Endless Debt

After about two hours of travel, an announcement echoed through each train carriage, reminding passengers of the upcoming stop.

Palmer, slightly drowsy, immediately snapped awake. This was his first time arriving at the Land of Secrets, and the other passengers in the carriage were similarly alert, gazing out the windows to observe the scenery outside.

"I’m quite curious what a society where Condensers are supreme would look like," Palmer said while rubbing his eyes.

Bologue, sitting nearby, replied, "You’re about to see it."

Just as the words fell, the train entered a tunnel through the mountains, plunging the carriage into darkness. After some time, the train emerged from the tunnel, and bright light flooded into the carriage.

After a brief moment of dazzling confusion, Bologue’s vision cleared again, and a magnificent city came into view.

The train now entered a deep valley surrounded by towering circular cliffs. Sunlight and vines cascaded down the center, illuminating a city hidden within the depths of the valley.

What caught Bologue’s eyes first were countless towers. Their architectural style was different from any he knew, starkly contrasting with the rough and wild style of the Cultivation Room. Everywhere on the towers were smooth long lines, and the tops had umbrella-like structures, resembling giant mushrooms.

They stacked in succession like circles of dominoes rising up, with the tallest tower in the center piercing the boundary above the valley, reaching into the blinding sunlight. It’s unsure if similar giant umbrella structures opened on the surface under the sunlight.

The circular cliffs of the valley were also dotted with honeycomb-like buildings, entirely transforming the circular valley, extending up to the clifftop. It’s reminiscent of the long-destroyed Wandering Crossroad, though far from its desolation and decay; instead, it brimmed with prosperity, mystery, and a strong sense of futurism.

"Wow..."

Unable to help himself, Palmer exclaimed in admiration, then murmured, "No wonder these people keep seeing us as country bumpkins; it truly feels futuristic here."

"I felt the same way when I first came here."

A slightly weathered voice from behind startled Palmer, who turned nervously. Somehow Nesanel had come over, and he bent down to share a window with them, inspecting the city outside.

"In many ways, the All Secrets Order are indeed bastards, but admittedly, they do have many progressive aspects."

Perhaps hearing the conversation between the two, Nesanel added, "For instance, they’ve genuinely envisioned a society of Condensers basking in sunlight."

Pointing a finger at the central tower, he said, "That tower is called the Supreme Hub; it’s the heart of this city. Comparatively, you can understand it as the Cultivation Room located in Oubos."

"Ether, a kind of Extraordinary Power that we have yet to fully understand, resembles a tangible miracle. Through various Alchemy Matrices, Ether can be consumed to distort reality."

As Nesanel mentioned these, he glanced at Bologue subtly; both knew the principles of Ether very well, but they’d have to deceive Palmer temporarily.

"According to these principles, the All Secrets Order built an Ether reactor, supplying the city incessantly with power by continually consuming Ether."

No matter how much the All Secrets Order might favor Ethereum Technology, it’s still the existing fundamental science that sustains the human world.

"They excellently combined Ether Technology with fundamental science. Beyond power, they employed large-scale Command to create geological formations almost impossible for nature, and even modified underground water veins to obtain endless water resources."

Nesanel praised, "Without restrictions, Condensers are free to unleash their creativity."

In the ring-shaped valley, Bologue saw one silhouette after another soaring into the sky, freely traversing between the towers. For a moment, Bologue was indeed intrigued; with the power of a Defender, he could race through the streets, but to conceal his identity, he actually had to prepare for a driver’s license.

The idea quickly dissipated, and Bologue said, "But too much freedom only leads to unchecked growth."

"I agree on that point; Condensers shouldn’t be a type of identity, but a tool, a function. Take your Commanding School, for instance; on a construction site, you’d be an impressively efficient lifter, not a high-and-mighty lord."

"Me as a lifter is a bit demeaning, isn’t it?"

Nesanel laughed, "Just an example. For someone like you, a High Tier Condenser, you’re suited for tackling more troublesome matters, like natural disasters."

"I know about that," Palmer interjected, "The Clarks are often sent to deal with storms. Usually, just as the storm approaches, we’d crush it."

"Exactly, Condensers aren’t just for warfare; they should also act like reformers, creating a better world."

Bologue glanced up at Nesanel, "That sounds really odd coming from you."

"Because I’m the ultimate weapon, right?" Nesanel laughed, adding, "If Condensers want to step out of the shadows and wholly integrate into the world, there’s still a long road ahead. Particularly concerning the constraints on Condensers, many laws still need to be prepared."

Bologue said, "There must be a judicial body for the Condensers; ordinary people cannot apprehend Condensers."

"Exactly, a strict regulatory body is necessary."

Bologue and Nesanel, through a question and answer, began to dream of the future of the Condensers. It was beautiful, yet many issues arose, like the most fundamental one.

What if a deranged lunatic possessed the Extraordinary Power? On the first day, they might behave, the second day they might show restraint, but by the third day, they could see themselves as above humans, losing their moral compass, just like the Night Race.

There are too many such cases. Bologue has read the files; the Order Bureau executes quite a number of out-of-control Condensers every year, so it is essential for the Condensers to integrate into society and to undergo implanted scrutiny.

"So... you have turned the All Secrets Order into an experimental ground?" Bologue suddenly thought.

"More or less, we don’t have enough energy to do a simulated society experiment," Nesanel smiled. "You don’t really think the Order Bureau would let him remain independent so easily, do you?"

"It seems the social simulation of the All Secrets Order is going badly."

"Not particularly bad. At least these Condensers still retain mortal traits and are still limited by lifespan," Nesanel suddenly became serious. "But once these people become immortal, that would truly be a world of despair."

Nesanel said, "This world has faced such a crisis once before."

Bologue had read those classified files. He knew what Nesanel was referring to, so Bologue softly said.

"Extraordinary Disaster · Eternal Blood Tax."

Whenever Bologue recalled the essence of the Eternal Blood Tax, he felt an inextinguishable despair and suffocation. It differed from all the Extraordinary Disasters he knew. It was a bone-deep sense of powerlessness that drained hope, even with a Blade in hand.

When those with absolute power also gain nearly endless life, it becomes an unbreakable shackle, a frozen, dead human hell.

Realizing this, Bologue once again felt fortunate for Serey’s betrayal, and marveled at the courage that led that bastard to betray their own class, though the reason remained unknown.

"The Order Bureau can tolerate all kinds of demands from the All Secrets Order, even their refusal to join the War Alliance is something we can barely accept."

Nesanel said, "But we cannot accept any collusion between the All Secrets Order and the Night Race. That is the final red line."

Bologue immediately understood Nesanel’s caution and anger, "The All Secrets Order is likely to recreate the Eternal Blood Tax."

Palmer vaguely understood their dialogue and sensed the true motive hidden behind the curtain.

"Wait, so are you saying the envoy was just a façade, and we’re actually an investigative team? Investigating if the All Secrets Order has links with the Rebellious Royal Court?"

The train arrived at the station, and the carriage trembled slightly. Nesanel smiled as he patted Palmer on the shoulder, "It’s not quite an investigative team."

Nesanel then spoke words that made Palmer’s face turn pale, "With just you and Bologue, it’s at most an investigative duo."

Bologue felt helpless at Palmer’s slow reaction, "Otherwise, what did you think he brought us two debtors for?"

Nesanel abruptly pulled Bologue and Palmer from their seats, with his broad shoulders enveloping them, seeming as much like a friendly gesture as one of coercion.

"We’re at the station now. There’s truly no turning back."

On the platform, the welcoming team had long awaited their arrival. Several figures swaggered out of the carriage, immediately recognizing the leading figure as Deputy Director Nesanel.

The two following behind Nesanel looked somewhat unfamiliar. Checking against the list, they should be Bologue and Palmer.

"Palmer" stood upright, with sharp eyes, possessing a certain noble Extraordinary flair, while "Bologue" appeared much more lethargic.

The welcoming staff couldn’t help but think to themselves that despite the ethos of prioritizing Condensers, there was still a significant distinction between the Extraordinary Clan and ordinary Condensers.

"Palmer" nudged "Bologue" in the side and whispered, "I thought you were promoted to Negative Power User. Can’t you be more proactive about work?"

"Bologue" responded lethargically, "Isn’t it possible that I’m just naturally averse to work?"

"Palmer" said, "Stop complaining, stand up straight. We’re the Imperial Envoys now."

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