After Jeremy and Ritchie articulated their purpose, they patiently awaited the cyclopes' response.
Although neither of them felt particularly confident, they were not overly alarmed.
Even if the cyclopes chose not to offer their assistance, it was highly unlikely that they would pose any trouble for them. After all, the cyclopes had just urged them to leave this perilous location.
The cyclopes were unable to make an immediate decision.
A few of them huddled together to deliberate for a moment, and ultimately, one cyclops stepped forward and addressed Jeremy.
"We are willing to provide you with assistance and relevant information. However, we will not accompany you in your endeavors, as the risks involved are simply too great.
Our cyclopean race is numerous, and we cannot make decisions on behalf of the entire cyclops population. Therefore, we cannot offer you any guarantees."
Ritchie felt a twinge of disappointment upon hearing this statement.
Nevertheless, Jeremy smiled and replied.
"As long as you are willing to assist us, that is sufficient! I do not require you to bear excessive risks, for I am prepared to face the malevolent deity alone if necessary."
After saying these words, Jeremy stepped directly out of the sealed room.
Ritchie followed closely behind him, emerging as well.
"Now, can you provide me with sufficient intelligence? I would like you to inform me about the surrounding situation, and I also hope you can share information regarding the Intelligent Machines."
Upon hearing this, the cyclopes revealed the answers to Jeremy's queries.
"You are currently in the uppermost level of the Tower of Exile. The Tower of Exile was constructed from the bottom up, which means that the topmost level was the last to be completed.
Today marks the final day of construction for the Tower of Exile. After the Tower of Exile is fully completed, it will be entirely sealed off.
We will only be able to remain here for less than half a day. Therefore, after this half-day has passed, you will only be able to act alongside your companions, as we will be departing from the Tower of Exile."
Upon listening to their explanation, Jeremy nodded in acknowledgment.
"I understand. My subsequent actions will not trouble you. Therefore, please simply provide me with the relevant information about the Intelligent Machines."
"The Intelligent Machines are entirely generated from High-Dimensional Data. Initially, these Intelligent Machines possessed no self-awareness, however, after acquiring High-Dimensional Data, they gained consciousness."
"We do not know whom these Intelligent Machines ultimately serve. The elders within our tribe have previously stated that these Intelligent Machines are in the service of a more powerful deity.
However, he is also unsure whether this more powerful deity refers to the one that is currently being born or to one that has already descended."
In the cyclopes' description, the deity that is in the process of being born is clearly the White Tower, while the deity that has already arrived is undoubtedly the Fool.
Although the cyclopes cannot ascertain for whom the Intelligent Machines serve, Jeremy has his own suspicions.
Jeremy believes that the Intelligent Machines are indeed in service to the White Tower.
Even though the White Tower has not yet officially come into existence, it is already capable of manipulating sufficiently powerful High-Dimensional Data.
In this context, the White Tower is certainly capable of controlling all the Intelligent Machines.
While Ritchie had always believed that Jeremy was stronger than himself, deep down, he still felt capable of independent action.
However, after this experience, Ritchie had completely relinquished any notions of going solo.
He felt that he did not possess the requisite cold-hearted determination.
Nor did he possess particularly keen judgment. Therefore, he certainly had no qualifications to act independently.
Ritchie's words evoked a sense of reflection in Jeremy as well.
"You truly need not belittle yourself! Your strength is formidable, it is merely that the area we find ourselves in is exceedingly perilous. Thus, your thoughts are somewhat misguided."
In response to Jeremy's consolation, Ritchie simply nodded faintly.
After exchanging these sentiments, the two of them pressed forward with urgency.
Upon traversing the Land of Giant Dreams, they arrived at a familiar gateway.
This recognizable entrance was none other than the gate of the Cemetery of Giants.
"One last glance at these cyclopes." Jeremy suggested. "Once we pass through this gate, these cyclopes will forever slumber in the graveyard. After all, the concluding tasks related to the Tower of Exile have already been completed."
Jeremy's words deepened Ritchie's sorrow.
However, Ritchie did not turn to look back.
"I will not look back at these giants, for as you said, they are merely figures within the mists of history. What we must do is resolve to move forward!
Only by vanquishing the White Tower do we stand a chance of truly saving these suffering giants!"
Although Ritchie often gave the impression of being unreliable,
he was capable of quickly adjusting himself in the face of significant crises.
At heart, Ritchie was a very earnest individual.
Though his previous endeavors had met with little success, it was only because he had not taken them to heart.
When Ritchie genuinely invests himself in a task, he would undoubtedly exert every effort to see it through.
Jeremy nodded firmly.
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"You are absolutely correct! Our next course of action is to swiftly locate the yet-to-be-born White Tower. While we can only eliminate its historical projection amid the mists of history,
we are very close in time to the actual moment of the Tower of Exile. If we can eradicate the historical projection of the White Tower, its very essence will suffer significant weakening. Thus, our subsequent actions will become considerably easier."
After articulating this, Jeremy stepped through the gateway ahead.
Ritchie followed closely in Jeremy's footsteps, also passing through the gateway.
Once they had crossed through the entrance, all the giants behind the gate closed their eyes.