Chapter 494

After introducing some iconic buildings, Helinmat got down to business:

"Mister Zhongli, to be honest, we received an invitation from Duke Wellington to form Multinational Allied Forces, but we have already declined. We hope to establish a trade route with Liyue City to achieve mutual benefit."

Seeing that the Black Empress had taken the initiative to confess, Shi Lei smiled and said that the matter was over. She had already said she refused; he couldn't hold her accountable for that, could he?

When he goes to Victoria next, he will visit the Duke Wellington's residence.

"Establishing trade routes can be done slowly. After all, it's such a long journey, there's no need to rush."

Moreover, such trade routes spanning thousands of kilometers are fraught with risk. Merchants cannot obtain information on product prices in other countries, making it easy to travel long distances only to earn little profit. After deducting labor costs, accommodation expenses, and transportation costs, they may even lose money. My trip to Sargon is precisely to address this issue."

"Oh?"

The Black Empress raised an eyebrow, seemingly quite interested:

"Mister Zhongli, why don't you tell me?"

"I am currently preparing a multi-national Communication Project that will pass through most of the countries on the Terra. It will provide timely communication services to people in these areas and eliminate the inconvenience caused by information lag."

If your country is willing to participate, Signal Base Station and cables will cross the border. Then, by expanding the network, coverage will extend to the entire territory of Sargon. All related maintenance costs will be covered by my company. All customers enjoying Cross-border Signal Service will only need to pay a monthly fee of less than ten yuan. Your country can convert this fee to cash or use equivalent goods as a discount."

"At such a low price, won't you lose money? Mister Zhongli, I'll discuss it with Liselotte after I return to the palace and give you an answer as soon as possible."

"Hehe, we won't lose much. It's all about small profits and quick turnover, making things convenient for everyone. By the way..."

Shi Lei came to Sargon with only these few matters to attend to, and now that they are resolved, he naturally needs to inquire about the other party's request:

"You came to see me today, is there nothing else?"

Seeing that she could no longer hide it, the Black Empress confessed:

"Mister Zhongli, we have a matter concerning the former Witch King Helkhorzoren that we would like to ask for your help with."

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Chapter 568 Planetary Crisis (4K)

"About Helkhorzoren?"

Speaking of this former Witch King of Sargon, he was a peerless genius who was famous decades ago.

Shi Lei has read a lot of history books in the past two years, and they all involve this legendary figure. There are countless books that evaluate his deeds and list his life story.

Helkhorzoren, full name Otto Dietmar Gustav von Utica.

He was both the strongest sorcerer in Sargon's history and the greatest and most tyrannical king.

In Sargon, a land steeped in music, Helkhorzoren's musical talent reached its zenith.

Some say he was a cruel monarch, while others say he was King Xian, who overthrew the old system.

Some say he is an arrogant genius, while others say he is a self-absorbed madman.

From Shi Lei's personal perspective, I feel that he has the shadow of a certain famous historical figure on Earth.

In 940, more than 150 years ago Helkhorzoren was born into the Utica Family. In just 20 years, he became a master of magic in the area.

Helkhorzoren meticulously structured all 634 musical scores stored within the ancient tower, including incomplete or unplayable pieces. He then used his own abilities to complete them, demonstrating unparalleled musical talent throughout history.

That year, Helkhorzoren used all the statues at the entrance of his residence to create a sand table, rapidly simulating the future situation facing various countries on this land.

He foresaw that Iberia would ally with the sea, that the steel Knight of Victoria would breathe steam, and that the irises of Gaul would bloom throughout the forests of Enwad.

But only his own homeland was covered by moss and woodworms, a scene of desolation and impending doom.

This enraged Helkhorzoren, who believed that Sargon's future should not be like this. He wanted to change everything, so at the age of 25, in 965, he ascended the throne at the recommendation of the Elector Count.

The newly enthroned Witch King harbored grand ambitions and naturally wanted to make his mark. However, not long after his ascension to the throne, he encountered a major problem.

The root of this problem can be traced back to the founding of Sargon. At that time, the sages of different tribes gathered together and, witnessed by the most powerful undead sorcerer, signed a covenant and established rules at the national level.

This includes, but is not limited to, defining tribal relations, establishing the Elector Count system, formulating national laws, and laying the foundation for the Morality and aesthetics of the Sargon. This covenant, a collection of the wisdom of the ancients, is the very foundation upon which Sargon has been passed down for millennia— the Golden Law Movement.

But by 965 Syracuse had long been estranged from Sargon. Despite his best efforts, he could not persuade them to abandon their desire to break away from their homeland and become independent.

Each successive Witch King added to the Golden Law Movement, never subtracting anything. However, after Helkhorzoren ascended the throne, he was forced to reduce and modify it.

Legend has it that he, along with Fremont, the Lich Lord of the Sarkaz Ten Royal Courts, rewrote the Golden Law Movement. This is how Syracuse was expelled, allowing Syracuse to achieve independence.

But Helkhorzoren's ambitions did not stop there.

He seized the opportunity presented by Syracuse's desire for independence and drastically revised the Golden Law Movement, adding numerous reforms in an attempt to reverse Sargon's fate.

The newly added legal provisions place greater emphasis on individual ability rather than on birth or lineage.

Most of the previous rules were cut or modified. He not only supported scholars from the common people to become the backbone of the court, but also dismissed incompetent noble sons.

This drastic reform measure clearly touched upon the interests of the vast majority of the domestic nobility.

However, due to Helkhorzoren's overwhelming power at that time, no one dared to challenge his authority.

This forbearance lasted for more than 60 years.

In 1027, 71 years ago, the Gaul Emperor Corsica I continued his expansionist policies, eventually turning his Fangs toward Sargon, and formally declaring war in 1029.

There are many Long-lived Race on the Terra, and normal people can generally live to be over 100 years old. We cannot use Shi Lei's worldview before his transmigration as a standard of measurement.

Helkhorzoren was 89 years old that year, which was almost the late middle age. But even in his twilight years, he still single-handedly annihilated the Gaul vanguard.

In 1030, Victoria and Ursus were drawn into the vortex of war, officially beginning the Four Emperors War.

Under the combined attack of the Three Kingdoms, Gaul was defeated after only two years, and Corsica I was executed.

This year marked a turning point in most people's evaluation of Helkhorzoren. Before that, the opinions were mostly positive, but things gradually changed afterward.

Through his own efforts, Helkhorzoren extended the life of Sargon.

But his lifespan was nearing its end. The once-powerful sorcerer's strength was rapidly waning.

Like many emperors of various dynasties who lived to old age, Helkhorzoren regarded money, power, women, and music as worthless, and was only interested in one thing.

Immortality.

This idea was like a rolling wheel, propelling him toward a gradual madness in his research in the desolate region.

In his pursuit of prolonging his life or, in other ways, the so-called immortality of Helkhorzoren gradually became irritable and intolerant of any opposition.

He would use magic to kill anyone who dared to obstruct him, regardless of their past achievements.

As time went by, Helkhorzoren became increasingly extreme. Upon discovering Originium, an unknown substance, he began experimenting on living people, hoping to gain power from it and extend his lifespan.

However, the reckless experiments turned the once revered Witch King into a ruthless tyrant who killed without restraint.

This dark period lasted for a full 40 years.

In 1070, at the age of 130, Helkhorzoren showed a clear decline in power. The Elector Count had been lying low for a long time, found an opportunity and began to gradually reclaim his power.

The Lich King, with whom he had once worked, also began to find it increasingly difficult to tolerate the stubborn Helkhorzoren.

He collaborated with one of the Elector Count, Alpord, and used Gaul technology and lich knowledge with the ultimate goal of defeating Helkhorzoren, creating the 'Black Gold Twins,' who are now the Twin Empresses.

In 1077, the Twin Empresses, having made thorough preparations, assembled a rebellion and defeated Helkhorzoren in the Tower. The Witch King, nearing the end of his life, jumped from the tower and committed suicide.

An emperor has fallen, and 21 years of peace have followed. To commemorate the reign of the Twin Empresses, an annual Empress Festival is held.

Looking at the first half of Helkhorzoren's life alone, he was indeed a heroic figure worthy of being recorded in history.

After the fall of Gaul, he did many crazy things in his pursuit of immortality. Like some famous historical figures whose stories cannot be told, his later life was a mix of praise and condemnation.

"That's right, he was the previous Ruler of Sargon. I came from the tower this time to seek your help. To explore the 'Wilderness' developed by Helkhorzoren and find the legacy he left behind."

Shi Lei had never been to the wasteland, and various books were vague about what was inside.

Based on Helkhorzoren's experiences in his later years, it is not difficult to deduce that the desolate region was related to the pursuit of immortality.

During this period, all the experiments and research conducted by the Witch King revolved around this point.

Based on the information he had gathered, Shi Lei roughly judged that the Wilderness was probably similar in principle to the Happy Pot.

These are all new realms created outside of the real world. The only difference is that time flows exceptionally slowly within them, ensuring that those who remain there have extended lifespans.

Shi Lei learned how to create space from Ya. However, his ability in the field of spatial travel is far inferior to that of the Lich Clan, who can teleport across planets. If he were to enter the desolate region, who knows how long he would have to stay before coming out?

He politely declined the Black Empress's invitation.

"I'm sorry, as you've probably seen, I'm traveling with my family this time. Entering the wilderness carries certain risks. Can I refuse? What would happen if I did?"

Helinmat remained serious, her eyes lowered as she pondered the question intently.

After a moment, she looked up and replied:

"Mister Zhongli, Sargon has no intention of being your enemy. However, if you are unwilling to help, we may refuse to cooperate on the Cross-border Communication Project."

Upon hearing the Black Empress utter those words, Maena's heart skipped a beat. Such threatening tactics were unlikely to work and could very well backfire.

Shi Lei is not someone who can be controlled, nor will he easily compromise. Helinmat's words are like a disco in a minefield; he has no way to salvage the situation.

According to Maena, this Cross-border Communication Project wouldn't be affected even without Sargon. Cables would be run from Liyue City to Syracuse, then north to Ursus, crossing the border at the snowy mountains. The Black Empress's use of this project for blackmail is a truly disastrous move.

Upon hearing this, Shi Lei's face showed no unusual emotion, and he responded calmly:

"I see. Then let's end our cooperation with your country here. This Blood Gem is a celebratory gift from me. Please take it; we'll be leaving now."

Maena hesitated, his stance leaning more towards Shi Lei, who had helped his niece.

It would be rather unethical to speak up for the Black Empress at this moment. So, I can only stand aside and say nothing.

Seeing that Shi Lei had gathered Texas, Lisa, and the others to leave, the Black Empress panicked.

There are too many uncertainties in the desolate region, which even the Twin Empresses find quite troublesome.

I only wanted to ask Shi Lei for help after learning about his World-shattering Feat in Londinium. I didn't expect that my slightly aloof tone just now would cause the talks to fall apart.

Helinmat immediately humbled herself, stopped Shi Lei and the others, and sincerely apologized:

"Mister Zhongli, please wait a moment! We are truly sorry if we have said anything offensive. We simply hope to cooperate with you to achieve..."

Shi Lei wasn't buying it. He raised his hand to interrupt the Black Empress, stating his position clearly and directly:

"Hehe, there's nothing to apologize for. Business deals often fall through. If you have nothing else to say, we'll take our leave."

Helinmat panicked completely, her attitude changed drastically, and she leaned forward respectfully to explain:

"Mister Zhongli, you are unaware of this. The Wasteland is a space created by Helkhorzoren, containing his 'legacy' from his lifetime. We hope you can help us find it, so that it will not fall into the hands of the Witch King Remnants."

If Helkhorzoren were to be resurrected as a result, it would have a very negative impact on Sargon. We will do our best to meet all your conditions, as long as you are willing to help."

Shi Lei had heard of the so-called Witch King Remnants. They were a group of believers who worshipped the Witch King and were secretly preparing and plotting to resurrect Witch King by any means necessary.

If Sargon were invaded by a foreign enemy and innocent civilians were implicated, the Black Empress would punish those who started the war without her having to say a word.

But helping the Twin Empresses find the Witch King's legacy and solidify their rule is a bit... well, you know.

In short, Shi Lei was not interested.

Although the Rex Lapis in Genshin Impact suffers consequences when he witnesses the hardships of the common people, he only cares for the people of Liyue and has never been seen interfering in politics in other countries.

What does the future of Sargon have to do with Liyue? These people aren't my subjects.

Even if Shi Lei were extremely philanthropic, he wouldn't stoop to this level. He had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and once again politely declined the Black Empress's invitation.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't help you with this. I have to take my family on a trip right now, goodbye."

After saying that, he led everyone away from the scene.

Helinmat knew the talks had broken down, so she looked to Maena for help, hoping he could mediate.

But the other person just shook their head, indicating that they couldn't help with this kind of thing.

Sometimes a single sentence can influence the course of a situation. If anyone's to blame, it's her for saying that particular thing.

Having exhausted all other options, the Black Empress gritted her teeth and stepped forward again, extending a third invitation to them.

This time, she not only took the initiative to admit her mistake, but also bowed and apologized to the other party in front of so many people on the street.

But some things have nothing to do with attitude.

Shi Lei didn't want to get involved, so he declined again and quickly left with everyone.

Half an hour later.

After exiting the west gate of Cinderelme, the group was surprised to see dozens of Sarkaz standing outside the city.

They wore grey robes and carried books, a stark contrast to the stereotype that Sarkaz illiterate.