Endless Debt

"In King Solomon's life there were countless great creations, but all of them were destroyed with the fall of the holy city."

Dua gently stroked the dark permanent metal, his words full of regret, and when the peripheral vision of his eyes swept over Lebius and others, he showed undisguised malice. It was the Chogardian Empire that joined forces with the Rhine League to destroy the Holy City.

"Brimstone and fire destroyed the sacred city, but it failed to destroy everything. No matter how the fire burns, there will eventually be some warm ashes left."

Dua's tone was deep. At this moment, he looked like a real scholar. His eyes contained sadness for the past history and the pursuit of knowledge.

"The Monks of Truth have some manuscripts of King Solomon in their internal collection, which record many of his great creations. For a long time, the work of the Monks of Truth has been to try to reproduce King Solomon's great creations based on the properties described in the manuscripts. .”

Boluogo said, "This thing... is one of the constant metals?"

Dua nodded in affirmation, "According to the description in King Solomon's manuscript, he created an 'absolute reality' metal, and then he named this metal constant metal."

Looking at the blank eyes of several people, Duva was anxious and bored. He wanted to find a research room immediately and start researching on constant metals and primitive things instead of endlessly explaining to these idiots.

"Let's recall some basics."

Dua sighed, "Ether is a strange energy that overflows in the world. Through the alchemical matrix implanted in the soul, the condensers drive the ether to achieve some effect that can distort reality.

For example, fireworks, thunder and lightning, shaping steel, freezing others, etc., all use ether as energy and break the laws of physics. In other words, the essence of our power is the distortion of reality. "

Dewar stopped talking, with a troubled look on his face, and tried to explain the power of the constant metal in terms that others could understand. "The power of 'absolute reality' will make the constant metal reject the distortion and influence of all forces." , and thus maintain the absolute reality of the essence.”

"Behold, no matter how we influence it, it will reject all forces of influence and repel all outside interference."

As he spoke, Duva pulled out a hammer from nowhere and hit it on the constant metal. This guy's action was so sudden that no one could react.

Sparks were flying, the sound of metal echoed, and Dua's arms were numb with shock, but the constant metal remained the same as before. It was not distorted by the ether or affected by physical attacks, and only maintained the original and absolutely real reality.

"Damn it, can you control yourself?"

Bologg stopped him. He probably knew the properties of constant metal. With Dua's madness towards the original things, he might really cut off Gauld's hand.

Boluogo noticed that the extended chain was tightly tied to Gauld's arm, "Wait a minute, if that's the case, how did Gauld wear it on his hand?"

Duva looked at Boluogo as if he were an idiot and asked, "Do you think there really is matter that is not affected by the outside world?"

"But as you said, it's not distorted by reality."

"It is only immune to reality distortion to a certain extent," Dua added. "Even King Solomon could not create something like that. Just like an absolute rigid body in the concept of physics, something that is completely immune to reality distortion is What doesn’t exist, and even if it exists, it’s only in theory.”

"As for how Gauld did it...it's just a collision between force and force. Ether and constant metal are like magnets of the same sex, repelling each other, but when your power suppresses the repulsion of constant metal, then you can Twist it.”

Listening to Dewar's explanation of the constant metal, Jeffrey didn't understand, "Then what's the use of making it?"

Judging from Jeffrey's knowledge, he can't think of any application of constant metal. After all, the only thing it can be stable and undisturbed is itself.

Jeffrey continued, "Or is it just the product of an accidental distortion like the snake scale liquid?"

Without waiting for Dua's answer, Lebius put forward his guess.

"Weapons and Shackles."

Lebius is keenly aware of the many application environments of constant metal. For example, warheads made of constant metal can ignore the influence of ether, just as if they are protected by the silence of ether, and can easily penetrate many protections.

As for the shackles, this application has been shown to several people. According to Dua, if you want to interfere with the constant metal, you need at least the power of the defender level, and such power is rare.

Du Wa shook his head. He was not very satisfied with the answers of several people. Then his eyes fell on Aimu. He was looking forward to what kind of answer Aimu, who was also an alchemist, would give.

"container."

Aimu thought for a moment and said, "A container used to avoid ether interference."

"Explain it," said Borogo.

Everyone here has only a superficial understanding of alchemy, and it is difficult for them to understand the professional and complex ideas of alchemists.

"Take gas as an example. There are many similarities between ether and gas. Gas fills everywhere in the world, and the air pressure is inconsistent in different areas. The same is true for ether. In some areas, the ether concentration is high, and in some areas, the ether concentration is low. The air will It oxidizes matter, and ether will also invade into matter and affect it. The Sublimator itself is the best proof of this."

Accompanied by the ether all year round, the ether will gradually transform the body of the condenser. When a person reaches the third stage of power, the etherification he can have is the most obvious.

Aimu's explanation was a bit too popular, which made Boluogo realize that etherification might also be regarded as a kind of "oxidation".

Aimu stepped forward and gently touched the surface of the constant metal. Her arms became illusory, trying to penetrate the constant metal, but just like before, a repulsive force came, rejecting Aimu's transgression.

"If some alchemical materials are in contact with ether for a long time, they themselves will be affected by ether to a certain extent, just like metals being oxidized. The scope of the impact is almost negligible, but the impact does exist."

Aimu said solemnly, "In rigorous research, such errors are absolutely not allowed. Usually these substances that easily react with the ether are placed under the conditions of the ether vacuum, but maintaining the ether vacuum requires a huge amount of money." resources, and the ether vacuum environment is easily affected by the outside world.”

Aimu was deeply touched by this. During an experiment, the concentration of ether in the outside world suddenly increased, which directly compressed the scope of the ether vacuum, leading to the failure of Aimu's experiment.

"But it's different with the constant metal. As long as it is used as a container, it can repel all the ether and maintain internal stability."

Like insects sealed in amber.

Dewar analyzed, "From this point of view, the original thing is likely to be a substance that easily reacts with ether, so King Solomon used it to protect it."

Lebius was silent for a while and nodded in recognition. Now that Dua gradually showed his value, he began to look forward to the subsequent analysis of the original thing.

"That is to say, we have to find another way to return to the Bureau of Order," Dua said directly to Lebius this time. "You must know that the door of the winding path itself is a distortion of reality that enters matter. We can easily step through it." The entrance is in progress, but the constant metal will definitely repel the door, rejecting the twisting of the winding path.”

Dewar used an analogy, "People go in, but the constant metal remains outside."

At this moment, some unsolved mysteries also had answers. When the tenth group was attacked, Gauld failed to bring the original object back to the Bureau of Order because the constant metal refused the distortion of reality. He could only carry it with him. Constant Metal ran away, looking for a way to return to the Bureau of Order.

Several people exchanged heatedly again, but no one noticed that on the smooth, mirror-like metal surface, tiny cracks were cracking out little by little at the location that Bologo had just touched.

Boluogo shook the constant metal, although the impact was almost zero. If you don't observe it with a lens, it is even difficult to see this microscopic change. But like the iron law of reality, it really happens and exists.

During the exchange, Duva's eyes also fell on Boluogo vaguely. He noticed the strangeness of Boluogo's secret power. Duva felt that he had seen similar power somewhere, but he could not remember it. .

…

Palmer's worldview collapsed twice in his life. The first time was during his coming-of-age ceremony. Palmer's dear old father told him with a smile on his face the dangers and dangers of the extraordinary world. At that time, he was young. Palmer was so frightened that he burst into tears on the spot and remained autistic for many days.

The second collapse of the worldview occurred when Palmer, after working for a period of time, encountered a cult sacrifice ceremony and was forced to become a debtor. Luck and bad luck played tricks on Palmer's life, kicking him like a mouse. Kick him away, no matter how young, frivolous and passionate he is, in the end he will only be left with the numbness after being played with.

If possible, Palmer felt that these two worldview collapses were enough. No matter whether he was mentally or physically, it would be difficult for him to withstand the impact of the third collapse. However, Palmer never expected that this day would come anyway. , still in this strange way.

Palmer sat beside Irwin's bed, like a miserable girl who had been let down. His voice was sobbing, his body was shaking, and his eyes were empty. He couldn't hold it anymore, but he still pretended to be strong and asked.

"So...his exit is just because you don't know how to write it, rather than because of any other deep meaning?"

"Yes," Irwin confirmed Palmer's words, "I was writing this character, but I just felt that the number of words was a bit insufficient, and I needed some characters to fill in the content. As for his exit, it was because he had too many story lines that I couldn't wrap up. Now that it’s clean, I don’t want to think about it anymore, so I might as well just leave.”

Palmer couldn't catch his breath and almost suffocated. If it weren't for the good physique of the believer, he really thought he would have a heart attack.

"Then the same is true for this plot? All the rare sweetness and warmth are just fake?"

"Oh? This part," Irwin scratched his head, "My editor said that young people nowadays like to watch family-friendly movies, so he asked me to write something like this, um... that's it."

Palmer clutched his chest and felt a twinge of angina, "Then... what about this part? You can't make this part up, right?"

Irwin said casually, "Not this part, but unfortunately, I should have been able to write this part better, but I was eager to submit the manuscript at the time, so I just made two strokes and submitted it."

Palmer fell completely silent. According to the plot of the novel, at this time he should have taken out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, then looked into the distance with a sad look, or hidden his face in pain.

"Oh... forget it, is this the difference between fantasy and reality?"

Palmer comforted himself and tried to let go of it all.

"Don't think too much about my friend, you don't need to ask me these things," Irwin could understand Palmer's mood at the moment. He had just used the same method to treat Cinderella, "Don't pay too much attention to my words, sometimes my answers It doesn’t mean everything.”

"But you are the author, those stories and characters are what you wrote!" Palmer wailed. Irwin's answer undoubtedly sentenced all his fantasies to death.

"No, you can't think like that," Irwin patted Palmer on the shoulder, "I've always felt that when an author writes a work, it no longer belongs to the author himself."

Palmer asked, "Are you referring to the copyright ownership of the work?"

Irwin was stunned for a moment, "Huh?"

Palmer didn't understand these things very well, "What about royalties, income, etc.?"

"No, no, I mean the right to interpret the work." Irwin was curious about Palmer's way of thinking. He is also a strange guy. "Compared to the author, I feel like I am more of a paraphrase. This The story does not belong to me, I just happened to fantasize about it, and when I relay my fantasy to you, the fantasy becomes independent of me.

From that moment on the author was dead. "

"My thoughts are not important, nor are my explanations. Just like a light has countless ways of describing it, and my words are just one of them."

Irwin smiled, "I have always felt that creation itself is a process of sharing, so readers are very important. Just like a beautiful performance, no matter how amazing it is, if there is no audience in the audience, it will become lonely and boring."

He then whispered, "Of course, readers' payment is also valuable."

Palmer probably understood what Irwin was saying, and he continued, "In other words, can I just treat your explanation just now as nonsense?"

"If it makes you feel better, I'm fine with it."

Palmer was silent for a while, and he clutched his chest and felt angina again. It was easy for Irwin to say it, but these damn words had been driven into Palmer's mind like nails.

He wanted to forget the conversation and preserve the innocent impression of the work, but it was clear that Palmer was unable to do so.

An eerie silence fell between the two, with Cinderella caught in the middle, fidgeting.

Palmer said meaningfully, "Then again, it's really surprising, Irwin."

In the past few days, Palmer has learned about Irwin's story from Nolen's mouth. This famous author has been secretly pursuing the knowledge of the extraordinary world for decades.

Palmer asked, "Just for creative inspiration?"

Irwin knew what he was asking, "What else?"

Palmer set his sights on Cinderella. According to Irwin, she was Irwin's niece, but the niece's name sounded weird.

Cinderella, this is a name from a fairy tale that Palmer has read.

Palmer asked, "What about her?"

Cinderella's good attitude has attracted the attention of Palmer. Although Palmer has all kinds of bad qualities, as an excellent employee of the Bureau of Order, he can still distinguish the order of things.

"It was an accident. I never thought I would be involved in something like this."

Irwin was telling the truth in this part. He simply wanted to meet Nolen, an old friend, but he was involved in the dispute between the Zongge Band and the Unbound Poetry Society.

Irwin added, "Besides, if you look at me like this, if I have any conspiracy... wouldn't I be sending myself to death?"

When Palmer thought about it carefully, it was indeed the case. Without his crucial rescue, Irwin would have almost died in the Paradise. Moreover, no matter how he thought about it, Palmer could not think of any sinister motives for Irwin. He is just an ordinary person, a pure ordinary person, let alone a condenser. Even the lowest devil is not something Irwin can deal with calmly.

Irwin asked, "What are you going to do with me?"

When he mentioned this, Irwin's breathing became tense. The friendly reader interaction was over, and the really important part had just begun.

Now Irvin is under house arrest on the Terror. His life and death are completely determined by these mysterious crystallizers. It is always very unsettling to leave one's fate to others.

Irwin asked, "Memory wipe? I remember this is your most common method."

"Hmm...I don't know."

Palmer shook his head, "That's the responsibility of the logistics department, but..."

Suddenly, Palmer's expression became sneaky, and he put his arm around Irvin's shoulders, acting like a good brother. Palmer's sudden enthusiasm made Irvin extremely uncomfortable, and then Palmer whispered to him. .

"Let's make a deal. As long as you promise me, I will find a way."

Palmer told Irwin about his request. Irwin was a little worried at first, and then his expression became strange. He frowned and looked at Palmer with a strange look.

Judging by the content of the request, Palmer is truly a fan.

Irwin sighed, "How strange..."

…

As night fell, Boluogo stood on the deck, looking at the scenery in the distance. Due to the storm, the lights in the Freeport were now dimmed a lot, like a large extinguished candle that kept swaying.

After repeated tests, the properties of the constant metal were confirmed. It is not affected by the force of the labyrinth, so it cannot pass through the door of the labyrinth. This most convenient means of movement becomes invalid.

Jeffrey proposed to gather the strength of several people to try to forcibly break the constant metal and leave directly with the original objects under the constant metal, but this proposal was strictly rejected by Dewar.

"Did you not hear me clearly? This is a container. An object that can be protected by metal with such special properties must be a substance that easily reacts with ether. Maybe the moment we open the constant metal, the original will be destroyed. thing!"

Dewar strongly requested to return to the sublimation furnace core before cutting the constant metal. His attitude was very firm. If he hadn't known about it in advance, Bologo would have thought that Dewar was also a member of the sublimation furnace core.

After a short period of thinking, a new plan was formulated. The special operations group would stay on the Terror for a while, waiting for reinforcements from the sixth group, the riot control operations group.

The arrival of this batch of reinforcements was expected by Boluogo. In the initial operation, the special operations group and the riot control operation group set off one after another. The riot control operation group attracted firepower for the special operations group, and attacked the periphery and control areas of the free port. The singing group fought for several days, and when the incident on the Paradise broke out, they were still resting in the wilderness.

After receiving information about the successful recovery of Gold and Constant Metal, the anti-riot operations team is moving closer to the Freeport. This time they will return to the Bureau of Order together with the special operations team to escort the operation.

This news made Boluoge feel relieved about his return journey. With such a group of Origin School condensers, their strength would not only be greatly increased, but just by relying on Yas's silence and prohibition, they could make the enemy suffer. It's unspeakable, not to mention the combination of Jeffrey's tiger eyes, a blocked ether, a stagnant body, an enemy lower than the power bearer, in their eyes, they are like targets.

Groups of origin school condensers are capable of fighting no matter what kind of enemy they face.

The sound of footsteps came from behind. It was very soft, like a light deer stepping on dry leaves. If you didn't listen carefully, it would be difficult to distinguish it from the sound of the wind.

Boluogo knows who is coming. Jeffrey's footsteps will be heavier, while Lebius will not let anyone notice the footsteps at all. As for Palmer, he will say hello loudly first, and then walk away happily. come over.

Aimu lay down next to the fence, "You look a little irritable."

"Thinking about something."

Boluogo did not explain what it was, and Aimu did not continue to ask questions.

The conversation between the two fell into silence, with only the whistling of the sea breeze all around. Aimu felt that his cheeks were slightly warmed by the sea breeze.

Aimu was looking for a topic, "Have you tried the local specialties in Freeport?"

Boluogo shook his head. He was not hungry. He simply ate a few biscuits and ended his dinner.

"how is the taste?"

"It's terrible, it's terrible."

Aimu shook her head vigorously. She felt that she would never get used to the food of these sailors. Then she raised her hand and pressed it on Boluoge's head. Her illusory palm overlapped with Boluogo. At the same time, Aimu Remembering the taste of food.

"how do you feel?"

"How strange."

Aimu affirmed, "Yes!"

"No, I mean your behavior is so weird."

Boluogo turned his head helplessly, as if Aimu was about to take out his own head, "But to be honest, this food tastes even weirder."

"Haha, right! Right!"

2-in-1 6000. I am too lazy. Now my head doesn’t hurt so much. I can at least sleep. I am trying to change my schedule. Yesterday I went to bed at 1pm and woke up at 9pm. I was struggling.