Chapter 224

Hum~~~

"Hum~~~"

Thus 【1】 "Hum~~~". But we need to output 【1】 Hum~~~ (without extra quotes?). The line is just the sound effect; we can output the sound effect itself. I'll output: Hum~~~.

Let's decide: We'll output the sound effect as is: Hum~~~.

In the underground chamber of Swan Castle, the air twisted in a spiral, and a figure gradually emerged.

Translate: "In the underground chamber of Swan Castle, the air twisted in a spiral, and a figure gradually emerged." Need to keep meaning. Let's produce: "In the underground chamber of Swan Castle, the air twisted in a spiral, and a figure gradually emerged."

In the underground chamber of Swan Castle, the air twisted in a spiral and a figure gradually emerged.

In the underground secret chamber of Swan Castle, the air twisted in a spiral, and gradually a figure emerged.

It was Luosen returning from the Nawate Plane.

It was Luosen returning from the Nawate Plane.

Aside from his clothes, Luosen brought almost nothing this time, leaving his internal mana at about thirty percent or more.

Aside from his clothes, Luosen brought almost nothing this time, leaving his internal mana at about thirty percent or more.

This time, aside from his clothes, Luosen brought almost nothing, so his internal mana was left at about thirty percent or more.

After the transmission, he immediately configured the chamber, temporarily disabling its phase transfer lock and installing a phase transfer beacon.

After the transmission, he immediately configured the chamber, temporarily disabling its phase transfer lock and installing a phase transfer beacon.

After a few minutes, the beacon flickered slightly, and the spiral distortion in the air reappeared.

Translate: "After waiting a few minutes, the beacon glowed faintly, and the spiral distortion in the air reappeared." Output: "After a few minutes, the beacon glowed faintly, and the spiral distortion in the air reappeared."

Another figure then emerged.

Translate: "Another figure emerged." Output: "Another figure emerged."

Seconds later, the figure solidified into the Mother of Nature, Ziegreilana.

Translate: "After a few seconds, the figure solidified, and it was none other than Mother Nature, Qi Ge Rui La Na." Output: "After a few seconds, the figure solidified, revealing Mother Nature, Qi Ge Rui La Na."

Luosen could sense that her internal mana was almost completely depleted, at most less than fifty percent.

Translate: "Luosen could feel that the other's internal mana was almost completely exhausted, at most less than half." Output: "Luosen could feel that the other's internal mana was almost completely exhausted, at most less than half."

In terms of total mana expenditure, hers was significantly less than his.

Translate: "In terms of the absolute total mana expenditure, the other was considerably less than himself." Output: "In terms of absolute mana expenditure, the other was considerably less than his own."

The reason is simple: transferring matter, soul, and even mana itself consumes mana.

Translate: "The reason is simple: transferring matter, soul, and even mana itself through phase shift consumes mana." Output: "The reason is simple: transferring matter, soul, and even mana itself through phase shift consumes mana."

As a legendary soul, Luosen's phase transfer naturally consumes far more mana.

Translate: "Luosen is a legendary soul, so the consumption of phase transfer is naturally much greater." Output: "Luosen is a legendary soul, so the phase transfer consumption is naturally much greater."

Initially, when he entered Nawate wielding the Crystal Torrent Staff, he did not pre-charge the staff.

Translate: "Back then, when he entered Nawate carrying the Crystal Torrent Staff, he did not give the staff a prior charge." Output: "When he first entered Nawate wielding the Crystal Torrent Staff, he did not give it a prior charge."

Because if the staff were fully powered, the transfer would consume enormous additional mana and cause tremendous shock to the soul.

Translate: "Because if it were fully powered, the transfer would consume enormous additional mana, and the process would cause tremendous shock to the soul." Output: "Because if it were fully powered, the transfer would consume enormous additional mana and cause tremendous shock to the soul."

Upon arriving at the destination, not only would his stored mana be nearly exhausted, but the damage to his soul would also increase greatly.

Translate: "Upon arriving at the destination, not only would the stored mana be nearly depleted, but the damage to the soul would also increase greatly." Output: "Upon arriving at the destination, the stored mana would be nearly depleted, and the damage to the soul would greatly increase."

Getting back to the point.

Translate: "Getting back to the point." Output: "Getting back to the point."

After Ziegreilana appeared, side effects of excessive mana consumption emerged.

Translate: "After Qi Ge Rui La Na appeared, side effects of excessive mana consumption occurred." Output: "After Qi Ge Rui La Na appeared, side effects of excessive mana consumption occurred."

She felt dizzy and unbalanced, almost about to fall.

Translate: "She felt dizzy and unbalanced, almost about to fall." Output: "She felt dizzy and unbalanced, almost about to fall."

Luosen certainly wouldn't stand by; he rushed a few steps forward and grabbed Ziegreilana in his arms.

Translate: "Luosen certainly wouldn't stand by; he rushed over a few steps and grabbed her in his arms." Output: "Luosen certainly wouldn't stand by; he rushed over a few steps and grabbed her in his arms."

Ziegreilana's body trembled slightly, but she did not break free.

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na's body trembled slightly, but she did not break free." Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na's body trembled slightly, but she did not break free."

Thus, the two stood motionless in the middle of the chamber.

Translate: "Thus, the two stood motionless in the middle of the chamber." Output: "Thus, the two stood motionless in the middle of the chamber."

Luosen, of course, was not idle either.

Translate: "Luosen was certainly not idle either." Output: "Luosen was certainly not idle either."

He called upon his faith power, slowly infusing it into Ziegreilana's soul to restore her expended strength.

Translate: "He drew upon the power of faith, slowly infusing it into Qi Ge Rui La Na's soul to restore her expended strength." Output: "He drew upon the power of faith, slowly infusing it into Qi Ge Rui La Na's soul to restore her expended strength."

Ziegreilana instinctively wanted to resist, but soon felt the power was pure and gentle, with a faintly familiar sensation, so she let it flow into her body.

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na instinctively wanted to refuse, but she soon felt the power was pure and gentle, with a faintly familiar sensation, so she let it flow into her body." Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na instinctively wanted to refuse, but she soon felt the power was pure and gentle, with a faintly familiar sensation, so she let it flow into her body."

She soon began to feel strange.

Translate: "Soon she began to wonder." Output: "Soon she began to wonder."

With her eighth-ring power sensitivity, she could not discern the subtle differences between faith power, soul power, and spell power, so she could not understand Luosen's method.

Translate: "With her eight-ring sensitivity to power, she could not discern the subtle differences between faith power, soul power, and ring power, so she could not understand Luosen's method." Output: "With her eight-ring sensitivity to power, she could not discern the subtle differences between faith power, soul power, and ring power, so she could not understand Luosen's method."

She couldn't help but ask, "Duke, what kind of power is this?"

Translate: "She couldn't help asking, 'Duke, what kind of power is this?'" Output: "She couldn't help asking, 'Duke, what kind of power is this?'"

Luosen did not hide it either, since it couldn't be concealed, and she would soon notice the anomaly of the Natural Church.

Translate: "Luosen did not hide it either, because it couldn't be concealed; the other would soon notice the anomaly of the Natural Church." Output: "Luosen did not hide it either, because it couldn't be concealed; the other would soon notice the anomaly of the Natural Church."

Faith power.

Translate: "\"The power of faith. \"" Output: "\"The power of faith. \""

Ziegreilana is extremely intelligent and exceptionally knowledgeable; she quickly guessed it.

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na is extremely intelligent and exceptionally knowledgeable; after a moment's thought she guessed it." Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na is extremely intelligent and exceptionally knowledgeable; after a moment's thought she guessed it."

She lowered her gaze to look at the True Name Beacon Ring on Luosen's hand.

Translate: "She lowered her gaze to look at the True Name Marker Ring on Luosen's hand." Output: "She lowered her gaze to look at the True Name Marker Ring on Luosen's hand."

Is this faith power provided by the Natural Church?

Translate: "\"Is this the power of faith provided by the Natural Church? \"" Output: "\"Is this the power of faith provided by the Natural Church? \""

Exactly.

Translate: "\"That's right. \"" Output: "\"That's right. \""

She was even more surprised: "There's this much?"

Translate: "She found it even stranger: 'Is there really that much?'" Output: "She found it even stranger: 'Is there really that much?'"

She had previously sensed the effect of faith power faintly, but it was minimal, negligible, and had been dwindling year after year to the point of being almost ignorable.

Translate: "Before, she had vaguely sensed the effect of faith power, but it was minuscule, negligible, and dwindling year by year to the point of being almost ignorable." Output: "Before, she had vaguely sensed the effect of faith power, but it was minuscule, negligible, and dwindling year by year to the point of being almost ignorable."

Luosen smiled slightly: "Lana, I'll explain it in detail later, but for now we need to discuss the future fate of the Natural Alliance."

Translate: "Luosen smiled faintly: 'La Na, I'll explain in detail later, but for now we need to discuss the future fate of the Natural Alliance.'" Output: "Luosen smiled faintly: 'La Na, I'll explain in detail later, but for now we need to discuss the future fate of the Natural Alliance.'"

This is important; Ziegreilana nodded: "Go ahead."

Translate: "This is a major matter; Qi Ge Rui La Na nodded: 'Go ahead.'" Output: "This is a major matter; Qi Ge Rui La Na nodded: 'Go ahead.'"

Luosen said solemnly: "This trip to Nawate brought us enormous gains, but the cost is also significant."

Translate: "Luosen said solemnly: 'This expedition to Nawate brought us enormous gains, but the cost was not small either.'" Output: "Luosen said solemnly: 'This expedition to Nawate brought us enormous gains, but the cost was not small either.'"

In the Nawate Republic, there will surely be those who try to prevent me from attaining a higher status on the Withe Continent.

Translate: "\"In the Nawate Republic, there will surely be someone who tries to stop me from gaining higher status on the White Continent. \"" Output: "\"In the Nawate Republic, there will surely be someone who tries to stop me from gaining higher status on the White Continent. \""

Ziegreilana was somewhat puzzled.

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na was somewhat puzzled." Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na was somewhat puzzled."

"Why? What does our plane's affairs have to do with Nawate?"

Translate: "\"Why? What does our plane's affairs have to do with Nawate? \"" Output: "\"Why? What does our plane's affairs have to do with Nawate? \""

"Could it be that Nawate intends to seize you and take you back by force?"

Translate: "\"Could it be that Nawate intends to seize you and take you back by force? \"" Output: "\"Could it be that Nawate intends to seize you and take you back by force? \""

If that were the case, it would completely break relations.

Translate: "If that were the case, it would utterly break relations." Output: "If that were the case, it would utterly break relations."

Moreover, it would be very difficult to accomplish.

Translate: "Moreover, it would be very difficult to accomplish." Output: "Moreover, it would be very difficult to accomplish."

After all, Luosen is a duke lord, and the other side could not bring too many people, nor could they carry powerful magical devices.

Translate: "After all, Luosen is a Duke Lord, and the other side could not bring too many people, nor could they carry powerful magical devices." Output: "After all, Luosen is a Duke Lord, and the other side could not bring too many people, nor could they carry powerful magical devices."

As long as we set up a binding magic circle to prevent sneak attacks and build a phase-transfer detection device, once we detect someone entering the plane, we can immediately send troops to surround and annihilate them easily.

Translate: "As long as we set up an imprisonment magic array to prevent sneak attacks and build a phase transfer detection device, upon detecting anyone entering the plane we can immediately send troops to surround and annihilate them easily." Output: "As long as we set up an imprisonment magic array to prevent sneak attacks and build a phase transfer detection device, upon detecting anyone entering the plane we can immediately send troops to surround and annihilate them easily."

Luosen leaned close to her delicate ear and whispered: "Because the Radiant Empire and Nawate have maintained close cooperation, their aid to Nawate is far greater than ours."

Translate: "Luosen gently leaned close to her delicate ear and whispered: 'Because the Radiant Empire and Nawate have maintained close cooperation, the Empire's aid to Nawate is far greater than ours.'" Output: "Luosen gently leaned close to her delicate ear and whispered: 'Because the Radiant Empire and Nawate have maintained close cooperation, the Empire's aid to Nawate is far greater than ours.'"

"In that situation, if the Radiant Empire feels threatened by us and seeks help from Nawate, do you think Nawate would just stand by?"

Translate: "\"In that case, if the Radiant Empire senses our threat and asks Nawate for help, do you think Nawate would just stand by? \"" Output: "\"In that case, if the Radiant Empire senses our threat and asks Nawate for help, do you think Nawate would just stand by? \""

Ziegreilana was greatly shaken, because she knew Luosen was right.

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na was greatly shaken, for she knew Luosen was right." Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na was greatly shaken, for she knew Luosen was right."

Her only doubt was how Luosen knew this.

Translate: "Her only doubt was how Luosen knew this." Output: "Her only doubt was how Luosen knew this."

Sensing her doubt, Luosen voluntarily explained.

Translate: "Luosen sensed her doubt and voluntarily explained." Output: "Luosen sensed her doubt and voluntarily explained."

"I saw many pieces of knowledge from the Radiant Empire in the Hall of Wisdom, and they are all extremely valuable."

Translate: "\"I saw much knowledge from the Radiant Empire in the Hall of Wisdom, and it was all extremely precious. \"" Output: "\"I saw much knowledge from the Radiant Empire in the Hall of Wisdom, and it was all extremely precious. \""

"This shows that their cooperation is deep."

Translate: "\"This is sufficient to show that their cooperation is deep. \"" Output: "\"This is sufficient to show that their cooperation is deep. \""

Ziegreilana immediately understood and asked: "What should we do now?"

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na immediately understood and asked: 'What should we do now?'" Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na immediately understood and asked: 'What should we do now?'"

"I left a hidden hand in Nawate, but that's not enough; we must also accelerate the unification of the Natural Alliance."

Translate: "\"I left a hidden hand in Nawate, but that's not enough. We must also speed up the unification of the Natural Alliance. \"" Output: "\"I left a hidden hand in Nawate, but that's not enough. We must also speed up the unification of the Natural Alliance. \""

As they spoke, Luosen tightened his arms slightly, holding the beautiful and shy Mother of Nature close.

Translate: "As they spoke, Luosen tightened his arms slightly, holding the beautiful and shy Mother Nature close in his embrace." Output: "As they spoke, Luosen tightened his arms slightly, holding the beautiful and shy Mother Nature close in his embrace."

"I cannot do this alone; I need your help."

Translate: "\"This cannot be done by me alone; I need your help. \"" Output: "\"This cannot be done by me alone; I need your help. \""

Ziegreilana's cheeks were already flushed like fire; she shifted uneasily and said: "I will certainly help you with all my strength, but I am only an eighth-ring mage—how can I help?"

Translate: "Qi Ge Rui La Na's cheeks were already flushed like fire; she shifted uneasily and said, 'I will certainly help with all my strength, but I am only an eight-ring mage—how can I help?'" Output: "Qi Ge Rui La Na's cheeks were already flushed like fire; she shifted uneasily and said, 'I will certainly help with all my strength, but I am only an eight-ring mage—how can I help?'"

Luosen had already thought it through; he leaned close to the Mother of Nature's ear and softly outlined his plan.

Translate: "Luosen had already thought it through; he leaned close to Mother Nature's ear and softly outlined his plan." Output: "Luosen had already thought it through; he leaned close to Mother Nature's ear and softly outlined his plan."

The more he listened, the more astonished the latter became; by the end, his face was full of an incredulous expression.

"I can hardly believe that such a thing exists in the world. With so many followers, is it really possible to respond to each one individually?"

Luosen smiled faintly and said half‑jokingly, "Mortals can't do it, nor can legendary mages, but by combining a legendary mana crystal with a puppet, it might be possible!"

"You know, our Iron Clan excels at forging puppets, and I have taken Puppet Art to its extreme."

"To develop the Natural God Cult, I created a faith‑management puppet specifically to answer believers' prayers, and it will, via the faith channel, grant small mind spells to some devout church pillars."

"The effect is excellent; it greatly boosts the Natural God Cult's influence among the people, and the faith power it gathers has increased enormously."

He naturally wouldn't reveal Laifu's existence, but Laifu's abilities can be partially reproduced with current magical knowledge.

And with the resources the Duke controls, he is fully capable of doing this.

Thus, Qi Ge Rui La Na is ninety percent convinced, and she finds Luosen's imagination unbelievably rich—he can devise such inconceivable ideas; simply, he doesn't seem like a mortal at all.

She is also quite shy, because in Luosen's plan, Luosen will become the Emperor of the Natural Empire, and she will become the Empress of the Natural Empire.

Although she doesn't reject Luosen and greatly admires the young mage's talent—and may even like him a bit—she feels a constant nervousness, a vague, indescribable anxiety.

Luosen is such a person that, by seeing Qi Ge Rui La Na's demeanor, he knows she has fully agreed in her heart; the hesitant expression is mostly the maiden's modesty.

Even after witnessing it countless times, never having experienced it personally, she naturally feels uneasy.

That's human nature. Faced with this situation, he has two strategies.

First, like a roller coaster, he would take the other straight into the wild world of adults.

Second, a gradual, step‑by‑step approach, letting things flow naturally.

The former progresses rapidly but can easily backfire, suitable for passionate, bold girls, such as Alice.

The latter is slower but steady and comfortable, fitting modest, shy girls, like the Mother Nature before him.

Qi Ge Rui La Na is an extremely important being, directly affecting whether Luosen can smoothly unify the Natural Alliance, so he intends to devote some effort, simmering slowly.

Then, he lowered his head and kissed Qi Ge Rui La Na on the cheek.

Qi Ge Rui La Na was slightly startled, her eyes widened, and she instinctively raised her hand to push him away, but without much force.

She pushed a few times without succeeding, then allowed Luosen to be frivolous, thinking to herself, "Just consider this intimacy between friends."

Luosen kept kissing, and then kissed her lips.

Qi Ge Rui La Na's whole body jolted violently, and she raised her hand to push again.

While pushing, she whispered telepathically, "Duke, let me go, I—I'm not ready yet."

A cheek kiss can count as friendly intimacy, but lips are for lovers; she could find no excuse to convince herself otherwise.

Although she found the tingling sensation on her lips strange and wonderful, the feeling was equally unfamiliar, and she was uncomfortable with it.

Luosen felt it was enough; if he went further, the other might, like a startled cat, "whoosh" away and be gone for a long time.

So he paused his advance, but didn't loosen his arm as she wished, replying telepathically, "Sorry, miss, I couldn't hold back for a moment."

Seeing Luosen stop, Qi Ge Rui La Na's nervousness eased considerably, and she ceased resisting, curling up in Luosen's embrace like a cat, motionless.

The simple feeling of being embraced was still pleasant, giving her a sense of protected safety.

After a quiet moment, her mood fully relaxed, and she said softly, "I personally agree to be Empress of the Natural Empire, but this matter is huge; I can't decide alone."

"I also need to meet my parents and my grandfather. Especially my grandfather—only if he nods can this truly happen."

Luosen raised an eyebrow slightly, "Is Divine Might Heavenly Father still alive?"

Divine Might Heavenly Father is the founder of the Natural God Cult.

Although he only possesses Nine Rings' power, he is an extraordinarily remarkable figure; even against the Lord of Radiance, he wields great deterrence.

In mythic novels, Divine Might Heavenly Father and the Lord of Radiance have clashed many times. Overall, Divine Might Heavenly Father is at a disadvantage, yet the Lord of Radiance cannot act as he wishes.

This is clearly reflected in the current geopolitical layout of the Natural Alliance and the Radiant Nations.

Although Luosen doesn't know why a Nine Rings mage like Divine Might Heavenly Father is so powerful, strength is strength; respecting facts allows better progress.

For safety, he naturally maintains a respectful attitude toward Divine Might Heavenly Father.

Since he is still alive, he cannot be ignored.

Qi Ge Rui La Na also gave a clear answer: "He is currently asleep, but can sleep at most another twenty years. If he awakens, only half a year remains."

Indeed, time is short; the hero is waning.

By contrast, the Lord of Radiance, a Ten Rings mage, still has plenty of waking time left.

In a sense, the Lord of Radiance never truly defeated Divine Might Heavenly Father; he merely starved the old hero to death.

After careful deliberation, Luosen formed a plan.

"If he can ascend to Ten Rings, he could stay awake for at least another thirty years."

In his view, Divine Might Heavenly Father being alive is better than dead; alive, he can draw fire, whereas dead, Luosen would have to face the Radiant Empire alone.

"Can he?" Qi Ge Rui La Na asked with surprise.

Grandfather, with Nine Rings' power, is immensely strong; if he ascends to Ten Rings, the Natural divine system's situation would improve dramatically.

Luosen is also not very certain.

If Divine Might Heavenly Father's cultivation efficiency is only slightly below that needed for Ten Rings, a little help from him could succeed; if the gap is large, he cannot now.

But this is temporary.

Having obtained so much precious knowledge this time, once fully studied, it should reveal a new way to break through the barrier.

Finally, he has another hidden consideration.

If Divine Might Heavenly Father can ascend to Ten Rings, Luosen could even use a legendary mana crystal to aid his legendary ascent, letting him confront the Lord of Radiance, the long‑entangled old adversary.

But this would raise a problem.

Heroes like Divine Might Heavenly Father cannot be controlled by others.

After gaining legendary power, he might go after the Lord of Radiance, but could also turn to suppress his own 'usurper.'

Thus, unless he masters the power to suppress a typical legend, rashly elevating Divine Might Heavenly Father would only cause trouble for himself.

Therefore, facing Qi Ge Rui La Na's eager expectation, he said, "I can't give a full guarantee; after all, Grandfather is old and may not endure the strain."

My idea is that after I fully absorb the knowledge I gained this time and find a safe and reliable method, we will then go see grandfather, so as not to get excited for nothing.

This proposal is rigorous and safe, without any flaw.

Qi Ge Rui La Na nodded repeatedly: "Okay, let's do that."

Luosen saw she was happy, took the opportunity to step closer: "This job isn't easy, miss, shouldn't you give me a little reward?"

What reward do you want?

Luosen stared at her charming red lips.

Qi Ge Rui La Na pursed her lips, slightly tilted her head back, and closed her eyes.

She consented.

After their exchange, Qi Ge Rui La Na almost went limp in Luosen's arms.

Luosen then seriously brought up the second matter: "Dear, the fewer people who know about the faith management puppet, the better."

"Before things mature, it's best that only the two of us know, to avoid shocking the church."

Qi Ge Rui La Na nodded in agreement: "You're right."

Luosen continued: "Besides, the current faith puppet's abilities are far insufficient; after I digest this knowledge, I will design a completely new faith puppet."

"Regarding the doctrine of the Natural Church, we must make adjustments."

"We must obtain as much faith power as possible, and also meet the demands of the new era."

"Finally, if you're willing, you'll be responsible for maintaining the faith puppet; if you find it troublesome, I'll handle it myself."

This faith puppet can be considered a prototype of an artificial god.

At first, its function will definitely be very single, and its response will inevitably be very stiff.

But that's fine; initially it will only do simple work, the purpose being to conceal Laifu's existence.

The real work mainly relies on Laifu.

Qi Ge Rui La Na was very curious about the faith puppet: "Let me try it first."

Luosen secretly laughed: "This job is extremely tedious; I wonder how long you can endure."

(End of chapter)