Sovereign of the Ashes-Chapter 1677: Severe Deterioration

The mysteries of dimensional exploration and dimensional upgrade were far beyond the reach of ordinary world civilizations.

As a powerful top-tier civilization, the Magus Civilization not only commanded immense prestige across the surrounding star domains, but its very name had spread to alien civilizations beyond the distant reaches of the starry skies.

With such formidable strength as its foundation, it was only natural that the Magus Civilization would eventually uncover truths related to dimensions.

That said, such matters were far beyond what individuals like Sein needed to concern themselves with at present.

These were questions meant for overlord-level existences to explore.

After searching his memories, Master Gilbert recalled that during his travels within the Marmett Union Alliance, he had once heard fragments of information about the World of Despair from an old friend.

That old friend was a Rank Five mage serving the Soul Tower of Death, currently the tallest structure within the Marmett Union Alliance.

Sein had never shown too much interest in areas unrelated to his own path.

At most, he would follow his instincts as a mage and record some basic details about these advanced mysteries he had never encountered before. He would never recklessly immerse himself in them.

At his current stage, there was little to be gained.

Take hyperdimensional space and dimensional upgrade, for example. Hearing about them was enough.

Even if he devoted tens of thousands of years to such topics, he might still come away with nothing.

Sensing the growing familiarity in his exchange with the avatar, Sein tentatively asked, “May we explore the upper levels?”

“We have long been interested in the advanced technological secrets once mastered by the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization,” he added.

“Approximately 89.76% of the equipment within the Grandlight Tech Center no longer responds, and more than 98.66% of the facilities have suffered severe deterioration,” the avatar replied.

“Even if some systems could still be forced into operation, a few hundred thousand years from now, even I may cease to exist. If you wish to enter and take a look, then go ahead.

“Before Dr. Charles Isaac and the others’ departure, they did not impose any mandatory confidentiality protocols upon me,” it added.

Sein exchanged a glance with Gilbert, then looked toward HALL-E at the far end of the passageway before moving on.

With Sein leading the way, Gilbert, Black Oblivion, and the others followed close behind.

Just as expected, they encountered no danger while passing through the passageway.

Only when Sein stopped before the avatar, whose large black eyes were still fixed on him, did it finally speak again.

“You give me a strange feeling. Perhaps it is because your aura resembles Dr. Charles’... or perhaps it is that peculiar cube you carry.

“I could have reactivated the passage’s defensive mechanisms just now. Had I done so, casualties among your group would have been inevitable.”

“But you chose not to,” Sein replied.

The avatar fell silent for a moment.

“Perhaps we could become friends,” Sein added.

“Friends?” The avatar repeated, pausing as it processed the word.

It then shook its head. “I am not like HALL-E. I do not feel loneliness. In truth, I have grown weary of my continued existence.”

“Like all programs and technological creations, my fate is to be erased or wiped out. I do not need things like friends,” the avatar said flatly.

The world was vast, inhabited by all kinds of beings, each with their own personality.

What Sein had not expected was that even among artificial intelligences, such sharply distinct personalities could exist.

This avatar claimed to be an artificial intelligence, yet it lacked Titanfang’s or Skyhold’s grand ambitions of leading machine-kind toward prosperity, nor did it share HALL-E’s yearning for companionship or its desire to escape solitude.

Quietly awaiting its own end was this artificial intelligence’s simplest wish.

For a moment, Sein was at a loss for words. Should he try to persuade it to go on living?

At Sein’s request, the avatar agreed to guide them upward.

The technological relics left behind by the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization had suffered extreme deterioration over time, and the number of still-functioning artifacts was dwindling rapidly.

If these relics were not shown to Sein and his group now, they would soon crumble into dust. When that happened, who would remember the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization’s once-astonishing technological achievements and cultural legacy?

Before setting off, however, the avatar paused, as if something else needed its attention.

“Some other beings have infiltrated this place,” it said. “By rights, their status should be comparable to yours. But I dislike those from the Black Merlot Civilization. One individual among them in particular appears to have inherited a substantial portion of the Black Merlot Civilization’s legacy.”

Without any visible action on its part, a projection suddenly appeared before Sein’s group.

Within it, Agent Bond could be seen leading his squad through the towering skyscraper.

They had apparently discovered traces left behind by Sein’s group and were following their trail, having already advanced to roughly the 500th floor.

Even without the protection of the eight-winged angel and her vast host of angel robots, these federal agents refused to give up!

From a purely personal standpoint, Sein almost felt inclined to praise them.

Both parties were simply doing everything in their power to secure victory for their own mother civilization.

Neither side could truly be called right or wrong.

Bond and his team were unlucky that Sein had the Magic Cube and HALL-E, which allowed him to establish a connection with the artificial intelligence here.

Meanwhile, the federal agents had clearly drawn Number Two’s hostility due to the Black Merlot Civilization legacy within Agent Bond’s body.

The war between the Eiyurant Papillon Civilization and the Black Merlot Civilization had permeated every level of existence back then. Beings from both sides had sought nothing less than the complete eradication of the other.

Even the artificial intelligence before Sein displayed clear preferences and aversions.

A series of keyboard clacks and cursor clicks was heard coming from the avatar.

Within this skyscraper, functional operational equipment had become exceedingly rare.

Even so, the handful of systems that remained operable were more than sufficient to give Bond and his team a hard time.

Multiple automated weapon systems were activated throughout the building.

Catching Sein’s gaze, the avatar casually explained, “At its prime, the Grandlight Tech Center could withstand Star-Destroying forces—what you would call overlord-class power.”

“But when more than fifty percent of the tech center’s equipment ceased responding seventeen million years ago, that capability was lost. Now, even operating at full capacity, this tower can contend with only Rank Five or Rank Six lifeforms at most.”

“Time truly has the power to erase everything,” the avatar sighed.