179 The Greatest Hail Mary In History (2/2)
As if this were not outrageous enough, Reed had proposed directly connecting both the continent of Mulia and the isolated coast and archipelago that made up the islands of Citlai.
In essence, Reed had proposed creating a temporary juncture between the two sealed dimensions for the express purpose of sending the geode of souls above Itroch back home to where it belonged.
It was borderline— no, unquestionably insane.
The risk associated with inter-dimensional travel was enough to make most people want to wish for the Goddess's mercy, as it was often accompanied by a number of endings for those unfortunate enough to experience any kind of trouble in the process of traversing through the Outside.
Though it was classified top-secret, it was not unknown to most Veteran Chosen of how the many horrific losses that the Four Empires endured when they began to experiment with the forbidden technology sealed within the Guiding Nails.
Reverse engineering the work of the Devil himself came at a heavy price... paid in blood.
Entire generations of early Chosen died dreadfully during that experimental phase, especially during the development of the Single-Use Extra-Dimensional Insertion Vehicle, or the Coffins, that were necessary for covert insertions into the Shadowlands.
This, of course, was not even mentioning the unfortunate disappearances of certain warships that were never officially put in any public records. These ships that never existed set off on their maiden voyages, testing out the prototype reality-warping shielding necessary to cross the Outside, and then...
The Devil took what was owed to him.
And now Reed wanted to meddle in such a perilous undertaking with what little experience he had, the overly ambitious maniac.
In many ways, Reed without his former abilities was, in fact, a much more threatening individual than before. His lack of power had forced him to think outside of the box in ways that he would not have previously imagined before.
But to Lu'um, his resourcefulness and terrifying ingenuity were two elements that should have never met one another. She greatly preferred the linear, predictable way of thinking the old Reed operated on compared to this recently depowered nutcase.
”...Even if we do manage to get enough Anima to power the entire operation, how do plan on creating a relay between here and Citlai, let alone the bridge itself? Do you even know how to do handle creating a compressed Tolai phase-stabilizing field across an undefined plane?” said Lu'um.
Though Lu'um was certain that Reed's hypothetical plan could work, she was entirely sure that Reed had didn't have even the slightest technical expertise require—
”You're talking about the Tolai Metastability-Field Phenomenon, right? When Anima is given a 7th-degree fold under a state of excitation in a bounded spatiotemporal field. I would not have suggested this plan if I had not some inkling of the knowledge to make this work. Rest assured, I'm confident in pulling this off.”
Lu'um visibly shuddered in startled fear and said, ”How did you—”
”That expression on your face kinda hurts, you know. Why do you think I wouldn't put effort into understanding everything you've talked about? Did you really think that I just sat around and let you lecture me on your favorite topics without listening or caring about them at all? Wouldn't that make me an inconsiderate asshole that was only listening to your passionate rants out of mock courtesy because I'm your lover?” said Reed with a mildly annoyed expression plastered on his face.
The lengths he had gone to grasp a basic understanding of the topics Lu'um loved to talk about had taken up a sizeable chunk of his free time during the three year period they'd been in exile. At some points, he had even gone as far as to seek assistance from actual academic professors in the South.
Unbeknownst to Lu'um, Reed had actually almost finished his higher studies and graduated from a university in the South before they'd left for the East.
His formal graduation was going to be a surprise for Lu'um as a present of sorts. Reed had planned to spring it on her by taking her to his graduation ceremony in a few months' time.
What could have been a better display of interest in her beloved's interests than to present her with a diploma in the field she loved most — Theoretical Anima Metaphysics?
”A-Ah... I-I suppose so, yes, that would be very true,” replied Lu'um, in a bumbling fashion.
Though Reed was by no means as knowledgeable in the particular advanced topics Lu'um preferred, at the very least he wasn't completely out of the loop. Thus, it slightly hurt his feelings when Lu'um reacted the way she did when he demonstrated that he understood her.
She had stared at him the same way one would have looked at a dog if it were to have suddenly responded that it understood the concept of gravity.
”...Well, whatever,” said Reed and peered down into the fissure. ”Let's get this over with then. I want to get this done before we get them asking us questions.”
His eyes were directed toward the Spirit of Bountiful Charity that hovered in the distance. Reed didn't want the meddling old man and crown prince getting involved with what he was about to do...
Because if they did, they'd surely object try to stop him from doing it.
He threw himself over the edge of the enormous floating geode of souls without warning and fell into the abyss below before he yelled, ”Hurry up, we don't have any time to waste!!!”
Lu'um was certain of it now in her heart, though she feared to admit it. There was something clearly wrong with Reed today. He was far too sharp and unpredictable, nothing like his usual self.
What in the hell is going on today?! I am hallucinating? Is this a long fever dream? None of it makes sense. Or is this reality? I don't know anymore...
It was genuinely frustrating to feel like she didn't know anything and couldn't figure it out.
I can't imagine living every day like this... Like some animal in the dark, shuffling around blindly without a clue in the dark.
When she wondered if this was how Reed usually felt, she bit her lips and muttered, ”...I should probably do something for him after this.”
The city was beginning to wear on them in a strange way, though neither of them knew it. Even five thousand years later, the City of Love had not lost its charm in a twisted, subtle way...