The man's voice had a distant echo, as if it were recalling memories of the very distant past.

[Back in my hometown, my mother is already old, she has long heard about my achievements, and she is proud of me - I can't tell my mother about the Grand Duke, I just told her that I am going to work in a laboratory far away, and it may be difficult to come back in recent years]

[My mother happily told me that I should go, she lived well alone, the neighbors took good care of her, of course, she was also very strong, and she also helped each other with the neighbors, and never received favors in vain]

[I was very reluctant, and in the end my mother drove me away, so I went to the Grand Duke's private laboratory to participate in confidential technology research]

[It was my happiest time - my mother's life was settled, someone recognized me, recognized my wisdom, my efforts, did not despise me because of blood, and I was obviously a fourth-level powerhouse who would be worshiped as a god in other places, and it was actually equal...... Communicate with me on an equal footing, at least on the surface, invite me to participate in his research]

[Then, things get a little complicated]

[I was assigned the task of 'life solidification' and 'android humans' who can perform 'soul transfer'...... The former is honestly a new technology that I have never heard of, while the latter is a very classic 'immortality' and 'soul transfer' cliché topics.

[To be honest, the latter topic is really meaningless - the soul of the sublimator comes from the body and the mode of thinking, this is the basic knowledge of the basics, the higher the level of the sublimator, the more unable to separate the body and the soul, and random splitting will cause damage to the self]

[Especially the heart light body, a strong person above the third level, once the body and soul are separated, even the heart light body will decline...... This is quite confidential information, because the special essentia that makes up the mind light body requires the perfect harmony of the body and soul to be gradually derived.]

[Even if a 100% suitable body is created for the transfer of the soul from beginning to end, there is no way to bring the power over, and because of the transfer and decline of the soul, almost 100% of the very important memories will be lost - is the person who transferred the past still the original person?] Fairies wouldn't do such a thing.]

[But the Grand Duke told me not to think about the decay of the soul, and not to think about the inherent thinking that only the sublimated can have a soul...... I just need to solve the artificial human body with a high adaptation rate.]

[To be honest, it's also very difficult.] Originally, the connection between the soul and the body was essentia, but after the soul was formed, its spirit would in turn nourish the body, and a blank body itself would give birth to essentia, and the conflict between the three was essentially an unsolvable problem, 100% impossible, and I studied it for several years, and finally created a practical artificial human at most 95%...... And it is still an isolated case, most of them are only about 70%~85%, and they are extremely expensive.

[Even if the standard is lowered to this point, verification alone is a big problem]

[Not enough, the experimental material is completely insufficient.] And how can it be possible to succeed in researching this technology without information on species such as goblins and dragons that can change bodies at will? In addition, biotechnology is indeed not the strong point of the Grand Duke, or even the Empire, it is a strong technology on the side of the Flying Flame Land]

[We need more volunteers...... But where are so many death row inmates and volunteers who have volunteered their lives? Not to mention the elves and dragons I need...... Hey, that's funny, where are the volunteer goblins and dragons? 】

[The Grand Duke was silent for a while after knowing this, he recognized my previous achievements, and then asked me to change the subject - this time I am in charge of the formation principle and suitable environment of the 'soul aggregate' as the main researcher]

[This is not much to do with what I learned back then, but fortunately, I have also figured out this alchemy technique over the years, this subject is not difficult for me, after the arrival of the relevant materials and precious classics of the 'Void Realm Spiritual Energy' I applied for, I quickly determined a point]

[As a high-order spiritual aggregate, the soul needs to be in an area with a lot of energy in order to remain stable in the absence of a physical body]

[The Void Realm is actually suitable for the soul to survive, but the Void Realm after the Heavenly Fall is too damaged, and it is in the repair period, so it will strip the soul, or all the energy that exists in the Void Realm repairs itself...... Those Shvarade Gods have essentially been controlled by the instincts of the Shrew, and they are the repaired tentacles, no different from the tentacles of the goblins, which are natural psionic powers.]

[In other words, the Void Machine God is another kind of goblin!] It's no wonder that the Void Realm Machine God can also be used as a inheritance, and it's no wonder that the goblins are so concerned about the operation of the Void Realm Machine God, all the knowledge in this world is really common! 】

[So, I came to a result that was quite outrageous and proved to be correct]

[The most suitable environment for the existence of souls is actually hell]

[Sounds like nonsense.] But in other words, it's the 'volcanic region' or the ionosphere of thunder and electromagnetism above the sky.]

[The area of the Void Realm corresponding to them will not only not absorb the energy of the soul, but will overflow a part of the natural spirit to ensure the survival time of the soul. To be honest, there is no difference between these two places and Hell, and I know why in ancient myths and legends, souls eventually go to Hell or be reincarnated, which is actually a fact.]

[But here's the problem...... It's not enough]

[The energy of the volcano and ionosphere is too small, and it may be barely sustained before the catastrophe, but now it is not enough]

[I really want enough energy, abundant energy for the soul to exist forever, there is no existence on Terra, but in heaven...... Around the sun, if there is a corresponding area around the sun, maybe there will really be that kind of environment.]

[I probably also understand a little bit why in ancient mythology, the abode of the Heavenly Father, the temple called the Temple of the Sun, has another name for 'Heaven after Death' and 'Resting Place']

[Of course, in fact, there is a bit of fun that the human body itself is actually the best habitat for the soul...... After all, the human body is a stable negative entropy body that will absorb energy to maintain its own existence, but it is a pity that the life span of the human body is too short and not as long as the natural environment.

[It sounds like nonsense, but in fact, as long as you adjust the resonance frequency of the soul a little, you can completely stuff dozens or even more souls into a body]

[Here's the difficulty - how to adjust the soul?] I can't make this thing in batches, so although it's a theory, I don't plan to do experiments, and the lives of volunteers are precious, even if they are corpses, so we have to respect all teachers.]

[My research was a great success, although the conjecture is very bizarre, and there is no such environment on Terra at the moment, but the Grand Duke is very excited, and he unusually promoted me to deputy director, and asked me to go to the Central Secret Laboratory in the Avak region to be in charge of an important technology for a core project]

[The name of this technology is strange...... 'Dead King'...... Why this unlucky name? 】

[I was honestly afraid, but I still declined, because I knew very well that my qualifications were far from enough, and it was only less than ten years, and I actually became the deputy director, and I would definitely be rejected by my colleagues at that time, let me go to the central laboratory first to start as a researcher, and then promote me after I make some achievements]

[The Grand Duke was a little unhappy, after all, it was his kindness that was rejected, but he also understood my thoughts]

[Anyway, I'm very excited - after all these years, I finally proved myself to the Grand Duke and to everyone]

[But I didn't expect that this was the beginning of the nightmare]

[Original ......]

[My research has achieved reality in this way]

Ian's eyes flew through a man's life.

When he was young, he watched his mother work hard, tired and had a sore back, and read the account book under the candle every day, just to let him study with peace of mind, and the guilt, gratitude and hard work in his heart.

When I was an adult, I understood the class barrier, and I was cautious in the college, ignoring the contempt and difficulties of teachers and classmates, calming down my mentality, and seriously polishing my foundation.

After leaving the academy, he was valued by Grand Duke Thorin, and for the first time met the gratitude and joy of someone who respected him.

Then it is years of studying, researching, experimenting, racking your brains to solve difficult problems, and finally coming up with results that are either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

This man's life is considered to be smooth.

Although he was an illegitimate child who was not recognized, his childhood life was difficult, and the process of growing up was also very depressing, but he always had an inexplicable optimism in his heart.

- His father did not tell the family elders about his existence, and he would live to grow up.

- His mother raised him with great painstaking care and sent him to school, and he reciprocated with excellent grades.

- The teacher's and classmates' troubles, malice and deception towards him were nothing more than that, and they did not prevent him from being valued by the Grand Duke.

- Even those extremely complex and difficult researches, he led the team to tackle them, and there were no results that could not be studied.

He is a genius – someone supports, someone helps, someone is optimistic, and he has to apply for research funding as much as he wants.

Isn't this kind of life just smooth sailing?

He has always looked at the world with such an optimistic and positive attitude.

But now......

From the wandering feelings, Ian sensed an extreme fear and confusion.

[Why is the Grand Duke joining forces with the Gnosis Academy and the Flying Flame Land to conduct research?] Gnostic, isn't it good to say that the Flame Land is not an enemy? Even I, who have been in the research institute for the past few years, know that the turmoil in the Grand Duke's domain is because of the Flying Flame Land.]

Why do they use this tactic to treat volunteers?] Not a volunteer, but a bought test subject? But aren't these people refugees from the northwest...... They're just like us, just uprooted from their homes because of the war?! 】

[I even saw an old woman as big as my mother appear here...... She, her body was covered with abscesses and herpes...... Vomiting ......】

[The people in the Gnosis Monastery said that she was voluntary, that she was seriously ill, and in order not to interfere with her children, she voluntarily came here to find a cure...... If that's all there is to it, I might be able to feel a little more at ease.]

[But the bastards in the Gnostic Institute told me with a smile that these viruses were actually 'accidentally' left out, in order to see how old the virus would be in a normal village, and how infectiously it would hit people in a normal village.]

[They say that this virus can accurately kill people over the age of 50 who are beginning to age, and they are the backbone of a country, an experienced and intelligent collective, and if they want to launch an all-round war with no lower limit, they will not hesitate to use this weapon against the enemy]

[But they first used it on their own people......]

[It shouldn't be like this...... I'm going to ask the Grand Duke, I'm going to find out what's going on.]

【…… The Grand Duke told me that although it was hard to accept, none of them would die for nothing. If you don't want to usher in tens of millions of deaths, then sacrifice now is necessary.]

[Although the technology of the Gnosis Institute is vicious, they have indeed obtained a special medicine and vaccine against this virus by studying the situation of the old woman, and it is these constantly updated vaccines that are being distributed in the major cities of the Grand Duke's domain for various reasons]

[Although they are crazy, they are still members of the empire in the final analysis, and it is impossible to really allow this weapon of destruction to spread to their own territory]

[The Grand Duke told me that he knew what kind of person I was, and he knew that I was afraid that people like my mother would also become one of the experimenters, one of the victims...... I can't deny it, I'm just afraid that my mother will be one of them, I just feel a moral injustice to these dead experimenters, and I don't have the courage to stop this.]

[I don't have the courage to stop a country...... Even if it's just a grand duke]

[The Grand Duke noticed this, and he told me that my mother is now safe and happy, and she is well protected]

[And if I really don't want to, I can also leave the Avak Laboratory and do the research I want - my contribution is greater than I imagined, and he will arrange a barony for me after I become the second level, so that I can become a nobleman and spend my old age in peace]

[As a price, I will not be able to do any more research for the rest of my life.] A rapids retreater like me should have been secretly killed, and the technology was kept completely secret, but the Grand Duke swore that he would never do this to anyone of his own.]

[I believe in the words of the Grand Duke, I know that this may be the best ending]

[But in the end, the Grand Duke said to me meaningfully]

[He said]

[—Adbert, if you really feel dissatisfied, why don't you try to oppose it and ban it?] 】

[Why do you have to be silent, retreat yourself, and pretend not to see all this? 】

[Replace a plan with a better plan that everyone thinks is wrong - if it were you, I'm sure you could do it]

[I don't believe in myself]

[But if the Grand Duke believes me, I may ...... Really? 】

At this moment.

Following the path of the Phantom Army, Ian made his way through the Chambers and finally came to a vast flat land.

This is a hollow fortress, the main body of the central laboratory where the researcher of the Grand Duke of Thorin is stationed, and outside the main body of the laboratory, it is surrounded by layers of dense phantom armies, and a layer of black orb shield envelops the laboratory, and Viscount Avak stands on the top floor of the laboratory, as the local lord, he is undoubtedly also the high-level of the central laboratory.

The apparitions confronted it in silence.

Ian looked up, and he saw that in the center of the phantom army, there was a man in blood and ice armor, he held a frosty sword in his hand, his eyes were scarlet like blood, and the dead aura emanating from his whole body was the same as his own.

He stood in the phantom of the crowd, but he seemed to be alone, the whole box garden was obviously very bright, but his body seemed to be full of overlapping shadows.

And what he was staring at was not the fortress laboratory or the phantom in front of him, let alone Viscount Avak, but the dead darkness in front of him, a long road with no end.

In front of Ian, the Phantom army moved out of the way, staring silently at the second Dead King, and then all vanished with a soft thud, turning into a glow-white light.

They turned into a surging river of dead souls that flowed into the man's body.

Then, above his head, it coalesced into an almost substantial crown, causing a peculiar diamond-shaped mark to appear on his forehead.

Ian was dozens of meters away from the man, and the man named Adalbert looked back, and they looked at each other.

Pure cyan, with a slight silver mist, appeared in the prophetic vision, causing Ian to squint slightly.

Why are you coming? 】

The original Dead Lord looked at Ian, at his own kind.

The two pairs of scarlet eyes looked at each other, and it was obviously a confrontational scene, but he smiled first.

Although it was a laugh, it was actually more like a self-deprecating smile: [You are not from the Grand Duke of Thorin, you are not from the Avak Domain, and you have nothing to do with these tragedies and the dead...... Why did you make all the way to this place? 】

[You've obviously got the power of the Dead King, haven't you? Even if the power is detached when the soul dissipates, the perception of the power that has been obtained will not disappear...... You are the third energy level of the future, or even higher]

[In that case, why do you want to come? 】

"I am a seeker of the truth."

Ian replied, his tone of course, "It's you, right?" The souls of the undead who liberated the Avak Lab and endured countless sufferings accidentally caused the fall of the Void, forming the Abyss of Silence, which directly or indirectly led to the death of nearly a million people. ”

"Don't think I'm a saint who has come to avenge these souls. I was really angry, so I killed the beasts of the Gnostic Courtyard and gained the power of the Dead King. ”

He said slowly, staring into the eyes of the man in front of him, "But essentially, I just want to know the truth behind all this, and the real meaning behind each final plan. ”

"For example, the plan of the former Dead King...... Is it one of the many 'legacies' that Inaegar II intended to transform this world? ”

"That's all."

Ian's eyes were not at all dazed, even if he was facing the army of thousands of phantoms before, he was still not afraid, not to mention that now he only had to face the man in front of him?

The Dead King looked at the young man in front of him, his face was blurred, and he couldn't see the specific face at all, as if thousands of different faces appeared and dissipated at the same time.

But Ian could feel that the other party's expression softened a little: [You face your heart's desires, you are not confused, and you do not deliberately show your morality...... But I don't deliberately despise it, I just take it for granted.]

[You're a good person...... A good person who is more suitable to be the Dead Lord than me, it is better to say that fate has guided you to this place, perhaps just to make you the real Dead King]

Saying this, the Dead Lord Adbert lowered his eyes, and his tone became cold: [But because of this, now, at this moment]

[You shouldn't be here]