The influence of that game, like a whisper lost in the passage of time, quietly dissipated into nothingness.
The land, once miraculous due to the enhancement potent, now lay dormant, devoid of the possibility of wonders, returning to a past state of silent mediocrity... unchanged as before.
The grand debate that had drawn Evora's gaze vanished inexplicably, as if it had never occurred, never existed, fading from the discourse of the influential.
At this moment, Helen, at the Alchemy Association, gave no thought to these matters, and it was highly unlikely she would consider them in the future.
She was visiting the President of the Alchemy Association, Pablo Celsus, faithfully executing Ansel's directive—to craft for Evora the second-stage mechanical armor, the Etheric Armament.
In the entire empire, in the whole world, only she and Ansel possessed the knowledge to create such fantastical weapons. Yet, due to her limitations, Helen needed to enlist at least three of the most supreme alchemists to turn her vision into reality.
"So, Miss Ziegler, you wish for me to assist you in completing this... Etheric Armament?"
Pablo Celsus massaged his temples, "From a design perspective, this is truly... a remarkable fantasy."
"Forcibly elevating an extraordinary being's comprehension and understanding of ether and essence to achieve an alternative 'ascension'—you are aware of the risks involved, Miss Ziegler?"
The alchemy master, known for his gentle and approachable demeanor, spoke with gravity: "Based on your described principles, this is akin to pushing the user towards the brink of an abyss. Those who practice on the Heavenly Road may very well fall into it, while those extraordinary beings already treading the abyss could be further consumed... Why would you create such a weapon?"
Helen's response was simple and direct: "Because Lord Elder Princess requires it."
Pablo's mouth opened, but no words came out, his expression gradually shifting from serious to one of helpless distress.
The old man sighed deeply, "If that's the case, I have nothing more to say. So... are you here on behalf of Lord Elder Princess?"
"I do not represent Lord Elder Princess."
Beneath the grey-white rimmed glasses, those dim, lightless purple eyes narrowed slightly: "I only stand with Lord Ansel."
"Then why—"
"Don't you wish to personally create such a thing?"
He looked in the direction of the Tower of Babel, pondering for a long time before deciding to contact Hendrik.
Para did not wish to complicate matters, but the slight acquaintance he had with Eileen, as well as his admiration for the talented young Ravenna Ziegler, made him change his mind in a moment of emotional flux.
"The struggle between divine species, even a mere breath can shatter the uninvolved, regardless of whether they are extraordinary or not... better let your elders educate you."
With Ansel's support, the Tower of Babel had achieved more outstanding and advanced technology, an even greater abundance of resources, and the cooperation with the Alchemy Association grew stronger, which the Association was pleased to see, gaining a partner with astonishing potential.
From any perspective, Pablo did not wish for the Tower of Babel's development to encounter any mishaps.
However...
For Ravenna, who had inherited Eileen's will, no matter what, it was unlikely she would intentionally put the Tower of Babel in jeopardy.
*
Within the advanced confines of the alchemy workshop, Helen's lightless eyes mirrored countless swirling, minute specks of darkness.
"The foundational strength has increased by twenty-seven percent, the ether fluidity by thirty-five percent, and the total units have risen... Have we reached an impasse?"
Removing her glasses, Helen gently caressed the floating cluster of Nidhoggur, lost in contemplation.
To aid Ansel, acquiring power was imperative; advancing to the fourth stage was already on the agenda, yet merely reaching the fourth stage was far from sufficient.
Although she had yet to learn from Ansel what exactly threatened him, in Helen's view, no one other than the Empress could be a possibility.
The question returned to what she had pondered some time ago—how to create a weapon capable of slaying a deity.
Now, compared to then, Helen no longer needed to consider any superfluous matters, nor did she harbor any distress. Freed from all burdens, she could devote herself entirely to the task.
Nidhoggur held boundless potential; pushing it to its limits might rival the unattainable third-stage mechanical armor, or even...
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