Chapter 954 But of Course (2/2)

The disc-shaped world was 5,000 meters in diameters and twenty million squared kilometers long in surface. With Joshua having jointly calibrated it alongside New Xillia, the world's environment was distinctly suitable for human condition, its weather resembling Mycroft's subtropics climate of the Far South. Rivers flowed down from the mountains by the fringes and converged at the Bloody Lake—which may have come to be known as the Bloody Sea in the future—down the middle. Then, the steam rising from the bloody Lake would have in turn followed the trunk of the World Tree and the cloud layer and returned to the edge of the mountains, forming water circulation.

Zero Three had already visibly completed a cluster of buildings near the shores of the Bloody Lake. One side contained mana core charging stations, water circulation facilities, garbage disposal, and recycling centers, while the other was allocated for industrial factories, business districts and other constructions that may be built in the future. As for the mountains at the world's fringes, the plains nearest to the rivers were plantations. Joshua had previously handed Light seeds to be sowed there, each of which were blessed by druids. They would have rapidly grown and matured into lush fields, supplying food and luxury for all life in the world.

In other words, the center of the world would have acted as a dense industrial zone for energy and resources, while the world's fringes were vast agricultural zones. Between those two were naturally residential areas, with Joshua and Zero Three having built floating highways and rail tracks on the Scarlet World Tree's branches—set up between the extremely convenient paths, the residential area was separated into smaller districts.

In one of the residential zones that was almost completed, a green tree could be seen separating each housing, most of the housing being units of more than twenty floors, with fifteen such buildings forming a rectangular 3x5 district. There were singular mansions that ranged from three to six floors as well, and every residential building had individual semi-permanent hot springs. Convenient walkways were also built in the districts, along with gardens and orchards that were self-sufficient during emergencies.

”It's perfect.”

Having generally finished the basic layout, Zero Three sat with Joshua on Black's head and overlooked the world beneath the sun's radiance. It felt as if the disc-shaped world was an exquisite gem, in which the AI girl breathed in wonder at. ”It's already so much better than Mycroft… I can't even begin to imagine the bliss of the people who will live here.”

”You're satisfied with that?”

Joshua shook his head in disagreement but smiled. ”Later, I'm setting up a standalone Mana Net server here so that everyone can use the Spirit Terminal at any given time, maintaining communication at all times between every corner and everyone in this world. Later, I will also be creating a massive subterranean realm to modify the disc-shaped world into a three-dimensional refuge, even making it so that it has the capacity for free flight—when the time comes, don't be dumbstruck since I'm still far from using up all my inspiration.”

After all this place was merely a prototype, a small experiment—a shelter world made and tailored to Light's requirements.

”…”

Zero Three was absolutely shocked beyond words by Joshua's fantasy, and it was a long time later before she lowered her head to mumble softly, ”I'm not shocked. Who would be surprised by a lunatic like you!”

The AI girl's soft mumblings naturally went unnoticed by Joshua. In truth, the experimental molding of New Xillia was very successful and had provided Joshua with much terraforming experience. Soon, he would apply to his own world as well as relay the experience to the Seven Gods as they improved the division of the ring world's districts.

Molding the world appeared to be a seemingly mundane matter, though Zero Three and Black would not have thought so too—it was certainly an important process where technical aggregation was the most vital. Even if he was one of the greatest Legends in history, Joshua could not have visualized how an artificial world's layout should have been out of nowhere—he would only have understood and be inspired after trying out and deciding firsthand how it was to be arranged.

”…So, you're running off to save another after world right after you have created one?”

After another silence, Zero Three looked up at Joshua who stood beside him on Black's head, a somber hint of helplessness in her voice. ”Honestly, you're backing yourself to a corner, Joshua… No one is supposed to be that busy!”

”I've known you for a dozen years. Starting from Karlis, right after a brief month of rest following each major incident, adventure to a new world, or battles where you slay millions of Evil God minions, you would run off again to fight another unthinkably powerful champion… For real, the number and intensity of battles you get involved with is hundreds of times more than ordinary Legends! They barely fight in full power once every several years, but you go out to fight again and again in the span of days!”

”Not saving, I'm just going there to help. Moreover…”

Zero Three appeared to have more to say, but Joshua simply turned leisurely and stopped her with a smile. ”This is the life I relish—I wouldn't have become so powerful without so many battles, right?”

With those words, Joshua turned to stare at the Blood Moon which shimmered over the disc-shaped world—the sun of New Xillia. ”You would probably have gained basic know-how about building and altering worlds by the time the construction is completed,” he said calmly. ”Therefore, you can assist the Seven Gods in building the shelter realms and ring world while I go off to fight in Stellaris. The reason I've brought you along to alter the world is because I have faith in your ability.”

”As for me…haha. It's better to worry for my enemies than my mental health. After all, I'm merely facing millions, while they're facing Joshua van Radcliffe!”

It was neither a boast nor self-glorification—the warrior was simply stating the truth.

Even so, that little name was more convincing than a thousand words.

What more could Zero Three have said to that?

”There's no helping it then—you're beyond saving.” The AI girl shrugged. With a mix of annoyance, futility and a little hint of mirth, she blessed him softly.

”If that is so, I can only wish you safe journey, and… save a few worlds, great hero, savior of worlds.”

”But of course.”