In the Name of the Queen

Norton is old.

His old age is visible to the naked eye.

The few remaining hairs and beards have all turned translucent silver-white, and his body is trembling.

The organs that have been transformed into Titan alloy parts do not tremble, but they also make creaking noises.

At a glance, you can tell that he doesn't have much time left.

Roland hasn't seen Mr. Norton for some time. After all, he is just a nominal dean, and he hasn't been in charge for many years.

About thirteen years ago, Mr. Norton's daughter Nana, who was transformed and no longer looked like a human, could no longer bear her father's knife transformation on her, and chose to commit suicide in despair.

Because there was too much metal in her body, she couldn't even commit suicide with a sword, so she could only jump into the strong acid pool.

Nana's death was a great blow to Norton.

Maybe in the eyes of others, his daughter was just an idiot woman who was stunned by love, but that was his last tenderness in this world.

There is no reason for a father to dislike his daughter.

After his wife died, his daughter became his only sustenance.

After his daughter's death, Mr. Norton's spiritual pillar completely collapsed. In addition, no matter how ordinary people extend their life, they cannot exceed the limit of 150 years. His life instantly turned black and white.

If it weren't for his adopted daughter Munina, his life would have ended long ago.

Munina is different from him. Although she is not a supernatural being, she has mastered the first six complete movements of the Siren Song and is fully capable of living until the end of the world.

Munina was rescued by Norton and became Norton's adopted daughter with gratitude, but that was all in the past. With her ability, she can completely deny it now.

But she didn't.

She always remembered the kindness of her little sister Nana and the love of her adoptive father.

She became the last color of Norton's later life.

If it weren't for Munina, Norton might have died long ago.

But Munina is not a fairy after all. She can't save Norton, whose life is close to the limit, and can only accompany him for the last journey.

Mr. Norton's life should have ended like this, until Roland's idea of ​​electronic computers awakened him.

He saw a completely different future, an opportunity for an ordinary person to participate in the apocalypse.

Perhaps he could not see that moment, but it was not important. If the decisive weapon he personally led the research on could participate in the final decisive battle, he thought it was okay.

Norton, who was so old that he was about to be buried, was excited and glowed, and took the initiative to take over the research.

Although Roland felt that old Norton was not suitable for this new technology research, he could not refuse his old friend who had been with him for many years, so he had to agree.

With a steady stream of funds, the speed of spending money was like opening a purse and throwing it into a furnace.

With continuous support, large-scale scientific research and archaeology around the world are also in full swing.

Regular archaeological teams from various countries, as well as private expedition teams from the private sector, all joined this massive archaeological work.

As long as there may be ancient relics, they will go directly to dig.

Even if there is a palace above the ruins, they have to give way.

Roland himself donated two palaces to make way for the national archaeology.

Under his example and the persuasion of the guns and cannons of the law enforcement team, the only great nobles could only give way to this century-old project.

Some victims maliciously speculated that Roland was taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents and strike against the old forces, but this conjecture can only stay in the mind, and anyone who dares to speak it out is looking for death.

In short, the computer research project is extremely expensive and uses more than three million manpower. It is a decisive battle project that affects the fate of the country.

Just when Roland felt that Norton was destined to gain nothing and waited patiently for his old friend to die of old age and then be replaced, the good news came.

Roland couldn't believe it, but still hurried over with Christine.

Looking at Norton's wrinkled old face and white, almost transparent beard, Roland clearly realized that this was probably Mr. Norton's last moment.

Norton not only reported his achievements, but also left a will.

Roland felt a little heavy.

Time is the most amazing magic and the cruelest measure.

Norton is one of the few old ministers who accompanied him in the early days and is still alive today.

Looking at Norton's familiar face, countless familiar names passed through his mind.

He felt a little disappointed for some reason, and said softly: "Mr. Norton, if there is anything I can do, please tell me directly."

Norton handed a key to Roland, "I have placed all the reports on computers in the confidential vault of the Academy of Sciences. You can go and see them yourself. Unfortunately, I don't have time to report to you in detail."

His dry old face suddenly became a little ruddy.

Roland looked at Christine who followed him with some uneasiness. The meaning was obvious. Can it be continued?

Christine shook her head and replied to him in sign language.

"At most one hour, his life span is close to the limit of ordinary humans. There is no way."

Roland felt a little blocked in his heart for some reason. He took out a bottle of red wine that he had collected for many years from his private space and pressed it hard on the table covered with several layers of dust.

"Mr. Norton, you must have a story to tell. Why don't we drink and talk at the same time."

Norton did not refuse.

At this time, it is meaningless to mention that drinking is harmful to health and that drinking will damage the brain.

Some stories do need alcohol as a condiment.

He picked up the glass and said softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. It's just a bottle of wine. Although it's not cheap, there's no need to be so polite." Roland smiled and raised his glass and clinked it with Norton.

Norton did not answer, but said to himself: "If you hadn't found me back then, I'm afraid I would never have been able to avenge my daughter. I might have spent the last few years of my life in regret and loneliness, or I might have found my enemy. Fight hard."

"This is a deal. The reward you gave me is enough. You don't owe anyone, including me." Roland didn't want the old man to go on the road with regrets, so he said it in a nice way.

Norton shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Of course it is not these. When I am about to be buried, you are still willing to hand over this project to me instead of younger and more promising scientists. I am very grateful."

"I know that you may not be willing to do it in your heart, but you still can't forgive it and chose the second-best solution because of my past contributions."

If you only look at the paper data, even the worst solution, Roland complained silently.

He didn't answer, just smiled.

Mr. Norton has the last hour of his life left, and his daughter has been dead for many years. Now he doesn't have to worry about anything, and he must say something that is true to the bottom of his heart.

These words may be an old man's final reluctance, or they may be a real treasure.

In any case, facing this veteran who has been with me for many years, an hour of listening is a must.

Roland took the initiative to pour tea for Norton, sat down in front of him, and waited to hear the story.

Norton sighed and said lightly: "You haven't changed, Roland."

Roland knew what the old guy meant, but this topic was a bit heavy. He smiled and teased: "Old guy, even if you are my friend, you can't talk nonsense. My strength has increased dozens of times in these years."

Norton was too lazy to talk nonsense with Roland. He just glared at him and said calmly: "I have been waiting for you to find me all these years and persuade me to hand over the leadership of research because of my advanced age."

Roland thought to himself that he really had this plan, but finally gave up.

It's not all about Norton's huge contribution, but a longer-term consideration.

Funerals are never for the dead, but for the living.

Every move of a politician affects the interests and decisions of countless people, so we must be cautious.

This big project that determines the future of ordinary people is indeed urgent, but if Norton is dismissed out of urgency, everyone in the entire alchemy and scientific research circles will be in danger.

Norton is a leader in the field of science and technology in the entire Rodinia continent. His students are all over the world, and his attainments in alchemy are even more advanced.

In the fields of magic and technology, his foundation was intertwined, and the answer papers he handed in were slightly worse, but his students produced a lot of achievements, which made up for this.

Roland's patience and kindness were not given to Norton, but to Norton's disciples.

Of course he didn't say these words, he just smiled.

Norton took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind, leaned forward slightly, and said in a low voice: "I excavated a huge ruins from the Second Era. To be precise, it was Tia's former residence."

Roland's pupils narrowed.

Human archaeological discoveries can be traced back to the Fourth Era at most. In the Third Era, due to the brutal war of divine punishment, very few relics were left.

In the second era, technological civilization was highly developed, and the rise of extraordinary beings was actually a coincidence caused by countless accidents.

Tia and others carried out a complete and systematic destruction of the civilization of the Second Age before setting foot in the God's Realm, so there were few traces of technology in the ruins that could be excavated.

During the Age of the Gods, mankind exhausted all oil and a large number of other resources and developed technology to its peak, only to be completely destroyed by three traitors who were afraid of technology.

"Yes, the scientific research results of the Second Era have been basically destroyed, but Tia has some very bad habits. She likes collecting and writing diaries."

It seems that the goddess of light is not a serious person.

Could it be said.

Seeing Roland's expression of surprise, Norton's old face flushed with excitement.

"Yes, my old friend, your guess is correct. There are more than a dozen of Tia's diaries there. To be precise, they should be called essays. She will only record major events, including her comments on the Emperor of the Sea and What others are saying.”

"There is even a mysterious video recording her and Poseidon Keke. It's very exciting anyway."

Seeing Norton's increasingly rosy old face, Christine quickly stepped forward and poured the holy water on him as if it was free of charge.

She was gloomy and had mixed emotions, but she finally made a decision.

"Mr. Norton, leave this image to me."

Norton subconsciously wanted to refuse, "You want to destroy this information? No, no, I will never give it to you unless Roland agrees."

Norton has lived in seclusion these years, and of course he doesn't know that Christine has already broken up with the goddess. In his impression, Christine is still the goddess's most loyal believer.

He looked at Roland unwillingly, and Roland nodded directly without wanting to waste time.

"Norton, if you don't worry, just leave it to me."

Norton breathed a sigh of relief. He believed that Roland would sell this image for a high price.

With his worries relieved, Norton suddenly coughed, and the fire of life that was forcibly sustained by the holy water began to falter.

He knew very well that his life was like a candle in the wind and could be extinguished at any time.

There was no time to waste, he took a sharp breath, stood up and bowed to Roland.

"Roland, my daughter's soul box"

"Leave it to me. If I win, you will all be resurrected. If I lose, I will go down to make amends to you." Roland firmly agreed.

"No, that's not what I mean. I mean, if you can't restore my daughter to her state before she was seven years old, then destroy the soul box."

Norton closed his eyes in some pain, tears sliding down his eyes.

That year, his wife passed away.

Since then, he has focused on alchemy research and neglected the care and education of his daughter.

The daughter who lost her mother's love and lacked her father's love lived a carefree life, but she always lacked a sense of security in her heart.

She used to be a smart and well-behaved little girl, but gradually became a perverse and stubborn fool who was deceived by a man.

He is responsible for her failed life.

He took out all his chips, just like exchanging for that pure and flawless daughter.

In the new era and new life, he will accompany his daughter well and accompany her to grow up healthily.

Roland held Norton's dry hands and said solemnly: "Old friend, you will see your 25-year-old wife and 7-year-old daughter in the future, I promise."

Norton did not open his eyes, but his body trembled violently.

Christine, who was standing behind him and pouring holy water, shook her head and loosened her hands.

Roland felt the pulse of old Norton disappear.

He sighed softly, without hysteria or sentimental performance.

He and old Norton knew each other very early. Although the old guy had many shortcomings, he never changed his position and was always loyal to his employer.

Old Norton may have regrets in his life, but he can make up for it after all, but what about him?

What he owed to Sophia, is there still a chance to repay?

He didn't know whether sacrificing the three goddesses would have a chance to find Sophia's soul in the vast universe, and he didn't know whether the rescued Sophia would still remember him.

But as long as there was a chance, he was willing to pay any price.

Old Norton died at the age of 150, with the theoretical maximum lifespan of ordinary humans.

86.45% of his body weight has been replaced by machinery. Except for the organs used for perception, most of his body structure has become the toughest Titan alloy.

Titan alloys are immortal for billions of years, but the fragile human body can't even last two centuries.

After packing up the relics left by old Norton, Roland walked out of his mansion. Looking at the housekeeper who was waiting outside nervously, Roland announced the death of old Norton to him.

"Notify Miss Munina and the State Council for me, and let them prepare for the funeral."

After a pause, he continued to add: "Buried according to the highest level of etiquette."

Walking out of Norton's mansion, Roland's mood was particularly complicated.

The success of the computer project and the joy of discovering the remains of Tia's collection were diluted by the death of old Norton.

The old guy almost witnessed the whole process of Roland's fortune. After he chose to mechanize his body, Roland once thought that this guy had found the broad road of "flesh and blood are weak, and machinery ascends".

But he still died.

Just as Roland was immersed in grief, Christine asked a little inappropriately: "Can you give me that crystal ball?"

Although it was a bit abrupt, a man in love could not refuse his girlfriend's request.

Especially when the words "Please" were written in her watery eyes.

Roland stuffed the crystal ball to Christine without thinking.

Looking at the madness flashing in her eyes, Roland was vaguely worried, so he had to remind her softly:

"Can you be normal? I'm a little scared."

"Don't worry, I'm normal, very normal."

Christine gritted her teeth and laughed, "Dear, do you think I look like an abnormal woman?"

Not like, because I am not.

Roland shook his head decisively.

"So what are you going to do?"

"Find a few magicians and alchemists who are good at processing images, and copy this precious image countless times for everyone to see."

Roland was stunned.

Christine bit her lip and shook her head, "No, this is not good."

Roland breathed a sigh of relief.

"How can we spread it secretly? We must think of a way to play this precious teaching film over the whole world, especially over the God's Punishment Legion!"

Roland's eyes darkened.

You are worthy of it, Christine.

As expected, women are the best at harming other women. (End of this chapter)