Chapter 247

The communication screen showed Yukina's face; she was still tightly clutching the light blue bow in her hand.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

He was slightly injured by Codename J. Although the accumulated injuries were more serious than they appeared, for the agent, it was only something he could recover from in three or four days.

"Speaking of which, are none of the Funeral Bird injured?"

"This..."

Yukina turned her head away, and the scene shifted to Lapith.

"No need to be so polite, Miss Eve from Xijing City. One of my men has been injured, and I might have to bother you for the next few days. But to be honest," Lapith showed off her gauntlets and gave a thumbs up, "Miss Eve from Xijing City, you are truly impressive. I admire you greatly."

"Alright, Captain, let's talk about something important."

Trilice snatched the camera away, straightened her face, and said, "Speaking of which, Efnir, we have some information to share with you. Let's meet up somewhere after you're done on your end."

"Okay, let's do it at headquarters. I'll be there in a bit."

"Good."

After Trilice finished speaking, she turned the camera to Yukina, Efnir smiled at her and said, "See you later."

Headquarters, Post-War Conference--

There weren't many attendees. Five people were present: Efnir, Shinomiyami Nami, Fushihara Ayaka from Xijing City, along with Lapith and Trilice from the Funeral Bird Squad.

"Although it is called a post-war meeting, it was actually at the request of Trilice of the Funeral Bird Squad, concerning the exchange of intelligence about Codename J."

The meeting was not very formal and was temporarily chaired by Shinomiyami Nami.

Lapith sat down next to Efnir and whispered to Efnir, "Although our positions aren't entirely the same, we also need the intelligence from Codename J."

Efnir found it strange. "Even so, wouldn't it be better to just ask the Human Federation for it?"

"It's actually a bit of a shame that most of the intelligence the Human Federation provides is secondhand and has been filtered," Lapith said in a low voice. "Of course, I'm not just expressing my dissatisfaction. In fact, the Human Federation has given us a lot of help, including all kinds of resources and weapons, as well as corresponding technical personnel and combat support. We can get almost all the intelligence we want from the Human Federation, except for the 'Ruins' intelligence."

"Ruins?" Efnir glanced at Lapith, who was currently whispering among herself. "Does Suzuda City need information about Ruins?"

"It's not necessarily necessary, maybe...?" Lapith smiled. "But... Suzuda City is already large enough, and the information we have needs to be expanded accordingly. However, the Human Federation seems to be wary of larger cities like ours in this regard—they seem to be intentionally preventing us from gaining access to or getting close to Ruins. Actually, we probably know that the Human Federation is trying to prevent us from becoming the second 'Flagbreakers,' so Human Federation treat all cities equally and are particularly strict about controlling information on Ruins."

"Is that so...?"

Efnir nodded slightly.

From the perspective of the Human Federation, Efnir can understand Human Federation choice.

The Human Federation was founded at the end of the Old Era. Initially, it was just a loose alliance of extinct regimes. However, there was not just one such alliance. The global information network that humanity relied on for survival and was proud of was blocked. The remaining regions united to form temporary regimes based on their proximity or similarity. There were dozens of such regimes due to their geographical, social, and class divisions, and the Human Federation was just one of them.

182. Zero Series

The history of the Human Federation can be traced back to the end of the Old Era, but the specific time and details are no longer verifiable. It is only known to certain institutions in the Central Province, or rather, for most cities, things that have settled at the end of human history have long lost their meaning.

In conclusion, the well-known Human Federation survived from among the many alliances of that era thanks to its powerful technology and the assistance of Ruins Technology. It is also the only victor that has come all the way from that era and is still developing to this day.

Some scholars like to compare the Human Federation with the nations of the Old Era of human history, viewing its shallow history as a kind of rebirth or humiliation. But no one can deny that although such a choice of regime did not leave much bloodshed, it does not mean that they have escaped the scope of a regime.

Masaki Hina once confided her views on the Human Federation to Efnir —from the perspective of a Human Federation meritorious lieutenant general.

To put it nicely, the Human Federation is an organization established for the survival of humankind.

To put it bluntly, he was just a coward who happened to get lucky and obtained the Ruins Technology, and then used those things to build an impregnable fortress to survive.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why the Human Federation never discloses any of the Ruins Technology they possess, and even guards against them so closely.

"Well, Eve from Xijing City, actually, I used to really dislike the Human Federation. I even refused the Central Province to recruit me—the qualification for an 'Zero Series' agent—which I turned down," Lapith smiled and said. "But later I kept thinking about it, and that's how I slowly got to where I am now. In any case, the peace we have now is thanks to the Human Federation, and I shouldn't have too many complaints and criticisms of them based on my personal assumptions and attitudes. People used to say I was a cold-hearted person, but actually I just lacked empathy, so I was always perceived as easily trampling on other people's feelings..."

As she spoke, a strange glint appeared in Lapith's eyes. Efnir remained silent, burying Lapith's profile in her eyes.

"Ah, sorry, sorry, I was talking about something unrelated. Please forgive me." Lapith waved her hand and returned to the main topic, "Oh, by the way, has Eve from Xijing City heard the strange rumors circulating among the Human Federation —'The Human Federation has discovered some secrets that should not be known to humans. Their actions are not selfish, but a kind of burial, and a sacrifice for new life.'"

"I've never heard of such a thing..."

Efnir shook her head frankly, "But since it's just a rumor, it's natural not to have heard of it, right?"

"That's true... but I think you might come across these rumors about Eve in Xijing City at any time," Lapith said, glancing at Efnir's right eye before looking away. "Because you possess extraordinary strength, all sorts of possibilities will come your way."

"Perhaps..."

Efnir thought for a moment, then didn't continue the topic, instead asking, "Also, what exactly is this 'Zero Series' you mentioned? I'm more interested in that."

Codename J had also mentioned the term "Zero Series" in front of Efnir, and at that time, Codename J's eyes revealed a certain resentment and fear.

More importantly, the "Zero Series" may be the key intelligence channel for understanding Codename J, and Codename J must also possess information about the Apostle, Codename H, and Angel. This is the intelligence that Xijing City needs most right now, and it is also the key to knowing whether Qinglan and Flying Swallow can be rescued.

"'Zero Series'... it's a bit complicated to explain..."

Lapith thought for a moment and looked at Trilice.

Just then, Trilice had finished discussing the code exchange issue with Shinomiyami Nami and Fushihara Ayaka, and they all turned their heads to the side.

"I'd like to know that too," Fushihara Ayaka interjected at the opportune moment, putting down her paper and pen and tapping her fingers twice on the table. "Codename J seems to be wary of what you call the 'Zero Series.' Since you, Miss Lapith, know about this, why not share it with us? Of course, if you find it troublesome, we don't intend to press you further."

After all, Lapith is an agent belonging to Suzuda City. The exchange of information between cities is not a simple matter. Without the Human Federation taking the lead, cities would mostly use material exchanges to obtain what they need, including intelligence.

Regardless of the era, helping and being helped are never free. After this battle, the Human Federation will send a large amount of supplies or some valuable materials and technology to Suzuda City as their reward. If it weren't for the Human Federation, then this "reward" would have to be borne by Xijing City itself.

"No, you misunderstand, Bushiyuan Plains," Lapith waved her hand, revealing a helpless expression. "The 'trouble' I'm talking about is because I don't know where to begin. But in short, the 'Zero Series' is indeed classified... but... how should I put it, those people are actually not much different from us agents, except that the Beacon they use are a bit more special."

"That's right, to put it simply, we agents are just lucky ones who have inherited the power lost by the Ruins civilization—the path we humans are on now is only to find and inherit the power of the Ruins. And the 'Zero Series' is our initial imitation, and also an imitation we have tried our best to emulate."

"Lapith said."

"The Beacon they use are different from ours. The 'Zero Series'... were Agent Beacon used in the early stages of the Human Federation's excavation of Ruins Technology. They were the 'first generation,' and the entire Human Federation possessed only thirteen of these strategic-level anti- Erosion Disaster equipment. They were also the generation of beacons closest to Ruins Beacon among all existing Beacon. It can be said that the 'Zero Series' possessed the power closest to Ruins Technology. Because of this, it had much stricter requirements for the qualifications of its agents. The processing of the 'Zero Series' was extremely complex and difficult, and the resources consumed were exceptionally large. As far as I know, the requirements for those thirteen 'Zero Series' users were extremely high. Even now, nearly twenty years later, in the history of the Human Federation, there have never been thirteen 'Zero Series' Eligible at the same time."

Are these things considered confidential?

Fushihara Ayaka spoke up, "Neither of our two commanders mentioned this to us."

"Perhaps they don't know, or perhaps there are other reasons," Lapith looked at Efnir, "In Suzuda City, only a very few people, including myself and Trilice, know about this."

183. Thalesius

"As for the later generation, that is, us current 'First Generation' agents, we are an improved version of the 'Zero Series', or rather, a 'watered-down version'— the Human Federation did not continue its manufacturing process, but instead tried to lower the standards in every possible way to expand the number of agents."

Lapith removed her Beacon and held it in her hand:

"The final result reduced the limitations of the Beacon on users. Although it was a 'scaled-down' version, it possessed considerable power. At the same time, the resources and time required to manufacture a Beacon were greatly reduced. The birth of the 'First Generation' Beacon enabled every city to arm itself."

What Lapith said is already considered anecdotal.

Even Fushihara Ayaka and Shinomiyami Nami were unaware of this, as was Efnir. The Orderkeeper Headquarters did not retain many files or records about the Beacon, and the Human Federation's past was not mentioned at all.

Efnir lowered her eyelashes and fell into deep thought.

"I don't quite understand," Shinomiyami Nami pressed, "If someone is an exceptionally powerful agent, shouldn't such a hero be known to everyone?"

As she spoke, Shinomiyami Nami glanced meaningfully at Efnir, "In fact, it's not so bad to have someone ahead of you. Since it's something that should be known by everyone, why is it being kept hidden? Is there some other reason behind it?"

"Oh ho? Is this what you, Ms. Siyejian, think as her manager?"

Lapith smiled and turned her gaze to Efnir. "As the idol of the most important person in my life, Aivenir of Xijing City truly deserves this honor. Although we haven't known each other for long, I'm still so certain. However, as Shinomiyami Nami said, heroes should be known, but if they aren't heroes, then there's no point in doing so. To put it simply, the 'Zero Series' isn't a directly stationed agent in the city, and they rarely appear in most people's sight. The Human Federation wouldn't do something inexplicable without consideration, just as the Human Federation has never publicly announced the existence of the Apostle in the past—is the Human Federation truly ignorant of the Apostle? I doubt it. So, if that's the case, can we assume there's another reason behind it?"

"Even if you put it that way, it's still hard for us to understand... But in short, things probably won't change just because we don't understand them, so let's just accept it as it is."

"I'm glad you think that way, after all, it's beyond our scope of concern," Lapith smiled. "But speaking of which, I wonder if you've ever heard of the 'World Beyond the White Hole'?"

"'The World Beyond the White Hole'?" Shinomiyami Nami frowned.

Rather, the existence of a "White Hole" is itself a symbol of destruction. Within a radius of tens of kilometers centered on it, there is not a single place suitable for life to survive. Its high concentration of Corruption Energy will burn any creature that tries to approach it into a monster more violent than Dregs.

Exceptionally vicious Erosion Entity often emerge from White Hole.

For this reason, the Human Federation used the Boundary Stele to completely surround the White Hole, and built strong fortresses around it to restrict the appearance of the Erosion Entity and to eliminate them on the spot before Erosion Entity could fully grow.

"So what is this 'other world'? Is it just romantic rhetoric? Or could it be that something like a 'White Hole' actually connects to the 'other side' of the world? If my dead soul were to be sent to such a place, I wouldn't be laughing at all."

Shinomiyami Nami rant, Efnir looked at Lapith and said, "Speaking of which, you really know a lot of 'rumors'."

"Ha, you flatter me."

Trilice nudged Lapith with her elbow. "Captain, this isn't a compliment, you know."

"Well, in short, I haven't actually crossed the 'fortress' to go inside the 'White Hole' either. We can't access the 'Ruins,' and very few people enter the area of White Hole, so I can't directly deny that 'it didn't happen.' But the one thing I'm certain of is that the 'Zero Series' does have the power to infiltrate the 'White Hole,' and it was that kind of guy who told me that 'there's another world over there.'"

"Have you had contact with the 'Zero Series'?"

"Captain Lapith was 'invited,' of course, as a candidate," Trilice answered Fushihara Ayaka's question, while looking at Lapith and telling her what she knew, "The Human Federation believes that people with certain qualifications will receive selection invitations from the Central Province to join the 'Zero Series.' This 'ability' mainly refers to 'aptitude.' As long as the ability is recognized by the Human Federation, one is qualified to participate in the selection, but Lapith declined."

"I see. So the Human Federation isn't just cultivating its direct forces within the Central Province, but extending this network to all the cities?"

"Even the Human Federation could never support such a massive agent network system solely through the power of the Central Province," said Nishizaki Yuki. Compared to Lapith and Trilice, Nishizaki Yuki didn't know much about these matters, but she was indeed a researcher who had worked in the Central Province. She shared her insights. "The Human Federation will integrate the talents of other cities to build the most powerful urban fortress. If there is anywhere after the Old Era where the culture and knowledge closest to the Old Era still exists, then without a doubt, it is only in the Central Province."

"Because the Central Province is facing the 'White Hole' itself, which is fundamentally different from our mission, and the level of threat we face is naturally not on the same level. Perhaps they don't actually regard the Apostle as a threat."

Lapith paused, then said, "Otherwise, the support troops that came here wouldn't be Second-Generation Agent and a major general expelled by the Telesius Faction."

"The Telesius Faction...?"

Efnir and the others looked puzzled.

The Second-Generation Agent naturally refer to the Muse Squad and Iris, among others.

As for the "expelled major general"... who else could it be besides Kusei Maki?

This is somewhat surprising, but as the acting commander of the Central Province who went to Xijing City, perhaps it's not a problem to say that. Just like Masaki Hina who came to Xijing City two years ago, for people like them, coming to Xijing City means "expulsion".

Lapith explained, "--The full name is 'Tellusiusist United Party Faction,' an armed faction that calls itself 'progressive' but is actually just a bunch of mentally unstable freaks. That's all you need to know about 'Thalesius.' Even if you ask me, I can't say anything more."

184. Invitation

"Thalesius... is he active again?"

Fushihara Ayaka wore a thoughtful expression.

"After all these years, those guys haven't decreased, they've actually increased?"

"Well, it's more accurate to say it has decreased," Lapith shrugged. "Even annoying insects will fight back when they're on the verge of extinction—just think about it that way, and you'll understand why Thalesius has suddenly become active again."

"What a strange metaphor."

Unlike Masaki Hina, who was dispatched as commander, Fushihara Ayaka is a native of the area, or rather, "Someone who has remained in the Xijing City area since the Erosion Disaster." This is the majority of the population, which means they know very little about the Central Province and the internal affairs of the Human Federation.

Or rather, most people actually know nothing about the Human Federation.

Human society underwent tremendous changes in the Old Era. Even the survivors of the Old Era mostly did not know much about the Human Federation. The Boundary Stele System was controlled by the Human Federation. Although cities were nominally under the jurisdiction of the Human Federation, in reality, even this connection was extremely loose. Most cities acted independently and developed on their own.

All the information Efnir knew about the Human Federation was unilaterally instilled in her by the Human Federation — Efnir had never actually seen the actual location of the Human Federation headquarters: the Central Province.

This was the case for most cities, just like Xijing City and Suzuda City. Without a special reason, they wouldn't even interact with each other—cities in this era were basically completely isolated from each other, let alone Central Province thousands of miles apart.

"If I remember correctly, our Xijing City was originally part of the Thalesius Party's jurisdiction, according to the initial regional divisions. However, that was more than a decade ago when the city was first established, and I doubt many people still remember that now."

Shinomiyami Nami shrugged. "But actually, the factions within the Human Federation don't really matter to a small city like ours, right? After all, it's been so long, and it's so far away."

"Perhaps," Lapith shook her head, "But most people think that way, which means there are plenty of opportunities. In the past year, the factional struggles within the Human Federation have become less intense, but that doesn't mean the two sides have suddenly chosen to reconcile; it's more likely the calm before the storm."

"Tch... At a time like this, the Human Federation still has the energy to fight amongst themselves," Shinomiyami Nami curled her lip. "If you have the spare capacity, why not send more people to support us? We'll definitely provide enough food and clothing, but generally speaking, aren't our small cities the ones that are most lacking in combat power?"

"Even if you were to say such things to them, they probably wouldn't reach the ears of those who truly care about the future of humanity."

As Lapith spoke, Efnir watched her intently, lost in thought.

To be honest, Efnir felt that the conversation had gone a bit off track, or rather, it was all just high-sounding talk with little practical value. This had nothing to do with the right or wrong of the topics being discussed or their value judgments; it was simply unnecessary to specifically talk about these things when conducting a "summary of Operation Codename J".

"Wait a mininute."

Efnir raised her hand to interrupt Lapith: "If possible, Xijing City doesn't want to get involved in the internal struggles of Central Province. It's not something we should be worrying about right now, so there's no need to discuss it too much. By the way, Lapith, you seem to know a lot about things in Central Province. Did you live there before?"