Endless Debt-Chapter 910 - 38: Age Anxiety (3)

Mamo looked serious, as he faintly perceived the manic aura emanating from Lebius. It was so subtle that, even after all these years since the end of the secret war, no one had noticed.

It wasn’t that Lebius hid it well, but rather that the things he acquired from the Devil in their blood contract were not much.

Lebius said, "I only wish for something simple. I haven’t received Belphegor’s blessing, nor am I his debtor."

"But you bear his protection."

Mamo, feeling a bit sorrowful, reached out, trying to smooth Lebius’s furrowed brow. Lebius always appeared tense, never relaxing for a moment.

Everyone thought Lebius was a workaholic from overwork, but only the higher-ups in the Order Bureau knew it was the curse of protection, endless toil without rest.

"It’s nothing, haven’t I successfully been promoted now?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Lebius reminisced about the terrifying risks during his promotion and felt the power surging within him, clenching his fist as a faint joy rose in his heart.

"To have lived to this point, I’m already satisfied," Lebius jokingly said, "I was prepared to face reckoning after the war."

"How could it be, your deal with Belphegor was just to win the war."

Mamo, aware of the secret war’s inner workings, sighed again, "It’s like fate’s prank. Without the protection of endless toil, you wouldn’t have been able to persist through the chaotic time axis for so long."

Regarding this information, Mamo learned it after the secret war, during those countless overlapping assaults, only the absolute clarity of endless toil could endure countless torments, and only such protection allowed Lebius the capability to counter the sixth seat.

"Because of my ties with the Devil," Lebius said, "I can’t join the Prayer Believers, which is quite a pity."

Mamo chuckled, recalling another matter, "Do your partners and team members know about this?"

Lebius shook his head, "They don’t know, nor do they need to."

Within the Order Bureau, only a few knew of Lebius’s past, being swept into the chaotic time axis, and to dismantle the sixth seat’s assault, he chose to trade with Belphegor, gaining the unnerved endless toil.

The severe injuries sustained in the secret war, along with part of his soul offered in exchange with the Devil, altogether caused Lebius’s promotion difficulties, lingering at the tier of Negative Power User for many years, never daring to step forward.

Until the reappearance of the sixth seat, which cemented Lebius’s resolve.

Lebius succeeded; he passed through perilous trials and thus reached the tier of Defender.

"You’ve just been promoted to Defender; the current strength is not enough to confront the sixth seat," Mamo said, "From the iteration of the Alchemy Matrix, you two belong to the same generation, but he’s been a Defender for too long and might have already touched the edge of becoming a Seeker of Glory."

"I know, that’s why I want to know about the matter you mentioned."

Lebius’s goal was clear, "How to chase the generational gap of the Alchemy Matrix?"

From implanting the Alchemy Matrix to becoming a viable combat strength, it requires a long period, and as Condensers grow, the generational gap of the Alchemy Matrix continues.

It can be said that the current high-tier Condensers in the world bear Alchemy Matrices that are already outdated, while the new generation’s Alchemy Matrix is borne by newcomers who need time to catch up with these predecessors.

In contrast, the technology catch-up Mamo mentioned seemed extremely important, possibly bridging the gap between Lebius and the sixth seat.

"It’s simple, just equip more powerful Alchemy Armament." Mamo said, "It’s no secret."

"Condensers need time to grow, but Alchemy Armament doesn’t need that; as long as you have sufficient ethereal amount to support it, they can operate.

The capacity of Mang Silver Soul is inferior to the Golden Soul and cannot bear overly complex Alchemy Matrix nor foster its growth, but with tech iteration and qualitative change, Alchemy Armament is always at the cutting edge of the era."

Mamo then asked Lebius, "Do you think the Undead are strong?"

Lebius shook his head, "Although they are immortal, what they bear is an outdated Alchemy Matrix; even with vast ethereal amount, the conversion efficiency of the Alchemy Matrix is too low, hardly deploying substantial combat strength."

"Indeed, this disparity is like that between steam engines and internal combustion engines," Mamo said, "So some active Undead often carry large amounts of advanced Alchemy Armament, relying on these weapons and their ethereal reserves to combat."

Lebius understood Mamo’s meaning, showing a surprised expression.

"Do you truly think Secret Sword is merely an honorary reward?" Mamo continued to explain, "The Order Bureau recently acquired a Secret Sword’s remains and his carried blade; I recall his name was Sandbox, and the Secret Sword was named Fog Concealment Sword."

"Technically speaking, the Alchemy Matrix of Fog Concealment Sword is advanced to that borne by Sandbox, meaning this Secret Sword was crafted after he became a Prayer Believer.

So do you understand? Secret Sword is not just a reward; it’s also a means for King’s Secret Swords to chase generational disparities."

Mamo gazed at Lebius, speaking softly.

"You need a weapon, one strong enough to bridge the gap between you two."