"Ah, the initial preparation phase is almost over. According to Grand Elder Harvey of the Central Diocese, we will set off in 25 days at the latest. During this time, the Pope should stay in Camp No. 19."
Seeing that Julian did not continue to pursue the issue of insufficient manpower, the commander responded quickly as if he had been pardoned.
"Twenty-five days..."
Julian muttered the time with a gloomy expression. It was unknown what he was thinking. After a while, he shook his head with an indifferent look:
"I don't know how much resources will be consumed and how many casualties will be caused by this round... What a waste."
Seeing that Julian was obviously dissatisfied with Ottilia, the commander dared neither agree nor refute. He could only lower his head and stare at the floor, pretending that he heard nothing.
Fortunately, Julian didn't say much. After mumbling a few words, he waved his sleeves:
"Back off first."
"Yes." The commander immediately walked out of the wooden house quickly, leaving the space for the great elder alone.
As soon as he left, before Julian had time to move, another person walked in from outside:
"Grand Elder, the supplies you requested last time... were rejected by the Pope."
As he spoke, he handed over a list, on which were densely listed a large number of various item names and quantities, but a huge red square seal pressed them all down.
Julian was slightly stunned, then sighed:
"I understand, step back."
"Yes."
After that person left, the wooden house finally returned to peace.
"Resources are scarce..."
Julian stood in the middle of the room, looking at the empty hallway, and let out a long breath:
"Everything is missing... everything is missing."
After he finished speaking, he turned his head and looked sideways, his eyes penetrating through the open window and into the deep abyss not far away.
The "samples" that Kansangstana requested are not in short supply yet...
The problem is that his "experiments" consumed not only "samples", but also a large amount of spiritual materials and spellcasting materials, either precious or conventional.
Many of these things are quite difficult to make, and some have a very short "shelf life", only a few hours or even minutes or seconds, and must be prepared and used immediately.
Therefore, we have to build complete witchcraft activity facilities and research workshops near the entrance of the abyss...
It is impossible to maintain the experiment in Kansasthana without continuously investing a large amount of human and material resources.
However, it coincided with the expedition plan of the "Pure White Pope" Otilia... The Last Kingdom, which has been in a long-term shortage of supplies and manpower, could hardly spare any to supply this side.
The financial hole grew bigger and bigger, and he had to try to fill it out of his own pocket.
But even the Great Elder, the top figure in the power pyramid of the Last Kingdom, the resources he controls and possesses... are just a drop in the bucket for such a large-scale "scientific research project".
He was afraid that even if he lost everything, he would not be able to make up for the shortage of funds and materials.
As soon as one hole was filled, new problems emerged. It seemed that the plan was about to fail, but he could not think of an effective solution.
He had also consulted Otilia and explained to her in detail the importance and necessity of his arrangement:
As long as Kansangstana can find a way to pass through the "gray fog" and reach the blood-red light ball, they may find a way to leave this cursed land!
This is a great cause that is worthy of the Last Kingdom's full efforts! It is a great cause that has the potential to bring salvation to all its people!
But the newly-appointed "Pure White Pope" refuted his idea with an extremely indifferent attitude: Even if Kansangstana's research experiments were successful and they arrived in front of the blood-red ball of light, what would it matter?
Who can guarantee that the blood-colored ball of light can lead to the "other world"?
Even if it is possible, with the whereabouts of the envoy of the "True Creator" unknown and his life or death uncertain, even if the bloody ball of light is right in front of us, I am afraid there will be no clue... Find a way to "get out"?
In her eyes, although Julian's plan had extremely tempting results, it was a vision that was too long-term, too wishful, and illusory, and was not worth spending too many resources on all at once.
Compared to this, the expedition plan deserves more attention.
After all, whether it is expanding territory, exploring unknown areas, or finding new resources...
Whether it is launching an advance attack before the ninth "tide of filth" breaks out and clearing out the dormant evil spirits in the "resting place" to reduce the pressure after the official outbreak, these are all very tangible and visible gains.
In the eyes of the sixth generation "Pure White Pope", this is the interest that should be pursued at present.
As for Julian's plan... it's not impossible to support it, but let's wait until the expedition is over and the national strength of the Last Kingdom is restored.
Wait? Are you kidding me?! How can I wait?
It is unknown when the expedition will end. In such a long time, who can predict what changes will happen to the "gray fog" and the blood-colored light ball? !
I can’t wait… I don’t have the chance to wait…
As time went on, Kansanstana said that due to the constant shortage of necessary materials for the "experiment", the research progress became slower and slower, and Julian became more and more anxious, losing his appetite and unable to sleep at night.
Otilia's cold attitude made him realize that this short-sighted "White Pope" was unreliable.
What should I do?
Is there any way... to improve this situation?
Any method is fine...think of it...think of it quickly...
"I am the True Creator, answering the prayers of my followers, One Zero Five, and granting gifts to those of you who are in distress."
A strange voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
Chapter 507 Return
This chapter is considered the update on the 18th.
===================
"who!?"
Julian's heart shuddered, his whole body tensed, and his spiritual energy fluctuated drastically. Colorful rays of light suddenly appeared out of thin air, spreading like mist, filling the not-so-large cabin.
The eyes of this experienced "requiem master" were as sharp as an eagle or a wolf, and his senses were keenly scanning everything around him, trying to find the owner of the voice just now.
At the same time, a simple "Enlightenment" witchcraft ritual was quickly constructed in his palm, and the purple light was ready to go.
With just a thought, it would release extremely obvious spiritual fluctuations, making all the Lonely Soul Wizards in the ruins feel the motivation like thunder from the blue, alerting them that something unusual was happening.
"Wait...did the voice just say, 'True Creator'?"
However, in the next second, Julian noticed something and frowned cautiously:
"Could it be that the owner of this voice is the Lord God of 105? The one who taught Hill the so-called 'Mage' system?"
Recalling the strange voice that appeared directly in his mind, he realized that he was probably now establishing a connection with a being of an unimaginably high status and level.
He couldn't help but slightly retract the colorful glow that was guarding around him, reducing a bit of hostility, but still maintained a high level of vigilance, and the purple signal technique in his palm was still bright.
After exhausting all his sensory means to explore the surroundings without any results, Julian confirmed that the owner of the voice was either extremely far away from him or at a level far beyond his own.
No matter which situation it is, it is not appropriate for you to confront it now.
"Dare to do your bidding?"
So he obviously slowed down his expression and asked in a very cautious tone.
Soon, the mysterious voice responded, also appearing directly in his mind, without any prior signs or indications:
"My follower 105 sent me a message at the last minute, asking me to provide a final aid to those in distress. As my power has been restored to a certain extent, I have established contact with you as the leader to lend you my strength."
The voice was vague and ethereal, with no discernible tone or voice, and difficult to tell whether it was real or fake. It did not sound like the words of a living being, but more like the will of a greater being of a higher status sent down to the world.
"Is that so..."
After hearing these words, Julian roughly understood the whole story.
There is no doubt that the owner of that voice is the mysterious external god, the "True Creator". In response to the prayers of God's messenger 105, He established direct contact with himself.
And according to His Word, He can further provide some substantial help.
As for the young-looking cloaked girl, Yao Lingwu...according to the "True Creator", she is most likely in danger.
Otherwise, he could have given the support directly to his divine messenger 105 instead of to himself, an "outsider".
Thinking of this, even Julian, who was experienced and domineering, couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
After all, in order to help the Last Kingdom, they had donated aid many times and even lost a family member, but they were still unwilling to give up and still contacted me to continue their unfinished business.
Although He must have some selfish purposes in doing this, for himself and all the people of the Last Kingdom, the help provided by the "True Creator" and His followers is extremely precious and powerful.
This will not change regardless of the other party's motives.
What's more...for him, now is the time when he urgently needs help!
No matter what kind of help it is... as long as he can get even a little bit of additional substantial support, he will at least be able to think of a way to improve the current stagnant and desperate situation!
"Thank you very much for your generosity. On behalf of the more than 100,000 people of the Last Kingdom, we deeply remember and appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of your beloved 105."
Julian completely put away all his witchcraft and spiritual power, and bowed solemnly towards an open space.
The Last Kingdom, which advocates pragmatism and efficiency above all else, has simple, even crude, etiquette, consisting of nothing more than handshakes, bows, and nods. It is not as complicated, meticulous, and hierarchical as the human world.
But even with just a simple bow, one could see Julian's sincerity at the moment.
"Damn it... you're still reminiscing about me. You really thought I was dead."
In a corner not far away, Qi Ji, who was in an "invisible" state, listened to the response from the cabin and couldn't help but curled his lips.
When she was conveying the message to Julian, she did intend to lead him to believe that the angel of God "One Zero Five" would not appear for some time in the future, but she did not expect that he would directly sentence her to death.
Well... in a sense, it is understandable. She is not petty enough to care about such trivial matters.
"I give you the right to choose."
While transmitting the message, she repeated her old trick and projected the picture on the scroll into Julian's mind:
"Choose between these three contracts that simultaneously symbolize power and cost, gain and loss, beginning and end."
It has to be said that she is becoming more and more adept at playing tricks, and can come up with some superstitious words with ease.
Of the original five contracts, after being selected by Toby Inold and Hill, three remained:
The "Ghoul of the World" of power, the "Instrument of Longing" of desire, and the "End of the Cycle" of the End.
After the Great Elder Julian made his choice, it was time for her to leave this "distorted land" for a while and return to the ordered world... for a short stroll.
Now it has been half a month since she came to this world. She is a little worried that some things that had already shown signs of emerging half a month ago...if delayed too long, would they cause immeasurable trouble.
Inside the wooden house, Julian stared blankly at the strange scroll that appeared in his field of vision. After sorting out the situation, he quickly made a decision...
……
…………
……
“Snap!”
Next to the endless rocky mountains that reached into the sky, a crack suddenly appeared in the air, hanging abruptly dozens of meters above the ground.
"Chuck... cluck..."
The crack expanded rapidly, soon forming a gap large enough for a person to pass through. Mysterious and terrifying colors and outlines were constantly stirring behind this void crack.
The next second, a petite figure wearing a cloak and a hood emerged from the chaotic secret realm.
"Ahaha, I'm finally back!"
Qi Ji fell freely from the air dozens of meters high, waving his hands happily and lively, completely ignoring the fact that he was freely falling.
"Oh!"
Her body fell straight onto the rugged mountain with a dull thud. Her seemingly fragile body did not suffer any injuries, but a shallow pit was created on the slightly soft ground.
"Well, we've been out of touch for so long, let's first see if there have been any changes in the human world after not seeing it for half a month~~"
After landing, Qi Ji stood easily, then with a smile, he connected his senses to the countless reconnaissance puppets scattered across the continent.
After passing through the main body of the "Ancient Moon" and entering that gray and empty world, she completely lost contact with all reconnaissance puppets.
The same thing happened after arriving at the Gray Forest. Although new reconnaissance puppets could still be created and "stand-in flash" could be activated in the Gray Forest, the puppets in the Order World could not sense it at all.
It seemed that the empty gray color was some kind of powerful barrier that completely severed the communication between the two worlds. Except for the Mirror of Reed Mormon, even with Qi Ji's pinnacle of magic, he was unable to penetrate it.
However... Qi Ji felt that if he worked hard enough to create a miracle, he could rely on pure spiritual power to break through the barrier between the two worlds and reconnect the reconnaissance puppet of the order world.
