“Countdown to launch begins.”
A synthesized voice, distinct from the universal language, echoed around the Tower of Babel.
For some unknown reason, both the Demon Clan and the Solun Dragons felt an inexplicable fear upon hearing this voice. Even the people in the tower experienced some trepidation, as this voice seemed devoid of any emotion, much like a true deity, showing no concern for the fate of mortal beings.
Although Lilith found it somewhat comforting, she looked worriedly at her brother, who had already entered the cabin, sat down, and was quietly waiting for the cabin door to close.
“Separation of interfaces, closure of cargo bay doors.”
The various passages connected to the cabin began to close. Under Anastasia’s command, everyone had already withdrawn from the interconnected passages, quietly watching through screens as the cabin, encircled by eight towering structures, settled onto the launch pad.
The emotionless announcement rang out on time: “Five… four… three… two… one.”
Lind had never imagined he would take a space elevator ride, let alone in another world. Although he had mentally prepared himself multiple times, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel very nervous. This had nothing to do with human emotion but purely a reverence for the crystallization of human wisdom.
“Launch.”
As the cold announcer’s voice sounded, the eight towers simultaneously began to flicker with blue flames. Rather than flames, it was more like a kind of energy that was almost solidifying. In an instant, the blue energy surrounding the cabin also began to surge, propelling the cabin skyward.
Outside the Tower of Babel, the Solun Dragons, having finally broken through the blockade set by the elves, arrived around the tower. Seeing the flickering blue towers, the Solun Dragons shouted, “Good opportunity! Let’s take down this tower while we can!”
Just as the dragons prepared to attack the “operating” tower, they saw the surging blue flames blending into giant waves that swept everything around the tower.
Immediately afterward, a black-and-white “grid” was launched at a speed that even dragons could not comprehend, as it accelerated further through a certain circular portal.
Why did the Solun Dragons initiate war? Why did they harbor such hatred for the tower? Why, even after such an incredibly long time for dragons, did they still want to completely topple the tower?
Because these dragons would not allow anything in this world to surpass their might.
In truth, this had nothing to do with who truly ruled the continent; the dragons didn’t even care who was in charge. Yet, in the minds of these proud dragons, they should be the strongest, most perfect creatures, the only overlords of the skies.
The existence of the tower seemingly showcased that humans and elves could transcend dragons through their own power, which was something the dragons could never permit.
It was this twisted mindset that supported the dragons’ return to this continent.
However, the scene before them shattered the pride of the Solun Dragons, for the black-and-white grid quickly surpassed the highest altitude that dragons could reach, and soon it was almost impossible for dragons to spot the figure of the grid.
Among the Solun Dragons, an elderly dragon flapped its wings, trying to catch up to the black-and-white grid, completely disregarding the diminishing magic power and increasing turbulence in the high altitudes, continuously beating its wings.
“Elder! You cannot fly any higher! If you go any further up, it will be a realm even dragons cannot reach!”
A young dragon flew up to block the elderly dragon, but the elder dragon furiously turned back and breathed fire at the young one.
“No! No way! I must go higher! What humans can achieve, dragons should have no reason to fail!”
This elderly dragon, much like Icarus from Greek mythology, continued to flap its wings, yearning to fly a little higher, even breaking through to above the black fog, where the sun, obscured by fog, could be seen.
This was a height that all dragons had never reached, even surpassing the maximum limits calculated by Deborah and Margaret. At this height, the dragon could even see the core of the black fog, which theoretically could only be struck from the sky.
But it wasn’t enough, because the black-and-white grid was still ascending at a terrifying speed. It wasn’t enough, the dragon continued to flap its wings, only to discover that it was not only unable to rise further but was also plummeting quickly.
The environment around had ceased to be described as turbulent magical power; it could even be said to be devoid of magic entirely. A dragon’s ability to sustain flight no longer relied on wings but on the powerful manipulation of the sparse magical environment at high altitudes. To have reached this point was already a testament to the elder dragon’s profound strength.
The dragon’s claws helplessly reached out toward the cabin that seemed destined to enter the infinite sky. Then, under the sun’s light, it began to fall towards the ground like Icarus.
….
Unlike in dreams, Lind distinctly felt an overwhelming pressure. Although he had undertaken numerous protective measures and donned a pressure suit crafted from the collective efforts of all people of this era, at this moment, Lind still felt a sensation of suffocation.
It seemed this space elevator was more exaggerated than in movies, or perhaps the cabin’s materials were even more advanced. Despite strong discomfort, Lind surprisingly did not faint.
The exterior shell, crafted by the continent’s top workers, began to vibrate and shed fragments. Fortunately, everything proceeded according to plan, without any accidents.
Lind made an effort to open his eyes and cast his gaze toward a small piece of glass within the cabin.
Is this world really only comprised of two continents? What is beyond the Mist Sea? Taking this opportunity, Lind felt he should at least take a good look at this world.
But outside the window, there was nothing…
Or rather, it wasn’t that there was nothing; a wall of mist beyond comprehension blocked the entire Mist Sea. Even though Lind was currently in a space elevator soaring upwards at nine thousand kilometers, even though he was inside what might be the tallest structure in human history, he could only see thin mist obstructing his view. This world seemed severed from something.
At that moment, Lind suddenly noticed the dark cables outside the window.
Wait a minute? Didn’t 550C say that this space elevator relied solely on propulsion for connection?
Soon, Lind felt a slight, moderate tremor in the cabin as it connected to those cables. Suddenly, he noticed the pressure drastically decreasing, making the entire ascent even more stable. Lind carefully observed the cables outside, which weren’t designed that way but seemed to have snapped suddenly.
“Identity badge verification passed, allowing access to the Heavenly Palace command center. Welcome to the space station. Wishing you a pleasant work experience.”
