Within just a single day, twelve modified airships, now occupied by the Fogfolk, flew directly toward—that outskirts—of-the–mainland cities dotting–o the capital-region..—In other houses extend-Northern— Among craft their flying track sl-east there about The chaotic chaotic huge confederation., outside ends extend all
On the streets of Kalash City, soldiers were conducting their daily patrols. Suddenly, a roar came from the sky, and an airship slowly descended.
The soldiers immediately raised their guns, aiming at the airship.
— “We are the International Rescue Committee of the World Ark. These airships are part of our international rescue efforts! Dear friends, do you wish to leave before the end of days? “
The Fogfolk broadcaster in the airship recklessly spoke into the microphone. Having arrived only last night, he knew less about the World Ark than the ordinary people below.
The crowd on the city streets erupted in commotion.
The soldiers holding their guns scratched their heads, confused. The World Ark—that was indeed a name they had heard before, an organization selecting refugees worldwide to evacuate to a safe zone in the south. This broadcast was far too tempting for them.
— “Since everyone is hesitating, why not take a look at the latest news we’ve gathered. “
— “Everyone, please look at this photo. The three black dots in the lower right corner that are falling are the only ace air force unit under the command of our Colonel Odleyff… “
……
In the fields outside Brandon City, farmers were harvesting crops. Suddenly, an unusual wind sound came from high above, and an airship swiftly passed across the sky, drawing the farmers’ attention.
“What is that? One of Kruun’s airships? Weren’t they shot down long ago? ” a farmer asked, looking up at the sky in bewilderment.
The projection on the airship kept looping, occasionally accompanied by commentary. The projected images displayed the brutal scenes of aerial combat and the Imperial Army’s defeat in battle.
……
Greenwood City, Republic of Kalash.
On Solon Square, the elderly gentlemen from the city’s most prominent families, along with nearby urban residents dressed mainly in grayish-black and dark blue fabrics, were gathered together discussing the “latest news ” that had taken days to reach them.
They wanted to know exactly when the residents of their city would begin immigrating to the distant Greater Craig, as the mayor had promised.
Suddenly, beside the gloomy clouds, people spotted an airship spinning rapidly with its tail exhaust turbine and appearing over the city.
“An airship? What’s going on? ” A scholar looked up at the sky, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
The airship, bearing the hull number “Krupp 317, ” displayed a huge and slightly distorted rectangular projection on one side of its white fabric covering.
— “International friends of the Republic of Kalash! “
The clear broadcast sound came from the high-altitude airship.
The residents of the city rushed out from buildings with rustic stone walls and sloping wooden roofs, crowding the municipal roads that could accommodate either two carriages passing each other or a single large truck driving through.
“That looks like the Imperial airship! ” a child shouted loudly.
Some people began to clamor. Such a rare thing as an airship had come to a small city like theirs.
— “We are the World Ark International Relief Committee. We are safe! “
The voice from the airship continued, “The World Ark now broadcasts the latest international news from the Imperial Frontline this morning! “
The crowd tiptoed to look at the airship’s screen as it descended a little, their minds pondering what this “Ark ” thing really was. Meanwhile, some learned residents suddenly stared at those words, as if hearing something unbelievable.
“The World Ark! “
Someone in the crowd roared:
“That’s the World Ark’s airship! The one mentioned on the radio, the World Ark International Rescue Committee that has been rescuing stranded people all over the world recently! “
“Quick, listen to what frontline news they’re announcing. “
Photos were displayed, and along with the thunderous sound that echoed from high above, the crowd below erupted in murmurs from time to time.
Although the news that the rebel Imperial forces who started the war had been defeated in an air battle certainly startled them, this spectacle before them was far more novel.
Never having seen such a wondrous thing before, the people were now captivated by the black-and-white images and the stirring voices, indulging in an unprecedented, refreshing experience.
After the broadcast, the black-and-white image on the airship’s exterior went dark for a short while, only to be accompanied by a sudden burst of music drifting from the sky with synchronized visuals.
This sudden sound and the moving chorus scene stunned the crowd below—who were already mesmerized by the experience—striking them as if hit by a dull blow.
— “…We will liberate the world from darkness! Our songs will soar across the oceans… “
The airship slowly flew toward the other side of the city, and as it moved, the running footsteps of the crowd were drawn like a tide, shifting toward the East Gate.
— “…Brotherly thoughts, crossing all borders… “
When the song ended, the sea of people in the city of Solen gathered at the city gate under the setting sun, gazing into the distance at the departing airship.
— “We are members of the World Ark International Relief Committee, and we hope that more people will join us in the fight against the chaos and catastrophe. Whether it be war or the fear of the end… “
After reciting what was originally just a ceremonial address, the man on the airship, looking at the gathered crowd below, felt an inexplicable surge of emotion within him.
Then, this young man from overseas the previous night saw the person beside him raise a camera, adjusting its position to capture the scene of the city below.
Under the high-decibel broadcasts of a dozen airships, hundreds and thousands of towns and villages, along with many densely populated urban residents, all witnessed the massive object flying across the sky.
Even when faced with the onslaught of Blood Beast giant birds, there were people aboard the airship capable of countering them, launching strange attacks from the ship to drive these giant birds back.
The news that the rebel air force of the empire had been completely annihilated by the Great Craig Free Kingdom was disseminated among the common people.
……
Inside a field base near the city of Cruen.
“Mr. Prime Minister! ” As the iron door swung open, a lax-skinned elderly man in his sixties with the epaulets of a major general shouted excitedly as he rushed in.
The female adjutant beside the Prime Minister interrupted, her tired eyes instantly growing sharp as she reminded him softly:
“Major General Croix, the Prime Minister has just rested. Please keep your report composed. “
The old man paid her no mind.
Rushing to the green wooden desk, he thrust a file and some photographs toward him:
“It’s been confirmed. The 3rd Bombardment and Destroyer Wing has been completely annihilated! And the news is spreading across the empire! “
“Really? ” The Science Chancellor looked bewildered at this major general of the Intelligence Liaison Department, who was temporarily serving as the Chief Communications Technician of the field base:
“Who would be bold enough to spread such news at a time like this? “
“It’s the airships! Your Excellency Prime Minister Fürdeyrich, look—these were captured over cities across our own country! Massive Krupp airships are spreading the news of Odlevev’s entire traitor air force being annihilated! “
The Prime Minister abruptly stood up, “What did you say?! “
He rapidly reviewed the blurry black-and-white photographic images sent back from other cities across the empire. Some had even arrived spontaneously from cities previously reluctant to establish reserve wireless systems with them.
In the pictures, identical blurry images yet similar airships all featured a square-shaped photograph attached to their hull fabric, displaying news of the defeat crash from the imperial front.
“This is… the hull-mounted image based photographs acting message bearers? Who plotted mind? “
“It’s not a painting, but a projection! Look at these photos, and the report inside the document. They’re using loudspeakers in coordination with a constantly shifting projection system to synchronize audio and visual propaganda. So many citizens were so stirred today they fainted! “
Prime Minister Verdirich stared incredulously at the photo of the selected captain in his hand, murmuring almost unconsciously, “He… what are they so excited about? “
The Major General grunted in acknowledgment and said:
“It’s because such advanced technology, born from airships, is giving many people hope for the future. The citizens believe that the Empire, having rolled out two consecutive propositions, is likely still researching technologies that will allow everyone to safely survive the apocalypse. “
The Prime Minister paused, his voice calming slightly. “Is that so? Mm, are the airships still nearby? “
The visitor swallowed nervously, a bit agitated, and said:
“Such airships have now been dispatched to all parts of the country, and even to other nations beyond our borders. “
“Overseas! You! ” The Prime Minister’s voice stiffened. Immediately, he widened his eyes, propped his hands on the desk, and stared at the flat-laid photos on it.
Due to the angle of the photographs, most of them didn’t show much of the cityscape, only the dark spires of the lowermost silhouettes of black-and-white city buildings were faintly visible.
In these images—where colors she couldn’t distinguish, and where even dawn couldn’t be told from dusk—she was utterly unable to differentiate between sunny and overcast skies.
It was only at this moment that the Prime Minister finally realized what the phrase “images from all over the country ” meant. The shooting distance between every two photographs here could potentially span over a hundred, even thousands of kilometers in a straight line!
“Audio synchronized broadcasting, up in the sky… one airship facing one city. “
The Prime Minister shuddered visibly, suddenly taking off his glasses and staring at the old man across the desk, speaking in a loud voice:
“Who is he? Who is doing this! “
“It’s President Yang Buchen of the World Ark, who was invited by our Science Heritage Preparatory Committee two days ago to come to the city of Krupp! “
Major General Croix replied, as if he had repeated it many times, running through the sentence in one breath.
After instinctively asking this question, the Prime Minister only then realized he shouldn’t have displayed such a lack of composure, but he was simply too agitated.
He picked up and then put down the documents and the black-and-white photos sent back from various cities, steadied his breathing, placed the palm of his hand on the table, and gently tapped it with his fingertips.
“The World Ark? “
The Science Council President beside him suddenly opened his mouth wide, “So it’s them! My god. Could those be… Dawuti machines? “
“Dawuti machines? ” Beneath those crystal clear round spectacles, a look of even greater bewilderment showed in the Prime Minister’s eyes.
The female adjutant beside him thought for a moment and then recalled the familiar name “World Ark. ” And Soldier No.4, standing quietly, finally turned his head to look at the Science Council President, Dawuti.
“I… can I take a look? ” Science Council President Dawuti rushed over the moment the Prime Minister gave a slight nod, his excitement and disregard for propriety evident as he picked up and flipped through the photos on the table.
Within just a couple of breaths, his keen eyes quickly found a blurry black-and-white photograph beneath the stack, faintly showing a choir in performance.
After identifying it, Dawuti felt his heart clench:
“As I suspected! They’re using the Radiowave Television’s radio waves to receive the latest images, combined with the already highly mature cinema projection system, to create a large-scale outdoor propaganda system that can cover tens of thousands of people using just a sheer screen! “
Under Soldier No.4’s slightly curious gaze, Dawuti casually pulled out a photo and pointed at a slender horizontal rod extending from the side of each airship, saying:
“This is the projection device they’re using. What a genius design… and an almost unbelievable action plan. “
“It is an ideological action program, ” corrected the woman in uniform beside him. “This is what our Stelfen Warriors must study. I suggest we incorporate this action spirit into education and training, to be used later for those lost Rebels who might find their way back… “
“For now, we should first establish contact with the people from World Ark, ” the Prime Minister raised a hand to cut off the woman’s suggestion.
Everyone present could tell that Fürderlich had evidently become thoroughly disappointed with those who had betrayed him.
The round-faced Fürderlich turned his gaze toward the temporary Communications Engineer Chief:
“Major General Croesus, I appoint you to be responsible for making contact with that gentleman from World Ark. “
“Yes, sir!” The major general snapped to attention, saluted, and declared loudly:
“I will definitely contact Chairman Yang Buchen of the World Ark International Rescue Committee and convey the cooperative intentions from the higher-ups of our Stedfen Lion Empire!“
After he left, the person who had first seemed in a much better mood sat back in his chair, glanced somewhat contentedly at the stack of photos and telegraph reports in his hands, compiled thereafter.
“By the way, you just mentioned the Tivison. What is that?” The Prime Minister turned his head to ask Dawuti.
“It is…” The Science Council President gestured vaguely in the air before him:
“It’s a technology capable of remote visualization, even synchronously broadcasting footage recorded by recording equipment onto a visualizer at a distant location in real time. I just didn’t expect that they had already solved the relay issues of wireless transmission. Unbelievable.“
“Wait.” The Prime Minister interrupted Dawuti, who was about to reel off a string of scientific terms.
“Did you just say it can synchronize with recording equipment and display images in a distant place?“
“Mm, yes…“
Prime Lord Frederick was somewhat bewildered: “Why am I only learning of such technology now?“
“Uh, well…“
Dawuti stammered slightly, looking over at an empty chair that originally belonged to the Minister of Development Planning.
……
In the evening, soldiers searching for Fogfolk appeared in the city and, via word of mouth, relayed the message about seeking the Honorary President of the World Ark International Rescue Committee to Yang Zicang, who was still mid-air, dizzyingly busy with the installation.
“They want to see me.“
The anticipated moment had finally arrived. Dereiano nodded to Yang Zicang. “Let’s go down first. “
The flying carpet descended toward a rooftop base in the city. Upon receiving the news, dozens of people swiftly converged, gathering together under the cover of night.
“But asking the Imperial Prime Minister to declare there will be no war — isn’t that a bit unrealistic? ” Yang Zicang, standing among the crowd, said.
The people around him murmured in discussion for a moment.
Although this proposal had been privately mentioned earlier that day, now that it was formally brought up, everyone still found it impractical.
“Starting a war would mean global chaos and the early arrival of the Iron Vine Demon Catastrophe. “
“But if we avoid war, ninety percent of St. Fen’s citizens will perish completely in the apocalyptic calamity twenty-seven or twenty-eight days from now. “
“Can’t we think of some other way? ” A seemingly delicate, golden-haired youth mused aloud.
The man with a sinister expression said, “Ha, even if I could slice a skyscraper in half with one strike, I can’t move 190 million people to a safe zone no matter what. “
Ying Renyu lifted his head to glance at Dereiano, who stood beside Yang Zicang.
“A plan like orchestrating a seawater reversal — you guys came up with it, and it’s already pretty damn perfect. If you ask me to think of another plan like that, I’ve got no clue what to do. “
At that, he grinned. “Unless Zhao Anlong gets even more powerful, pulls a small planet over here, and uses its gravity to lift everyone on the continent off the ground. “
The people around chuckled softly, then lowered their brows in thought, pondering how to persuade the Prime Minister, who had finally taken the initiative to pay attention, in order to avert a war catastrophe that might be imminent.
Amidst the discussion, the sound of a tank squad echoed from downstairs.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, it wasn’t long before a small squad of the Krupp Praetorian Guard ran up, carrying several pieces of equipment and black, heavy cables on their shoulders.
“Gentlemen! ” The soldiers, clad in blue-black combat uniforms, set down two vintage cameras with wooden housings mounted on tripods, saluted, and said:
“This is a filming device donated by the Patriotic Preservationist Party. The gentlemen of the World Ark can use it to record. “
“Patriotic… Preservationist Party? ” Many in the crowd looked over in unison.
“Yes! ” Faced with these stares, the soldiers were a bit at a loss, but they obeyed and stepped aside.
Yang Zicang immediately noticed that, upon hearing the name, a peculiar sentiment arose among the experts who had been the first to arrive in this world.
Someone who understood the equipment went forward to inspect it before nodding to Yang Zicang.
“This machine is excellent. It’s so finely crafted that adding even a more precise screw would spawn a demon of excess. “
……
At the field base after nightfall.
Behind the heavy iron door, an exquisite narrow table had been placed across from the green wooden table. The visualizer, retrieved by Soldier No.4, now sat on it, with a camera rig mounted on a tripod standing beside it.
The cheers of jubilation from the city, along with the constant stream of airship images gliding across the sky, were continuously displayed on the visualizer.
Inside the room, the Prime Minister and his personal female adjutant, along with ministers of defense, military affairs, and state, and the Minister of Development Planning—whose face was brimming with pride yet whose uniform shoulders now lacked epaulets—as well as other key figures from the base, all stared wide-eyed and silent at the visualizer, which projected a grayish-white curtain of light.
The festive scene of celebration unfolded on the screen, as if yesterday’s splendor was being replayed.
“It’s absolutely stunning. “
“I never imagined the Stefani Empire could possess such cutting-edge technology. “
Once the segment concluded, those in the front turned around and directed a puzzled question at the person who had set up the equipment nearby:
“Excuse me, what exactly is this device? “
“It’s a Motaf-brand TV machine, ” Dawuti said, standing off to the side, his back straight and belly protruding.
“A Motaf-brand… TV machine? ” Several people murmured to themselves.
Suddenly, the iron door chimed with a knock.
When it was opened, two staff members appeared outside:
“We’ve already confirmed the link with the World Ark Committee. They’ve agreed to use recording equipment for this remote meeting—well, a live broadcast. “
The people in the room were momentarily stunned, glancing at the filming equipment prepared nearby, and immediately realizing that they might be witnessing the birth of a legendary historical node.
……
On the ocean. As night fell, the train carrying the relay station and Cheng Yunze’s group continued to cleave through the dark ocean like an arrow, racing forward at high speed.
Meanwhile, back on the water’s surface, Ning Jiajia was left behind with a Tafkotech staff member and a signal transmission device.
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