Chapter 92: First Entry Into The Beacon And The Millennium Fox
“Agree to them and tell them that Lighthouse City Lord Morgan welcomes them to visit the Lighthouse.”
Just as Senge thought Morgan was planning to refuse, a low reply from Morgan finally came from the other side.
Senge reopened his faceplate, walked in front of everyone, placed his right fist on his chest in salute, and said: “Miss Himeko, City Lord Morgan has agreed to your request and welcomes you to visit the Lighthouse.”
“Thank you.” Himeko smiled lightly. It seemed the survivor leader of this base was not the particularly vile kind.
“Please follow me.” Senge turned and led the way, notifying the control room to lower the lift platform.
The train crew looked up at the Lighthouse floating in the air. Cities floating in the universe were not uncommon, and the Lighthouse’s scale was on the smaller, more mini side among them, nothing particularly astonishing. Instead, its thick apocalyptic sci-fi style was quite rare and eye-catching.
After all, the universe was so vast. Although civilizations were constantly falling into destruction at every moment, compared to all civilizations, this was just a drop in the bucket, not something encountered often. Even if encountered, it might not necessarily be a technological spacefaring civilization.
Zhu Zhuqing had the least experience, but her personality was always aloof. Though she was amazed by the Lighthouse in her heart, she did not show it, only unconsciously parting her small mouth slightly.
Instead, March 7th, this girl exclaimed in surprise like someone who had never seen the world, very politely letting out a ‘wow’, then picking up the camera to start taking photos.
March 7th’s amazement made the City Defense Force feel proud, unconsciously straightening their backs with proud expressions.
“The ground might still have some survivors like you, but the Lighthouse is absolutely the largest in scale and strongest in power among them. If there’s any existence most likely to persist until the end of the apocalypse, it must be the Lighthouse…”
Senge proudly gave the train crew a brief introduction to the history of the Lighthouse as he knew it.
Meanwhile, in the train.
“Pamu, let’s set off and start laying the Silver Rail too.” Dan Heng said to Pamu.
“Okay, Himeko said about one-tenth of last time’s Silver Rail is enough. This time we don’t need to run all over the universe; just laying Silver Rail in a few nearby small galaxies should be about right, Pa.” Pamu said.
“I wonder if this universe will have an advanced plane like the God Realm in the Douluo Universe.” Dan Heng pinched his chin and guessed, just like the Xianzhou’s Grotto-heaven.
“There are definitely more than just this one civilized planet. As for whether there will be something like the God Realm, it’s hard to say. But this time our pioneering time is short, only active in a few nearby small galaxies. Even if there is, we might not encounter it, Pa.” Pamu analyzed seriously.
On the scale of the universe, civilizations were as numerous as stars, but in reality, even a dozen or dozens of small galaxies might not have a single life planet.
Without warp jump, just ordinary voyage—even at light speed—months or years without encountering another life planet was the norm.
Pamu came to the cockpit and started the train. The train swung its tail and flew straight toward outer space.
Dan Heng, meanwhile, in the train car, read a book while evenly maintaining Pioneer Power to generate Silver Rail.
Actually, generating Silver Rail could be done anywhere on the train. Last time they concentrated in the train’s control room just for the sense of ritual.
The sound of the train moving attracted the City Defense Force’s attention. Senge turned to look and was instantly dumbfounded.
“What country’s technology from before the apocalypse is this? Trains can fly into the sky? Ridiculous.”
“Our much larger Lighthouse can fly into the sky, what’s ridiculous about a train doing it?”
“You don’t get it. Flying into the sky isn’t ridiculous; what’s ridiculous is how quiet it is and how fast it goes.”
“No wonder this group survived until now; they have a train with such high technological content.”
“I was wondering; even if they have supernatural abilities, they couldn’t possibly be opponents for that many Devouring Beasts. After all, those monsters are unkillable and keep gathering more.”
The City Defense Force began discussing animatedly.
Senge looked at the composed train crew and couldn’t help asking: “Your train has left; aren’t you worried?”
“Worried about what? Dan Heng is on the train. Anyone who dares target the train is in for bad luck.” March 7th waved her fist.
“In for bad luck.” Xing repeated.
Senge’s expression was complex. Who said the train left—you’re not worried about yourselves?
It seemed this group’s strength might be even greater than he imagined.
“Our strength is truly very strong. None of the known existences on this planet are a threat to us.” Meng Huaifeng saw what Senge meant and reached out to pat his gravity body.
Senge stumbled, completely unable to control his balance.
Meng Huaifeng did not want the Lighthouse to do something stupid due to not understanding their strength, so he chose to demonstrate a bit. This was good for both sides.
The Lighthouse would not make wrong decisions leading to heavy losses, and the train crew would have fewer troubles.
“In a while, once we’ve had our fun, the train will come back to pick us up.” Meng Huaifeng said.
Fun… In this perilous apocalypse world, was it just fun for them?
Senge, steadying himself again, was horrified in his heart.
Afterward, Senge fell silent for a long time, unable even to boast about the Lighthouse anymore.
The group took the lift platform up to the Lighthouse and walked through the lower-level corridor.
Around the corridor, many plainly dressed people were ceaselessly carrying things, cleaning the roads, repairing equipment, busy like worker ants.
However, their gazes occasionally turned to the group—adoration, envy, jealousy… all sorts.
“9527, you brat, don’t run around; watch out for falling!”
“4399, pass me that steel bar.”
Hearing the surrounding conversations, March 7th couldn’t help asking: “Don’t they have names?”
“Mere Dust Citizens don’t deserve names.” Senge’s words were full of contempt for Dust Citizens.
“What Dust Citizens? They’re humans too; how don’t they deserve names?” March 7th said, somewhat unhappily.
The other train crew members also frowned slightly.
“In the apocalypse, resources are scarce. We must use limited resources on more excellent people to survive better in the apocalypse. So we divide everyone into Upper Citizens and Dust Citizens. Upper Citizens have priority on resources but bear more responsibility, like defending the Lighthouse, scientific research, gathering resources, and fighting Devouring Beasts. Dust Citizens just do basic, low-tech simple work—as long as they don’t starve, it’s fine.” Senge was eager to climb up, so he understood the policies from above and the three survival laws extremely thoroughly.
The train crew fell silent. In the apocalypse, to survive, this was understandable. They didn’t like it but had no right to interfere.
Even if they forcibly intervened, it wouldn’t be long before it changed form, changed skin, and continued the hierarchical system.
Only when the apocalypse ended could the world return to normal.
And that’s what the train crew was here for!
March 7th was speechless and muttered: “Even so, they don’t have to deny them names.”
Favorability toward Lighthouse -1
Senge noticed the train crew’s slight dissatisfaction, so he stopped speaking and silently led the way to meet the city lord.
“Let’s hurry up and solve the apocalypse.” March 7th whispered quietly.
This world seemed even worse than Belobog. The Lighthouse, claiming to be humanity’s largest and possibly only settlement, had just over ten thousand people.
“Yeah, once we’re temporarily settled, I’ll check where the source of the apocalypse is.” Meng Huaifeng said.
“Your ability is really useful. Before, with Stellar Cores, we had to run around investigating for a long time and might get fake info. With you, as long as no one interferes, it just costs some energy.” March 7th couldn’t help envying again.
“The Art of Heavenly Inquiry is great, but I often hesitate whether to use it. If we treat our reality as an adventure game, the Art of Heavenly Inquiry is cheating. For a game you love, you can play for months or years without getting bored, but once you cheat, it might feel pointless in days. I don’t want to find reality boring like that.” Meng Huaifeng sighed. Luckily Uncle Yang had enlightened him before, or he’d still be agonizing over it.
He would cheat, but control the frequency.
Non-essential, no cheating!
“Cheating feels good for a moment; constant cheating feels good constantly. Saying that, have you considered the feelings of us non-cheaters?” Xing said enviously.
“Those who haven’t cheated have no idea about the troubles of cheating.” Meng Huaifeng shook his head.
Then he glanced at Xing. Haki Xing, what are you envious of? You’re a cheater too.
Wait, actually, the train crew had all cheated to some degree.
Hardened.
Fist hardened.
March 7th glared at Meng Huaifeng. What are you Versailles-ing about?
Zhu Zhuqing scratched her head. Focused on cultivation to become stronger, she had only been dragged by Xing to play a few games and didn’t even understand games, let alone cheating.
Command Hall.
“City Lord, Engineer Morin wishes to see you.” The still young Jing Nan was temporarily acting as Morgan’s assistant.
“Have him wait first.” Morgan waved his hand and said: “Where are those people from the train?”
“They’ll be here in about five minutes.” Jing Nan had been paying attention to the train crew and silently calculated the walking time.
Morgan closed his eyes, deep in thought.
Jing Nan opened the communication device and continued monitoring messages from the control room.
About four minutes later, Morgan opened his eyes.
“Let Morin in.”
“Yes, City Lord.” Jing Nan was a bit surprised but complied.
Soon, an old man who looked over fifty entered.
“City Lord, I heard there’s a train outside that can instantly accelerate and lift off with no visible energy eruption from outside. Is that true?” Morin’s expression was excited as he asked impatiently.
The train’s liftoff wasn’t just seen by Senge and them; many on the Lighthouse saw it too.
Jing Nan looked at him puzzled. Engineers often immersed themselves in research and design, ignoring outside matters. How did he know so quickly this time?
“Indeed, there is such a train, but it has already disappeared into the sky.” Morgan said.
“Disappeared? How could it disappear? According to my analysis, that train’s energy utilization efficiency must be extremely high, and it has an energy recovery system, or there wouldn’t be no signs of energy eruption outside!” Morin said pained.
“Oh, so what?” Morgan asked.
“This means that train’s power and energy system far surpass our Lighthouse’s! If I could study the train’s power and energy system, I could absolutely greatly improve our Lighthouse’s energy efficiency, saving massive resources! Then…” Morin continued, but was interrupted by Jing Nan.
“City Lord, the guests from the train have arrived.”
“Good, Morin, you heard. Guests have come; go down first. We’ll talk next time.” Morgan said.
“Wait, City Lord, this is very important! Miss Jing Nan, you said guests from the train? That train? Can they call the train back? Or do any of them have engineers? I hope to exchange with them to make the Lighthouse run more efficiently and voyage longer.” Morin said agitatedly.
“Enough, Morin. They’re not Lighthouse people; we can’t afford to offend them. We’ll talk about what you said later.” Morgan said.
“How would we offend them? Survivors in the whole world are few now. We humans should unite more, not be stingy with knowledge. I believe they…” Morin retorted.
“Someone come, take him down first!” Morgan said impatiently.
Then Morgan looked toward the Command Hall entrance with a kind expression: “Hello, guests from the train. I am the Lighthouse City Lord, Morgan. Welcome to the Lighthouse.”
……
The Lighthouse was overall pot-lid shaped. The train crew followed Senge around and around until they finally reached the command room.
Senge said to the guards at the command room door: “City Defense Force Captain Senge bringing guests from the train to pay respects to the City Lord. Please notify him.”
The guard opened the passage and said: “The City Lord orders no need to notify; you can enter directly.”
As the passage opened, before the train crew entered, they heard arguing voices from inside.
Himeko and Welt exchanged a glance, quite helpless.
The old fox’s tricks were worthless in front of them.
Why bother?
As long as asked, the Nameless never hesitated to lend a hand.
The Command Hall had more than one entrance. As the train crew exited the passage into the Command Hall, another voice grew quieter.
At the center of the Command Hall, a somewhat balding old man greeted them kindly.
Himeko represented the train crew: “Stellar Train Nameless, Himeko, greets City Lord Morgan.”
When Pioneers pioneer new worlds, revealing identity sometimes gains local support, sometimes hostility.
So in most cases, Pioneers don’t proactively proclaim coming from beyond the universe but blend into local identities, making it easier to explore and understand the real local situation.
Of course, they generally don’t deliberately hide it either. For example, Himeko would honestly say they are Stellar Train Nameless, no lying. Anyway, locals wouldn’t know what that name means; hiding or not doesn’t matter.
There are exceptions, like Little March—straightforward and blabbermouthed, a total self-destruct truck.
There was a little accident at home today, couldn’t update on time, sorry. Only four thousand words today.
