said.
“Of course—a third of the people here are refugees from various countries. This is also a way to give them a chance to integrate into this nation. “
Hua Mi nodded. Unknowingly, she was mentally gathering bits and pieces of the events around her, imagining what advice she might give if she encountered them again.
The coordination between the workers and the military was flawless.
Working here not only allowed you to keep your life and earn a wage to support your family, but you could also earn contributions towards national construction.
In the event of a doomsday catastrophe, these contributions could be exchanged for various conveniences in life, such as living areas, food rations, and preferential treatment for family members.
It was said this was also a suggestion from the Fog people within Lieutenant General Ross’s command center.
“Is it really possible that the television hasn’t been corrupted by the Nightmares? ” Dereiano asked as he walked, seemingly surprised by their efficiency.
“Yes, we’re presently investigating which part of the technology truly overlaps with history. “
Hua Mi added as she walked:
“With Chairman Yang Buchen here, we can confirm it tonight at the earliest, or by tomorrow at the latest. He says we need to determine its safety before that rental delivery locks in the files. “
“Mm, it’s worth pushing a bit now to avoid hassles down the line. Sometimes, just a slight gap in timing can change the variables involved. “
“Let’s speed it up, ” Zorro said, running towards the junction ahead, where Hailikoni had already returned to the car, waiting.
……
By the time they got back, Motafu was lifting and placing his pen aside from the paper.
“Regarding the new TV, many key technical points have been confirmed. If this part of the technology is still sound, then my greatest worry can be laid to rest. “
He offered the paper in his hand to Yang Zicang, then turned to look at the beautiful lady beside him, who seemed slightly timid and hesitant.
It seemed she had only dared to appear in this room after those three ladies had left.
Yao Xiaoqin raised her hand, took the paper, and passed it to Yang Zicang. Mortaf pursed his lips and turned his head back.
A few seconds later, “No problem. “
“That’s great. ” Mortaf began to seriously pick up his pen again.
“Next, it’s this sound system. “
As the text on the paper gradually increased, after writing for a while, he felt a greasy, slick sensation at the tip of his nose.
This sensation made the old man’s heart clench, causing fear… terror… and a touch of excitement.
Because he knew, because he finally realized, what kind of technology inside this machine was festering like a cancer, silently gestating and influencing the whole situation!
In that instant, courage surged within his heart!
“I’ve found you! “
Mortaf’s pen tip touched the paper more rapidly , his face full of excitement.
The nightmare had erupted!
With his stroke of the pen, the handwriting on the paper began to warp, and a smooth, membranous film spread across its surface from the point of contact, like a pallid, parasitic fungal growth, while the characters writhed and transformed into energy-formed serpents.
The energy surged toward his wrist.
“Watch out! ” Yao Xiaoqin raised her hand and exclaimed tensely.
Motav immediately rose, tossed the pen aside, and moved behind the chair.
The papers on the table rustled without wind, as if the inkworms were writhing and contorting wildly, causing the open sheets to tremble.
Yang Zicang glanced at Yao Xiaoqin beside him.
“Your model has likely been put into a dormant state by something similar to a ‘Crystal of Serenity.’ But do you have gloves? “
Yao Xiaoqin looked up at him, nodded, then took an exquisite glove from her bag and put it on.
Yang Zicang reached out toward her gloved hand.
｛I have invested 1000N in Yao Summan’s ordinary aristocratic gloves.｝
A pale golden void flame quickly billowed up from the glove.
“Go ahead, ” said Yang Zicang.
Mortav, lurking behind the chair like a thieving cat, watched the woman’s hand movements—her face and presence no less striking than the noble lady who had so decisively captured him yesterday.
She stepped forward with a mixture of reluctance and unease, suppressing a wave of disgust as she pinched the edge of the paper between her fingers and lifted it.
Then a flash of light glowed on her hand, and the pale golden Chrono-Void Flame that burst forth enveloped the paper entirely.
To Mortav’s eyes, the “demon ” that had manifested from this technical document was reduced by the searing flames to faded, filthy scraps, crumbling into pieces that fluttered down to the brown floorboards.
The others looked down; the characters on the paper seemed to have aged centuries in mere seconds, now completely illegible.
“This is really… a nightmare. “
Knock, knock, knock.
The door was struck three times in quick succession. From outside, Zorro announced, “I’m coming in, ” and turned the handle.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, the people outside asked with a mix of concern and curiosity, “What’s happened? Already confirmed it? “
Yang Zicang nodded.
He noticed that Hailikoni, standing by the door, had shot him a glance, then shifted her gaze to Yao Xiaoqin inside.
Dealeyano rushed in, crouched down to examine the papers on the floor that still exuded a faint, unsettling scent, and asked nervously, “Is this the key technology for the New Television? “
“Not exactly. ” Motave slumped back in exhaustion as he pulled a chair and sat down.
……
A product that transcended its era now lay before their eyes. If they didn’t do something with it, everyone felt they’d be failing the fortune of witnessing its birth here.
Yet, given the current state of the world, it was clearly not a good time to be going door-to-door promoting televisions.
“It’s now certain that as long as we leave out the media playback components, the television can actually be improved for the better. So, do any of you have a plan? “
Inside the room, the group closed the door and locked it from the inside.
Yao Xiaoqin was once again excluded, but Yang Zicang still gave her a task—to grab a small stool and keep watch at the stairwell entrance.
This way, she could at least feel like she was somewhat involved in the mission.
Also stepping out was the lead researcher, Motave, who was eager to escape the ward where the devil had appeared twice now.
The setting sun streamed in through the window as the group sat in a circle, deliberating about the actions this new technology could enable.
“Brother Dealeyano, you mentioned yesterday that if it really was a television, a spark of brilliance might be born from it. But how did you envision bringing that to pass? ” Hua Mi looked at him.
Yang Zicang followed her gaze, then let his eyes rest on the bevy of quiet female officers standing uneasily in the corner—before fixing one sharply in the eye. Straight-backed, the officer met his look resolutely; after a long, hard five seconds, Zicang turned away without having spoken a word in reward.
“That’s just my speculation. But it very much fits the current situation. ” Dereiano took out some neatly organized newspapers from his bag. “Take a look at the current state of affairs. “
The front pages were filled with reports on immigration from various countries.
Despite every effort to minimize the spread of panic-inducing incidents, the situation remained far from optimistic.
Under the pressure of life and death, society had nearly ground to a halt, and the immigration conditions in every nation were deplorable.
Even those who had already chosen to leave might break down emotionally, guilt-ridden over family members left behind. Meanwhile, those already on the road had their resolve shaken by all kinds of rumors, filled with hopelessness for the future and lacking faith in their homeland.
Under such circumstances, some countries had even begun to abandon the commoners, granting the precious immigration and disaster-avoidance qualifications only to the royal families and the kin of government officials. This further sparked internal conflicts within those nations.
“I heard a story — a man had just said goodbye to his wife and children from the car window, and not long after, he was introduced to someone else and encouraged to form a new family. This is even an implicitly encouraged phenomenon within the disaster-avoidance refugee caravans, because those left behind are essentially considered dead. “
“Tch… under a social atmosphere like this, it’s no wonder anything can happen. Murder cases and robbery rates have soared more than tenfold. “
Zorro sighed. “Yeah, we can’t even find reports about violent incidents anymore. “
“Instead, what keeps popping up are news stories about the Doomsday Steel Cane disaster. “
Dereiano’s finger tapped on one of the reports.
“A large-scale metal vine monster appeared in New Tabrek Roth City within three days. “
—The devil from the depths of the earth extended its claws toward innocent commoners:
—The steel vine devil that emerged during the rally in front of the palace street has already claimed the lives of 30,000 gatherers and surrounding residents… The entire city has fallen into a steel-hell-like catastrophe. Seven out of ten political figures in the country lost their lives, with only a few spared because they left early…
“Tens of thousands of living lives. “
“It’s truly tragic. “
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Zorro glanced at his wrist; from a little while ago, several distributors had started watching him one after another.
Xue Qi, sitting on the bench beside him, said, “So, Dealeyano, what’s the point of showing us all this? What does it have to do with television? “
Dealeyano immediately replied, “I think if some country were to announce the arrival of new high-tech during such a time, it could help ease people’s perception of the devil’s danger—at least reducing the fear of science a little. “
“Might be a bit tough, ” Haili Koni said. “Unless it’s our southern countrymen, they might still show some interest. “
What she said was true. Dealeyano put down the newspaper in his hand:
“Actually, I have a rather slim hope of an idea. “
……
Moonlight streamed in through the window, silencing the atmosphere inside the room.
“So your plan is to use the birth of new technology to stage a big TV broadcast mobilization? “
“That’s the idea, like the Berlin Olympics of ’36. “
In that Games, the world witnessed the first live television broadcast. It was forever inscribed in the annals of history.
Mott stood silently outside the door, listening to the voices within. Though some words were indistinct, he gathered roughly that what the legendary Fogfolk were discussing was no small matter.
“…If we could stage a continent-shaking live television broadcast… a morale-boosting speech…“
“A new technology, born out of crisis, breaking through barriers… a sense of national pride… we might restore some… order… face it with more resolve…“
Words to this effect echoed from within.
So, they were plotting exactly as his own people would—hashed out piece by piece in conference.
Mott realized that these mythic Fogfolk were just like the folk of his own continent. Staring down an abyss, they didn’t magically possess every single answer. They had to fumble, to trial and error.
All that afternoon, these people from another land spoke only of the last sliver of dignity they could offer a continent already doomed. Everything rested on the frail scaffolding of “maybe.“
“…So how do we push this plan forward? Is there… any nation… a candidate to choose?“
Mott let out a quiet sigh and shifted his weight against the wall. He had only stepped outside briefly earlier and already lurid reports flooded in.
And even now, on the precipice of the end, they were gambling on a last, improbable beacon—their “report of hope.“
Something surged inside Mott—a nameless, turbulent emotion he couldn’t quite define.
“…Blackwater has been burdened enough. Our aid must redirect to give confidence elsewhere…“
“…In the face of absolute catastrophe, being able to research a technology that breaks through the nightmare of the era… this is, for the people, a form of spiritual encouragement… “
Bullshit, he thought.
“As long as it can increase their… national pride… if things don’t completely turn into a chaotic mess, more people might escape over here. “
Mortof suddenly felt there might be some truth to it.
Putting himself in their shoes, if it were someone like him, maybe from pure anger, he’d manage to conjure up… a feeling that there were still people in the nation doing practical work.
As long as there was this shred of hope that someone was still trying… even if he didn’t survive himself, he would still feel some… expectation for the future of the nation and its people, something that wouldn’t be completely annihilated.
Suddenly, the door clicked open. Taming Tachiming stuck his head in and said, “If you want to join in, then come in. “
“This, uh, alright. “
Mortof walked in.
Facing the group of people who stopped their discussion, he timidly looked back at the Fogfolk who were now staring at him.
Mortof suddenly spoke up:
“Gentlemen. I want… to donate this technology of mine to my country’s Preparatory Committee. “
“Oh? You heard that? To actually agree with our plan, even when facing a life-or-death disaster, to still publicize this joyous news of a technological breakthrough. “
So these people knew exactly what they were doing. Mortof rubbed his face and said:
“If we can encourage people to continue the bloodline of their nation and people, then that is the only thing we can do now. “
……
Ang Jins was busy applying for diplomatic asylum with the Blackwen Intelligence Committee.
He had been so busy all afternoon that he was practically worn to a frazzle. Even after dark, he rushed back to the embassy, which had lost half of its staff, to photocopy and fill out procedural documents.
Coordinating with various departments in such a short time, finding the relevant files of Mor’tav from over a decade ago in Sdelfin, and then having copies urgently transmitted over—it was a task that could wear a man out. The crucial thing was that this couldn’t be known to too many people.
A black sedan stopped at the embassy gate. The few people who got out of the car completely stunned Ang Jins.
The first person he saw was Mor’tav, the one he had been thinking about all afternoon.
Following him out of the car were the two ladies beside Yang Buchen. And the one driving was none other than the Major Assistant from the Kingdom of Heivenzike’s National Defense and Heritage of Technology Special Command, who had previously taken away the researcher.
He had also figured out who this lady was. Being an adjutant by a lieutenant general’s side, she was top-notch not only in physique, temperament, and work capability but also in her long-standing noble family history. She was a descendant of the Haili Family.
“What is all this? ” the ambassador said, greeting them while holding the documents.
Mor’tav also raised his arms and trotted over.
“Miss Kony, oh no, I mean Mr. Yang Buchen, the hero, has decided to allow me and my research results to return to the fatherland. “
Ang Jins, who was about to shake hands, almost doubted what he had heard.
Then he realized what was going on.
The Fogfolk had also found out! And they were taking action!
“What do you mean, your research results? Could it be… that your Fogfolk friend has already confirmed that this new technological achievement is actually problem-free? “
“Yes! ” Mortav said. “The demon was the imaging system shown in the demonstration. If we remove it, this new, yet-to-be-named imaging broadcast technology is a genuine success! And… ” He immediately stopped himself as he spoke.
“And what? ” Ang Jins asked, his mood mixed with a trace of joy.
“And we confirmed right away that we must first return this technology to the Steinfin Lion Empire. ” Hailikoni, stepping down from the carriage, took up the words Mortav had almost let slip with a solemn expression.
“But the agreement already confirms that our Ravenshire Crest will closely follow in utilizing this technology. “
“Closely follow? ” The commotion on Ang Jins’s side attracted some of the embassy staff.
Xue Qi walked over and said in a low voice, “Ambassador, please allow us to participate in the upcoming cooperation matters. “
Hua Mi said, “We must request your full assistance, to ensure that within the shortest time possible, the entire Steinfin Empire, even the billion-plus people across the entire continent, know that a technology which nearly touches the edge of the era has been born in this time of crisis. “
“This is…? “
“We need people to believe that even if the devil severs the pace of the era’s advancement, there are still warriors who, with wisdom and courage, will reach its threshold. “
Ang Jins was thoroughly stunned.
“As expected of the Fogfolk, ” he murmured.
In just one afternoon, they had not only identified the root cause of the technological calamity but also devised an unexpected plan. During this arduous period, these people actually wanted to immediately and wholeheartedly promote this technology—such a move, with a single misstep, could invite endless notoriety.
As for himself, he had originally… intended to bring it before the preparatory committee, find someone to store it in a Secret Box, and guard it until the Next Era Land.
The direction of development was entirely different from what he had envisioned.
Just as he was thinking, Motov pointed at himself and said, “That’s right, that man is me. “
“What? ” Ang Jins hesitated for a moment.
……
Inside the Fogfolk’s leased land on the east side of Hevenzikotar’ko City, the special department responsible for technology-related affairs was working overtime, meticulously reviewing several gunny sacks full of documents before them.
They couldn’t help but marvel—these civilian technicians were truly risking everything, digging through various known technologies and materials to find unthought-of combinations, and venturing into risky research and development.
“To actually think of using a mirror drum with higher speed and precision to replace the Nipkow disk with its low resolution and poor brightness. What a brilliant idea. “
“And experimenting with the tilt angle of each mirror facet on the mirror drum alone is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Not to mention attempting solutions like keeping the mirror drum rotating at high speed while performing linear line scanning, coordinated with a solenoid for frame scanning. “
The staff sighed, bundling these technologies with great pain, before having specialists archive and back them up in a special language, and then proceed to destroy the originals.
In the bright light, a team of people hurried in through the corridor, led by the regional affairs liaison officer to the door. The man joyfully knocked:
“Brothers and sisters, good news. “
The people working at their desks inside the room looked up.
The liaison officer said, “Congratulations, everyone, you don’t need to organize these files anymore. “
“What do you mean? “
A young man with a scar on his forehead walked in from beside the regional affairs liaison officer.
He was holding a stack of papers in his hand, with the top item being a file folder containing old, unidentifiable brown scraps of shredded paper.
The young man grinned, showing what was in his hand, and said:
“We’ve found the source of the demonic energy within the entire New Television system. It doesn’t come from the critical part of the New Television system. “
The people in the room instantly widened their eyes, and someone immediately spoke clearly: “Which means… “
“From now on, we’ll have television in the New World! “
“Wow! ” The archival papers in the room were quickly thrown into the air by the celebrating crowd.
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