Chapter 930: Chapter 930: The Divine Realm’s Eccentric Parents
I think that when Big Sister randomly drew circles on that unlucky Fallen Apostle, it might have already triggered quite serious consequences. Whether it was the initial black half-hour when captured, or the continuous daily strange accidents in prison afterwards, it left Carter mentally exhausted, the psychological shadow even more severe than that of the mysterious Prison Host. Now he is extremely allergic to anything circular, including the rerun of the London Olympics. It’s unimaginable for him: just seeing the Olympic five-ring flag flash on the screen makes him jump. If he were to see a massive formation of people creating a circle with a radius of over a hundred meters at the opening ceremony, I can only imagine how agitated he would become. Anyway, I think if Big Sister drew such a large circle, it would indeed spell the end of Hollywood.
Sivis has already received news and prepared an identification ID and schedule for Carter at the Command Center, with Imperial soldiers there to welcome him. There was no reception nor any work handover procedures and ceremonies, Carter was in his new position within minutes and began processing various information he needed to master urgently, all with the Empire’s hallmark efficiency. I can even guarantee that within twenty-four hours, the fellow would properly complete his work in the Command Center, just like a seasoned Imperial Officer.
Both Sandora and I feel that it’s time to allocate an independent formation for this military expert group, separating it from the Command Center’s regular strategic team. Until today, although we had a think tank to specifically analyze military intelligence on Fallen Apostles, it lacked detailed and direct information, and without real experts, they could only remain as a group of advisors with ambiguous responsibilities. Now with Carter’s arrival, everything has changed, and we have a genuine expert who is extremely knowledgeable about Fallen Apostle frontline military intelligence, and he has also brought us a significant amount of standardized equipment used by regular Fallen Apostle soldiers. With Carter’s help, perhaps the Command Center can quickly establish a specialized department to counter the enemy. I believe the Fallen Apostles must have had a command center dedicated to dealing with the Imperial Army from the start, since they knew the Imperial Army like the back of their hands, whereas we are only now catching up with them in knowing our enemy and ourselves—there’s no time to waste.
The newly established expert department was eventually named the “Third Intelligence Core,” as suggested by Sandora.
I understand Sandora’s opinions are always well-founded, but the name “Third Intelligence Core” feels quite peculiar, as if it carries a specific background story, rather than being something Sandora just thought of impulsively.
“The ‘Third Intelligence Core’ was a term used in the more ancient times of the Old Empire,” Sandora explained to me, “In the later period of the Old Empire, a military’s intelligence core consisted of only two parts: one was for grasping enemy movements, the other for monitoring situations within the ruling area, including colonial points and various non-military zones. The third intelligence core was for monitoring the Third Camp—the latter not belonging to either the Abyss Camp, or the Empire Camp or its allies, but independent advanced civilizations apart from both sides. These civilizations didn’t establish diplomatic relations with the Empire or align with the Abyss, collectively referred to as the Third Camp. In the earlier days of the Old Empire, there were many civilizations in this camp with considerable military strength, so many Empire legions had a designated Third Intelligence Core to handle information from these free agents. Mentioning this name now also serves as a bit of historical remembrance.”
Sivis explained it this way, but I think the notion of “Third Intelligence Core” might have another explanation, which is to indicate that the Fallen Apostles have been completely excluded from the Empire Camp, yet don’t fully belong to the Abyss side. Evidence shows Fallen Apostles, while transformed by Abyss Power, aren’t completely controlled by it. Quite the opposite, they attempt to control the Abyss. Although their plan’s success rate is highly doubtful, at least this indicates that Fallen Apostles and pure Abyss Camp aren’t entirely the same thing.
I also noticed something: Sivis specifically emphasized it’s a term from the early Old Empire, as if this term had vanished from the later Old Empire history. Why?
“Because the Third Camp disappeared,” Sandora replied matter-of-factly, “At least within our known scope, the Third Camp was nearly annihilated; some were eliminated by the Abyss, others by the Empire, and the final remnants joined the Empire-Divine Race alliance, after which the strategic significance of the Third Intelligence Core diminished and its structure was gradually canceled. Civilizations outside the Empire’s unified front still exist, but are just a few stray cats, their life or death left unacknowledged.”
After hearing her explanation, I began to feel a chill: truly…
This is the standard conduct of the Old Empire: everything must take a stand, either standing with me or standing against me; anything else is never allowed, or else it’s wiped out without mercy. This mindset existed from the start of the Old Empire and reached its peak during the grand expansion period. Essentially, any civilization not aligned with the Empire was annihilated, and the rest, regardless of strength, had to unconditionally join the Empire in battling against the Abyss. So rather than saying the Third Intelligence Core gradually lost its strategic importance, it would be more accurate to say the Third Camp was eradicated…
Unsure if there are survivors among the advanced civilizations that fought alongside the Empire back then, but upon hearing of the iconic Third Intelligence Core’s revival, it might indeed shock them profoundly, even though the latter has become completely different from its predecessor.
“Ah Jun, are you still worried about the replication project?”
After leaving the military zone, Sandora noticed I had been a bit distracted, so she gently pinched my arm and asked quietly.
“How should I say it—the idea hits me as somewhat peculiar,” I felt a mix of dilemma and subtlety within, “Carter evidently knows little, nor whether they replicated a group or just an individual. If it’s the former, maybe it’s manageable; with large quantities, their quality might be akin to powerful mixed soldiers, but if they replicated just one…”
“No matter how you look at it, a counterfeit is always a counterfeit,” Sandora waved dismissively, “Moreover, Carter himself cannot be sure they are actually replicating you. I estimate with Fallen Apostle’s ability, at most they can produce some enhanced soldiers similar to your strength, equipped with Void Energy gear, just like what Taville is working on—she’s already begun developing single-soldier portable energy raiders.”
After thinking it through, I realized this matter might indeed not require excessive concern, though it certainly feels uneasy: “When you open your eyes and see over a hundred of yourself standing there, the idea is truly terrifying.”
“What’s so scary, look at that group ahead.” Sandora burst into laughter, then pointed forward. I looked up and saw five or six Ravens walking together from the direction of the commercial street.
“They have to watch thousands of themselves walking around the dormitory area every day, and you have over ten thousand Sister Misakas, over twenty thousand big-headed dolls…”
Suddenly, I felt that the little trouble I encountered was really weak compared to these guys.
“So, Ah Jun will always be the only one, don’t stress over it. As for the fake products created by the Fallen Apostle—” Sandora smiled at me, but the latter half of the sentence came with a chill that made my hair stand on end, “I won’t leave a single one, I’ll destroy them all! And they will pay for this plan.”
Sandora suddenly showed killing intent as cold as winter, her sea-blue eyes revealing her anger at this moment without any disguise, but her expression was fleeting, soon returning to a bright smile.
“Doing such things perfectly touches my bottom line.”
No wonder they say a girl’s heart is ever-changing, even if this girl’s thinking core is placed beside her stomach. She suddenly displayed an aura of dominance, before anyone could react, she pulled me along and walked forward in big strides, her mood inexplicably bright: “Let’s go have a look at Avalon!”
Avalon, as always, is a beautiful and peaceful place. Whenever stress builds up, coming here for a walk is always the best way to relax. It only takes a moment to go from the military zone of Shadow City, which is like a jungle of steel, to the fairy tale world style of Avalon. With a flash of white light, the urban street in front of us turned into an endless prairie.
“Does it seem like we’re at the border region?”
Previously, I didn’t know where Sandora planned to take me, thinking it might be Fairy Lake: this girl loves the fish there, especially when grilled. But now it seems Sandora isn’t hungry yet. She brought me to a somewhat unfamiliar prairie. Looking far into the distance, the sight is almost vanishing beyond the horizon of a mountain range, indicating that we’re quite a distance from the central region of Avalon. I glanced back and saw a sea of swirling white mist hundreds of meters away, large patches of rolling white clouds moving slowly at the edge of the land. Above the sea of clouds, magnificent white flowing clouds seem like a white curtain hanging from the sky, forming a spectacular suspended waterfall. The land beneath our feet ends at the edge of the sea of clouds, with a very distinct dividing line visible.
I know that those clouds are not regular atmospheric phenomena, but rather the world’s boundary. Avalon has grown into a sizable continent over more than two years, yet it still has borders, which naturally should have iconic markers. Dingdang lazily drew a bunch of graffiti, which is the boundless sea of clouds before us.
“The scenery here is nice.”
Sandora pulled me along to the edge of the cloud sea, sitting casually on the grass, “Everything seems pretty tense recently, so from now on today, don’t think of anything, just stay with me and watch the cloud sea.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty the Queen.”
I laughed and brushed Sandora’s hair, sitting beside her. The grass was surprisingly soft, like a thick velvet carpet. I randomly plucked a blade of grass from the ground and bit into it, finding it had a creamy mint flavor.
I: “…”
“Dingdang must have had candy in her mouth when she made this place.” Sandora also plucked a piece of grass and put it in her mouth, her expression subtly remarked.
Cloud sea, green grass, blue sky, young couple sitting side by side in this scenery. You would never guess what the two of us did next—Sandora eating grass while I’m helping her pick…
“Hey, sweetheart, I always feel like we’ve made some kind of mistake.”
Watching Sandora savoring the fresh grass stems (of course, I tried some myself), I felt something wasn’t right.
Honestly, I bet none of you have ever had this kind of date, right?
“What’s wrong?” Sandora licked her lips. “Do you think that Ah Jun wouldn’t be happy with this? Oh, try this one, this three-leaf grass seems to have a flavor of saucy wheat, fragrant spicy chicken drumsticks.”
…Dingdang, just how bored are you usually?
It seems there’s no changing the facts now. I have to learn to adapt to the abnormal daily life brought by the abnormal people around me. Maybe watching Sandora eat grass during a date is a kind of unconventional romance: people should have a contented heart, or else someday I might end up being driven crazy by these joyful girls around me.
As I was thinking this, I suddenly felt a warm, fragrant breeze close in, and then a soft body was added to my arms.
Sandora snuck in without any warning, which was quite surprising, but I didn’t say anything, just pinched her nose lightly and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips: “What’s up?”
“Nothing, just wanted Ah Jun to hold me for a bit.” The girl in my arms said softly, her voice melodious and gentle. It’s hard to imagine this same voice being so cold and noble on the other side. I was slightly taken aback and then smiled, leaning back to lie on the lawn, with Sandora lying on my chest, her golden waterfall-like long hair spreading out almost wrapping us into a cocoon… what a strange association.
Perhaps Sandora wanted to use her own methods to make me temporarily forget those troubling matters, including dragging me to watch the sea of clouds and eating grass together—who knows where she learned these strange methods, but they must have come from the outside world because given this girl’s original status, she wouldn’t come up with such complex tricks. Though she might have underestimated someone’s nerve durability due to her excessive care, seeing her silly efforts is actually quite delightful.
“Girl, you say…”
I started talking but didn’t hear the girl in my arms respond. When I lowered my head, I found Sandora already asleep, producing very soft snores: she actually fell asleep.
Originally, Sandora was extremely sensitive to any changes in the external world, almost never daring to enter deep sleep freely, but maybe nestled in a lover’s arms, she could get the greatest sense of security. Such a Queen actually fell asleep like a tired little girl playing in the wild.
“Truly unbelievable, in every sense.”
A sudden thought came to my mind; I glanced to my side and saw a luxurious black evening gown along with silver-white long hair almost reaching the ankles.
“Is my visit somewhat untimely?”
Bingdisi spoke to me through a spiritual connection, looking down at Sandora and me lying at her feet like discarded corpses—there, another peculiar association.
I glanced up and found the scene pretty good, but still turned my head to give a reminding shout: “Hey, you’re all exposed!”
Can’t this female hooligan occasionally have some sense of being a lady? The way you’re standing is quite aggressive, isn’t it!
Bingdisi didn’t seem to take my reminder to heart; at least she didn’t exclaim anything. Instead, she casually pressed down her gown’s long dress and then sat beside me, watching Sandora lying on my chest asleep, communicating with me through a spiritual connection: “Unbelievable, you know, the former Sandora would never show such a carefree look.”
I sighed lightly: “Never seen her have a care after getting full.”
Bingdisi pouted and looked into the distance, where there was a large area of barren land. At this, the Rogue Goddess expressed awe: “Looks like your Sandora grassland plan finally succeeded: this girl ate a whole three hundred square meters of grass!”
Me: “…How do you know about this grassland plan?”
Bingdisi rolled her eyes at me: “Sandora told me. You talk in your sleep at night, announcing you want to throw her on the grassland to fend for herself, which was heard by the one beside the pillow. Then she was depressed until lunchtime the next day. Do you have any clue at all, you guy?”
Somehow, being said like this by Bingdisi, it kind of makes me feel my life is utterly failing: even this female hooligan doubts if I have any clue?
I gently played with Sandora’s waterfall-like golden hair, slowly twining it around my finger, and through the spiritual connection, I asked: “Speaking of which, haven’t seen you in two or three days, where did you go?”
Three days ago, Bingdisi suddenly told us she had a task, then vanished with no trace. She returned today, and I was slightly surprised by her appearance earlier. The Tiaozi Five’s remaining four idiots were unclear on the Rogue Goddess’s movements, and I, personally, had no direct way to contact Bingdisi. So everyone at one point thought she might have gone to some remote universe to collect protection fees and unfortunately got caught by Divine Realm’s Wind Discipline Committee and was locked in confinement. But now it seems she just went out for some business, so I was rather curious about her movements over the past few days.
“I returned to the Divine Realm,” Bingdisi said casually while seriously tying Sandora’s hair with the wild grass on the ground. “The Old Master from home told me to send you greetings, and my mom made several little outfits for Mercury Lamp… Pff, why does your unlucky daughter resemble me so much? The two elders still think she’s my and your illegitimate daughter!”
Me: “…Isn’t that not my fault?”
“Stop talking nonsense, originally I could have returned after a day, but my mom forced me to learn how to breastfeed a baby! Such a big kid, does she need breastfeeding?! Are they crazy about wanting grandchildren?”
Upon hearing this, I was stunned. The bizarreness of Bingdisi’s parents truly makes one exclaim, and I couldn’t help but glance at a certain Rogue Goddess’s significant assets, pondering before concluding: “Mercury Lamp doesn’t have that big of an appetite…”
Then Bingdisi hit me with a brick.
“In any case, this time returning to Divine Realm brought a headache of trouble,” Sister Bing clapped her hands, continuing to weave Sandora’s hair with wild grass. “Also Father God wanted me to inform you that you might be invited to visit again soon, with extremely important matters to discuss.”
This time, I was truly stunned. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian () to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)