Chapter 835: Shellman
Chapter 835: Shellman
"An Artisan?"
At the sound of the man's voice, Leaf Haiya reacted decisively.
She took a step forward, releasing the oppressive aura of an Organizer.
Even without her subordinates, she couldn't easily deploy her Essence Skills.
But as an Awakened of the Seventh Stage, her Essence strength also revealed the true power of a Silver Witch:
"Hiding behind the scenes, never revealing yourself."
"That's not the attitude one should have during a conversation."
Lindsey witnessed Leaf Haiya's assertive stance but remained silent, not interrupting.
He quietly retreated a step, continuing to use his reconnaissance skills to examine the enormous machine before him.
【Mechanized Construct - A special machine crafted by powerful Essence Skills. Its exterior shell prevents ability perception, making it difficult for outsiders to discern its internal structure and functions.】
Lindsey read this introduction and frowned, then opened his map to study the machine more closely.
In this vast room, the machine's location and shape were discernible, but all other details were pitch-black, indicating that map skills were also being blocked.
Instead, Lindsey's gaze, when directed around, noticed something new.
【Power Pipes - Pipes emitting high temperatures on the surface. Inside, a special substance flows, providing energy to the machine.】
【Cooling Pipes - Pipes that dissipate excess heat from the machinery.】
【Essence Transmission Tunnel - A unique facility created by powerful Essence Skills, capable of extending the manipulator's Essence and consciousness outward.】
Lindsey pondered for a moment, then began his detective game.
As he investigated, a male voice from within the machine spoke to Leaf Haiya:
"So, you're a powerful Elevate."
"My lady, I apologize, but I cannot respond to your inquiry at this time."
"For I have lost my physical form and can only communicate in this manner with two esteemed guests."
Leaf Haiya was well aware of the Artisans' ability to 'Overcome the Heavens'.
Her azure eyes scanned the machine, and she immediately asked,
"Have you lost your physical form and can only exist within this mechanical shell? Or did you willingly sacrifice your body to achieve a specific goal, transforming yourself into this state?"
"..."
After a brief pause, the male voice from the machine spoke again:
"I am in awe of your superb insight."
"Therefore, I believe you must come from an even more glorious future, hence your foresight."
Leaf Haiya was accustomed to such flattery.
She nodded naturally, unaffected by his praise:
"You've guessed correctly."
With the Silver Witch's affirmation, the man within the machine spoke again:
"Now, I shall answer your question."
"My physical body was destroyed by enemies, forcing me to transfer my consciousness into this machine, and I'm merely surviving in this state."
Leaf Haiya continued,
"You asked if we're from the past or future, and there must be other things you want to know."
The man in the machine admitted directly:
"Yes, I wish to know how the future unfolds for Artisans after this war."
Leaf Haiya countered,
"Temporal turmoil has already formed. If you want to know, you can find out for yourself."
The man's voice carried regret:
"Regarding the power of time, I, too, have my own secrets."
After a moment's thought, Leaf Haiya replied to his inquiry:
"In my era, Artisans have established their own World Capital."
"..."
"The World Capital."
After a long pause, the man within the machine spoke again.
For the Awakened of this universe, the World Capital signifies the most powerful Awakened force in the world. So, even with just a single word as a response, it was enough to hint at the glorious future crafted by the Craftsmen.
The man in the machine continued, "Then... about the life the Craftsmen created..."
Lady Haiya did not answer this time.
Instead, she took a step back and stood shoulder to shoulder with Brother Lin Sai: "Now, answer my question. Why didn't you go to the future yourself?"
The Silver Witch directly pierced the man's dilemma with her question.
The man in the machine, realizing his language had been deciphered by Lady Haiya, could only let out a bitter laugh: "Madam, you are quite skilled in negotiation."
Lady Haiya's gaze remained calm, and with an air of superiority, she said, "I have already answered one of your questions."
"Now, tell me your purpose."
The man in the machine weighed his options and finally chose to respond:
"It's a long story."
"You know that I built this facility, and these children are my Retinue. The reason I chose this place as our base is because it produces a special ore that can serve as my power source..."
The Silver Witch, like a ruler, interrupted him: "Stop. Highlight the key points."
"...The ore here has been depleted."
"Unless I reach the Ninth Stage, where I can trample all world laws and even create something from nothing, I must find a new energy source."
"During an experiment, I accidentally extracted the power of time and transformed it into the energy that sustains this facility. It's the foundation of my life support system, the very reason for my survival. If I leave here, I will die immediately."
Lady Haiya understood the logic with just a moment's thought.
The Temporal Chaos had been transformed into the energy source for the entire facility, also keeping this Craftsman, who had lost his physical body, alive.
His second question
On the surface, it was about the status of his creations, but in reality, it was still about his own fate.
"You care about the future because if these automatons exist, it proves that you've obtained a new power source and that you're still alive."
The Craftsman within the machine spoke:
"Exactly."
At this point, Lady Haiya had to seriously consider a question.
Their purpose for coming here was to end the Temporal Chaos.
This directly conflicted with the man's incompatible situation.
After all, if time returned to normal, he would lose his power source, and the moment the machines stopped, it would be his doom.
The problem was unsolvable.
Once he knew their purpose, the battle would commence within seconds!
And at that moment, Brother Lin Sai, who had been standing silently in the background, suddenly joined the conversation.
He addressed the man in the machine, "It seems there's something you haven't explained.
"If your purpose is merely survival, then why did these automatons and machines attack the normal residents of the canyon?"
(End of Chapter)
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