Chapter 1686: Emergency Escape Route

This multifaceted crystal sphere, one of the Grandlight Tech Center’s three world-class secret treasures, not only provided protective shielding for the entire building but was also linked to every energy barrier throughout the subspace.

As it radiated dazzling white light, a thick energy barrier quickly formed before the group’s eyes.

In the distance, the radiance of the projectiles launched by the Gallant Federation’s apocalyptical weapon slowly came into view.

With nearly half of the subspace’s energy barriers already dissipated, the rockets faced little interference during their flight.

Even if some of them lost energy while breaking through the remaining barriers along their flight paths, the Gallant Federation’s Wandering Reaper, a weapon known for its relatively poor accuracy, relied on sustained, high-density, area-of-effect bombardment rather than precision.

In the end, the remaining energy barriers within the subspace absorbed less than a third of the Wandering Reaper’s total firepower.

The rest crashed down upon the Grandlight Tech Center itself.

Sein no longer had the luxury of continuing his research on the super bomb.

After calling Gilbert, Grethel, and the others over, he immediately began making defensive preparations.

Moments later, the Gallant Federation’s apocalyptic rocket barrage slammed into the thick, hexagonal energy barrier enveloping the Grandlight Tech Center.

Violent explosions and shockwaves erupted all around Sein and his group;.

If someone were observing from high above the Steel Ruins, they would see massive mushroom clouds blooming outward from the city’s center in every direction.

A terrifying tidal wave of energy conjured up a terrifying storm of steel and fire.

At the very heart of the explosion, Sein and his group atop the skyscraper felt the collision of forces beyond anything they had ever seen or even imagined.

The sheer power of the federation’s apocalyptical weapon vastly exceeded that of Sein and his group.

Even Fermera, who was healing rapidly and seemed on the verge of returning to her peak condition, would inevitably be annihilated if she faced such firepower head-on.

The overwhelming explosion and imminent threat plunged Sein and the others into extreme danger, but at the same time, it revealed an opportunity.

To destroy, one must first go mad!

With no temporary refuge available for himself or the others, Sein stood at the very heart of that terrifying force, staring intently at the explosions as his gaze grew increasingly frenzied.

“Flames of this caliber...!” Sein exclaimed, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice.

Already wearing the Faceless Mask, Sein surged forward against all expectations, nearly pressing himself against the rooftop barrier of the Grandlight Tech Center.

For the others, this was an unimaginable and sudden catastrophe.

But for Sein, it was a priceless opportunity to observe the collision of overlord-level forces up close!

At that moment, the energy circuits within the skyscraper began showing clear signs of instability.

Not only did the lights on the top floor flicker erratically, but the building itself started to shake, its walls vibrating as if the entire structure might collapse at any second.

Black Oblivion reacted quickly by turning toward the avatar and asking whether there were any emergency escape routes within the building.

He knew that technological civilizations always had the habit of preparing contingency plans, just like Magus World.

Every Magus World space fortress was equipped with specially designed escape pods and emergency teleportation channels, meant to evacuate as many knights and mages as possible before the fortress crashed or detonated.

The avatar did not answer Black Oblivion’s question.

Perhaps it simply did not consider Black Oblivion worthy of a response. Up until now, it had mostly spoken to Sein, the highest-ranking being present.

Although Gilbert and the others had occasionally interjected, their words clearly carried little weight compared to Sein, who owned the Magic Cube.

HALL-E, having recalled fragments of past memories, scratched its head and pointed toward the southwest corner of the building instead.

“There seems to be an emergency escape passage there,” it said uncertainly, “but it requires authorization from this control center’s artificial intelligence.”

HALL-E’s words caused everyone present to turn their gaze toward the avatar.

Yet the avatar remained focused on the surging energy ahead, its expression cold and indifferent, as if the fate of these Magus World beings meant nothing to it.

Finally, Sein spoke.

Without turning his head, his eyes still locked on the roiling shockwave ahead, he said calmly, “You guys go first. I’ll stay here a bit longer.”

“I hope you can help us one last time. Surely you don’t want everything related to the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization to vanish into the dust of history, right?

“Our Magus Civilization reveres knowledge and historical truth. When we return to Magus World, all information concerning the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization, along with what you have shared about Dr. Charles Isaac and the deeds of the other sages of your civilization, will be recorded within the Arcane Light of our Sky City for future generations to honor and study.”

Although Sein did not turn around, everyone knew he was addressing Number Two, the artificial intelligence of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization.

At that moment, Number Two finally responded.

This peculiar artificial existence, one that seemed indifferent even to its own survival, clearly had things it cared about after all.

“I can escort all of you out, but I hope you will not break your promise,” it said after a brief silence.

Of course they would not!

Documenting the discoveries within these top-tier civilizational ruins was precisely their mission.

Moreover, the technological breakthroughs and cultural achievements of the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization did not merely represent the former glory of its creatures. They also held immense research value and offered critical guidance for the Magus Civilization Sein represented.

The mysteries of hyperdimensional space and dimensional upgrades mentioned earlier by the avatar, as well as the Infinite Energy Device and the Space-Time Shocker, were all subjects that would interest even overlord-level beings of Magus World.

How could Sein and his group possibly conceal such information?

After all, most sentient beings possessed weaknesses.

Creatures entirely devoid of desire or attachment were virtually nonexistent within the Astral Realm.

Once the avatar agreed to the request, a translucent gray portal abruptly materialized.

Black Oblivion immediately urged everyone to leave. Yet just before stepping into the portal, Grethel turned back and asked Sein, “Are you really not leaving? Every second you stay here puts you in greater danger.”

The Gallant Federation’s apocalyptic barrage was overwhelming. Feeling that destructive power up close had left Grethel pale.

Although those around him could not see the expression hidden beneath Sein’s Faceless Mask, he was under immense pressure too.

Even so, Sein forced himself to respond in a steady voice, “I’m stronger than all of you. I’ll withdraw at the last moment. Don’t worry about me.”