Bang bang bang!

  Resounding celebratory gunfire echoed across the sky of Goliath City. The Nova Federation breathed a collective sigh of relief at the complete success of the Sudrieu self-defense counterattack.

  The streets outside were filled with an atmosphere of jubilation. City dwellers cheered wildly, creating a bustling scene. The Nova populace had long been deeply displeased with Sudrieu.

  But it was, after all, a neighboring state.

  Who would have ever imagined this tiny nation, whose total land area wasn't even one-tenth of Nova's, would dare to launch a full-scale war against the Nova Federation, attempting annexation?

  Simply insane.

  And then there was no "then."

  Sudrieu was utterly crushed by the Nova Federation, immediately reduced to a vassal state and a colony. Not only did it suffer devastating casualties, but it also faced astronomical war reparations lasting a full century.

  However,

  This outcome might not necessarily be a negative development.

  Sudrieu, relying solely on its inherent national strength, struggled to advance. With the Nova Federation's backing, it might finally catch the rising tide of the era and secure a share of the spoils.

  There remained hope for future prosperity.

  This was an age defined by an explosion in science and culture. Society and the world were transforming daily; everyone felt poised to launch themselves toward the moon.

  At the same time,

  This was also an epoch of ever-accumulating societal contradictions and volatile gunpowder. Economic growth fueled by colonial policies led to extreme global economic disparity.

  All nations, regardless of the long-term consequences, joined this global feast, unscrupulously utilizing advanced technology to plunder and exploit the resources and economies of less developed regions.

  The world resembled a precarious house of cards.

  When this uneven development reached its zenith, the existing balance would inevitably shatter, necessitating a massive conflict to re-establish a new world order.

  The colonial economy of the United Kingdom of Westland was already showing clear signs of decline. The world sensed an unsettling disquiet preceding an impending storm, yet remained largely oblivious.

  "General Weber!"

  Following the ceremony, city dwellers enthusiastically chanted Brigadier General Weber's name in worship. The streets were thronged with cheering citizens.

  Black hair.

  Blue eyes.

  Brigadier General Weber was still remarkably young, barely thirty. His posture was perfectly upright and rigid, embodying a soldier's iron will and determination, projecting a steady and resilient demeanor.

  ...

  By the windowsill,

  Fabian remarked, "As far as I know, Brigadier General Weber is a staunch hawk. He strongly advocates for external expansion, further broadening the Nova Federation's colonial territories, and aims to contend with the United Kingdom of Westland for maritime supremacy."

  Mei remained unconcerned.

  "Is this the unavoidable choice of the current era, or do you truly believe the United Kingdom of Westland will transition peacefully, willingly relinquishing its maritime hegemony?"

  "Haha, how could that possibly be?"

  Fabian chuckled. He didn't need deep contemplation to know that the United Kingdom of Westland would never voluntarily yield its maritime control. A shift in global hegemony inevitably demanded confrontation.

  He could foresee the situation not far in the future.

  "This world is about to face a great war. It won't resemble the minor skirmishes of the past. As the world gradually moves into a globalized era, it will be a catastrophe that drags the entire planet into the fray."

  Perhaps twenty years from now.

  Or perhaps thirty years from now.

  In short, not too far in the distance.

  Fabian held a firm conviction that he would witness this historical event within his lifetime. The old structures were crumbling and could not endure much longer.

  Technological advancement would only accelerate this process.

  The rapid and powerful technological development across these two centuries was nothing short of incredible. This progress would undoubtedly elevate the ensuing war to an unpredictable and shocking scale.

  Fabian spoke eloquently.

  Mei merely gazed silently at Brigadier General Weber's silhouette.

  "War…"

  Invisibly,

  Causality began to intertwine.

  A thousand miles away, a military doctor in the barracks, watching soldiers practice shooting, had a sudden, fleeting thought: "Is it possible to engineer a firearm that can fire continuously without pause?"

  The world was on the cusp of welcoming a new, crucial coordinate.

  "Fabian!"

  Gloria's voice called from downstairs. Immediately, she appeared, ushering a white-haired, stern-looking old man up the stairs. The elder was impeccably dressed and wore spectacles.

  Clearly a man of high society.

  Gloria stuck out her tongue, saying somewhat sheepishly, "Fabian, I'm sorry, I might have brought you some slight trouble. This is Professor Goodman."

  "Professor Goodman?"

  Fabian felt a wave of confusion.

  No sooner had she introduced him than Professor Goodman eagerly stepped forward to grasp Fabian's hand, excitement blazing in his eyes: "Mr. Fabian, it's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

  Fabian expressionlessly withdrew his hand. He genuinely lacked interest in interacting with strangers: "Please get straight to the point."

  "Good!"

  Professor Goodman was also a direct, energetic individual. He pulled out a document from his chest pocket, stating, "Mr. Fabian, I am personally leading a research project. Just yesterday, I heard from Miss Gloria about your recent discovery, and it happens to be tremendously relevant to my research. Thus, I couldn't wait to visit; please forgive my abrupt intrusion!"

  Mei casually excused herself from the group chat.

  She poured herself a cup of black tea, settled into a chair, and opened her newspaper.

  Fabian remained puzzled.

  "What research?"

  "Super-ancient civilizations!"

  Speaking of his work, Professor Goodman flipped through the document in his hand, excitedly declaring, "I unearthed this ancient text while excavating a ruin some time ago. However, after careful translation, I found that the legends and history recorded within it differ drastically from our established knowledge!"

  "The deeper I researched, the more I uncovered that our recorded history might be largely fabricated, and the true ancient civilizations likely surpass our current imaginations. They were certainly not as primitive as we perceive them to be."

  "Some ancient civilizations might have possessed powers that we modern people simply cannot comprehend. I call these civilizations super-ancient civilizations!"

  Professor Goodman stated his findings plainly.

  Fabian took the ancient manuscript and began to read. The archaic script posed no barrier to him; the man himself was proficient in numerous antique languages.

  Just as Professor Goodman had asserted, the legends and ancient history documented in this text showed considerable deviations from current mainstream historical understanding.

  The Firenze Empire.

  The first entry that caught his attention described the Firenze Civilization from thirteen hundred years ago. This ancient text portrayed it as a divine nation established in the era following the Age of Myths.

  It was lauded as the re-emergence of the second mythical epoch.

  Tracing the records further back,

  Fabian encountered the name Firenze once more, but this time it referred not to the Empire, but to the ancient Kingdom of Firenze. Professor Goodman provided immediate clarification.

  "That was an ancient civilization from three millennia ago. Ten years prior, ruins were uncovered at the seabed near LeBlanc City in the United Kingdom of Westland. Two dozen ancient stone tablets, known as the Lucerne Text, were excavated there. Based on those records, the ancient Kingdom of Firenze was the world's very first established kingdom. I propose this was the initial super-ancient civilization."

  "Nonsense!"

  Fabian frowned deeply, snapped the book shut, and shoved it back into Professor Goodman's arms, promptly escorting the startled man out the door.

  ...

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  1863.

  In the late autumn air, Fabian was forcibly married to Gloria. Because Gloria was pregnant, and if he refused the marriage, Gloria's father, the Baron, threatened to have Fabian's legs severed.

  The free-spirited Fabian, unwilling to lose his mobility, reluctantly chose to clip his wings. With little left to lose in life, Fabian thus entered the tomb of matrimony, vanquished by Gloria.

  The following year,

  The couple welcomed a daughter, whom the narcissistic Fabian named Valerie, meaning "star of wisdom" in the Nova Federation.

  Since her father was exceptionally intelligent, his daughter surely wouldn't be far behind. The oddest stipulation was that after the marriage, he stubbornly refused to move into Gloria's family estate.

  Instead, he insisted they reside at 179 Downing Street with Gloria. Gloria didn't protest; she wasn't as delicate as many young ladies.

  She proved to be a remarkably intelligent and gentle woman.

  "Goo-goo…"

  In the cradle,

  Chubby, adorable Valerie lifted her plump little hands, cooing and gurgling, attempting to bat at the wind chime hanging above her, her eyes blinking slowly.

  Mei playfully engaged with little Valerie, teasing a sleepy, regretful Fabian: "I honestly thought you’d never agree to marry in this lifetime."

  "Sigh."

  It was a sigh pregnant with unspoken thoughts.

  Fabian, nursing dark circles under his eyes from a night contending with Valerie's antics, lamented: "I didn't wish to marry, but I certainly didn't wish to have my legs broken either."

  He gently pinched Valerie's small cheek.

  "I truly don't know if her birth in this era is a blessing or a curse. Given Gloria's family status and wealth, I imagine her future won't present too many hardships."

  That, at least, would be for the best.

  Conversely,

  Fabian turned to Mei with a suggestion: "How about you serve as Valerie's godmother? If I were to name someone more qualified and capable of educating her, I truly cannot think of anyone more suitable than you."

  "Forget it."

  Mei shook her head firmly. "I'll instruct her in a few things when I have the time, but the title of godmother can be skipped."

  "That is truly a pity."

  Gloria brought tea, and upon overhearing their exchange, couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. Over the years, she had fully realized the caliber of person Mei truly was.

  A practically flawless individual: smarter and more learned than her husband, more rational than her husband, more humble than her husband—simply unparalleled.

  Time flowed like water.

  Fifteen years flashed by in an instant.

  In a blink, Valerie had matured into a graceful and charming young lady, perfectly inheriting Gloria's tall, slender physique, combined with Fabian's sharp intellect and insight.

  Even at her young age, she commanded attention at the academy, quickly earning widespread acclaim. Whether in academics or various skills, she vastly outperformed her peers.

  An absolute prodigy.

  With lustrous golden hair and sky-blue eyes, Valerie sat gracefully and poised in a teaching posture, a chessboard set up before her.

  Chess.

  After a long moment of contemplation, a smile bloomed on her face.

  "Checkmate!"

  The chess piece in her hand fell. Valerie, playing Black, had completely checkmated the White King, concluding the game. This marked her first victory against her aunt, filling her with exceptional excitement.

  "Auntie, I won!"

  Mei smiled softly.

  "It seems your chess strategy has greatly improved."

  Valerie, with impeccable manners, bowed slightly to Mei: "Thanks to your guidance, Father says my chess skills have advanced rapidly. Today, I also managed to challenge my uncle."

  "That's fine."

  The elated young girl moved with light energy, becoming visibly livelier. Contests among her peers no longer offered her a satisfactory sense of accomplishment. Only playing against true masters could make her feel challenged.

  When she first received instruction from Mei, she had been somewhat dismissive. Later, she discovered that this aunt, who almost became her godmother, was truly an unimaginably powerful entity.

  She knew everything and seemed completely unreachable.

  Thus, the sense of achievement she gained from winning a single match against Mei was beyond the comprehension of those around her. The sheer difficulty involved was utterly incomprehensible.

  Valerie eagerly descended the stairs, rushing to share her joy with Fabian and Gloria: "Mom, Dad, I finally won a game against Auntie!"

  "Huh?"

  Fabian, who had been dozing at his study desk, jolted awake, asking in surprise, "Won what?"

  Valerie beamed brightly.

  "Chess."

  Hearing this,

  Fabian immediately sobered up, then burst into laughter, pounding the table: "That's your aunt letting you win! You honestly don't believe your chess skills have actually reached a level where you can defeat hers, hahaha!"

  Instantly,

  Valerie frowned, falling into deep thought.

  "Really?"

  "Why would I fabricate something like that?"

  Fabian sighed slightly: "She probably goes easy on you, but she is genuinely merciless towards me. I simply prefer not to engage her in chess."

  Valerie remained unconvinced. She knew her father was strong at chess, and Mei was also skilled, but was the gap between them truly that immense?

  Had Auntie truly been holding back against her all these years?

  The girl, feeling a touch of indignation, turned and ran upstairs again.

  "Auntie, could you please play another game of chess with me?"

  At that moment,

  Mei was busy cooking. Her voice drifted from the kitchen: "Yes, the chessboard is already set up on the table. Set up the pieces; I'm occupied right now."

  "Okay."

  Then,

  Mei, without even taking a step out of the kitchen, engaged in a rapid-fire verbal chess match with Valerie, concluding the game in under three minutes.

  She was aware of Valerie’s underlying motive, so she didn't hold back her full strength.

  After three minutes,

  Valerie returned, head hung low and visibly dejected. Fabian, far from offering consolation, seemed rather smug: "Well, did you finally grasp the reality of a true skill differential?"

  "..."

  The girl felt slightly wronged. She hadn't suffered such a comprehensive defeat in years. The small spark of pride she had just felt instantly vanished, transforming instead into intense motivation to improve.

  "I will win eventually!"

  "Then I can only offer you moral support."

  Fabian held no illusions about that outcome.

  He turned,

  And picked up today's newspaper. The introduction of the Gatling gun had transformed battlefields into veritable meat grinders. An overseas colonial rebellion had just flared up.

  The United Kingdom of Westland had deployed the Gatling gun in real combat for the very first time. A single machine gun had decimated over 2,000 colonial rebels, successfully quelling the uprising.

  The international situation grew increasingly volatile.

  The decline of the United Kingdom of Westland was undeniable. This wasn't the first large-scale colonial uprising in recent memory. Although suppressed,

  A rapidly escalating chaotic situation was clearly foreseeable. The United Kingdom of Westland was strained by these circumstances, and many colonies would inevitably break free from control and achieve independence.

  Furthermore,

  In recent years, the Nova Federation had aggressively closed the gap. The hawkish faction’s policies were extremely assertive, vying for global resources while also displaying explicit ambitions to challenge the United Kingdom of Westland for world hegemony.

  "The future of the world is worrying, cough, cough!"

  Fabian couldn't suppress a cough.

  ...

  This year, Brigadier General Weber was promoted to Lieutenant General of the Nova Federation. As the global climate grew more turbulent, the radical expansionist faction within the Federation gained increasing dominance.

  They craved a war—a grand war that could help the Nova Federation establish world hegemony in one decisive stroke. Lieutenant General Weber had been passionately lobbying the Federation's high command for exactly this outcome.

  Late that night.

  Nova Federation, Central Command.

  Weber walked alone down a long corridor. The moonlight was insufficient to dispel all the shadows; only a faint glow filtered through the window, leaving the rest of the passage shrouded in profound darkness.

  Click-clack—

  Amidst the steady, rhythmic footsteps, a soldier raised his rifle in the gloom, aiming directly at Lieutenant General Weber's back. Just as his finger tightened on the trigger,

  The soldier's body was instantly twisted into a grotesque shape by an invisible force. With an expression of sheer horror, and amidst the sharp sound of cracking bone, he met his demise.

  Weber glanced at the dead assassin, his eyes filled with cold indifference.

  "A rather tedious maneuver."

  As a leading voice of the radical faction advocating aggressive expansion and world dominion, Weber was naturally a target for many political rivals.

  The assassin might have been sent by internal opponents, or perhaps by an enemy nation.

  None of it mattered.

  He felt the continuously growing power within him, yet felt it was still far from sufficient. He knew he could become stronger; as long as the conflict expanded, he could harness greater power.

  Weber.

  The vessel chosen by the very concept of War. His advancement condition was tied to initiating and participating in military conflict. The larger the scale of the war, the more potent his abilities became.

  Now,

  Localized conflicts no longer satisfied his ambition. He desired a massive global war that would pull every nation into its grasp.

  The greatest world war ever conceived!

  He turned his head to look toward the darkness beside him.

  "You are…"

  Weber's gaze was heavy with scrutiny.

  "Who are you?"

  Mei stepped out of the shadows, addressing Weber: "To initiate a world war, relying solely on political maneuvering isn't enough. There are countless other crucial factors: technological parity, economic stability, and myriad other complexities."

  "..."

  Weber remained silent, his eyes sharp as blades. For an unknown individual encroaching on his space, his policy was simple: eliminate without mercy.

  Hum—

  In an instant,

  An invisible force surged outward.

  The incomplete concept of War manifested as Weber's innate ability in the form of psychic power, intending to crush Mei. However, this meager display of force was akin to an ant’s pressure against Mei.

  Mei made no discernible movement. The psychic energy Weber released recoiled in terror, as if encountering a raging primordial beast, shrinking rapidly and forming a trembling psychic barrier around Weber.

  Weber's pupils constricted.

  His mental power was incredibly strong; when fully unleashed, it was sufficient to instantly destroy everything within several hundred meters. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

  "Too weak."

  Mei took a step forward. With each step, her footsteps echoed like heavy hammers in Weber's heart. The sheer, crushing pressure made it difficult for him to breathe.

  "Who… who are you?!"

  Weber found it hard to believe. This person possessed unimaginable might.

  Bang!

  Weber was forced onto one knee by the oppressive aura, struggling bitterly. His knee pressed a spiderweb of dense cracks into the ground, leaving him immobilized.

  When Mei approached Weber, he was virtually at his breaking point. Mei gently raised a finger and placed it upon his psychic barrier.

  It required minimal effort.

  Crack!

  Weber's psychic barrier fractured like brittle glass, on the verge of total collapse. Amidst the sharp sound of cracking bone, Weber clenched his teeth, staring fixedly at Mei.

  To drive him to despair. Only then could it ignite his yearning for absolute, powerful strength.

  At this critical juncture, Mei finally spoke, addressing Weber: "You are so weak that crushing you is simpler than crushing an ant. How about endeavoring to become a little stronger?"

  With that command, the oppressive aura vanished completely.

  Weber, now prostrate on the ground, gasped for breath. He looked up at the figure half-hidden in the shadows before him, realizing something crucial, his face turning grim.

  "You wish to assist me?"

  He couldn't comprehend why Mei would offer aid. Mei offered no lengthy explanation, simply countering: "Or perhaps you intend to decline this opportunity?"

  At this moment, Weber's profound desire for power eclipsed everything else. Ambition surged within his eyes. He was prepared to pay any cost for greater strength.

  "No, I accept!"

  Besides, he knew he couldn't win anyway, so why refuse?

  ...

  "Cough, cough!"

  This year, Fabian's body began to exhibit troubling symptoms. He coughed constantly, sometimes even bringing up blood, which eventually necessitated his hospitalization for medical intervention.

  1885.

  Fabian could no longer rise from bed. He was so frail that Gloria had to feed him. His condition showed no improvement despite treatment, and he insisted on being returned home.

  "Cough, cough—"

  Gloria had mentally prepared for the worst, looking at the once vibrant, arrogant man now fragile and broken. The sight caused her unspeakable heartbreak.

  That day, the sun shone brilliantly.

  Mei, as always, flipped through the freshly printed newspaper, casually stating to Fabian, "Actually, you know, as long as you make a firm decision, this illness poses no real obstacle."

  "How could that be? I am not a deity."

  Fabian leaned against the headboard, gazing out the window, his voice weak, yet his eyes remained resolute and bright. Aside from Mei, he would never yield to anyone in this life.

  Including the illness.

  Mei shook her head: "As long as you truly believe in and consent to certain concepts, reality will manifest according to your conviction. You have already sensed it; you simply refuse to acknowledge it."

  Vampires. Immortals. And other such concepts.

  As long as Fabian genuinely believed in the truth of something, that thing would become factual reality. However, he had consistently avoided or denied the fact that he possessed such an ability.

  He could perceive true history. He held the potential to alter the reality of the world.

  Fabian had discovered his extraordinary capacities more than once, yet he would always shy away from them, always deny his own nature. He held a firm conviction that he and this world were utterly ordinary.

  Some people spent their entire lives striving for the extraordinary. Fabian, born with power beyond the ordinary, discarded it like a worn-out shoe, content with a mundane existence.

  This was what Mei admired most about him.

  Stubborn. Resolute. And unyielding even unto death.

  "I don't know what you are referencing."

  Fabian adamantly refused to concede the point. He looked at the bright sunshine outside the window; it felt slightly dazzling, yet the sunlight bathing his body felt so profoundly warm.

  His life had been excessively lonely. Because he was different from average people, capable of glimpsing the true essence, he was lonely. Because he was lonely, he became arrogant and conceited.

  But fortunately, there was someone even more isolated than him. Fabian found a kindred spirit in Mei. He felt a spark of joy in this connection; this was his only true companion in this lifetime.

  Perhaps his deeper intuition warned him that accepting his inherent extraordinariness would lead to even greater solitude. Most importantly, he feared he would lose this friend, and something he absolutely dreaded would occur.

  Compared to that fate, what truly mattered of birth, aging, sickness, and death?