Apocalypse Forecast-Chapter 632 - 527: Appointment (Thanks to the pitiful unnamed once again for the alliance leader)_1
"Great Grandmaster, have you taken your medicine today?" the Captain coughed and asked.
"What’s the difference between taking the medicine and not? Will the world become better after taking it? It’s just false hormone secretion, only capable of deceiving oneself."
With his head drooping, the Great Grandmaster spoke despondently, "Compared to the universe, compared to the world, we are but dust. Compared to Hell, our existence is but a moment... Whether that moment is filled with happiness or sorrow, it’s all meaningless... I’ve always been thinking about illusionary love, about the unstable miracles, but there are no answers, just like my life. I’ve merely accepted the hollow reality..."
HISS!
Huai Shi felt the wave of negative energy hitting him and drew in a sharp breath of cold air.
The Great Grandmaster was terrifying!
Even a negative energy nuclear power plant like Huai Shi was starting to struggle with such a gloomy and disheartening atmosphere.
What’s going on here?
"The last experimental accident."
Andrea leaned in, whispering beside him, "Aside from his whole body undergoing a metallic transformation, he occasionally plunges into depression after presiding over ceremonies, but he gets better after a while if left alone."
No no no, this is not something that gets better just by leaving it alone!
Why keep him in Hell... Hurry up and take him to a psychiatrist!
Moreover, is it really okay for someone in this state to manage the Iron Crystal Throne? It won’t happen that one day, in a fit of despair, he suddenly drives a submarine into Hell and self-destructs, will it?
And while the Great Grandmaster continued to emit negative energy, a few people in charge had already skillfully restrained the over three-meter-tall Great Grandmaster, pouring medicine into his mouth.
The Great Grandmaster, however, did not resist; he sat there indifferently, as if he was even too lazy to struggle.
The specially formulated Alchemy Potion quickly took effect.
On the Great Grandmaster’s body, the color of steel gradually faded away, revealing the texture of flesh and blood, but his hair, eyebrows, and eye pupils still had a cold, steely gleam.
The transformation into steel caused by the alchemy accident still persisted in his body.
But now, Huai Shi could feel the tremendous presence of miracles and an equal measure of Disasters coursing through that massive shell, as if standing in front of a colossal furnace, experiencing the majestic rhythm woven by countless Disasters and miracles.
Within that body that was mostly non-human, alchemic reactions happened ceaselessly, and who knows how many complex matrices intersected to form the Great Grandmaster he now saw before him.
As his condition returned to normal, the real Great Grandmaster Mikhail raised his eyes, his expression calm and indifferent, even his voice carried a strong unnatural mechanical tone.
"Now that the situation is clear, proceed," he said. "Does anyone have any objections?"
No one spoke.
Compared to his earlier disposition, his current state seemed even less human.
His gloom and depression were swept away. As he became more majestic and cold, he exuded an immense presence, like a roaring flame.
Huai Shi struggled to understand which version of him was actually within the bounds of normalcy.
"That settles it, then. I have other matters to deal with, don’t bother me if it’s nothing important. The affairs of the Iron Crystal Throne during the exploration period, leave them in his hands."
Saying this, the Great Grandmaster casually pointed a finger.
In the eerie silence, his finger pointed at the stunned Huai Shi.
What the heck?
Huai Shi, wide-eyed and incredulous, struggled to believe it.
Looking around blankly to make sure there was no one else behind him, and no one was invisible in front, he faced the Great Grandmaster with a hundred thousand question marks in his eyes.
What do you mean by this?
The Great Grandmaster frowned and looked over disapprovingly. "I specifically found someone to take charge because I hate dealing with these things. Didn’t that old turtle Luo Su tell you anything?"
So you were waiting here for me!
With his expression twitching, Huai Shi couldn’t help but retort, "If you already know he’s an ’old turtle,’ then why ask me?"
"You have a point."
Clearly acquainted with Luo Su’s character, Mikhail nodded slightly and asked, "Are you his new Secretary?"
"Yeah," Huai Shi nodded.
Suddenly, from Mikhail’s mechanical indifference, a trace of pity emerged as he asked again, "A new student?"
"...Pretty much," Huai Shi shrugged.
"That must be tough for you."
As if observing someone tied to a fast track to Hell, the Great Grandmaster actually showed rare warmth as he patted his shoulder in encouragement.
"So, about the decision just now, is it..."
"Is it what?"
Mikhail asked indifferently, "Sympathy aside, work is work. I’ve been too lazy to deal with these matters. Since you are the Principal’s Secretary, you are Luo Su’s proxy here. What’s wrong with leaving these matters to you?"
Everything seems wrong, doesn’t it?!
Huai Shi’s eyes bulged, unsure of what was going through the Great Grandmaster’s mind.
He had just arrived at the Iron Crystal Throne, hadn’t even sat down, nor had a sip of hot water, and now he was suddenly the temporary head of this branch?
Even recklessness should have its limits.
"Does anyone have objections?" the Great Grandmaster looked up and asked, and at that moment, Huai Shi’s heart rose with hope: That’s right, everyone here was a senior. How could they possibly tolerate a greenhorn with no knowledge lording it over them? They would surely voice strong oppo—
Wait a minute!
Why is everyone just standing there, silently watching!?
With an increasingly contorted expression, Huai Shi gazed at each calm face, hoping to find a hint of dissent.
No one made a peep; instead, several people nodded in agreement.
"Since it’s the Principal’s Secretary, there couldn’t be a better choice."
"That’s also good, since the Great Grandmaster isn’t exactly adept at handling these matters."
"If someone could take over the work, then you can take a good rest."
...
Why is the plot not going right here!
Huai Shi clung to his last hope, looking at Andrea, hoping she would speak up for him.
Andrea seemed to understand his anxiety and panic, and at the crucial moment, the big sister could indeed be relied upon to stand up and choose to speak for Huai Shi:
"Teacher Huai Shi might be young, but he’s got a rich resume, impeccable integrity, abundant experience, and is good at learning... I believe that, given some time, he will definitely be able to adapt to this job!"
"..."
Huai Shi was already in complete despair.
Big sister, is that really what I asked you to say on my behalf?
Martin! Where’s Martin? Come out and say something fair!
Just when he was anxiously searching for someone to oppose, he remembered that the only one who would oppose him, Martin, seemed to have been sent to arrange a support team...
"Well, since no one is opposed, let’s settle it this way," the Great Grandmaster concluded, turning to Huai Shi. "If you can’t handle any technical issues, come ask me. Otherwise, solve the rest by yourself and don’t bother me."
"Hold on a minute!"
Huai Shi blocked the Great Grandmaster, who was ready to leave. "At the very least tell me, what am I supposed to do?"
"Face the problem, handle the current situation, propose methods, confirm the plan, prepare for execution, succeed, or go home after a crushing failure," Mikhail said indifferently, waving his hand. "Anyway, I won’t be responsible for any consequences in the end."
Of course, you won’t be responsible...
"What about me?!"
Huai Shi felt outraged. If nobody cared, wouldn’t he be the one left holding the bag?
If the whole army were annihilated here, even if he returned alive, he would still be socially dead afterward!
"That I can’t help you with."
The Great Grandmaster shrugged and gracefully departed with a wave.
Leaving Huai Shi and the other responsible parties exchanging glances.
.
.
On my first day of a business trip, I arrived and was immediately made the top leader, the overall person-in-charge, and even got saddled with a beast of a problem. What should I do? This is urgent.
There was none of the anticipated ostracizing, nor the imagined indifference or alienation.
After briefly getting to know Huai Shi, the few responsible officers quickly prepared to transfer their authority and submit the documents and affairs accumulated over the past few days to him.
Huai Shi refused everything with the excuse of "tired from the journey, let’s talk tomorrow"...
Until he stepped out of the bridge, Huai Shi was still numb, his steps a bit unsteady.
He couldn’t believe what had just happened.
August, who witnessed the entire situation, patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"The Great Grandmaster’s words and actions are never opposed by anyone," he said. "Although this is a bit irregular, since the Great Grandmaster himself has appointed you, it’s all yours now."
"Wait—"
Huai Shi stopped in his tracks, his distracted expression suddenly turning stern, his eyes somewhat strange.
Looking straight at him, August felt a bit creeped out.
"What’s wrong?" he asked.
"You just said, it’s irregular, right?" Huai Shi asked seriously. "Does that mean his temporary appointment and all the orders and appointments I issue afterward are all illegitimate and illegal?"
"Uh... technically, that’s the case," August nodded, asking with confusion. "Are you planning to appeal to the college’s teaching and research office? I think it’s mostly hopeless, better to give up."
"No."
Huai Shi’s smile grew more cheerful. "I just suddenly feel full of confidence, that’s all..."
For some reason, upon learning that his rushed appointment was illegal, Huai Shi’s panic vanished, and he became full of confidence.
He felt as if countless ideas and plans surfaced in his mind; his energy started to surge, feeling like every cell in his body was brimming with a force ready to stir up trouble.
He was eager to make his move.
He seemed like a completely different person all of a sudden.
It startled August, who had no idea what had just happened to this young man before him, nor which button his casual words had hit.
"You must be tired," he guessed. "I’ll take you to the dormitory area to rest."
"No, time is of the essence," Huai Shi said, smiling, an odd gleam shining in his eyes. "Since the Great Grandmaster has entrusted me with such a heavy responsibility, how can I rest... let’s start with understanding the situation."
He had actually started liking this job.
