Xyrin Empire-Chapter 715: Aftermath

When all the dust had settled, the children of Atlantis began to clean up their home that had been ravaged by disaster. After the joy of victory, grief for the war dead swiftly followed. The scars this catastrophic event left on the people of Atlantis were unimaginable. Having fled their homeland 760,000 years ago, these surviving "descendants of the gods" had fought side by side like siblings, providing comfort to one another through the darkest of times, clinging to a faint hope that was nearly impossible. However, this calamity from the heavens caused nearly two-thirds of them to leave this world forever. In every corner of the city, one could see the Atlantian civilians clearing corpses and repairing the aftermath, the sorrow in their eyes almost washing away the joy of victory.

A large number of bodies were gathered in the city’s central square, among them were the slain mutated humans as well as the city guards who had died in the counterattack. Once the Abyss had receded, these enemies who had fought each other with their last ounce of strength lay together once again upon the same land, with no more hatred or battle, sharing in the mourning by their kin.

Before Atlantis set sail, Sandora and I left the Mother Ship and came back to the city for one last time, for there was a ritual that required our presence—we had requested this ourselves.

"The majority of those gathered here in this square is war dead without relatives, their entire families having been sacrificed or they were originally lone individuals," Ares bent down and whispered in my ear, "Most of them did not make it to see the return of the gods. But your gaze and concern can offer solace to these warriors’ spirits, and they can rest assured on their journey home."

As Ares spoke, the crowd in the square suddenly parted to both sides. The time had come, and the Priest in charge of the soul-soothing ceremony emerged from the corridor formed by the people. He wore a heavy Black Cloak that completely shrouded his face, adorned on the chest with the Holy Emblem of a Crystal Cross, and held a tray filled with Crystal Dust, walking barefoot on the icy stone road. Following the Priest were two assistant Clergy draped in white cloaks, each holding a device that looked like a small, portable suitcase.

"Warriors who shed their last drop of blood, heroes who fell on the battlefield, and those who, at last, have been freed from the curse of the demons, gaining cleansed souls," the Priest stood before the massive pile of bodies unbearable to look directly at, and with a strange voice, not very loud but able to reach every listener’s ear, recited a brief prayer, "You have completed a difficult era, endured perilous fates, and now can finally relax and welcome this moment of peace. The last battle of your life journey has ended, you did not retreat, you did not submit. Regardless of victory or defeat, you have done the name of Atlantis proud. Now, another journey awaits you, on this path the living cannot tread together, may you carry the glory granted by the gods and continue forth. The god-gifted Crystal shall soothe your weary bodies, the pure blue Holy Light will heal your souls, children, set forth lightly, let us reunite in our homeland..."

With the low chanting, the Priest’s tray also emitted a soft blue light, the special Crystal Dust fluttered out, merging into the cadavers on the square like becoming light itself, and after the Crystal Dust completely integrated into the pile of corpses, the two assistant Clergy stepped forward and opened the strange machines in their hands. But just at that moment, a sudden disturbance from outside the crowd disrupted the ceremony on the verge of completion.

Two little figures squeezed through the gaps of the tall figures around them, bringing a severe gloom along, provoking a wave of exclamations from the crowd.

"How did you two get here?"

I was surprised to see the two twin little lollies in front of me, quickly reaching out to pat each of their heads to calm them down: "Oh Dingdang, with what kind of determination did these two perpetually aggrieved one-meter-tall girls bravely make their way here through the midst of giants at least twice their height!"

Pandora and Visca had been obediently staying on the Mother Ship, following my orders, not even appearing in the final battle (I truly feared Visca’s combat stance would devastate the morale of the Atlantis Warriors), but why had they now come out without a word?

I looked up at the crowd around us, and it was clear that Visca’s appearance had triggered a serious wave of panic. Nearly every civilian, their eyes filled with fear, was looking in our direction, retreating while muttering under their breath. The buzz of a swarm resounded through the plaza in an instant, and "the red-pupiled demon" spread among the people like a curse. The citizens of Atlantis, who had not recoiled from the disaster wrought by the Star Ring Fragment, now erupted in collective terror upon seeing Visca.

But while there was panic, chaos and violence did not ensue. The civilians and warriors merely retreated instinctually and whispered among themselves, no one making any hostile moves. Clearly, the word that "the red-eyed demon had been sealed inside a god" had already spread from the mouth of Ares. Everyone looked at the little girl who had once brought them the fear of doomsday with skepticism. Gradually, as they realized she bore no ill will, the crowd dared to come a bit closer.

"You two aren’t afraid of causing chaos?"

I watched Pandora and Visca with a headache, addressing Visca specifically, as Pandora was likely just accompanying her sister.

"We have to face it eventually. I cannot hide from the Atlantians forever, or else Brother would be troubled," Visca shook her head, displaying an unexpected maturity for someone who always seemed like an immature little sister. "Brother, please indulge Visca this one time."

"Well, you’re my precious little sister; you’re allowed a few caprices," I said, shrugging helplessly. I understood that this was not about Visca’s sense of morality or guilt prompting her to step forward at this moment—she completely lacked such things. She was thinking solely of "not wanting Brother to feel embarrassed about this in the future," and her resolve was even harder to shake than Pandora’s occasional hotheaded decisions.

The little one was able to calmly lead her equally one-meter-two-tall sister through the feet of the two- to three-meter-tall giants just now, which proved the firmness of her resolve... Yes, too firm.

"I understand that. The second frequency Ghost Energy Diffuser," Visca said, striding up to the three clergy members and pointing at the suitcase-like "Holy Artifact" they held. They visibly shuddered when they saw her approaching, but they eventually calmed down. It was somehow not funny at all to me that a meter-two little loli made two- to three-meter giants this scared. "You two can step down now. I think it would be best for the real Xyrin Apostle to send off these warriors—Sister."

Visca formally addressed Pandora as sister for the first time, and the latter’s eyes lit up. Then she quickly stepped beside the Black Robe Priest: "Continue."

The priest was somewhat bewildered, but since the "god" he worshipped was commanding him, he just paused for a moment and then resumed chanting the prayer that was distinctly different from the usual religious texts.

Visca and Pandora then closed their eyes slightly. After the Ghost Energy swept past them like flames, their hair turned ice blue in an instant.

The specific frequency of Ghost Energy Radiation spread slowly with the movements of the two lolis, forming concentric halos. This energy spread outward at an improbably slow pace, like ripples on water under a slow-motion camera, resonating faintly with the deep chanting of the Black Robe Priest. I didn’t quite understand the religious ceremonies that the Atlantians had derived from their worship of the Xyrin Apostles, but it seemed Pandora and Visca knew through other means what they were supposed to do now. When those halos touched the corpses on the plaza, the latter began to crystallize immediately.

Perhaps it was the cascade of blue crystal dust that the Priest had scattered earlier that triggered a chain reaction; the Ghost Energy Radiation released by Pandora and Visca induced subsequent crystalline changes. The corpses in the square rapidly solidified under the blue light, gradually transforming into sparkling crystal sculptures. This reminded me of the first time I saw Medusa become a crystal image of a Heroic Spirit due to Ghost Energy Radiation, though Atlantians were not energy creatures, and their bodies now turning into crystal were certainly for another reason—well, pondering these things is pointless now.

The bodies turned to crystal did not cease to change; as the Priest murmured softly, faint blue flames rose from these bodies. At first, I thought it was an illusion from staring at the crystals too long, but soon enough, those dreamlike blue flames grew into a roaring blaze, silently starting to consume every corpse in the square.

In the pure blue flames, the bodies that had turned into crystal sculptures quickly dissolved, and by the end of the ritual, they had completely vanished, leaving only a few blue lights dancing in the air, marking the presence of those who had made their final stand here.

"They’ve finally completed life’s ultimate cycle and become part of their homeland; their bodies have turned into energy, circulating in the energy grid beneath the city, while their spirits merge with the air of this city. Their souls will burn forever in the years following Atlantis," Ares said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and nostalgia. "To make the most of everything, this is the greatest virtue taught to us by the Divine Sect—to contribute one’s final worth to our race. These warriors would be proud."

Hearing such an explanation, I finally understood what this religious ceremony was all about. Although I knew I shouldn’t blame them, I still felt somewhat uneasy. The Old Empire had greatly distorted this civilization. Even though we can’t simply judge whether this distortion is good or bad, watching Ares proudly speak of burning the bodies of his kin to obtain energy as a noble virtue...

"Ah Jun," Sandora pinched my hand, "if the dead can leave their value behind in this way and live forever in the gratitude and remembrance of posterity, perhaps this is also a fine journey to the end."

Sandora’s words might have been meant as comfort, but I could only nod. After all, to Atlantians, this final offering was seen as the best way to commemorate those who had passed. Seeing the slightly eased sorrow on the faces of the civilians around us, perhaps only this could make them feel that those they treasured still lived on in their hearts.

After concluding the last religious ritual in Atlantis City, Sandora and I, taking Pandora and Visca along, returned to the spaceship. The two Little Lolis’ actions today had taken me by surprise, but it seemed to have yielded positive results. As members of the "Gods," they personally emerged among mortals, standing in the position of Assistant Priests to see off the departed warriors, an act which greatly endeared them to the populace and alleviated much of the Atlantians’ fear of the "Red-eyed Demon." At least from now on, Visca could comfortably appear before these Ancient People whom she had once almost annihilated.

The Floating Island’s propulsion system had been repaired, and the World Transport System was also ready. I set its destination to Avalon because after seeing an image of Avalon, Ares had said that it reminded him of his homeland. While admiring that the Imperial Expedition Team once placed high value on environmental protection, we also finally decided on the future settlement for the Atlantians. Fortunately, as a world with sparse Heroic Spirits and constant growth, Avalon had plenty of spare space, and its skies were wide open. Adding one more Floating Island, apart from possibly causing some inconvenience to the unicorns sunbathing in certain areas, should pose no other troubles.

On the way back to the spaceship, I gathered the Demon Girls of Fantasy Country for a discussion about... well, housing policy subsidies.

Yukari Yakumo, Boli Lingmeng, Yakumo Lan, Youyouzi, Shi Liu Ye Sakuya, Miss... one by one, the significant figures of Fantasy Country gathered in the spacious lounge, cracking seeds and whispering among themselves, creating an atmosphere that was harmonious and lively. This was perfectly in line with the ambiance we, the Imperial High Level, usually had during meetings. Hosting the meeting and sipping tea in such a setting, Sandora and I felt comfortably at home.

"Cough cough, let me say a few words—Lan, what are you doing?"

I coughed twice to draw everyone’s attention, then looked at Yakumo Lan with dissatisfaction. This Miss Fox had been playing with her ears since a while ago, and now she was even practicing a unique skill that involved making both ears rotate 180 degrees in opposite directions by the force of will alone. Although this hadn’t affected anyone else’s ability to listen, it significantly disrupted my ability to concentrate: I really wanted to go over there and help tie up that guy’s ears.

"Ah, sorry," the fur on Miss Fox’s tail poofed up in an instant as if startled by me, "I still have a bit of ringing in my ears, don’t mind me, please continue."

Was it because she had been tormented by Atlantians’ half-hour-long cheering earlier? Sensitive ears, poor thing?

After sternly reminding Yakumo Lan to pay attention to the distraction, Sandora and I supplemented each other, detailing the arrangements for Fantasy Country...

Before departure, we had already devised numerous plans to respond to the potential damage levels that could be inflicted upon Fantasy Country—ranging from a worst-case Eastern World apocalypse to a minor 70-yard scrape on the surface of the Atlantis Continent.

The current situation was much better than Sandora’s initial worst-case predictions. Atlantis did not drop a doomsday bomb inside Fantasy Country, but the damage was still significant. For starters, Demon Mountain suffered considerable harm: half of the mountain, home to a large population of communal demons, had become barren due to prolonged exposure to the intense Ghost Energy radiation from Atlantis’s energy discharge outlet. It would seem that Chernobyl’s ruins could be considered a national park compared to that place. Moreover, the highly poisonous radioactive substances had also spread to the foothills through the mountain’s water systems. The demons could withstand the radiation for a short time, but they would definitely not be able to bear it long term.

Clearly, it was no longer habitable, at least until the radiation dissipated.

That was the most severe disaster area; the slightly less affected areas were around Demon Mountain. Due to the breach in the main energy pipelines of Atlantis, the leaked Ghost Energy residues had sparked several large forest fires. Although I extinguished them all promptly, the power of Ghost Energy was so overwhelming that within moments, miles of forest could be vaporized by extreme heat. No matter how quick the firefighting was, there were still places unscathed. As a result, many demons living on the plains below had lost their homes. Excluding Ling Meng, that unscrupulous woman who shamelessly claimed she had twenty-seven properties in the forest needing compensation, we had to arrange for a large number of people because of those fires.

These two points were all the issues that needed to be resolved. The situation was not complex, and the damage was not severe, but it was still an unavoidable responsibility. Fantasy Country certainly had the capability to rebuild the damaged houses and villages in a timely manner after such an event, but the severely irradiated areas were not so easily restored in a short time. Ghost Energy radiation was not the same concept as nuclear radiation, and even with the Empire’s technology, dealing with Ghost Energy radiation would take time. Although Fantasy Country seemed harmonious, there were indeed complex divisions of power that differed from the human borders marked by frequent skirmishes. They were divided according to the communal habits and territorial concepts of the demons. Although these power divisions were not as formal as nation borders, they indicated that different demons had their own territories. Residents of Demon Mountain could not settle in the forests, and those from the plains could not get "visas" to stay by the lake. A short stay of one or two days was manageable, but any longer might invite trouble: everyone knew the demons were the best at causing disturbances.

So, getting those from Demon Mountain to rent houses with relatives and paying them displacement fees to settle everything outright was not a viable solution.

The most ideal resolution now was to temporarily relocate the homeless demons to Avalon. I fully trusted that the environment there could make any aesthetically sane person linger and forget to return. Moreover, they could be quickly persuaded to cough up their demolition compensation money to buy houses on mortgage there. However, the only obstacle at the moment was Boli Lingmeng. To knock out more compensation for demolition, that unprincipled Red and White had been tirelessly propagating her and Yukari Yakumo’s plight of slaving away in the harsh, oppressive conditions of Shadow City, struggling for survival as indentured workers. Her goal was to instill fear in the residents of Fantasy Country about Shadow City and all its associated living facilities, to ensure her "scheme of converting all residential compensation space into cash to swiftly make a fortune" succeeded. I’ve always found such acts of undermining imperialist ideologies to fill personal coffers and deceive the legitimate urban housing rights of rural residents through asymmetric information to be utterly despicable. This is why last night, I urgently sent a message to Artemis to expedite the organization of Heroic Spirits to start writing a set of Avalon Residential Guides. I also planned to establish over twenty nonprofit travel agencies, led by the most famous Heroic Spirits adept with long spears as the agency presidents, to guarantee a perfect travel experience for the visiting residents of Fantasy Country (trust me, they will distract any unforeseen incidents). On these foundations, quickly establish a new generation of Avalon real estate development leadership team guided by imperialist values. After all, we must urgently get the displaced residents of Fantasy Country to move in, or at least hurry to earn back their demolition compensation through various tourism projects, and certainly not let Ling Meng take advantage on the cheap! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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