Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 500: Chapter 499: The Secret Hidden Underground

As for the history of this continent, Fang Zheng himself actually didn’t know much, so he never expected that he could dig out such a secret from Wells.

According to the Old Paladin’s account, for several hundred years prior, the development of the continent was quite in line with the ”Medieval Fantasy” setting Fang Zheng had envisioned. However, it all changed with the rise of the Kadra Empire: they heralded a major leap in the civilization level of the entire continent. The Magitech Warships and Magic Energy Engines used now had actually been in their infancy during the era of the Kadra Empire. It’s just that Kadra itself hadn’t developed them— or perhaps it’s better to say that precisely because such development required a lot of resources and manpower, Kadra chose to invade other countries.

When it came to Kadra’s proclamation, the Kingdom of the Holy Church didn’t say much. They didn’t erupt in anger as Fang Zheng had expected and then call for an alliance to excute that nation on the spot under the pretext of ”blaspheming the deities.”

After all, the core doctrine of the Holy Church was to maintain order. Besides, there were real deities in this world, so all of Kadra’s bluster—if not backed by divine favor—would lead to their doom sooner or later... Well, it later proved that the Holy Church’s idea was correct: Kadra kept up its bluster, and then the devil army swept over them in a wave.

After that, hundreds of years of warfare followed. Naturally, the Kadra Empire was finished, and although the allied forces of the Kingdom of the Holy Church, the Magitech Nation, and other countries eventually repelled the devil’s army, order in Kadra had already collapsed, leaving them vulnerable to the encroachment of Chaos. This forced those nations to scavenge whatever scraps they could from the ruins of Kadra and hurriedly withdraw... or they wouldn’t be able to escape at all.

The Magic Energy Engine was subsequently reverse-engineered by these nations based on the remnants they had scavenged from Kadra. Looking at the results, this empire truly did contribute to elevating the overall level of the continent.

Since Kadra had already perished, it was obvious that their claim of ”receiving the Goddess’s Gift” was nothing but nonsense. But upon closer reflection, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Suppose Kadra had accidentally discovered some equipment, an armory, or a research facility used by the Goddess... wouldn’t that be like a nation from World War I stumbling upon a UFO? Wouldn’t that also enhance their strength?

And if Kadra, filled with such unwavering confidence, claimed to be blessed by the Goddess, perhaps it wasn’t completely baseless?

Of course, these were all speculations. The truth would be revealed once they entered the underground ruins.

Two days later, the alliance forces finally advanced to the entrance to the underground space. This time, Knight Commander Wells seemed to have given up; he did not insist on accompanying Fang Zheng down. However, to Fang Zheng’s surprise, Wells sent someone unexpected.

”Lady Fina?”

”It’s been a long time, Mr. Fang Zheng.”

The young lady, clutching a scepter and dressed in a Cleric Robe, greeted Fang Zheng with a sweet smile, and he was taken aback to see Fina.

”You’re participating in this alliance too? Why haven’t I seen you before?”

”I was just sent over recently because Knight Commander Wells said he needed my help, so here I am...”

”I see...”

Hearing Fina’s answer, Fang Zheng nodded. He didn’t know why Wells would choose to send Fina, but after thinking it over, perhaps it was because of her relatively close relationship with him? If that was the case, it made sense since the Sanctuary was well aware of their relationship. If they wanted to strengthen their bond, sending Fina was a normal choice.

”Are we going down into this hole next?”

While speaking, Fina glanced at the giant cavern in front of them. The cave was a hundred meters wide and seemed bottomless. According to the data collected by Neptune’s probes, it was at least fifteen hundred meters deep from that pit to the underground space.

If this was indeed discovered by the Kadra Empire, Fang Zheng was genuinely curious how that nation had managed to dig such a deep hole.

”Well, let’s go.”

Since Fina had already arrived, Fang Zheng certainly wouldn’t send her back. During their time in the Dark Marsh, the Cleric had demonstrated her familiarity with the history of the continent, and perhaps here there might be a chance to draw upon her knowledge. Moreover, compared to others, Fang Zheng trusted Fina more.

Even though Neptune had confirmed that there was no danger inside, to be safe, Fang Zheng didn’t bring too many people on this exploration. Besides himself, the first person he needed to bring was the Little Angel. If the remnants of the Goddess were indeed from a higher civilization as Fang Zheng suspected, then Nymph, who could crack and invade anything, was clearly the best choice.

Next was Fina. Beyond her, there was Javelin. After all, for such a deep pit, Fang Zheng couldn’t just use a Feather Fall Technique to float down, so he chose to ride in Javelin’s Stealth Bomber Ship, and...

”Iona... are you sure you want to go with me?”

Looking at the young lady beside Javelin, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but ask, and Iona nodded in response.

”Of course, since Fang Zheng is my captain, as his Mind Model, I naturally have to act together with Fang Zheng.”

Ah... this girl is being sulky, huh.

Looking at Iona in front of him, Fang Zheng was at a loss for words. Now that Iona had upgraded from a Stealth Bomber Ship to a Battleship, her enormous size meant that many tasks were handed over to other warships, which made Iona somewhat unhappy. Initially, Fang Zheng hadn’t planned to ask Iona to accompany him, but after she learned of his decision, she insisted on coming along... Fang Zheng hesitated only briefly before agreeing.

After all, she’s like his own child.

Moreover, as Iona said, she is Fang Zheng’s flagship. However, Fang Zheng had been giving tasks to others, uh... Although it’s indeed about division of labor, for Iona, there were still some grievances, I guess.

”Alright then.”

In the end, Fang Zheng chose to take Iona with him. There were no special restrictions between a Mind Model and their ship’s body, and if possible, Iona could also travel everywhere. Generally, just as humans wouldn’t choose to stay too far from their homes, Mind Models rarely left their warships.

After confirming the number of people, everyone boarded Javelin’s Stealth Bomber Ship, then swiftly headed into the interior of the hollow.

”What a peculiar design...”

Sitting in the cockpit, gazing at the decor full of futuristic science fiction elements and the constantly flickering panels, Fina couldn’t help but be moved.

”This technology is completely different from ours...”

”Oh? Is it so?”

Hearing Fina’s muttering to herself, Fang Zheng turned his head and glanced at her.

”But if you want it, you should also be able to achieve this level, right?”

”That’s true.”

Facing Fang Zheng’s answer, Fina couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.

”In fact, the Sanctuary is already discussing whether we should use metal to construct Magitech Warships... Mr. Fang Zheng, you’ve indeed surprised quite a few people.”

”I see.”

Fang Zheng wasn’t surprised at the Sanctuary’s reaction. In fact, Magitech Nation had previously entrusted Young Lady Ogrande to convey a message to him, hoping to study these Metal Warships. They were even willing to offer their treasured magic in exchange. Fang Zheng found the offer tempting, but unfortunately, when he asked the Mind Models, he faced unanimous rejection from everyone.

Even the usually open-minded Vampire said, ”This young lady only sells her talent, not her body! Wanting to see this young lady’s engine or something is simply too perverted! H! Lewd! Pervert! Shameless!”

So, Fang Zheng decisively swallowed back the dangerous question about which part of their body the engine corresponds to in a Mind Model.

However, to get back to the point... This doesn’t seem like technology that would belong to a fantasy magic world nation.

Looking at the hollow in front of him, Fang Zheng’s expression became much more serious. Not because he had discovered something unusual, but because the hollow itself was very unusual. He hadn’t noticed it before, but after Javelin entered the tunnel, Fang Zheng realized that the hole was drilled at a perfect forty-five-degree angle, and the walls of the hole were incredibly smooth, looking not like they were hand-dug, but rather as if they were left behind by some beam penetrating through.

Such a level of penetration, if it were up to Fang Zheng’s side, only the main cannons of warships like Hell Angel and Paladin could achieve it, and yet here there was such a force?

While Fang Zheng was pondering, Javelin had already passed through the passage, and then, under the illumination of lights, the dark underground world revealed its true face before Fang Zheng.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l