Endless Debt Chapter 1169 - 23: Guess

A colossal chasm, the Great Rift, had fractured and reshaped the land after its collapse. This cataclysm birthed numerous ravines that snaked outwards, decimating structures and severing the city’s arteries of transport. Yet, after a span of six months dedicated to arduous repairs, normalcy was slowly reasserting itself.

Bologue navigated the depths of a markedly deep ravine, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings. Clinging to the sheer cliffs, flourishing from the very ground, and tucked into shadowed nooks, a vibrant tapestry of flora defied the diminished sunlight and scarce water. Their verdant leaves and brilliantly hued blossoms perfumed the air with an invigorating scent. Within this subterranean realm, nature had forged a resilient ecosystem, indifferent to the conventional requirements for growth.

Freed from the corrupting touch of the Devil’s influence, the Great Rift was slowly rejuvenating. Bologue harbored a keen anticipation for its eventual transformation, envisioning a panorama of blossoms and foliage, starkly contrasting with the desolate landscape he once knew.

"These bridges are like sutures, meticulously stitching together the earth's grievous wounds," Aimou remarked, her voice echoing as she tilted her head towards the immense shadow overhead.

Bologue, too, elevated his gaze, following the trajectory of her stare. Dominating the skyline was a colossal bridge, arching gracefully over the ravine. He recognized it as one of many such structures, vital links that rejoined the sundered lands and re-established the severed pathways of commerce and travel.

News of these magnificent bridges had graced the pages of the local gazettes, lauded by the populace as triumphs of architectural ingenuity. The construction crews had, with astonishing alacrity, erected these spans in less than half a years’ time.

Indeed, the entire reconstruction of Oubos within Oath City was hailed as nothing short of miraculous, extending far beyond the mere erection of bridges. Projections had estimated several years for such a monumental undertaking, yet within a mere six months, the city’s scars had been meticulously erased.

While the general populace marveled at the leaps in technological prowess and the city’s impeccable urban planning, Bologue held an exclusive understanding: the Order Bureau's clandestine operations were the true engine behind this remarkable efficiency.

Each night, under the cloak of slumbering citizens, the Condensers were marshalled by the Logistics Department. For the sake of optimizing construction, their Extraordinary Powers, once instruments of destruction and demise, were now repurposed for the monumental task of rebuilding their city anew.

Bologue himself had toiled through numerous sleepless nights, contributing his might to the restoration efforts. Wielding his potent Command Power, he could effortlessly levitate tons of cement and steel, while his adept application of Ethereum Manipulation Technology accelerated the rebuilding process at a pace that was visibly dramatic.

A legion of Condensers, mirroring Bologue’s dedication, were mobilized for this grand endeavor, their combined might of Extraordinary Power and advanced mechanical industry enabling the completion of reconstruction at an almost incomprehensible velocity.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be working in civil engineering,"

Palmer later mused, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events.

As per the Logistics Department’s assessment, Condensers proficient in the Commanding School’s techniques proved exceptionally suited for construction roles. Even Palmer found his niche; his mastery of whirlwinds proved invaluable for efficiently clearing away industrial debris.

"Once this final ravine is completed, our work here will be concluded,"

A newly formed ravine lay before Bologue, a testament to their completed task. Following incessant rainfall, a self-sustaining ecosystem had taken root within its depths, with verdant moss and resilient weeds carpeting the stark grey rocks, and birds soaring through the newly formed airspace.

"This is a fresh ravine branching from the Great Rift, and it stands as the most substantial among the newly formed fissures. It carves a direct path through Oubos in Oath City and extends far beyond its boundaries,"

Bologue recounted, his examination of the ravine P_p. a backdrop to the retrieval of pertinent information from his memory.

"At the ravine's terminus, it sprawled into a small settlement named Gray Stone, an event that culminated in its catastrophic sinking into the chasm below."

"Much like Qiushang Town?" Aimou inquired, a sense of uncanny familiarity resonating from Bologue’s description.

"Precisely, akin to Qiushang Town. That humble settlement now lies submerged within the ravine. Despite our earnest attempts to persuade them to relocate, they were resolutely unwilling to abandon the ancestral lands they had inhabited for generations. Post-reconstruction, the town’s inhabitants resumed their lives within the ravine's embrace."

While Bologue could grasp the townspeople's profound attachment to their home, their stubborn persistence presented him with considerable complications.

"The patrol of the Great Rift is now concluded... though there's precious little to actually patrol. Within the city's purview, the Order Bureau maintains comprehensive surveillance. However, the Gray Stone Rift and the adjacent Gray Stone Town, situated at its extremity, fall outside this jurisdiction. They lie beyond the city's watch,"

Bologue elaborated, his brow furrowed. "Under ordinary circumstances, this wouldn’t pose a significant issue, but the crux of the problem lies in the fact that..."

He cast his gaze towards the ominous, dark ravine stretching before them, then pivoted to observe the path they had traversed.

The formerly level ground gradually sloped, transitioning into an increasingly precipitous descent, ultimately plunging into the Stygian darkness that marked the ravine's end.

Whereas the Great Rift had been, in its entirety, contained within the city's embrace, the newly excavated Gray Stone Rift had shattered that containment. It forged a direct conduit, linking the external territories with the very heart of the Great Rift. From Gray Stone Town, unimpeded access was now granted to the innermost depths of the Great Rift, and even extending into the desolate expanse known as the Abandoned Land.

"This constitutes a transgression and a point of vigilance," stated Bologue. "Should I harbor intentions to conspire against Oubos within Oath City, the Gray Stone Rift would serve as an ideal avenue for assault."

With those words, Bologue abruptly lifted his hand, initiating a tremor that shook the very ground.

Due to persistent devastation, the geological integrity of the Great Rift had grown precarious. Despite the reinforcement efforts by the Order Bureau, an unsettling instability persisted.

Consequently, Bologue refrained from employing large-scale commands. Instead, he conjured an earth wall that ascended gradually from the ground, aiming to subtly impede the connection between the Gray Stone Rift and the Great Rift.