Chapter 1058

Absolute Zone Zero

「So this is what Heichi creations are……」 Liuyin looked meaningfully at the rabbit senior beside her, 「Senior Xiao Zhao, these monsters' brains actually have an organization similar to a 'core', huh. 」

「Hmm, I'm afraid they're like the Shrouds—if you can effectively strike the 'core', you can kill them. But the key lies in the origin of these Heichi creations. 」 Zhao stroked her fluffy cheeks, wearing a serious expression, 「Are they monsters born from Heichi itself, or like the ether erosion in the Hollows, transformed from human bodies? 」

「If that's the case, then once Heichi completely engulfs the Tree Court, all its scholars will become part of the Heichi monsters, thereby threatening Aohema. 」

「Tsk tsk tsk……」 Liuyin propped her chin on one hand, letting out a series of sighs, 「Can the Golden Descendants' 'Recreation of the World' really save Wolflis? But the oracle never said Recreation of the World could instantly solve Heichi? If it follows TOPS's style, they'd probably have me and Senior Xiao Zhao go deep into the Heichi center for investigation. 」

「Liuyin, that place is far more dangerous than the Hollows—sending any living thing in is just a death sentence. To uncover the truth of Heichi, we must deploy the anti‑Hollow robots. Perhaps only inorganic life can explore that life‑forbidden zone, or… use more cutting‑edge technology to analyze Heichi substance. 」

Having said that, Zhao let out a light sigh: 「…However, Wolflis's technology should be insufficient to support overly complex technology. 」

「But Senior Xiao Zhao, who knows? 」 Liuyin smiled sweetly, raising a finger, 「I'll give an example: Wolflis's medical technology. If Senior truly measured Wolflis's tech against ancient times, then a medical technology to 'repair human tissue fibrosis' couldn't appear. Either Fengjin wields divine power akin to Abundance, or Wolflis's medical level far surpasses its era……otherwise it would be nearly impossible to heal that wounded person. 」

「Senior Xiao Zhao, I gave that example just to say Wolflis's technology isn't as backward as you imagine. Whether it's the stone tablet for communication, photography, or cutting‑edge medicine—none of those could possibly appear in an ancient civilization. 」

——

「Tipao's face turned white with a "whoosh": 「Tree Court? Could it be…? 」」

「Aglaea nodded: 「If we count the time, Xiachie and the others should have arrived by now. 」」

「Suddenly Tipao received a message from Tipan: just as Aglaea had guessed, the Tree Court had already been invaded by Heichi creations. Through the golden thread, she could temporarily sense no survivors. 」

「Tipao panicked at once: 「…What, what should we do, Ya? 」」

「「The Heichi threat has indeed intensified—I never expected the Tree Court to be the first hit. 」 Aglaea asked, 「Can they sense where the fire seed is now? 」」

「「Hmm……」 Tipao closed her eyes, straining to link with Tipan's vision, and soon had an answer: 「*We* saw… the fire seed is still there, but…… but…… they can't confirm whether the Titan has also been infected by Heichi…」」

「Aglaea let out a deep sigh: 「Ah……」」

「「The top priority is to quickly confirm and transfer the fire seed, search for survivors, to clarify the whole story of the Tree Court disaster… just relay that to them. Also——please be sure to confirm Kesha's whereabouts. Barring any mishap, he must still be alive. 」」

「「They've set off. May everyone be safe…」」

「Aglaea lifted her gaze to the distance: 「…I hope so. 」」

「Tipao scratched her head in confusion: 「Besides, Ya, how do you know Kesha is still alive? 」」

「「I know his nature all too well. If this profane god's 'Grand Performer' knew his days were numbered, he'd surely set his sights on the fire seed, having the Titan bury himself with him. 」」

——

A Certain Scientific Railgun

「Huh? Have the Titan bury himself with him? 」

Even though she knows each character, reading them together leaves Kuroko Shirai feeling utterly unfamiliar. Is this the kind of thinking a "teacher" should have?

The black‑haired twin‑tailed girl frowned, then pressed her temples with her index finger. She suddenly felt her view of the Wolflis people was overly conservative.

「A profane god's 'Grand Performer'? Sounds more like a circus performer. 」

Mikoto frowned slightly; based on those people's earlier descriptions, Kesha's image in her mind had undergone a complete transformation—though the Kesha in the sky had only one eye, his seated pose under the tree was remarkably handsome and refined, making one wonder if that appearance could be feigned.

「It's probably like a mad‑scientist type." Ruiko lowered her voice, deliberately putting on a mysterious, scary look, 「A scientist's essential quality is doubt; when doubt matches his own ability proportionally, it spawns madness just like in the movies…… Perhaps several of Aohema's demigods have already been turned into his experimental subjects, even the Titan. 」

「Make the Titan an experimental subject? The only Titan residing in the Tree Court is probably Sechys, right? Would they willingly cooperate with Kesha? 」

Even though the rational Titan is one of the few Titans siding with humanity, treating oneself like a lab rat for human experiments…… is still too abstract.

——

「「Is this also… a joke? 」」

「「No, this time it's serious. 」 Aglaea let out a deep sigh, her face grave with unspoken heaviness, 「Internal strife and external threats—though the brutal slaughter has ceased, Aohema's arch‑enemy has been honing its blades right before our eyes…… now they may have already prepared a noose for us. 」」

「Tipao: 「What you're saying is……」」

「「Even if the god of strife's authority is suspended, this black tidal wave coming so swiftly is suspect… I guess this tragedy isn't merely a natural disaster. Unfortunately, now that it's happened, the Senate will likely exploit the situation… I'll try to block the news as much as possible; you too must stay alert, to forestall trouble. 」」

「Tipao nodded: 「Hmm. Then… should we also tell Xiao Fengjin? 」」

「「Let's wait… she's been performing surgery nonstop and is utterly exhausted. I don't want her crushed by this sudden misfortune. 」 Aglaea said in a low voice, 「Master, judging only by that patient's condition, we should prepare for the worst…… unless he fights his way out, the Tree Court is likely to suffer more losses than gains. 」」