Chapter 1678: 1676: Bai's Request

Chapter 1678: Chapter 1676: Bai’s Request

After a series of simple operations.

The traces of Han Dong secretly going to the Bell Tower on the day of the Exoplanet event were completely erased, making it impossible to trace anything back to him no matter how thoroughly it’s investigated.

However, a brief mention is needed regarding the events of that day.

When the exoplanet collided with the Holy City,

Han Dong had already used his memories to draw up the optimal and most concealed escape route on the map of the Holy City in his brain… At the same time, Han Dong planned to conduct a most daring operation here.

To ensure the escape process went undiscovered.

Han Dong and the traitor Morgan engaged in unprecedented [Mind Cooperation].

Due to the urgency of the situation.

Morgan held nothing back, assuming his strongest form that was unveiled when facing M.O., also known as [Ultimate Brain Body].

Using the brain as the primary component of the body, even Han Dong was extremely envious upon seeing it.

A brain domain akin to the King Level spread out, and individuals enveloped by this domain would have their thoughts instantly invaded and filtered of any information related to Han Dong and Morgan.

However,

the mental influence wasn’t just limited to that.

Han Dong also fully activated the mad laugh attribute,

using Morgan’s [Ultimate Brain Body] as a dispersal device to spread the mad laugh factor at nearly ten times the concentration, jointly affecting nearby individuals with Morgan’s brain domain.

Under such mental influence,

the two avoided all perception and silently reached the Bell Tower along the optimal route.

However, due to the Bell Tower’s peculiar design and materials, even with the formation drawn using ‘Brief History of Void’, Han Dong couldn’t directly teleport inside.

Just as Han Dong was ready to execute the worst-case plan to destroy the Bell Tower.

Caw!

Two black Crows appeared unexpectedly in the sewer, quickly flying into the area covered by Morgan’s brain domain.

Morgan’s brain, spread throughout his body, trembled, thinking he had been discovered.

However, under Han Dong’s indication, he treated the Crows as allies, allowing them to land on their shoulders, transforming into highly concealing black attire.

At the same time, the Bell Tower deactivated its barrier instantaneously to establish a spatial connection with Han Dong.

Upon reaching inside via void methods, Han Dong directly led Morgan through the [Door of Fate].

Of course.

Han Dong didn’t linger too long within the Black Tower,

quickly completing the “Node” handover ceremony.

As for the world of ‘Prometheus’, Morgan was left to perceive and understand it on his own… After all, Han Dong had to return quickly to minimize exposure.

…

Inside the Bell Tower

After Han Dong personally confirmed things.

He then left it to the Clockmaker to erase any ‘remaining’ traces.

During this time, Mr. Black White called Han Dong to a side chamber, seemingly to inquire about private matters.

“Teacher, please feel free to say whatever it is! I will do my utmost.”

Given his relationship with Mr. Black White, there should be no secrets between them… If the teacher had any matters, Han Dong would help without hesitation.

“Nicholas.

With your current abilities, knowledge, and perspective, can you guess the true identity of the Clockmaker?”

The question coincidentally touched on a point of interest for Han Dong.

“The design of this Vortex Mask is similar to that of the Black Tower Employee.

However, within the Clockmaker’s body exists a peculiar, chaotic, unstable energy.

Yet, this energy sustains her vitality, allowing her to continue living in such a bizarre mechanical body.

If I’m not mistaken.

The Clockmaker should have previously been an employee of the Black Tower, responsible for handling special events within worlds… But during one task, she made a mistake and may have even been influenced by the “Uncontrolled Ones”.

This ultimately led to her current state.

Moreover, her brain does not seem entirely her own, occasionally switching to an unconscious robot state or even being controlled by others.

As for why she was assigned to the Holy City, becoming the Bell Tower manager… I speculate it’s some kind of choice given by the Black Tower; otherwise, she might have been executed or imprisoned in the [Asylum].

Is that correct?”

Mr. White nodded:

“Exactly… Not only do you mingle well in the Demon circle, but you also have deep ties with the Black Tower.

Indeed.

The Clockmaker’s former identity was an employee of the Black Tower, and she was also a knight of the Steam Knights.

She frequently captured uncontrolled ones while undertaking true fate missions, then caught the attention of the Black Tower, gradually being trained as a [World Inspector] specially responsible for capturing uncontrolled ones and handing them over to the Asylum.

Compared to common employees, she had better benefits and treatment, even bringing resources back to the Holy City.

However, during a special task, due to incomplete intelligence, the uncontrolled one nearly decimated the search team… The opponent destroyed her body cruelly, leaving only the brain for experimentation.

Lately rescued by a reinforcement team, her body was remodeled using mechanical traits.

Though mental evaluation confirmed her anomaly index didn’t exceed 10%,

she was still classified as influenced by the uncontrolled ones, stripped of her [World Inspector] role, and sent to the Asylum for [observation], which usually is endless.

Nonetheless, considering she came from the S-01 world, the Black Tower high-levels gave her another option.

To return as a Black Tower operative to S-01 to perform the duties of [Fate Keeper], reporting continuously on the Holy City’s human activities and world dynamics.

As compensation,

the Black Tower provides her with various fate intelligence, allowing the Holy City’s knights to understand more about fate, accelerating growth and increasing survival rates.”

“I see…

Indeed, the Black Tower has a resolute attitude towards the “Uncontrolled Ones”, any influenced employee would be handled appropriately.”

Han Dong also recalled some matters from the previous ‘Corpse Country’, where any employee infected by deadly gas would be executed upon return.

Mr. White continued saying:

“I have a question; I wonder if you can answer it.

I always thought the Black Tower had a ‘hostile attitude’ towards demons.

Once they discover the true purpose behind the Big Expedition, the Fate Gate set in the Holy City might close, and they might even send special teams to purge the Holy City.

But in reality, everything remains normal,

even if the Clockmaker reports that the Holy City has been recognized by demons and obtained the Land Deed, the other side still remains inactive, allowing her to continue her current role.

Nicholas, does your identity within the Black Tower know something?

Has the Black Tower’s attitude towards S-01, or towards demons, changed?”

“Teacher’s speculation is entirely correct.

Due to an important event possibly occurring in the next ten or even five years, the Black Tower intends to establish a special connection with S-01… I only recently learned about this matter.”

“What sort of event could make the Black Tower actively approach such an unstable and potentially threatening entity as demons?”

“Actually, I came to the Holy City this time intending to publicly discuss this matter,

When we leave the Bell Tower, please, teacher, convene all the high-levels within the Holy City, including regiment leaders, the Royal Family, and the Church, and I will publicly explain it, so everyone can prepare in advance.”

Mr. White, in a ‘Stargazing state’, stared straight at Han Dong:

“If you know even this kind of matter… then you must hold a rather special identity within the Black Tower, right?”

After a series of conversations, Han Dong roughly guessed Mr. Black White’s, specifically Mr. White’s true intention behind the private talk, and proactively stated:

“Teacher… Once I find time to visit the Black Tower again, I will investigate the Clockmaker’s current situation. If possible, I will try to remove the current punishment and allow her to return to a normal human life.”

“Such matters related to the uncontrolled ones must involve the upper echelon; can you really intervene?”

Mr. White widened his eyes; initially, he only intended for Han Dong to check the Clockmaker’s current file information.

If the Black Tower plans to cooperate with S-01, there might be an opportunity to restore the Clockmaker’s freedom.

Never did he expect Han Dong would suggest directly changing the current situation.

“I happen to have a relationship with one of the high-levels, so I’ll give it a try! I’m not certain now… Anyway, I will do my utmost to help with Teacher’s matter.”

Caw!

A sound of crows echoed.

The black and white masks quickly changed, with a palm gently patting Han Dong’s shoulder:

“Your growth has far exceeded my expectations… Mr. White will be very grateful to you.

I will immediately convene the high-levels of the Holy City; Nicholas, prepare a little.

I am also curious about what kind of ‘major event’ could change the Black Tower’s attitude towards demons.”