It would appear Webnovel server got super delayed due to merging congestion. I am still posting chapters on daily reset time, but you may not see them appear in your library right away.
I can't do anything about it, just have patience :)
As always, Giliath demands your power stones!
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"Get Oz73 and Oz74 ready by February. Can it be done?", The brown-haired man asked the silver-haired man beside him, who was the active leader of the Gnomes and the leader of the Black Workshop, and also the current possessor of Alisa's supposedly dead father, Black Alberich. The brown-haired man was, of course, Giliath Osborne. His appearance was just as domineering as ever.
It was unknown the exact time frame Giliath first encountered Black Alberich, but it was likely after Black Alberich resurrected himself after his battle against Isola Millstein, and thus taking over Franz Reinford's body in the process. The only master Black Alberich served was Ishmelga, and therefore served Giliath, as Giliath was none other than Ishmelga's pilot. Despite how twisted Ishmelga was, at its core, it was still a Divine Knight, one of the seven that made the Great One.
Not known to many, the Divine Knights did actually possess a ranking in their strength, a tier system. Valimar, Ordine, Testa-Rossa, and Zector belonged to the lower tier of Divine Knights, while Argreion, El-Prado, and Ishmelga belonged to the upper tier. Just one Divine Knight belonging to the upper tier could easily wipe out a Divine Knight in the lower tier.
A great example of this was how easily Giliath controlled Rean at the end of Cold Steel III, even with his ogre powers overtaking Valimar. Ishmelga easily overpowered him, and successfully chained Rean and Valimar away. It would take two or three Divine Knights to try to take down one of the upper tiered Divine Knights.
There is potentially an exception to this, which was none other than the Divine Knight Naoto was currently in the process of obtaining, Testa-Rossa. Testa-Rossa possessed a vast amount of strength, and a unique ability that allowed it to use any weapon it so desired, it had no limits. Testa-Rossa could catch one of the upper tiered knights off-guard, depending on which weapons it used. It was a shame that it showed little to what this ability could attempt in the games. That was one reason why Naoto was trying to gain as many masteries that he could, despite his current target in strengthening his swordsmanship.
With that in mind, Black Alberich just addressed Giliath as 'Master', but that didn't seem to phase Professor Novartis one bit, or that he didn't care. Down the line, Giliath would successfully take over Ouroboros's Phantasmal Blaze Plan, but that didn't seem to bother Professor Novartis one bit, as he still prioritized the Thirteen Factories above all else. He was very much like Professor Schmidt in that regard.
It's just that Professor Novartis was way over his head, a mad scientist in every fashion. Professor Schmidt was still considered a piece of shit by most people he comes across, but Professor Schmidt was much more level-headed.
Black Alberich looked at Giliath with raised eyebrows as Professor Novartis disregarded the two's arrival, continuing to observe AI KeA with sparkles in his eyes.
"I can assure you it will be done, Master. But that's a little too soon, isn't it? Why by February?", Black Alberich couldn't help but ask again, still showing doubt in his eyes.
"Like I said, it is of little use to you for you to know. Just think of it as extra insurance.", Giliath responded, keeping his reasons vague to Black Alberich.
"...You want to use our perfected technology, just so they can be considered 'extra insurance'!? Have you gone crazy!?", Black Alberich shouted at Giliath.
"I often ask that of myself as of late, but it is all within purpose.", Giliath responded, looking back at Black Alberich's surprised look. It was at this time that Professor Novartis glanced their way with an interested look, after taking another moment to observe AI KeA, who was dangling her tiny feet over the examination table.
'Ahh, yes. You must be referring to the Infernal Castle's resurrection, Chancellor. Quite the place of fantasy, I must say. But do not worry. Things are already in motion and I can assure you Ouroboros will not interfere in the process. We too have our own plans in place to see the rise of that splendor. That much I can assure you.", Professor Novartis explained, taking a moment to dust his knees off, stretching his limbs. He then approached the two, and welcomed the Chancellor and Black Alberich.
As he did, AI KeA tilted her head to the side, appearing confused, but doing that motion also made her appear cute.
"Infernal Castle?", AI KeA doubtfully asked. It was a term she hadn't come across before.
"That is reassuring to hear, Professor.", Giliath responded with a nod of his head. As he said that, Black Alberich frowned.
"The Infernal Castle...So the words we heard last night weren't just empty air then. That boy really must be planning to give rise to that accursed place. Is that why you are in such a rush to prepare Oz73 and Oz74...?", Black Alberich questioned himself. He didn't truly doubt Giliath's choice, he just wanted more of an explanation.
"You catch on quick, Alberich. The Infernal Castle should rise in a month's time, so that is why the schedule is tight. Still, even you must wonder who that boy is, yes?", Giliath asked the silver-haired man.
"Isn't he of Liberl's royalty? Why is he of any concern to us? Wait...", Black Alberich began to say, only to have gears start cranking inside his head. "Wait, if this truly is the Infernal Castle we're talking about, he should have no reason to care for such a place. Just what connection does he have to it?", Black Alberich continued.
"A family lost in time. The boy's blood mixed the worst of what you can imagine. But that doesn't sway the fact that he is still my son.", Giliath answered, dropping the ball on Black Alberich. Surprise remained in his eyes.
"That boy...is of your own kin? Surely you must be joking.", Black Alberich retorted back at him.
"The Chancellor is many things, but a liar is not one of them. He is telling the truth, I'm afraid. That boy not only has the power to bring the Infernal Castle back to the surface, he also has the power to control it.", Professor Novartis further explained.
"Why does it not surprise me you know about him?", Giliath said, rolling his eyes at Professor Novartis.
"I'm sorry, Chancellor. It is true Professor Novartis found out about Naoto's disposition, but I can assure you the Professor means no harm. If it is of any help, he has been tight-lipped on it. The last thing I want to bring to Naoto is disturbance to his current lifestyle.", Another voice called out to the group. Shortly after, a fiery-blue magic circle suddenly appeared inside the lab room everyone was present in.
Before long, a short-statured, green-haired girl, as well as a blue-red, haired man with a very lazy look in his eyes appeared. AI KeA's eyes lit up seeing the green-haired girl arrive. She lifted her body off the table with the use of her wings, flying toward the green-haired girl, and landed on her shoulder.
"You're back, KeA.", AI KeA happily responded.
"Hehe, this is pretty weird, but it is nice to see you again. I hope the Professor hasn't been hard on you.", KeA responded, greeting the little pixie.
"Nuh-uh, we just got to know each other!", KeA responded, welcoming her.
"So this is what you've been up to, eh kid? This little fairy really does look like you.", The blue-red haired man responded.
"It is very nice to see you again, No. One. Thank you for your continued assistance in safeguarding the Zero Child.", Professor Novartis greeting Ouroboros's Enforcer No. I. Of course, he was McBurn. Ever since he held the fake? Emperor at bay back at Roer the night Naoto battled Ace, he has been with this green-haired girl beside him, making sure no harm came to her.
KeA was set to fall back into a deep sleep, but she was still awake at this time. She has been pretty drowsy as of late, so it may not be too much longer to where McBurn has to look after KeA. KeA hoped to see Naoto's plan play out successfully before she got completely sealed back up inside the Cradle.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't put a lid on it, Professor. I didn't think I'd find myself here in the Black Workshop of all places though.", McBurn responded, twisting his neck around as it appeared stiff.
"Hmph. More like a bunch of unwelcome guests if you ask me. Just get your research on with it and leave my sight. I have no time to waste on you people if I'm to expedite the homunculi that are in the process of being created.", Black Alberich said with a scoff.
KeA blinked her eyes as she looked toward Giliath and Black Alberich.
"You really are intending to bring those two in then, Chancellor.", KeA asked as she blinked her eyes, showing interest.
"Yes. That shouldn't interfere with anything, should it, Zero Child?", Giliath asked KeA. KeA pondered to herself for a moment, becoming silent, before answering him.
"No, I don't think it will.", KeA said, shaking her head as she considered the possibilities. She then turned toward Mcburn again. "Do you think you can escort those two to Naoto's side when they're ready, McBurn?", KeA asked.
"Seriously? The Grandmaster specifically told me to guard you, kid. I ain't no escort wagon.", McBurn responded back, taking a moment to yawn.
"Consider it the one task I give you, McBurn. I am getting a bit restless as of late. You protecting me won't be going on for much longer, so please?", KeA asked. McBurn saw the serious look in her eyes.
"Fine. You'll be going back to sleep anyways, so it's not like I need to wait much longer. Plus I hear he's been training. I kinda want to see if he's gotten any stronger.", McBurn responded, revealing a playful grin.
"Haha, if you do, don't go too hard on him.", Giliath also said with a rare laugh as he observed McBurn. He then glanced back at Black Alberich. "As you can see, things are in motion, so any more complaints will be treated as empty air. Give me an estimate, and I'll give you the resources you need to finish it.", Giliath said, causing Black Alberich.
"Understood, Master. I shall take my leave for the time being.", Black Alberich responded, proceeding to bow. He left for the same corridor he came from, and the door closed again after it hissed. This left Giliath, Professor Novartis, KeA, AI KeA, and McBurn behind. AI KeA was mostly confused about what was happening around her, but it looks like she will be spending her time here for the time being.
Yet what most folks didn't know was that the model numbers of the homunculi, Oz73 and Oz74 were two very special model numbers.
They were the model numbers that belonged to Millium Orion and Altina Orion.
Two leading characters that would eventually join old and new Class VII respectively in the coming years.
It would appear Giliath displayed intent in waking Millium and Altina up earlier than what has been scheduled...
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I know I did a poll a long time ago asking you all to choose between Millium and Altina...
And well. Why not both?
:D