CH 227

After the military department confirmed the personnel and other matters, the situation was basically settled, and the remaining were some trivial but equally important matters.

In this regard, Rode was basically in the dark, but fortunately, there was Molly, his assistant.

She was really capable.

Familiar with all the affairs, efficient and concise in handling matters, and arranged everything in an orderly manner.

Rode basically just followed her to get things done.

The most important thing was to exchange his 201 iron medals from the Royal City for materials, and then go find Master Leilu to make a soul weapon.

In the warehouse of the Royal City's logistics department, Rode was dazzled by the precious materials, looking left and right, wishing to exchange them all.

Molly said, "Lord Rode, at present, your main combat method is long-range, with the addition of assault attacks, suitable for the position of a rear scout, assistant, and fire support, with the attributes of an assassin."

"Engaging in close combat with monsters in the front, controlling the situation in the middle, and providing fire cover in the rear are not very suitable for you."

"Therefore, I suggest that you postpone making a soul weapon and first create a more powerful psychic firearm."

"This will be more suitable for you, making it easier for you to use your abilities and play to your strengths."

Rode pondered for a moment before exclaiming, "You're absolutely right."

"Molly, I didn't even think that deeply myself. Although my close combat ability is strong now, that's not my specialty. I only need to go forward and kill them when there's a flaw in the monsters' souls."

"My role in the rear is much greater than my role in the front."

"And 'Raven' is no longer suitable for me. Its power is too small, and I haven't used it for a long time. I need to change to a new one."

Molly pushed her gold-rimmed glasses and maintained a professional expression on her delicate face.

"I have already canceled your appointment with Master Leilu and made a new appointment with the bald-headed master of the Mechanical Research Institute. He will create a psychic firearm specifically for you."

"Therefore, I suggest you exchange one Starlight Ruby, three Perfect Red Jades, twelve pieces of True Silver, one Moon Spirit Stone, two Sun Crystals, one Star Core Gold, and twenty pieces of Original Crystals, exactly 201 iron medals."

Rode exclaimed once again, "Molly, you are really amazing."

After selecting the materials, leaving the warehouse, and completing a series of procedures, Rode handed over the 201 iron medals to the logistics officer.

After checking for accuracy, the logistics officer smiled and said, "Perfect, Lord Rode, you are really accurate. I hope you can create the best weapon, eliminate more monsters, achieve more feats, and gain more honor. I hope to see you here again with even more iron medals next time."

Rode smiled, "Thank you for your kind words, I will do my best."

After leaving the logistics department, Molly called for a floating spirit car.

The two of them got on the car and headed straight to the headquarters of the Mechanical Research Institute.

It was located in the southwest corner of the inner city, a very large building complex with a predominant white color, and the main building was a strange hexagon.

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from "pwread.com".

Here, Rode met the head of the Mechanical Research Institute, the bald-headed master.

He was a fierce-looking man with a smooth, egg-like head, and his real name had long been forgotten. Everyone called him the bald-headed master, and his shiny head was clearly visible from a distance.

He was also a member of the Holy Fire Plan, which was why he agreed to personally create a weapon for Rode at Molly's request.

Otherwise, as the head of one of the most important institutions in the Royal City, he would not have time to create a psychic firearm for an individual.

The bald-headed master was very enthusiastic, chatting with Rode warmly as they made their way to the top-level psychic laboratory.

"Rode, my young brother, the brothers and sisters of the Holy Fire Plan are all looking forward to your success. You are the new star designated by Theodore, and you will definitely break the deadlock and bring hope to everyone."

Rode replied with a confident tone, "Please rest assured, I already have a very perfect plan that can quickly change the situation in Fuxing Town. Just wait for the good news of my victory."

The bald-headed master was very happy, and the muscles on his face relaxed, like a child afraid of campus violence.

"That's great, let's hurry. Ah, my inspiration is surging! My passion is boiling! I can't wait to create a super psychic firearm for you!"

They quickened their pace towards the upper levels.

On the way, Rode noticed some signs on the doors of the rooms.

Research Institute 107.

Below it was a line of small characters: "Steam is everything."

Research Institute 109.

Below it was another line of small characters: "Millions of turrets, millions of glory."

Research Institute 211.

"Thunder rules all things!"

Research Institute 301.

"Within the cone of light, is fate."

Research Institute 404.

"Mass, field, collapse, I have seen the mystery of the world!"

---

A strange feeling swept over Rode, and he couldn't help but ask, "Master, what is this...?"

The bald-headed master smiled calmly, "You wouldn't understand. These are the efforts made by madmen in your eyes to save humanity. Please don't ridicule them."

Before Rode could inquire further, they had already arrived at the top-floor psychic laboratory.

With a flash of light in the bald-headed master's hand, the door opened like building blocks.

Inside was a neat and bright space filled with various psychic instruments.

Different types of psychic crystals refracted sparkling light, making it look like a crystal palace.

The bald-headed master showed a joy of returning home, hopping to the center of the room and lighting up a crystal crafting table.

"Ah ha! My darlings, have you missed me?"

"Today, we're going to play a super large and super exciting game!"

"This will be an unprecedented super psychic firearm."

"First, it needs to have super strong power. The current psychic firearms have too little power, and it's easy to be eliminated after the student period. Psychic power is power, so it must have a super large psychic capacity. Star Core Gold, come!"

"Then, it also needs a super strong psychic pressure system! Starlight Ruby, come!"

"It also needs super high psychic conductivity! True Silver, come!""The spiritual field must be very impactful, Sun Crystal, come!"

"Of course, it must be in agreement with the owner. Rode, pierce your soul and squeeze out your spirituality!"

...

...

The spiritual energy in the crystal palace shone brightly, and the bald master sweated profusely as Rode's materials decreased one by one.

In the end, only one Sun Crystal remained.

Rode felt a little regretful. It seemed that Molly still had limits, and he had overestimated her.

"Molly, can it be returned?"

Molly said, "No, this is yours. The Sun Crystal you applied for from the royal city cannot be approved."

Rode was shocked.

He was missing a Sun Crystal for his Calistown Heavy Cannon, and he had applied for this resource from the royal city a few days ago.

He thought he would get a response.

And Molly had even thought of this... Rode sincerely exclaimed, "Molly, you're really amazing."

Molly pushed her golden-rimmed glasses and her delicate face showed no expression of pride.

"Commander, I have to remind you that although I also trust Lord Theodore, your thinking is too simple now."

Rode laughed, "Don't underestimate me. My thinking is super complicated. You can't imagine how much useless junk is inside."

A strange feeling surged in Molly's eyes.

This man had been contradictory to her from the beginning.

Both childish and mature, both ignorant and knowledgeable, both frivolous and steady. He seemed unreliable, but she had never been disappointed in him.

Perhaps, this was the reason why Lord Theodore valued him.

Molly thought to herself.

Lord Theodore's profound wisdom must have discovered something that I cannot understand.

Maybe he really can bring us light.

A faint smile appeared on Molly's delicate cheeks, but it quickly disappeared into a serious expression, like floating ice under the scorching sun.

She took out a box from behind and handed it to Rode.

"This is the spiritual equipment personally made for you by Lord Horus, in your favorite style."

This is also a good thing?

Rode joyfully took the box and opened it to find two black silk veils.

As he touched them lightly, they felt delicate and cool. When he took them out, Rode was instantly dumbfounded.

Isn't this just black stockings?

Even if it is, why is it my equipment?

Rode looked at Molly with a puzzled expression.

The latter pushed her golden-rimmed glasses and said expressionlessly, "It is made of the best Ice Dust Silk, and the best Seal Master of the Holy Church has permanently attached the Wind Seal to it. Archbishop Horus personally strengthened its material with spiritual energy, allowing it to absorb the impact on the legs and greatly increase your movement speed."

Damn!

This equipment is so strong? Movement speed is very important to me... Rode felt very regretful. "Why does it look like this? I have never seen this kind of custom in the royal city."

"This was obtained from the miscellaneous thoughts in Lord Theodore's soul communication, saying that you like this kind of attire."

Nonsense, I, a gentleman, don't like it at all!

Even if I did, it's not what I like to wear.

Rode hesitated for a long time, but still handed it back to Molly.

"I don't want it, it's for you."

Molly looked at him seriously.

"Why?"

"They made a mistake. This is women's clothing. It would be awkward and eye-catching for a man to wear it, turning into a pervert."

Originally, Rode thought Molly would try to persuade him.

This assistant, who rarely smiled, was a firm believer in the Fire Faith, and continuing the Holy Fire was the most important thing in her life, for which she could give up everything.

Refusing a powerful piece of equipment just because of its appearance was unacceptable in her philosophy.

But after hearing Rode's explanation, she didn't say a word and accepted the box containing the Wind Silk.

Rode curiously asked, "You... um, don't you have any objections?"

Molly said seriously, "Commander, the health of the mind is a very important matter. The accumulation of long-term negative emotions can lead to a more unstable soul, making it easier for the darkness within oneself to emerge, ultimately leading to madness and becoming a monster."

"They have a special classification for these monsters called 'Fallen'. You should have heard of it."

Rode was shocked. "There's something like this? Is there a difference between the Fallen and the Corrupted?"

"Yes, the souls that actively embrace the darkness are more powerful, with stronger instincts of hatred and attack, and retain more complete pre-death powers, including combat skills and tactical wisdom."

Molly said calmly.

"So, all service industries, medical care, and teaching positions within the royal city pay great attention to guiding the mind and have dedicated service departments to provide appropriate services for combat personnel returning from battle, helping them relieve the long-term fatigue, tension, and aggression brought about by battle."

Rode was shaken.

He finally understood why the medical and teaching staff he had encountered were so gentle, lovely, and capable.

He wondered why the maid he had met when he returned from his mission was so enthusiastic, and why she seemed so despondent when he rejected her, even apologizing for it.

Molly pushed her glasses and continued, "High-ranking combat personnel also receive professional mental health services. The Royal City Service Department will design the best treatment plans for them and conduct regular check-ups to ensure their mental health."

"And you are already on the list."

This is also a good thing?

Rode rubbed his hands, feeling a little excited.

After several hours, the bald master finally completed his masterpiece.

He held the fresh spiritual gun as if he were cradling his newborn.

It was about half a meter long, completely crystalline, like solidified light bending within a gel, with no visible details.

"Come, hold it. Infuse it with your spiritual energy for the first time."

Rode gripped the handle of the gun, which fit perfectly in his palm.

As he infused it with spiritual energy, he clearly felt a sense of joy.

It was as if there was a spirit pulsating within the spiritual gun, connected to his mind.

"Very good, from now on, it's yours."

"This gun embodies my lifelong beliefs. There's no need for comparison. It is the best in the world, named...""Condensed light."

Unparalleled brilliance danced on the face of the bald master as he pulled out another bullet.

"This is a specialized bullet for condensed light."

"It is made with spiritual realm material, containing a folded spatial fault. You need to load at least ten true silver bullets to use it, so its minimum power is ten times that of a regular spiritual gun."

"Of course, in reality, it's even more than that. Its super-strong spiritual energy field can provide hundreds of times the power, and theoretically, there is no limit to the number of spiritual realm bullets that can be loaded. But please note, after more than a hundred bullets, the space becomes very unstable and may cause an explosion. It's best to keep it around fifty bullets."

Rode was completely stunned.

"Is this even possible? We can fold space at will, so why worry about logistical issues?"

The bald master shook his head. "No, the fault is in the essence of the spiritual realm. Its formation is one-time, and the material inside it exists in a different state. It cannot be taken out again, otherwise, it will be destroyed and will disintegrate into its most primitive state."

He held up this strange bullet.

It looked like a flickering mist, with a blue light that showed its uncertainty.

"And, at the moment, I can only make it this size. It can only be filled with objects of the same size, and it's very difficult to preserve. Spiritual realm material is very difficult to obtain and very expensive."

"Ah, it's gone."

The bullet in his hand evaporated like mist, leaving no trace.

Rode asked urgently, "What should we do then?"

"It's okay, I have a box of them. It's something I made a long time ago, and now it finally has a use."

The bald master stuffed a blue box into his hands, smiling like a two-hundred-pound child.

"Go and use it to kill monsters, and open up new living spaces for humanity as soon as possible!"

---

Rode held the condensed light and its bullet box, feeling both joyful and worried.

Without a doubt, he could not only use true silver bullets, but he could also stuff sealed spiritual bullets into the spiritual realm bullets.

The power of fifty times the spiritual energy impact could definitely be called a killer move.

He now had another means of defeating his enemies.

But the problem was, one shot was equal to fifty shots. Can he handle this consumption?

Especially now, when resources and funds are very scarce.

Rode sighed deeply and could only temporarily send them into the dream world.

There were still several processes to go through, such as receiving the training of the Elder Council at the highest council, meeting with the officials of the Royal City Resources Department and the General Logistics Department, meeting with the giant merchant Mahala, and holding a departure ceremony, and so on.

But Rode felt that the void was approaching, and the awakening was gradually losing its effect. He was about to die soon.

And he happened to have a big plan.

If things really went as he thought, then he could usher in a super grand opening.

If he failed, there would be no loss.

So, Rode urged to set off in a hurry, and the subsequent procedures had to be canceled.

As a result, many important figures in the Royal City were very dissatisfied.

The conservatives and opponents were even more excited, believing that Rode's arrogance would inevitably lead to his failure.

A group led by the Grand Judge Vere even went so far as to spread rumors unfavorable to Rode, and even publicly proposed to cancel this inevitable failed expedition to prevent the soldiers from bleeding in vain.

The supporters of the king retorted, saying that they just didn't want their pockets to bleed.

In the midst of this noisy argument, the real powerful figures with the power did not come out to speak.

They would use their actions to show their attitude, to decide whether Thalorian's next step was to recuperate and consolidate their territory, to continue to expand outward with the torch held high, or to give up some territory to further ease the struggle with the darkness.

At this critical moment, the king was absent from the meeting of the highest council once again.

The king's guards refused to disclose the king's whereabouts, and the Fire Priest closed the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground.

But someone saw the king's lover, Lillith, entering the king's bedchamber.

The supporters were very secretive, and the opponents became even more rampant. Horus was busy with defense, and he was alone in appeasing the people, refuting the attacks, but the effect was not significant.

The highest council.

Many people urged the First Elder Amado to quickly establish a new king candidate.

Among them, Vere and others were particularly eager, wishing to bypass all procedures and immediately crown Jon.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Talynas and the Grand Adjudicator Manolobana were secretly fanning the flames.

Amado did not respond, but there was a hint of hesitation in his murky eyes.

After the meeting.

Chief Minister Talynas convened the opponents at the mansion to discuss the next steps.

The crowd was excited.

The Grand Judge Amoli smiled and said, "That kid is so arrogant. A newly promoted nobleman is so rude, and he has offended so many people before even setting out. He is bound to fail."

"Exactly, he has no idea of the vastness of the sky and the earth. The darkness of Fuxing Town will surely devour him!"

"We've won!"

"Don't be too happy," Manolobana said grimly. "That kid is somewhat out of the ordinary. Perhaps he can create some miracles."

"Don't worry, Lord Gula, I have a way."

The Grand Judge Vere sneered and gave his suggestion.

"We can destroy their logistical supplies, use inferior goods as substitutes, use old items as new ones, and even stuff them with decayed materials, so that they attract unexpected monsters. There is a huge monster nest near Fuxing Town, an ancient underground city in ruins. We can deliberately disturb it and create a small-scale monster tide. When they go over, the entire army will be wiped out. Hahaha!"

This overly malicious suggestion made some people very uneasy.

"Vere, isn't this a bit too much?"

"Too many people will die."

"This is rebellion..."

Vere smiled, "Gentlemen, they are just a hundred people. A hundred deaths will bring peace to a thousand, ten thousand, a hundred million people. Isn't that good? This is a great deed, why would it be considered rebellion? I'm doing this for everyone's sake."

"Yes, we're doing this for more people."

"Exactly, blind expansion will inevitably provoke unspeakable existences in the darkness. The only end for those who are too ambitious is destruction.""We had no choice."

Talynas clapped his hands and declared loudly, "Let's quickly discuss the details of our action plan, and make sure not to give ourselves away. Good times are still ahead of us."

"Exactly, Lord Talynas is absolutely right."

"May this absurd expedition fail quickly."

Amidst the noisy clamor, Talynas and Manolobana exchanged glances without leaving a trace, once again revealing smiles cold as ice water.

---

At the Holy Fire Sacrificial Grounds.

Horus watched the Holy Fire, still restless under the boiling spiritual energy, with great unease.

"This is bad... Why now of all times..."

"Can little Rode hold on?"

---

Within the mountains of the Dead End Range.

The Silver Oath.

Beneath the massive true silver ring, the leader of the Forbidden Arms gazed at the orders in his hand, silent for a long time before speaking.

"Mephisto, you go. I will amplify the bindings, but remember the oath and the curse seal upon you."

With those words, he vanished into the shadows.

A figure in a white robe, emblazoned with a ring, opened the massive silver door embedded in the mountain.

"Go, and do not forget, you must return by the full moon."

A slender figure departed.

---

At Kimberly Academy.

The secret base.

Headmaster Vila was discussing with Chief Instructor Soren.

Archbishop Horus had informed them of the relevant details; Rode was their pride, and supporting him was only natural.

However, the secret branch force could not be solely decided by Vila and Soren.

Apart from other instructors and teachers, Kimberly Academy and the Calier Troops also had a say.

Therefore, how to smoothly designate Star Town as a mission area for the secret branch was the problem they needed to consider most.

In the grand training field.

Kassan was training intensely with the new recruits, sweat soaking her training suit, outlining her exquisite figure, her dazzling blonde hair wet with sweat swinging in the air, reflecting specks of light.

My fists have become harder.

A fleeting sense of joy passed through Kassan's heart, but was quickly replaced by even more intense training.

Only one thought remained in her mind.

I need more power.

I must master the seed of wrath even more.

I must become stronger.

I want to fight alongside Rode!

Meanwhile, in a room below the training field.

Teresa, completely bare and without a thread, was immersed in a bright yellow solution, powerful spiritual energy flashing like lightning, stimulating her soul, and drawing her essence closer to its origin.

Teresa's brows were tightly furrowed, her spirit continuously striking against the barrier in the void that hindered her progress.

---

And Rode was unaware of all these conflicts.

At this moment, he was sitting in a carriage drawn by spirit horses, fully engrossed in absorbing more of the commander's knowledge that Molly was imparting to him.

Outside, there were dozens of larger carriages.

Atop each carriage was a brass lantern.

The flame flickered within the lanterns, dispelling the rolling black fog, illuminating their path ahead.

And so, the caravan moved mightily towards the depths of darkness.