Chapter 385: The Final Operational Plan

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Gazing at the two magic formulas resonating with each other, Ansu and Celia exchanged astonished looks.

Scanning the lines of system notifications, Ansu's voice carried a hint of excitement. “It's a Time Beacon, just like last time. It looks like it will send me to a certain point in time?”

He looked up. “I have to try it.”

“There might be danger,” Celia said, immediately growing tense. “Don't go testing it recklessly!”

She was jumpy at every little shadow now; any unknown threat instinctively filled her with worry.

She was terrified that if Ansu left, he would never return.

“It's fine. I'll use a ten-minute simulation to scout ahead first,” Ansu said immediately.

But seeing her lingering anxiety, he could only offer a reassuring smile and explain, “Really, it's fine! No matter where it sends me, I'll be back within the allotted time.”

This was the standard way to use the simulation. Besides, in Celia's eyes, no matter how long he spent in the simulation, only an instant would pass in reality.

“Alright...” Celia finally nodded.

Thus, in her eyes, one moment Ansu's face was filled with curiosity and eagerness—

—and the next, his gaze shifted, deep in thought, before he looked back at her with an excited expression.

“I... returned to the past!”

Celia quickly asked, “The past? Two thousand years ago again?”

Ansu shook his head. “I don't know the exact time, because my state when I went back... was a bit strange.”

“Strange?” Celia blinked in confusion.

“Yeah,” Ansu nodded. “Last time, we could move around freely. But this time, I could only stay in one place. I couldn't move, and my field of view was extremely limited because I could only exist as a spiritual projection. I just sat there for three whole hours before returning.”

“Then how do you know it was the past?” Celia asked.

Ansu glanced at the system notification from earlier, thinking to himself: Because the system told me.

【Connecting to unknown historical memory node】—with a phrase like "historical memory," there was no way it could be the future.

He explained aloud: “I was in what seemed to be an empty room, like a storage room or utility closet. I could see magic lamps embedded in the walls. Judging by their style, they are definitely from the Second Era.”

A glimmer of pleasant surprise rose in Celia's eyes. Perhaps the solution really lay there...

Just as Ansu was about to say more, the system rewards suddenly popped up.

【Reality】

【October 19, 625th Year of the Radiant Calendar, 04:32】

【Rating: A】

【Reward: 120 points】

【Remaining Points: 243】

【Commentary: The path to salvation lies within.】

【Warning: For single-user use only.】

【The past cannot be changed; it can only be recorded. Do not attempt to actively alter history (not that you could anyway). You are merely a recorder, an observer.】

Both the system's commentary and warning plunged Ansu into deep thought.

It seemed this confirmed beyond a doubt that this thing was indeed...

...the key turning point.

Furthermore, this reward was quite generous, giving Ansu the distinct feeling of "receiving supplies before a major battle."

After a moment of thought, to be safe, he said, “I'll try one more time!”

He activated the simulation in front of Celia once again.

From Celia's perspective—

Ansu took a deep breath and closed his eyes with great anticipation. But when he opened them again, his face was filled with confusion.

“How was it this time?” Celia asked quickly.

“The good news is, I could finally move this time...”

“And the bad news?”

Looking at Celia, Ansu frowned as he recalled, “I started a ten-hour simulation this time, meaning I could stay in the future for at least twelve hours. But during those twelve hours, my spiritual body could only crawl forward inch by inch... like a paralytic.”

The sheer agony and boredom of it were simply indescribable.

“Spiritual bodies can be trained,” Celia said thoughtfully.

Ansu nodded. “My crawling forward was the result of that training.”

Celia fell silent for a moment before pressing further, “Do you want to try a longer simulation then?”

Having synchronized memories with Ansu, though she didn't understand the underlying mechanics of his ability, she could now comprehend the terminology.

Things like simulation duration and points... she had overheard them all from his inner grumblings after each time he used it.

Ansu dismissed the idea. “As long as we're sure it's safe, that's enough. There's no need to waste points.”

He paused, his thoughts returning to the task at hand. “Besides, I think I generally understand what's going on. Last time we followed Hoffman's perspective, but this time it's my own. Once I go over there and train my spiritual power properly, I should be able to move freely.”

He kept mulling over the phrase "The path to salvation lies within" in his mind. He still wasn't entirely sure what he needed to do.

But the system had also reminded him that he was merely a recorder, an observer... so perhaps he wasn't meant to change anything, but rather to gather information and find a way to resolve the God of Clamor and Filth...

Was it still an information gap?

Ansu felt that was highly likely.

This was absolutely their only chance of winning.

As he pondered, Ansu caught Celia watching him with a worried gaze out of the corner of his eye.

“How long will it take for you to return after you leave?” She furrowed her brow slightly. “You went over there and trained for hours, only to move such a tiny distance...”

Ansu sighed. “I don't know.”

“What if you get lost in history? Why can only you go back? Why can't I go? What if this is a trap?”

She stared at Ansu, anxiety swirling in her eyes. “I just feel like it's not that simple, Ansu... I don't want us to act separately.”

Of course, Ansu didn't want to be separated for long either.

But they were both being pushed forward by fate. As long as they couldn't get past the God of Clamor and Filth, there was no future to speak of.

He pushed down the surging feelings of helplessness and gravity. “More than that, I'm worried about your situation.”

“Me...?”

“Yeah.” Ansu pondered. In the simulated timeline, the God of Clamor and Filth had only resorted to such underhanded tactics because He was out of options. But now, He hadn't been backed into that corner yet, so they still had a little time.

Ansu looked at her. If he went back to the past, where could she hide?

Right...

Suddenly, his train of thought circled back to when they were passionately discussing solutions.

He remembered that back then, the proposals were either feigning death, soul separation, or finding a safe zone...

Ansu slowly voiced his thoughts.

Celia listened with a frown. Then, she stood up, walked back to her office, and brought back a stack of manuscripts.

It was the ultimate evolved version of 【Etheric Blink】—【Astral Exile】.

“Isn't this magic still a half-finished product?” Ansu turned a page. “Do you need me to run simulations to buy you time for trial and error?”

“Actually, I've already finished it,” Celia said, shaking her head. “You just didn't notice.”

Seeing Ansu's surprised expression, she explained with a smile, “【Astral Exile】 is a Beyond 9th Circle magic, after all. It was highly appealing to me, and I always felt it would come in handy. But you didn't believe me... you even said that hiding was never a solution, and that if we didn't solve the root problem, we would ultimately remain ants at the mercy of others.”

She pursed her lips, her voice softening as if talking to herself. “Fortunately, I secretly completed it...”

“That's wonderful! I'm so glad you kept this in mind!” Ansu looked at her in surprise, then gave a self-deprecating laugh. With the simulations at his disposal, he had always thought of solving problems head-on, but he had severely underestimated that evil god.

“Alright, I admit I was a bit stubborn before. I was too arrogant.”

He sighed. “So we'll run away just this once. However...”

“Our temporary retreat isn't a surrender, but a way to reverse everything.”

Wanting to ease the overly heavy atmosphere, Celia clenched her fists playfully in front of him and gave them a light shake.

“Hmph! Exactly! We'll make our comeback!”

Ansu let out a smile.

...

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