Chapter 1454: Chapter 1452: Upgrade
The Great Demon Leader’s speech swiftly stabilized the troops’ morale.
The vast majority of knights still placed their trust in the newly crowned Great Demon Leader. Furthermore, since none of the other leaders voiced any objections, it signified that this “explanation” posed no issues.
Within the Expeditionary Army, some knights who had harbored discontent with the Holy City’s governance or had engaged in deep exchanges with Demons during their time in the London Game also supported this [Great Reformation].
After all, the early founding principle of the Holy City was—”To resist Demons.” The current reforms were indeed necessary.
However.
Some rational-minded knights could still discern a certain underlying issue,
If the reform was truly necessary, why wasn’t everyone informed beforehand, laying everything transparently on the table?
Additionally, the symbolic structure at the very summit was no longer a “neutral body” belonging to the council but instead an edifice directly connected to the [Steam Knights], exuding a sense of authoritarian rule.
…
“Dumps’ warning was indeed correct—the changes occurring in the Holy City far exceed our expectations.
The Great Demon Leader’s reasoning might not be wrong, but there must be unspeakable secrets hidden behind this entire reform. Just the transformations in the civilian area alone would have been unthinkable in the past.”
Since Han Dong belonged to the Fourth Corps, he was situated precisely at the rear of the main force.
[Magic Eye Wide Open]
Adopting a scanning method, he probed the situation within the nearby civilian areas.
The civilians confined to their homes displayed varying degrees of “steam mechanization,” with mechanical prosthetics being the most prevalent… Clearly, the modifications were offered entirely free of charge. Otherwise, given the erstwhile cost of prosthetics, it would’ve been impossible for civilians to afford them.
The modifications encompassed not just the young, but also the elderly of advanced age, all of whom had wholly “accepted” the enhancements.
Moreover, the older one was, the greater the mechanical modifications’ coverage appeared to be… Han Dong even observed some civilians undergoing basic training conducted by Apprentice Knights.
Newly established branches of the Knight Regiment even appeared in the lower-class civilian areas, replacing the previous law enforcement departments and implementing some form of militarized management over the populace.
“Militarization of the entire population?
In the past, the Holy City’s conscription system for ‘manpower replenishment’ relied on mandatory drafts.
Each household in the civilian area was required to send young adults during specific months of the year to [Festival Square] to jointly enter the Fate Space for the ‘Fate Initial Trial.’
If they survived and returned as a “Returner,” the entire family’s social status would elevate, escaping the identity of civilians and stepping into a carefree, prosperous life.
The Holy City itself also encouraged high birth rates. For each child, families would receive fertility subsidies until the children reached adulthood.
Thus, most civilian families would try to have as many children as possible, hoping that at least one child could lead the family out of its civilian status.
But now, this model has been altered.
Through the Steam Knights’ provision of universal modifications, individuals of all ages became eligible to enter the Fate Space.
Moreover, with the aid of prosthetic enhancements and the foundational training provided by the Knight Regiment, the survival rate of civilians entering the Fate Space would be greatly improved.
…However, the atmosphere in some households was somewhat peculiar.
Instead of undergoing training, they were engrossed in studying some type of bizarre literary books.”
Bearing these doubts, Han Dong continued strolling through the familiar streets of the Holy City.
Crossing the Mothralbi Canal that divided the civilian area.
He ascended the steps leading to the [Second District].
All the while, Sally, who had been following closely by his side, caught a strange scent permeating the air—one that startled her slightly, even as a “Black Goat.”
“Nicholas, why does your human city have the scent of Demon? And it’s of a high-tier variety on par with us Black Goats… Didn’t you humans just recently gain sovereignty? How could there already be Demons residing here?”
Sally’s remark prompted Han Dong to discover wisps of faint Demon Breath wafting through the air.
The traces extended in a direction entirely opposite to that of the Knight Academy and instead followed the railway tracks and residential buildings of the Second District, reaching all the way to the deepest corner.
“Hmm? That direction… Isn’t it where the Secret Museum, the headquarters of the [Secret Language Knight Order], is located?
Why would Demon Breath be emanating from there? Let’s ask Charlie; he might know something.”
However, when Han Dong extended his awareness, Charlie was nowhere to be found among the Expeditionary Army.
Not only that, but every knight associated with the Secret Language Knight Order had vanished as well… Of course, apart from Han Dong. It seemed they had received some encrypted message upon entering the city and discreetly departed from the squad.
This eerie feeling stirred within Han Dong the idea of sneaking away to investigate the Secret Museum to uncover the truth.
However, as one of the main contributors to the Expeditionary Army’s success, Han Dong’s absence would easily draw attention… Let alone the fact that Miss Sally was accompanying him.
At this moment, a hand gently rested on Han Dong’s shoulder.
“Nicholas, there’s no need to rush to uncover the truth. Follow the main force to the council district first… You’ll naturally understand everything then.”
“Understood.”
Taking Dumps’ advice, Han Dong dispersed the crow condensed in his palm back into its original magical form.
He ascended the staircase, heading upward.
The Third District didn’t present many peculiarities; even the distant [Bell Tower] functioned as usual.
However, the knight regiment headquarters were all completely deserted, seemingly having convened earlier at the council district.
Continuing upward, stepping onto the stairway named “Steps of Zeus,” they arrived at the council level.
The “Steam Pillar” towering at the center was operating at full capacity,
its protruding structure extending about five hundred meters skyward. At its midpoint resided the headquarters of the Mechanical God Sect, exuding waves of oppressive [Holy Ring], as though from within it, a certain presence was observing everyone below.
Yet, most knights’ attention was captivated by the new council building, to the extent that some found it utterly unacceptable.
“Hmm? Has the council building been completely overhauled?”
The former council hall, which had been absolutely sealed off, surrounded by numerous layers of barriers, safeguarding the Holy City’s highest secrets, had been entirely demolished and rebuilt.
Centered around the “Steam Pillar,” a completely open-style council area had been constructed.
Its architecture resembled an ancient Roman amphitheater.
“This! Such an open council area, devoid of any ceiling structure, is directly under the comprehensive surveillance of the higher layer’s [Holy Ring].
Isn’t this hierarchical design far too blatant? No wonder it was carried out secretly during the Big Expedition.”
As the Expeditionary Army entered the open council square, they were greeted with resounding cheers.
The stationed knights who had gathered in advance welcomed the Expeditionary Army’s return with the utmost enthusiasm and respect.
Meanwhile.
Han Dong’s gaze swiftly scanned the area.
Most of the council members were still alive and present, yet they sat motionless like statues, acting purely as “spectators” without exhibiting any actions or verbal expressions.
As the Expeditionary Army fully assembled, the [Thirteen Knight Orders] reunited once again.
Rumble!
The ground trembled as thirteen towering stone thrones rose abruptly ahead,
their material, engravings, and the numbers etched on the backs of the thrones each corresponding to the individual leaders.
At this moment.
The five leaders within the Expeditionary Army each took their designated seats… The Great Demon Leader’s throne stood at the very center.
At the same time.
From the [Holy Ring Area] above, beams of light descended, enveloping the stone thrones.
The leaders who remained behind in the Holy City also descended, taking their places on the corresponding thrones.
However, seated on the steam-designated throne was not the Gold Master but the deputy leader of the Steam Knights, Mr. Newton.