Chapter 309. Truth

As Charles scanned through the written text on the paper, a buzzing filled his head. He wasn't sure if it stemmed from his temple wounds or from the astonishment of the mind-blowing revelations.

The Foundation had succeeded. They had actually succeeded in harnessing the power of the Divinities.

Yet, Charles immediately felt a sense of amiss. If the Foundation had truly captured the Divinities' power, why had they vanished?

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

With the thought in mind, Charles continued on to the next page. However, he didn't find another experiment log but rather a monologue from Aaron.

"Yes, you read that correctly. Dr. K9 did indeed capture a fragment of Entity 003's power. He's a pioneer scientist, a visionary of humanity.

Shortly after Dr. K9 achieved success in his groundbreaking experiment, various research institutions began analyzing this "Divine Blood." I don't know much about the details, but I've heard from my fellow colleagues that despite the groundbreaking creations from these studies, there had also been numerous deaths and frequent loss of control in the process.

After that, I don't know what the GK Council members were thinking. But not long after that incident, they actually approved Dr. K9's proposal to carry out a high-risk experiment with the Divine Blood.

The entire study was moving too fast. I wasn't the only one with such an opinion. Even my colleagues feel the same. We couldn't understand the rationale behind it. Eventually, my premonition was right. The experiment failed and brought about unthinkable consequences."

Experiment Title: K392

Location: Main Island of the Foundation

Involved Personnel: Entire GK Council, Commander of the Foundation's Task Force

Test Materials: Divine Blood, Project 134, Project 099, Project 791, Project 6478

Risk Assessment: Highest risk category. All personnel within the Foundation are required to maintain Level 1 Alert status. Activation of all contingency plans and Dr. O5 to be on standby near Project 010; in case of a Level 3 or higher global anomaly, initiate Project 010 immediately.

Experimental Protocol: Instruct Project 134, Project 099, Project 791, and Project 6478 to put on a collaborative performance, "Song of Creation," to catalyze Divine Blood.

The text was abruptly cut off. There were no experimental outcomes or evaluations. Charles turned his gaze onto 319 and noticed that the brass printer still had one last page. He reached out and pulled the final piece of the puzzle from 319.

"Don't ask me what's the outcome of the experiment. The last thing I remember is every project on the island going berserk and they started attacking Foundation members indiscriminately in a frenzied craze. Even those typically benign projects weren't excluded. All task force members were deployed, regardless of their level, but it was far from enough.

The last scene I saw was that under the clear illumination of Dawn Four, a massive dark shadow, as colossal as the Earth itself, rose from the blue sea and moved toward the main island.

My fellow beings, please remember this bloody lesson we've learned. Without absolute certainty, we mustn't meddle with the power of Divinities. We are but mere specks of dust in the face of these Divinities."

Sometimes, I wonder if perhaps it was like the words of those infected by the D4 meme: the day their god awakens would be the day of humanity's extinction.

If any council members survived that experiment, they would surely be speechless at this point. They spent a whole century relocating all the projects to this seascape, but it had never crossed their mind that this place harbors entities far more dangerous than all those projects combined.

I'm sorry for complaining so much. I should forget all those grievances. Our story has ended, and now it's your turn.

No matter how bleak, we cannot give up! We are the last line of defense between the humans living on the surface and these entities. If we fail, humanity's annihilation will come next. Comrades, remember our oath—We fight to protect mankind!"

Charles sat dazed on the bed as the paper in his hand slowly fell out of his grasp and onto the floor. His eyes were unfocused, and peace evaded his heart for a long while.

The information overloaded his mind capacity, and his thoughts were in a jumbled mess.

Firstly, his previous guesses had been spot on. The Foundation had indeed played itself into oblivion. They succeeded once, and the false confidence they had gotten from that success blinded them into catastrophically failing the second time.

Secondly, the relics weren't native to the Subterranean Seascape. The Foundation had relocated them here to be contained in the seascape, treating the place like a prison.

But the most important and final conclusion was that despite all the significant information these records held, there was no mention of any clue about the exit to the surface.

A wry, self-mocking smile appeared on Charles' countenance as a sense of futility washed over him.

I went through so many difficulties and it's all for naught?

An emptiness started to fill him. It was similar to striking cotton with all his might, but there were no results. He was unsure if his relentless struggle would actually bear fruits in the end.

Sensing the depressing atmosphere in the room, Lily cautiously jumped onto Charles. She lifted his hand and put it gently on her fluffy head.

Click! Clack!

319 whirred to life once again to spit out another sheet of paper.

I like Mr. Charles. I don't want him to be sad. Would he feel better if I nuzzled him?

Staring into Lily's watery, big eyes, Charles let out a light chuckle. Gentle, he stroked her furry back.

"I'm alright. A little setback like this can't break me. Since there are no clues here, we'll just keep searching until I can't move anymore."

"Yeap! Mr. Charles, I'll accompany you till the end!" Lily exclaimed as she rubbed her face contently against his hand.

The tense atmosphere in the room gradually dissipated. Charles lay down on this hospital bed and listened to the faint sound of waves outside, trying to find solace in this moment of peace.

The setback he went through at Newbound City had hardened his resilience tremendously. There was no way he would succumb to despair so easily now. Moreover, this expedition hadn't been entirely fruitless.

He pinched Lily's long tail playfully and instructed, "Go fetch Audric. Remind him to bring over those papers I had him picked up from the floor. They're important."

"Got it!" Lily scampered toward the door, but before she could get out, it was suddenly kicked open. A group of crew members burst in, nearly stepping on her.

They were carrying First Mate Bandages and placed him down on the nearby surgery table. Gloomy expressions painted their faces.

"What happened?" Charles asked as he leaned forward.

Bandages seemed to be in terrible condition. He was convulsing, and he erupted into frequent violent coughing fits.

"We don't know. The First Mate had been looking at the sea charts when he suddenly collapsed in this manner. Seems like he's fallen ill," Feuerbach explained to Charles.

Linda took out a syringe and drew liquid from a bottle. Just as she was going to inject it into Bandages, the latter seized the needle.

He shook his head in protest.

"

Cough cough!!

It's no use...

Cough, cough, cough!

Because of the... sacrifice... earlier...

Cough, cough, cough!

I've been... cursed."