"No!"
Gray reacted faster than Nora, immediately rejecting Balund's arrangement. At the same time, his brain, which had been briefly slowed by the shock of the previous news, began to work rapidly again.
Only then did he finally understand the deeper meaning behind some details that had been subconsciously overlooked during the previous election.
Why did each candidate bring a companion when they went on stage?
The inventor, Rein Hansen, brought his experimental assistant; the explorer Suolaer, brought his second mate; even the young general Luke, brought an adjutant...
These companions were all people the candidates trusted most.
Gray arrived at the Great Labyrinth City at the very last minute, unaware of the previous arrangements, only assuming it was part of a ritual and ceremony. As a result, he ended up in a similar position to Nora by chance.
And now, he finally understands...
Balund, the elderly man in gray, had arranged everything from the very beginning.
Whoever becomes the Grand Foundry Master, whether an inventor or an adventurer, a general or a merchant, whoever is chosen is destined to enter that metal coffin.
The deputy they brought to the high platform was part of the plan from the beginning. After the succession ceremony of the Grand Foundry Master was completed, they would become the Grand Foundry Master's representatives in the Graycast Corridor.
Changing appearance, physique, and voice is not a difficult task given the current technological level of the Graycast Corridor.
With enough effort, most people can become almost as good as Gray through those methods.
Whose Authority does the proxy act on behalf of?
Of course, it was the Grand Foundry Master, but how many people remember what the Grand Foundry Master actually looked like?
Even today, how many people remember that "Grand Foundry Master" was originally an honorific title for Grand Artisan?
How many people still remember that the only Grand Foundry Master was named Aiboke?
Everyone only knew this old man in the gray robe, and only remembered a retired old man Balund Barend!
Even without plastic surgery, the proxy can conceal their identity by wearing a hood or mask.
It only takes one generation to pass through, until most of the people who remember him have died, and everyone else will believe that the one who has shown his face is the real Grand Foundry Master.
The true Grand Foundry Master had long since become Shadow, hidden beneath the Great Labyrinth City, becoming a part of it...
Just as Balund said—[one gets the name, the other gets the substance], the "power" and "strength" of the Grand Foundry Master were thus perfectly divided by him through "election" and "succession".
Having figured this out, Gray didn't blame the old man in front of him. He didn't know if the plan came entirely from Balund or was discussed with the " Aiboke " machine, but that didn't stop Gray from feeling that the old man's skills were unfathomable.
Meanwhile, another question gradually surfaced in his mind...
Although the gray-robed elder did not appear to have any mental problems, his emotions fluctuated significantly when Aiboke was mentioned earlier.
From the moment he first noticed that fluctuation, Gray felt something was off. Only when the truth was revealed did he finally understand the repression and pain that Balund had hidden beneath his calm.
Although he has not yet taken over the position of the Grand Foundry Master, Gray is already able to empathize with him to some extent.
Every day, you see that metal coffin sitting there, yet you can't even determine the life or death of your closest and dearest loved ones.
The power of the Grand Foundry Master seemed so powerless at this moment; endless suffering dragged him into the abyss of time, and he could not tell anyone about it until today.
Gray himself did not want to endure such pain, nor did he want Nora to endure it.
Moreover, such days don't just last a day or two, but often last for decades or even centuries.
He could accept being locked in a coffin, but he couldn't accept the existence of such a "gravekeeper".
The first generation of Grand Foundry Master has been operating smoothly for sixty years, and the metal coffin I am about to enter is an improved version of it, so it should not be a problem to maintain it for another hundred years.
But if he were to be imprisoned in that coffin forever, would he really want his loved ones to stay outside and guard him forever?
Besides, Nora is just an ordinary person; she simply won't live that long.
Thinking of this, Gray said loudly:
"I am willing to take on the responsibility of becoming Grand Foundry Master, but please find someone else to replace you!"
Nora is just an ordinary person; there's nothing she can do.
Upon hearing this, Balund shook his head and said:
"Don't worry, we've been preparing for this succession for a long time. She's just an ordinary person, so what?"
He turned to look at Nora, who was still in shock.
" Nora Gris, you took a test when you were young, and the result showed that you had a mediocre talent for Psionic Energy."
"While it's not outstanding, it's good enough."
As he said this, the gray-robed elder stretched out his left hand and, in front of everyone, pulled out his two fingers, which were made of black metal and engraved with Psionic Energy Circuit, and waved them in front of Nora:
"I am the world's most outstanding seal engraver. You only need to pay a small price to take complete control of my power through an extremely complex Psionic Energy Circuit."
"Although a lot of Psionic Energy will dissipate during the process, according to our calculations, the remaining amount will be enough to push you to the most basic High Tier."
"With continued practice, exceeding two hundred years of lifespan is not difficult."
Goodness, even this was part of your calculations?
The Soul Returner, all of whom were souls returning to their homes, were all astonished. Even Nuowa, a great mage Psionic Energy, raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that the young man he had once saved would possess such a skill.
As a great mage, he certainly knew that everything Balund said was true, but he also concealed many unspoken details, such as what would happen to himself after transferring the power to Nora.
In the brief moment of shock, Nora's eyes became even more resolute than before:
"I don't need this opportunity, Mr. Grand Foundry Master. I still believe I can do this job well, and I'm sure I'll do a better job Gray once I'm inside that machine."
Gray immediately retorted:
"Come on, I used your GPS on the way here, and it almost led me into a hole in the ground."
Nora was not to be outdone:
"You're the one who's hopeless. You can't even do basic repairs properly. You've probably forgotten everything you learned from your master."
"What can't be fixed? All machine problems can be solved with lubricant and quick-drying adhesive. The mechanic is absolutely right!"
"That's no excuse for you to wreak havoc on the Antasia! Besides good luck, you don't have any other notable skills."