in the name of the queen.

Norton is old.

His age is visible to the naked eye.

The few remaining hairs and beards all turned translucent silver-white, and the body was shaking.

The organs that had been transformed into Titan alloy parts did not tremble, but they still made creaking noises.

One glance tells you that time is running out.

Roland hadn't seen Mr. Norton for some time. After all, he was just a dean in name only, and he hadn't actually been in charge of affairs for many years.

About thirteen years ago, Mr. Norton's daughter Nana, who had been transformed to the point where she looked nothing like a human, could no longer tolerate her father's surgery and chose to commit suicide in despair.

Because there was too much metal in her body, she couldn't even commit suicide with a sword and could only jump into a pool of strong acid.

Nana's death was a great blow to Norton.

Maybe in the eyes of others, his daughter was just an idiot woman who was stunned by love, but that was his last tenderness in this world.

How could a father dislike his daughter?

After his wife passed away, his daughter became his only support.

After his daughter's death, Mr. Norton's spiritual support completely collapsed. Coupled with the fact that ordinary people cannot live beyond the limit of 150 years no matter how hard they try, his life instantly turned black and white.

If it weren’t for his adopted daughter, Munina, his life would have probably ended long ago.

Munina is different from him. Although she is not a supernatural being, she masters the first six complete movements of the Siren Song and is fully capable of living until the end of the world by her own ability.

Munina was rescued by Norton and became Norton's adopted daughter out of gratitude, but that was all in the past. With her ability, she can completely deny it now.

But she didn't.

She always remembered the kindness of her little sister Nana and the love of her adoptive father.

She became the final color of Norton's later life.

If it weren't for Munina, Norton might have died long ago.

But Munina is not a god after all. She cannot save Norton, whose life is almost coming to an end. She can only accompany him on his last journey.

Mr. Norton's life was supposed to end like this until Roland's idea of ​​the electronic computer awakened him.

He saw a completely different future, an opportunity for an ordinary person to participate in the apocalyptic stage.

Maybe he won't be able to see that moment, but it doesn't matter. If the decisive weapon that he personally led the research on can participate in the final battle, he thinks it's no problem.

Norton, who was so old that he was about to be buried, was beaming with excitement and volunteered to take over the research.

Although Roland felt that old Norton was not suitable for this kind of new technological research, he couldn't refuse his old friend who had been with him for many years, so he had to agree.

There is a constant flow of funds, and the speed of spending money is like opening a bag of money and throwing it into a fire.

With continuous support, large-scale scientific research and archaeological research are also in full swing around the world.

Regular archaeological teams from various countries, as well as private expedition teams from the civilian population, have all joined this massive archaeological undertaking.

As long as there are ancient ruins that may exist, just go and dig.

Even if there is a royal palace on top of this relic, we have to give way.

Roland himself donated two palaces to make way for national archaeology.

Under his example and the persuasion of the guns of the law enforcement team, the only great nobles had no choice but to give way to this century-long project.

Some victims maliciously speculated that Roland was taking the opportunity to eliminate dissidents and strike against the old forces, but this speculation could only remain in their minds. Anyone who dared to speak it out would be seeking death.

In short, the computer research project is extremely expensive and involves more than three million people. It is a decisive project that affects the fate of the country.

Just when Roland thought that Norton was doomed to gain nothing and was patiently waiting for his old friend to die of old age and be replaced, good news came.

Roland couldn't believe it, but he still hurried over with Christine.

Looking at Norton's wrinkled old face and his white, almost transparent beard, Roland clearly realized that this was probably Mr. Norton's last moment.

Norton not only reports his achievements, but also leaves a will.

Roland felt a little heavy.

Time is the most amazing magic and the cruelest measurement.

Norton is one of the few old ministers who accompanied him in the early days and is still alive today.

Looking at Norton's familiar face, countless familiar names flashed through his mind.

He felt inexplicably disappointed and said softly, "Mr. Norton, if there is anything you need me to do, please tell me directly."

Norton handed a key to Roland and said, "I have placed all the reports on computers in the confidential vault of the Academy of Sciences. You can read them yourself. Unfortunately, I don't have time to report to you in detail."

His dry old face suddenly became a little rosy.

Roland looked at Christine who followed him with some uneasiness. His meaning was obvious: Can we continue?
Christine shook her head and responded to him in sign language.

"An hour at most. His lifespan is already close to the limit of an ordinary human. There is nothing we can do."

Roland felt inexplicably blocked in his heart. He took out a bottle of red wine that he had treasured for many years from his private space and pressed it hard on the table covered with several layers of dust.

"Mr. Norton, you must have a story to tell. Why don't we talk over a drink?"

Norton didn't refuse.

At this time, it is meaningless to say that drinking is harmful to health and that drinking damages the brain.

Some stories do need alcohol as a accompaniment.

He picked up the glass and said softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. It's just a bottle of wine. Even though it's not cheap, there's no need to be so polite." Roland smiled and raised his glass and clinked it with Norton's.

Norton did not respond, but said to himself: "If you hadn't found me back then, I would never have been able to avenge my daughter. I might have spent the last few years of my life in regret and loneliness, or I might have gone to fight my enemies to the death."

"This is a deal, and what you gave me in return is enough. You don't owe anyone anything, including me." Roland didn't want his old friend to leave with regrets, so he only said nice things.

Norton shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Of course not. When I am about to be buried, you are still willing to hand over this project to me instead of younger and more promising scientists. I am very grateful."

"I know that you are probably unwilling in your heart, but you still can't help but choose the suboptimal solution because of my past contributions."

If you only look at the data on paper, or even the worst solution, Roland complained silently.

He didn't respond, just smiled.

Mr. Norton only has one hour left to live, and his daughter has been dead for many years. He doesn't have to worry about anything now, and he must say something from the bottom of his heart.

These words could be an old man’s last act of reluctance, or they could be a true treasure.

In any case, facing this old minister who has followed him for many years, an hour of listening is necessary.

Roland took the initiative to pour tea for Norton, sat down in front of him, and waited to hear the story.

Norton sighed and said calmly: "You haven't changed, Roland."

Roland knew what the old man meant, but this topic was a bit heavy, so he smiled and teased, "Old buddy, even if you are my friend, you can't say that. My strength has increased by more than dozens of times over the years."

Norton was too lazy to talk nonsense with Roland. He just glared at him and said calmly, "I have been waiting for you to find me all these years and persuade me to give up the leadership of the research on the grounds of my advanced age."

Roland thought to himself that he really had this plan, but in the end he gave up.

It's not entirely because of Norton's great contribution, but it's a longer-term consideration.

Funerals are never held for the dead, but for the living.

Every move of a politician affects the interests and decisions of countless people and must be made with caution.

This major project, which determines the future of ordinary people, is indeed very urgent, but if Norton is dismissed out of haste, the entire alchemy and scientific research community will be insecure.

Norton is a leader in the field of science and technology in the entire Rodinia continent. His students are spread all over the world, and his attainments in alchemy are unparalleled.

His foundation in magic and technology overlapped, so his results were a little poor, but his students produced a lot of results, which made up for it.

Roland's patience and kindness were not for Norton, but for Norton's disciples. Of course he would not say these words, he just smiled.

Norton took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind, leaned forward slightly, and said in a low voice: "I have excavated a huge relic from the Second Era. To be precise, it was the city where Tia once lived."

Roland's pupils contracted.

Human archaeological discoveries date back to the Fourth Age at most. Because the Divine Punishment War in the Third Age was too brutal, very few relics were left.

In the Second Era, technological civilization was advanced, and the rise of extraordinary people was actually a coincidence brought about by countless accidents.

Before arriving at the divine realm, Tia and the others had thoroughly and systematically destroyed the civilization of the Second Era, so there were few traces of technology in the ruins that could be excavated.

During the Age of Gods, humans exhausted all oil and a large number of other resources and developed technology to its peak, but everything was destroyed by three traitors who were afraid of technology.

"Yes, the scientific research results of the Second Era were basically destroyed, but Tia had some very bad habits. She liked collecting things and she liked writing diaries even more."

It seems that the Goddess of Light is not a serious person.

Could it be that.
Seeing Roland's expression of surprise, Norton's old face flushed with excitement.

"Yes, my old friend, you are right. There are more than a dozen diaries of Tia there. To be more precise, they should be called essays. She only records important events, including her comments on Poseidon and others."

"There's even a mysterious video recording her and Poseidon, cough cough. Anyway, it's very exciting."

Seeing Norton's increasingly rosy old face, Christine quickly took a half step forward and poured holy water on him as if it were free.

She had a gloomy face and mixed feelings, but she finally made a decision.

"Mr. Norton, please give me this image."

Norton subconsciously wanted to refuse, "You want to destroy this information? No, no, unless Roland agrees, I will never give it to you."

Norton has been living in seclusion for many years, and of course he doesn't know that Christine has already broken up with the goddess. In his impression, Christine is still the most loyal believer of the goddess.

He looked at Roland unwillingly, and Roland didn't want to waste time, so he nodded directly.

"Norton, if you're worried, just leave it to me."

Norton breathed a sigh of relief. He believed that Roland would sell the video for a high price.

His worries were relieved, and Norton coughed violently. The fire of life that was forcibly sustained by the holy water began to falter.

He knew very well that his life was like a candle in the wind and could be extinguished at any time.

There was no time to waste, he took a deep breath, stood up and bowed to Roland.

"Roland, my daughter's soul box"

"Leave it to me. If I win, you will all be resurrected. If I lose, I will go downstairs to apologize to you." Roland agreed firmly.

"No, that's not what I mean. I mean, if you can't restore my daughter to the state she was in before she was seven, then destroy the Soul Box."

Norton closed his eyes in some pain, tears rolling down his eyes.

That year, his wife passed away.

From then on, he focused on alchemy research and neglected the care and education of his daughter.

Although a daughter who has lost her mother's love and lacks her father's love lives a carefree life, she always lacks a sense of security in her heart.

She used to be a clever and well-behaved little girl, but she gradually turned into a perverse and stubborn fool who would be deceived by men.

He is responsible for her failed life.

He put up all his chips, as if in exchange for that pure and innocent daughter.

In the new era and new life, he will accompany his daughter well and help her grow up healthily.

Roland held Norton's dry hands and said solemnly: "Old friend, you will see your 25-year-old wife and 7-year-old daughter in the future, I promise."

Norton didn't open his eyes, but his body trembled violently.

Christine, who was standing behind him and pouring holy water, shook her head and loosened her hands.

Roland felt old Norton's pulse disappear.

He sighed softly, neither getting hysterical nor putting on a corny and sentimental performance.

He and old Norton had known each other for a long time, and although the old man had many shortcomings, he never changed his position and remained loyal to his cooperation with his employer.

Old Norton may have regrets in his life, but he can make up for it eventually. But what about him?

Is there still a chance for him to repay what he owes Sophia?

He didn't know whether sacrificing the three goddesses would give him a chance to find Sophia's soul in the vast universe, nor did he know whether the rescued Sophia would still remember him.

But given the chance, he's willing to pay any price.

Old Norton died at the age of 150, which is the theoretical maximum lifespan for ordinary humans.

86.45% of his body weight has been replaced by machinery. Except for the organs used for perception, most of his body structure has been turned into the toughest Titan alloy.

Titanium alloy is immortal for billions of years, but the fragile human body cannot even last two centuries.

After packing up the relics left by old Norton, Roland walked out of his mansion. Looking at the butler who was waiting outside nervously, Roland announced the news of old Norton's death to him.

"Notify Miss Munina and the Executive Yuan for me and ask them to prepare for my funeral."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Buried according to the highest level of etiquette."

Walking out of Norton's mansion, Roland felt extremely complicated.

The success of the computer project and the joy of discovering the remains of Tia's collection were greatly diluted by the death of old Norton.

The old guy witnessed almost the entire process of Roland's rise to wealth. After he chose to mechanize his body, Roland once thought that this guy had found the broad road of "flesh and blood are weak, and machinery can ascend".

Yet he died.

Just as Roland was immersed in sorrow, Christine asked a little inappropriately: "Can you give me that crystal ball?"

Although it is a bit abrupt, a man in love cannot refuse his girlfriend's request.

Especially when the words "please" were written in her watery eyes.

Roland handed the crystal ball to Christine without hesitation.

Seeing the madness flashing in her eyes, Roland was vaguely worried, so he had to remind her softly:

"Can you please be normal? I'm a little scared."

"Don't worry, I'm normal, very normal."

Christine gritted her teeth while laughing, “Honey, do you think I look like an abnormal woman?”

Not really, because it is not.

Roland shook his head decisively.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"Find a few magicians and alchemists who are good at processing images, and make countless copies of this precious image for everyone to see."

Roland was stunned.

Christine bit her lip and shook her head, “No, this is not good.”

Roland breathed a sigh of relief.

"How can we spread it secretly? We must find a way to broadcast this precious teaching film over the entire world, especially over the God's Punishment Legion!"

Roland's eyes went dark.

You are so nice, Christine.

As expected, women are the best at harming other women. (End of this chapter)