Chapter 826: The Rebellion Army
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Huh? There’s no one here? A full-intelligence system – how’s that possible?”
When Bellio’s group stepped into the empire-level wars.h.i.+p, their eyes were filled with astonishment. In the enormous empire-level wars.h.i.+p, no one who was controlling the s.h.i.+p for it was a full-intelligence system.
“Any questions?”
An unfamiliar voice spoke, following which they watched as a young man with eyes abstruse eyes walked out from the wars.h.i.+p, staring at them serenely.
Everyone exchanged a glance. Of course, they had questions, major ones at that. According to their understanding, even the dimension-level wars.h.i.+p had not been fully automated. After all, a wars.h.i.+p was not just operating an engine. There were the cannon system, the life system, the navigation system, and so on, even the ability to traverse s.p.a.ce.
Therefore, intelligent systems were always only able to a.s.sist but not fully control the wars.h.i.+p. All the wars.h.i.+ps of the Atlan civilization that Merlin saw were still controlled by Atlans.
“A full-intelligence wars.h.i.+p – we’ve never seen one before. Can it be the army’s newest technological breakthrough? If that’s the case, how come you’re controlling it?”
Bellio’s expression was aloof but his voice was unusually steady.
Merlin’s heart leaped. He had overlooked this issue. He had always relied on the Matrix to control the empire-level wars.h.i.+p. Previously, he did not think much of it, even feeling that it was ordinary. However, now that he was interrogated by Bellio, he felt that the Matrix was unusual indeed. It was no longer a common intelligent system as it was able to control such a huge wars.h.i.+p.
Although he was caught off guard, Merlin soon thought of a response, saying softly, “You’re the Rebellion Army, so do you know that the army is recently advocating for war?”
“Of course we do. The army’s influence had swelled because they claimed that they could lead us out of this dimension, entering the vast Void Zone. This incessant war had caused countless deaths. This isn’t what we want so we rebel against the army, the Senate, and the Atlan Federation!”
Bellio and the rest of the Rebellion Army seemed to turn proud at this moment as if they were carrying out an incomparably sacred duty.
In truth, the Rebellion Army felt this way. What they were undertaking was a sacred endeavor, opposing the military presence in the Void Zone, opposing the war.
‘I didn’t expect that the Atlan civilization would be internally divided… However, it’s not that surprising. Even the Spell Caster civilization, at the start, had parties who wanted to reconcile with the Atlan civilization. Only the three Great Arcane Wizards knew that this was impossible. So, they did not bother. However, these people have established a Rebellion Army. I can use them to conceal my ident.i.ty!’
Many thoughts flashed in Merlin’s mind but he quickly responded, “Since you know of the army’s wicked acts, they’re not necessarily unrivaled in the Void Zone. Otherwise, there won’t be so many deaths. I’m one of those who entered the Void Zone. The Void Zone is too formidable. There are tyrannical forces that can easily wipe out thousands of wars.h.i.+ps. The dimension-level wars.h.i.+ps that we think are the strongest aren’t even worth mentioning before those overwhelming forces. The army has run into trouble. You must’ve received reports that the army has gathered more wars.h.i.+ps lately?”
Bellio and the rest were shocked, their faces s.h.i.+fting uncertainly. Following that, he nodded. “That’s right. We’ve received such news indeed. The army has mobilized wars.h.i.+ps on a wide scale lately, even starting to expand their forces. This time, we came here to investigate what’s happening in the Federation – we didn’t expect they’d been defeated in the Void Zone. Humph, this foolish army and the pa.s.sive Senate that are suppressed by the army. That army sees only war. Once they have the authority, they would surely start a large-scale war. Our dimension has been destroyed by war.”
The Rebellion Army was opposed to war and marching into the Void Zone. Even if they marched in, it must be in a peaceful manner, not starting a war.
Merlin silently disapproved of this. The Rebellion Army was so naïve, it was almost cute. Although the Void Zone was large, which area was not occupied by foreign civilizations? If a new civilization rose, it would surely cause a war. Back when the Spell Caster civilization rose, they had wiped out countless weak civilizations as well before finally expanding to their current glorious state.
Merlin did not care how the Rebellion Army had acted. Now, he needed to earn their trust, and must thus justify this “intelligent system” issue.
“Since they ran into problems in the Void Zone, the army brought some incomplete technology, which is this full-intelligence system. As to how I operate this wars.h.i.+p to return to the Atlan Dimension, I believe this is none of your concern, eh?”
“Hehe, indeed it’s not our business. Still, you drove this wars.h.i.+p back to the Atlan Dimension on your own, a deserter through and through in the eyes of the army. You also destroyed three city-level wars.h.i.+ps. By now, you’ve become the Federation’s enemy. Where can you go? Why don’t you follow us back to the Rebellion Army? We can protect you. Similarly, you can enhance our Rebellion Army’s strength. There’ll come a day when we’ll overthrow the army and the Senate, establis.h.i.+ng a peaceful, just world!”
Bellio’s words made everyone’s eyes shone. Nonetheless, Merlin shook his head helplessly. These people were idealists. After they survived in the Void Zone for a while, they would change their minds.
“Join your Rebellion Army? Your Rebellion Army has always been suppressed by the Federation. What future is there in joining you?”
Merlin would not agree at once, which might arouse suspicion. After all, the Federation’s power was still the greatest in the Atlan civilization, and it was a complete inst.i.tution. Joining the Rebellion Army, in the eyes of many, was rather insane.
Most who joined the Rebellion Army were criminals, rogues or perhaps adventurers and idealists, and so on. A Rebellion Army like this would not accomplish much.
Unless there was a miracle.
“Miracle? Am I not the bringer of miracles to them?”
A smirk flitted over Merlin’s lips as he stared evenly at Bellio and the rest.
Still, Bellio was able to recognize reality, laying things out orderly. “Our Rebellion Army is indeed somewhat disorganized now, and we’re rather weak in power. However, it’s the only place that can protect you. After all, you steering such a ma.s.sive wars.h.i.+p is too easily noticed. If you’re blocked, I’m afraid you’d be greeted with dimension-level wars.h.i.+ps.”
As if he was considering Bellio’s words, Merlin finally spoke with “great reluctance”, “Alright, then I shall follow you to take a look at the Rebellion Army first, and see how it’s like?”
“Haha, you’ll grow to like the place.”
Bellio and the rest cheered. Although they had encountered danger, they had roped in an empire-level wars.h.i.+p, one equipped with the army’s secretly researched, full-intelligence system. Such an advanced wars.h.i.+p was undoubtedly the number one a.s.set even in the Rebellion Army.
The Rebellion Army had only one dimension-level wars.h.i.+p. This was the fundamental reason the Rebellion Army could survive up until now. As for the other wars.h.i.+ps, they were too rare. Even city-level wars.h.i.+ps were few, much less empire-level wars.h.i.+ps. Mostly, they only had armed s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps that were modified.
Nevertheless, against the Federation’s wars.h.i.+ps, these were useless.
Following that, everyone sat in the wars.h.i.+p, flying toward the Rebellion Army. On the way, the members of the Rebellion Army seemed curious about this empire-level wars.h.i.+p. They were not high-level members of the Rebellion Army. Otherwise, they would not be sent to such a hazardous investigation mission. It was their first time setting foot in an empire-level wars.h.i.+p.
Meanwhile, Merlin stood by one side, finding out about the Atlan civilization, especially the major issues. Currently, Merlin still had some reservations such as the void-level wars.h.i.+p. It definitely could not be easily created in the Void Zone, and must be manufactured in advance in the Atlan Dimension, so where was this place? It must be the biggest secret. Only a few people would know, and Merlin was using his inquiries to speculate about some possible locations.
Other than the void-level wars.h.i.+p which made Merlin apprehensive, Merlin’s mind was lingering over a stubborn uneasiness. Ever since he entered the Atlan Dimension, this uneasiness had stayed with him.
After some consideration, he realized that the Atlan Dimension was left behind by the Vestigial Tribe. Its most mystical aspect was its ability to cut off the natural order. What did the Vestigial Tribe use to cut off the natural order?
This was something Merlin had to find out urgently. Only after resolving both of these inquiries to a reasonable extent would Merlin act with swift tremendous force to annihilate the Atlan civilization.
Only after he had an absolute guarantee would Merlin act.
“Merlin, I’m awake. These people are so weak. Why don’t you act? I’m rather ravenous now. This place is filled with energy, it’s wonderful…”
The black cat Didimoss had woken up. He stared at the stars.h.i.+ps beyond the wars.h.i.+p, and the Dimension Core below, his eyes gleaming with desire.
Due to the Dimension Core left by the Vestigial Tribe, this place was filled with energy everywhere. This was where Didimoss had the best advantage. Moreover, without the natural order, could Didimoss break past the critical point?
In that case, the black cat Didimoss would forever be unable to leave the Atlan Dimension. Otherwise, if he went out, he would suffer the onslaught of the Void Zone’s natural order.
“These people are weak indeed but they ultimately received a large part of knowledge and technology left by the Vestigial Tribe. The Vestigial Tribe could even kill powerful beings like the Thirty-six Emperors. Didimoss, we’d better be careful, and only act when we’re certain of success.”
Merlin pacified the black cat Didimoss. Merlin dared not underestimate the Vestigial Tribe in the slightest.
“Beep. Danger alert. A few small s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps are approaching from the front. Destroy them?”
After an unknown period, the piercing warning rang out, startling awake everyone in the wars.h.i.+p.