Chapter 214: Speculation on Void Century
"Officer Spandine, are you sure the criminal we're looking for is on this island?"
"Are you an idiot?"
Spandine, the current head of CP9, angrily kicked the suit-wearing agent who asked the question.
"With our CP9 agents already on Ohara, does the relationship between the criminal and Ohara still matter?
"As long as we thoroughly search the island, we'll find evidence that the Ohara scholars have been studying the historical texts!"
"You must understand, this is the most famous scholar island in the world! The scholars here are also the top in the sea! How could they resist the curiosity to study history?"
Spandine raised his hands to the sky, speaking fervently, like a clown in a circus.
"Even if the government is not 100% sure whether Ohara is connected to the legendary historical texts,"
"So what?"
"Our job in CP9 is to confirm such vague connections!"
"The government's goal has never been to simply 'destroy Ohara' for its own sake, but to destroy Ohara as a warning to the countless other scholars on the sea!"
"Once this mission is completed, I will definitely get a promotion and a raise, be appointed to a high position, and reach the pinnacle of my life. Just thinking about it makes me a little excited~"
"Oh, right. I'll also request that my son inherit my position in CP9!" {Are you trying to reason why what is in the anime and manga despite logic flaw?}
"Hey! Why are you all still standing around? Are you trying to delay my promotion and raise?"
The agents surrounding Spandine exchanged glances.
The next moment, they burst into action, moving as black shadows almost invisible to the naked eye, rapidly heading into the town of Ohara with the 'Shave'!
About half an hour later.
The wooden door of the Tree of Knowledge library was violently pushed open again.
A group of World Government agents barged in, pointing their flintlock guns at everyone inside the library.
"Stop what you're doing! Everyone, raise your hands and get outside!"
"The World Government suspects Ohara of the grave crime of interpreting historical texts. We're conducting a thorough search on the Tree of Knowledge library!"
"Such rude agents," Dr. Clover stepped forward to the lead agent, "Don't damage anything in here. Everything is a priceless treasure of knowledge you cannot even imagine."
"Shut up, old man!" The blond agent retorted coldly, "We're not here to listen to you. Take them all outside!"
Meanwhile, the Den Den Mushi broadcast system on Ohara began to ring, informing the residents.
"Attention all townspeople!"
"The scholars of Ohara have violated the World Government's ban and are now to be arrested!"
"We will conduct a large-scale search across the island! During this time, non-archaeological personnel, please bring proof of identity and head to the evacuation ships on the west coast!"
"..."
The island was thrown into chaos.
A group of players disguised as Ohara residents exchanged looks.
Just then, their mission panels updated with notifications for completing the third task and starting the fourth.
[Third Task: Daily Life.]
[Task Status: Completed.]
[You have earned 50,000 experience points.]
[Fourth Task: Escape!]
[Task Description: Stay away from potential attack zones.]
[Task Hint: Use all means to survive! Exposure will result in task failure.]
[Fourth Task Reward: 100,000 experience points, Skill: Eagle's Finger!]
"Oh… Oh, we are townspeople! Let's hurry and evacuate!"
"Eagle… right, he's correct! We need to run!"
"The wrath of the gods is coming! Everyone, head to the west coast for evacuation!"
Once the agents were out of sight, the players huddled together, whispering.
It appeared they were discussing the situation in Ohara and the scholars, but in fact, they were planning how to complete their mission.
"Bro, are you heading to the evacuation ship on the west coast?"
"I plan to. If they attack Ohara, there's no safer place than the evacuation ship on the sea!"
"But the task hint says just to stay away from potential attack zones. Maybe I can complete the mission on the island too."
"That's perfect. I'll head to the ship, you stay on the island, and one of us will have a bright future."
While the players disguised as townspeople gathered their belongings and ran to the west coast evacuation ships, the scholars of the Tree of Knowledge were also brought to an open area near the west coast.
CP9's chief, Spandine, stood before the scholars, one hand on his hip, the other making a dismissive gesture.
An agent followed his orders and pressed a red button.
Boom——!!
A deafening explosion erupted from the direction of the Tree of Knowledge, flames rising high as thick black smoke billowed from its base.
"Oh~ what a splendid and fierce scene!" Spandine grinned maliciously.
Dr. Clover was horrified, "What have you done?"
His gaze furiously locked on to Spandine, "You World Government agents, how dare to destroy the Tree of Knowledge!"
Buru Buru...
Spandine was about to speak when the ringing of a Den Den Mushi interrupted him.
He glanced mockingly at the scholars, then answered the call.
"Moshi moshi, is the chief there?"
"Ah, it's me."
"Chief, we've discovered an underground chamber!"
"Ah! That's great!" Spandine glanced excitedly at the scholars, "Tell me, what did you find inside?"
"There's a large stone that looks like a historical text, inscribed with unknown characters, and obviously materials for studying those characters..."
"Excellent! Well done!"
He slammed the receiver down, glaring furiously at the scholars.
"Ohara scholars, now you cannot escape your fate! It's unfortunate, but today, the world's foremost scholars will perish along with this island!"
"Now, connect the Den Den Mushi to the Five Elders!"
Moments later.
"Connected, chief."
Before Spandine could take the receiver, Dr. Clover interrupted him.
"Let me," Dr. Clover said calmly, staring at Spandine. "Let me speak with the Five Elders."
"I want to report Ohara's long-term research findings. Although not fully confirmed, we've hypothesized about the 'Void Century'."
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