Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 529 454 Golden Amber_1

He really shouldn't have asked this.

To maintain harmonious relations, Huai Shi knew he should feign indifference, no matter how curious he was inside.

But he just wanted to know… Instead of sneaking around and checking later, why not clarify directly on the spot? If the previous conversation had been unpleasant, his words could have been interpreted as 'disrespectful,' but since the exchange had been cordial, why not lay out all questions openly? He had no intention of meddling. It was purely out of curiosity.

The Sand King fell silent for a moment, scrutinizing Huai Shi's expression as if looking for any sign of regret. In the end, he realized that this young man was perhaps merely driven by curiosity.

In actuality, he didn't care whether Huai Shi would have a change of heart. As The Crowned One, he would not mind having another Second Stage enemy, even if this enemy belonged to the Astronomical Society and had numerous battle achievements and a noteworthy résumé. He had been preparing for this for years, paying an enormous price, and would not stop no matter who stood before him.

Therefore, he did not intend to hide anything.

After a moment of contemplation, he looked up, downed his aperitif in one gulp, waved his hand to refuse the waiter's service, and set his glass aside.

"The so-called 'Golden Amber' is just an alias. Essentially, its main component is the skull of Demeter, a Fifth Stage Sublimator from the previous generation of Rome. It is the Philosopher's Stone she left behind," explained the Sand King calmly.

Demeter hailed from one of the main branches of the Rome Genealogy, possessing the Fifth Stage Saint Mark from the Greek Lineage, inheriting miracles from the God of Farming and Harvesting. In the Rome Genealogy, her status was akin to the Qing Emperor in the Dongxia Genealogy. A major support and supply figure, such beings are always indispensable in any Genealogy, even if it can do without one or two fighters.

Understand that miracles of farming and harvesting not only pertain to cultivating Abyss plants but often indicate a special skill that can accelerate the growth of Sublimators. It's said that with just a touch from the Qing Emperor, the growth years of all plants could be increased by a certain number—the amount dependent on the Qing Emperor's will, and the limit being the age of the Sublimator. There was no consumption involved, as natural as breathing. That meant, the older the Qing Emperor, the more formidable the power of the Stigma. Even if not all herbs and plants benefit from increasing age, the range of application remained terrifyingly vast.

Huai Shi was unclear about the effects of Demeter's Stigma, but knowing she ranked alongside the Qing Emperor made its value self-evident.

However, Huai Shi became even more puzzled. "Would the Rome Genealogy let it fall into foreign hands?" he asked.

"Before her death, she returned her accumulated Correction Value to the Rome Vatican," replied the Sand King. "And her body, in accordance with her will, was crafted into a Stigmata Relic."

He said, "A one-time consumable item."

Huai Shi could not imagine the details, but he could still sense the complexity and the countless struggles and compromises behind it. It must have been no small affair for a Fifth Stage Sublimator to willingly offer her own remains.

After pausing for a moment, the Sand King sighed and shared the most crucial piece of information: "Its effect is to turn a minimum of three hundred thousand square kilometers of land into fertile soil with year-round harvests, at the cost of consuming Correction Value."

Huai Shi stood stunned. He vaguely guessed something and, because of that, found it hard to believe.

"You intend to use it?" asked Huai Shi. "Or are you planning to destroy it?"

"Destroy the hope of redemption with my own hands?" The Sand King countered, "Do I give the impression of a violent and insane ambitious man, Mr. Huai Shi? Could someone really go to such lengths to secure their power?"

That was precisely why Huai Shi couldn't believe it. The source of the Sand King's Correction Value came from this very desert and the countless miners who continuously unearthed high-quality ore.

One could say his crown was built upon the suffering of present-day Australia. If the desert could be pushed back even an inch, his power would diminish by that much. If even one person found a way out and no longer had to work as a miner with an uncertain future, then his authority would be reduced by that much more. Thus, if the Sand King intended to use it, it would be like digging his own kingdom's grave.

"Why?" Huai Shi asked.

"Because I need it," the Sand King answered calmly. "Because Australia needs it."

"—Could there be anyone else here with enough Correction Value to utilize such a treasure, other than myself?"

"So, it has to be me." He said, "This sacrifice is mine alone to make."

Huai Shi fell silent, gazing at the aged man before him. Suddenly, he understood why this man didn't flaunt his extraordinary powers, why he didn't resort to violence or use his extraordinary abilities or status, yet still managed to gain such popularity and fervent following. He didn't see himself as a king, even though a majestic crown sat upon his head. What compelled admiration and respect wasn't his strength, but the promises he made and the candid stance he displayed now. Even if someone before him might be a rival, he would treat them with courtesy. Even if they might become enemies in the future, he wouldn't forgo speaking of his vision to gain their support. Even if the difference in their true statuses were as vast as heaven and earth, a Second Stage Sublimator and a noble Crowned One could still dine together at the same table. Regardless of whether his words were false or how much sincerity they held, such an open and bold spirit truly inspired awe in Huai Shi.

After pondering for a long time, he finally asked, "Do you want to save Australia, Lord Sand King?"

"That is not something I can accomplish." Lord Sand King shook his head. "Even if I exhaust all my Correction Value, the only thing I can change might just be the land around Canberra, right? But I believe that even such a small change, for an Australia that is barely holding on, is already enough—for us, there is nothing more valuable than hope."

"Aren't you afraid of opposition from others?" Huai Shi asked. "As far as I know, the biggest source of income for Australia now is the export of minerals. Countless people profit from this process."

"But my companions and my children are suffering in this process," Lord Sand King said. "If someone opposes, I will persuade them. If someone stands in my way, then I will kill them. Compared to this hope, nothing else is worth mentioning."

"Even if those who oppose include your subordinates and former companions?" Huai Shi asked.

"No, they stand with me." Lord Sand King proudly smiled. "From the very beginning, I have never hidden my purpose from them.

"Mr. Huai Shi, this was the promise I made to the previous Sand King, to my brothers, and my children—the legacy of the Sand King shall end with me."

"I will save our homeland that has suffered so much." He gazed out the window of the revolving restaurant, under the gloomy sky, to the endless sands stretching to the horizon beyond the city. "At the very least, I want to save my hometown, this barren land."

"Just that?" Huai Shi asked.

"Perhaps not only that," Lord Sand King replied. "I don't deny that from certain perspectives, my goals are not pure. But wanting power is not a shameful thing, right? To want people to admire and be thankful for what I've done, that can't be considered to have ulterior motives, can it?"

"Indeed." Huai Shi nodded in agreement. It really is quite satisfying to be thanked, and he had no position to refute it… After all, isn't that what Sublimators strive for when doing good deeds?

"Then, I think we can start our dinner." Lord Sand King revealed a smile.

What followed was a perfect dinner, where both host and guest enjoyed themselves.

When Lord Sand King bid farewell, Huai Shi escorted the elderly man all the way to his car outside the hotel. Before departing, Lord Sand King shook hands with Huai Shi very seriously.

"As far as I know, you should bear the Mountain Ghost Stigma, right?" he invited. "Would you like to be part of this?"

"I'll pass." Huai Shi smiled and shrugged. "Thank you for your grand invitation, but unfortunately, I'm on a tight schedule."

Lord Sand King nodded. "Then, I cannot see you off further. I wish you a smooth journey."

"I will." Huai Shi smiled, stood still, and watched the car drive away. Turning back to the hotel, he loosened the bothersome bow tie and finally took a breath.

That's the problem with talking to important people. It's easy to get nervous. Though many pleasantries were exchanged, the conversation was, for the most part, heartfelt and honest. He was almost roped into the Sand King's grand endeavor of Australian transformation...

"Really not tempted at all?" Raven perched on the chair, smirking. "Obtaining the Golden Amber, even for Soloist, would be quite a strong asset."

"Of course I'm tempted." Huai Shi shook his head, lying on the bed, and then suddenly said, "There are plenty of good things in the world; it doesn't make sense for them all to be mine, right?"

"You've given up?"

"Yeah, I've given up," Huai Shi nodded. "Though it's a bit embarrassing to say, I was convinced by him. Even if I got hold of it, I'd probably give it to the local Astronomical Society for them to decide whether to assist the Sand King or not, right?"

"The local Astronomical Society might not give up their neutral stance."

"Then they'll hold on to their neutrality," Huai Shi shook his head. "At least we don't have to worry about them doing anything bad, right?"

"You're really open-minded."

"I'm just clear about my own capabilities." Huai Shi reached for the Sword of Virtue from his saddlebag, studying the damaged blade and touching the notches. "If I've had any sort of gains these days, it's probably been a sense of fear."

"Fear?"

"Fear is not something to be ashamed of, right?" Huai Shi said. "I just don't want to rely too much on luck anymore."

"You've grown, Huai Shi."

"Thanks to you."

Raven shamelessly smiled. "Then you should really thank me."

"Yeah." Huai Shi closed his eyes, tired. "I almost want to thank you for eight generations to come…"

"No need to exaggerate; one lifetime is enough."

Before falling asleep, he heard these words whispered near his ear, and Huai Shi couldn't help but smile.

Then he fell into a deep sleep.