Chapter 489 - 460: Believer: 2314

Chapter 489: Chapter 460: Believer: 2314

Just as Avril said, by the time Roland returned to where the Shell Ship was docked, the final preparations were nearly complete.

The Gray Dwarves were deftly carrying the last few sealed bags of improved Rock Core Blocks and Water Storage Pouches onto the ship, their movements practiced and efficient.

Bronson stood at the entrance to the bridge, making final checks against his thick notebook.

However, the atmosphere was not entirely harmonious.

With his arms crossed, Duraga’s burly frame stood like an iron tower before the boarding ramp, engaged in a silent standoff with a group of human survivors gathered not far from the Shell Ship.

The survivors, led by Hom, had a mixture of awe, apprehension, and a hint of stubborn refusal in their eyes.

Seeing this, Roland raised an eyebrow slightly and walked over.

"What’s going on?"

His calm voice broke the tense silence.

Duraga turned at the sound of his voice, a hint of impatience on his rugged face. He shook his head slightly and was about to explain...

But Hom beat him to it, practically stumbling a few steps forward from the crowd.

Disbelief and an almost fervent hope were written all over his gaunt face. His sunken eyes locked onto Roland, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Lord Veil Breaker! Please... please forgive our presumption! We just... we just wanted to confirm with you one more time..."

"After you... leave, are you really... really going to leave those two Holy Artifacts in Sui Cang Hall for us... to use?"

Roland saw the light in Hom’s eyes—the look of a man grasping at his last straw—and understood immediately.

He met the tense, hopeful gazes of all the survivors and gave a calm, firm nod.

"Yes."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every ear with perfect clarity.

"They’re yours now."

He had, in fact, considered taking the two miraculous machines with him.

But after careful consideration, he had abandoned the idea.

First of all, the two machines—especially the water purification unit—seemed to be stably connected to the underground water source and specific geological structures.

Forcibly dismantling them would likely cause permanent damage to their delicate structures, and the loss would far outweigh the gain.

Secondly, they already had ample supplies for their journey.

The improved Rock Core Blocks and Purified Water were enough to sustain them for a very long journey. Food and drink were no longer an imminent threat.

Besides, in the past few days, the scholar Bronson had, through his outstanding knowledge and diligent research, more or less figured out the machines’ operating principles, energy circuits, and core structures.

In Bronson’s own words:

"The structure is elegant and straightforward. As long as we have the right materials and an Energy Core, replicating it won’t be difficult."

Since they could build their own in the future, leaving these two stationary, first-generation models to the people who truly depended on them for survival was undoubtedly the best solution.

It was both a fulfillment of his promise and an act of pure goodwill that cost them nothing extra.

With that thought, Roland called out to Bronson, who was organizing his notes nearby.

The scholar looked up, understood immediately, and pulled two Power Cores from his toolbag. Though their surfaces were rusted, their structures were still largely intact. He handed them to Roland.

Roland turned and placed the two cores into Hom’s hands, which were trembling slightly with tension.

"Take these two cores. They should be enough to keep the machines running for a while."

He might as well see it through to the end.

They had a large stock of these standard cores, salvaged from the regulation gear of the Rusted Knight Order, so parting with two was no great loss.

Next, Roland gave Hom a few brief instructions on operating the machines: how to install the cores safely, how to read the energy indicators, and the approximate intervals for use to avoid overloading them.

As Roland spoke calmly, the expression on Hom’s face shifted from initial elation to a daze of disbelief.

He clutched the two cold metal cores in his hands, his knuckles turning white from the force, as if he were holding a treasure more precious than life itself.

The leader of the human survivors swallowed hard, his throat working. He asked cautiously, his voice so dry it was almost a rasp.

"Is... is this all, Lord Veil Breaker? You... you don’t have any other demands?"

"Just call me Roland."

The way Hom kept calling him "Lord" made Roland a little uncomfortable. He waved a hand dismissively and asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Demands? Is there... something else that needs my attention?"

At this, Hom waved his hands frantically, his face a mask of alarm and urgency. He chose his words carefully as he tried to explain.

"No, that’s not it! I mean... you helped us clear out the monsters and reclaim the Holy Land, and now you’re leaving us such precious Holy Artifacts and Power Cores..."

"Shouldn’t... shouldn’t we do something to repay you? Anything at all. You need only say the word..."

Roland chuckled at that, his tone calm and open.

"We already have an agreement, don’t we, Hom? I help you clear the monsters out of Sui Cang Hall, and in exchange, we get to take whatever we need from inside."

"We’ve now taken what we needed from inside. So, according to our agreement, we’re even."

"We’re... even..."

Hom muttered the words, his face filled with complex emotions.

There was disbelief, immense gratitude, and the helplessness of someone at a complete loss.