Apocalypse Forecast

This is a great opportunity to seize power!

Hearing the words of the communications director, Huai Shi’s eyes lit up immediately, and his mind continuously conjured up various scenes that were about to unfold.

First, I’ll stir up conflict between the two sides, then initiate a struggle. I’ll probably need to use some minor tactics to establish my own credibility and further sideline the other decision-makers. Then, I’ll progressively push the Great Grandmaster into obscurity, establish my own undeniable position of authority, and finally, completely integrate the Iron Crystal Throne as...

Wait, why are my thoughts sliding downhill again!

His complexion changed slightly, which the others interpreted as confusion and shock, but they didn’t see a problem with it. Ah, he’s just a young man, after all. It’s understandable that he’d feel panic and unease upon hearing that the enemy is receiving reinforcements... They were completely oblivious that, other than seizing power, the only thing on his mind was beheading.

Itchy hands.

”These are photos from the scene.”

The communications director coughed and pointed at the photos on the screen. It showed a large area established amongst ruins, resembling an altar. There were faint, discernible traces of Alchemy, as well as several giant signal devices that were already scrapped.

”Restricted by the depth and manpower, the Ivy League is unlikely to send large-scale reinforcements in a short period. Therefore, if I were the decision-maker on the other side, for the sake of convenience and efficiency, it’s highly likely that they would recruit a Legion on-site, enlisting the Hell Swarm to fight for them.”

”Our exploration team has found many traces leading to the Depth Area and the Withering Region from the remnants of the altar, and it’s very possible they will be able to secure significant Legion support through the Ivy League’s influence in the Abyss. Of course, the Tomb of the Homeless might be involved too—”

After the communications director finished the report, he fell silent for a moment, then looked towards the Director of Affairs.

The Director of Affairs shook his head after briefly thinking, ”Although our research and exploration progress far exceed theirs, the Ivory Tower will not be deploying more people here for the time being. In about two weeks, the students will be able to gradually take over some of the affairs on the ship. At that time, some personnel will be freed up. But if we compare the two sides, we are at a disadvantage.”

”Then we should call for reinforcements too,” Huai Shi suddenly said. ”Even without the Summon Dragon Flute, the Ivory Tower can’t possibly have no contracts at all in Hell, right?”

”Although we have several Legion Contracts at hand, given the distance, they might not be able to respond. Moreover, the reliability of mercenaries is really not high. Even with contracts, cases of desertion and betrayal of the employer occur from time to time if not kept under strict control. Their work ethic in battle would likely also be questionable.”

The Director of Affairs said, ”Other divisions might have more experience, but the Iron Crystal Throne is more inclined to be a large mobile laboratory and lacks this kind of experience.”

Undoubtedly, in this Abyss exploration, the Ivory Tower held the upper hand and the advantage. The mere existence of the Iron Crystal Throne made this clear.

With such a mobile headquarters, even if they ventured deep into the Withering Region, as long as they didn’t provoke any Rulers, they could still retreat unscathed from any trouble.

This was also why most of the division’s energy was actually focused on the Iron Crystal Throne; strong in defense but lacking in offense.

By contrast, another branch of the research academy, ’White Pigeon,’ is on the other extreme. It hardly has any researchers. Or rather, every individual is both a researcher and a frontline Explorer.

There are a total of only six of them.

They never need a lab, nor do they need support from others. Once they dive into Hell, they stay for decades, and nobody knows whether they’re dead or alive.

They dive wherever it’s dangerous. Wherever there’s trouble, this bunch of troublemakers can always be found. Each of them holds a bunch of Legion Contracts and numerous Border Relics. Rather than research, it’s more like they’re looting with a bunch of mercenaries in Hell. When they come across any significant findings or results, they send a signal, and other branches quickly move down to take over the discoveries.

They had cooperated in the past, and everyone had a deep impression of those violent researchers’ exaggerated style.

If they were here to cooperate, one attacking and one defending, efficiency would definitely improve greatly.

But hindsight is a luxury.

By now, the Ivy League division had clearly realized it couldn’t surpass the Ivory Tower in competition, so seeking external support was natural. After all, if worst came to worst, some of the results could be shared.

Securing any lead was better than being left with nothing after the Ivory Tower took everything.

In these recent times, the aim of the Iron Crystal Throne had been to take complete control of this Hell, transforming it thoroughly into a production base and factory for the Ivory Tower. How could they share stock in their own base with others? The thought of sharing the spoils was to be dismissed outright.

The treasured aspect of the Town of Dusk lay in the massive production capacity it would bring after returning to normalcy. To preserve its value, meticulous work was undoubtedly required. They couldn’t afford to squander power limitlessly in god-like battles; otherwise, it would be putting the cart before the horse. Even if they won in the end, taking back an empty shell would be of no use at all.

Hence, the ability to suppress the opposition throughout the exploration and to expand their own advantage had become the current focal point.

After briefly pondering, Huai Shi quickly sorted out the current top priority in his mind.

Therefore, he raised his head and suggested, ”If you don’t have the experience, why not let me handle it?”

”I’ll oversee the Legion recruitment.”

Huai Shi said, ”And the management of the Hell Swarm can also be left to me—after all, you can discuss and handle the affairs of the Iron Crystal Throne amongst yourselves, without expecting any accidents. So rather than being an ornament here, it’s better for me to find a place where I can be more valuable.”

In the brief silence, several of the supervisors looked at each other.

You do it?

That could be a solution...

But the question is, can this young man control those inherently ruthless monsters? It’s not something that can be settled by reason and the spirit of contracts. In Hell, even with a signed contract, there are endless uncertainties.

Can you handle this?

Seeing that no one stood up to object, Huai Shi knew he had a chance and began to speak, ”First, I have the resume and experience of an Astronomical Association Inspector, and I’m clear about many of Hell’s decrees and rules.”

He was completely bluffing. Having been an Inspector for a year, he hadn’t even finished reading the Astronomical Association’s regulations. The only bit of legal knowledge he had about Hell came from chatting with a teacher from the class next door.

But the others didn’t know that Teacher Huai was all show and simply nodded in agreement.

”Secondly, I’m a Soloist of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy. To the Hell Swarm, I won’t be as difficult to integrate as the Current Circumstances Sublimators. If prejudices can be put aside, I’m actually more suitable than others to communicate with them.”

This did make some sense.

”Next, I am the Disastrous Musician and the Abyss Kitchen Devil, and I also hold the title of Prince of Paradise within the Hell’s Paradise Institution, which gives me authority among the Abyss Horde.”

Huai Shi spoke with conviction—if one were to ignore the context of the Book of Fate and the Astronomical Society, he was starting to wonder why he hadn’t already become a Second fifth, defected to the Abyss, and sought a grander future...

”Lastly, I am the Headmaster’s Secretary, and can also be seen as his proxy. I have such authority and am qualified to negotiate with them.”

He didn’t hesitate to drape himself in Luo Su’s tiger skin as if it were his banner to wave.

After all, a title cost nothing, and it’d be a waste not to use it.

Bafflingly ending up as the chief person responsible and scapegoat for the Iron Crystal Throne, Huai Shi had his pride. Although he wouldn’t let personal feelings get in the way of his work, wouldn’t it betray Luo Su and the others’ painstaking efforts if he didn’t stir up a bit of trouble?

Moreover, he actually wanted to get closer and experience the fully formed swarms up close, to feel the difference between his own Crow Flock and the other Hell Swarms.

And incidentally, during the following exploration and development, he could let them scrape up some experience points and see if they could improve.

This was what Huai Shi was most focused on at the moment.

Of course, he didn’t want to admit that the biggest reason was he couldn’t stay put on the ship for more than two days.

He wanted to go out for a few strolls.

And if he could dismantle something to limber up, even better!

Since Huai Shi had made his case, no one objected.

Even as the nominal leader, Huai Shi remained the highest authority. Huai Shi’s performance in the last couple of days had already won their approval, so naturally no one thought he would act impulsively and mess things up.

”Then it’s decided,” Huai Shi declared, and the meeting concluded.

Accompanied by a loud roar, large unmanned construction vehicles were swiftly clearing the debris near the Iron Crystal Throne’s base to make space for the upcoming summoning.

About four or five hours later, a flat concrete surface had appeared amid the ruins. Shortly thereafter, with the cooperation of the Alchemists, the large Secret Ritual for summoning was completed.

By the time dusk arrived, the temporary lodgings for the Hell Swarm had been constructed on the perimeter. Precious Deep Maintenance Instruments were even brought out to ward off the Curse of day and night from the outside.

With the opening of the ship’s stern, Huai Shi stepped out carrying several iron boxes and walked straight towards the center of the Alchemy Matrix.

Having experienced using the Summon Dragon Flute before, he found this summoning to be smooth and effortless.

The Iron Crystal Throne itself stored tokens of various Hell Swarms, so there was no need to use loudspeakers to call out across a wide area. It was like making a private phone call through a ritual; if a long-term deal already existed, they could even be summoned directly.

However, there was a certain risk involved.

Therefore, to ensure Huai Shi’s safety, the Iron Crystal Throne decided to assign him a guard dog.

The only dog on the entire ship—though it was only called a guard dog because, no matter how you looked at it, this thing didn’t resemble one at all.

Huai Shi looked down at the mosaic huddling by his leg.

Yes, a pile of mosaics, white and gray, randomly pieced together into the outline of a dog. And it even seemed to sit on the ground like a real dog, wagging its mosaic tail and panting.

On its back was mounted a sign with two words—”Guard Dog.”

Incredible.

As if sensing something, it had been trying to paw at Huai Shi’s leg and nudge his saddlebag with its head for the past few moments.

It was anxious and whimpering.

Not until *War and Peace* peeked out of the saddlebag and meowed unhappily did the ”guard dog” finally quiet down a bit. It really wanted to play with the cat.

By the way, the cat today was white: Peace.

Hopefully, it really would be peaceful...

Huai Shi opened the boxes.