Dr. Jones considered himself fairly secretive, at least he’d never had the experience of speaking nonsense when drunk, so he nodded and gave a positive answer.
He wasn’t a fool. From Perfikot’s extraordinary power and way of doing things, along with the Empire’s unreserved protection and support for her, there was undoubtedly a very significant secret hidden with Perfikot.
After all, if this were merely a straightforward Arctic expedition, Perfikot would never have behaved so recklessly and without regard for anything.
Of course, if she were just a capricious noble lady, such unbridled behavior might be understandable.
But if that were the case, how could the Empire grant such enormous power and support to a capricious noble lady?
So, with just a bit of reasoning, Dr. Jones could deduce that Perfikot must be hiding a huge secret, and this secret was deeply entwined with the Empire and the Royal Family, even concerning the interests of the entire nation.
Though Dr. Jones was only a mere university professor, not a government official, out of a sense of Victorian honor, he still hoped he could do something for the Empire.
And precisely for this reason, knowing full well that Perfikot might have a deadly secret, he still proactively showed willingness to understand what was truly going on.
Faced with Dr. Jones’s attitude, Perfikot hesitated, stared at him for a long while, then spoke: "The world is going to end."
"What? I didn’t hear clearly, could you say that again?" Dr. Jones was stunned, thinking Perfikot was joking.
However, Perfikot helplessly shook her head and then explained.
After hearing Perfikot’s explanation, Dr. Jones finally understood why Perfikot had acted so excessively before.
"So, you’re saying this world has only three years left? And the Empire will be destroyed along with it?" Dr. Jones still couldn’t believe it. He could not imagine the powerful Sun Never Sets Empire would be destroyed for such a ridiculous reason.
To this, Perfikot could only spread her little hands, helplessly saying: "According to my predictions and those of the Astronomical Society, in three years, the entire world will be covered in ice and snow, turning the world into a white hell.
If I cannot construct shelters capable of resisting extreme cold before the disaster strikes, then the Empire is literally doomed; nothing can withstand temperatures of minus dozens of degrees."
"The whole world becoming a white hell, why do I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere before..." Dr. Jones seemed to have been prompted by Perfikot’s words to recall something, and he fell into deep thought.
Perfikot didn’t disturb him, just watched as the gray-templed old man frowned in contemplation.
But Dr. Jones didn’t think for long; he soon clapped his hands and said with sudden realization: "I remember now, many years ago, when I was conducting archaeology in the Desert Kingdom, I saw a mural in an abandoned temple, where ancient text mentioned ’a White Star from beyond the skies bringing destruction, the earth will be frozen by the cold wind blown by Safura, the world will become a white hell!’
Safura is the god of ice and snow in Desert Kingdom’s ancient mythology, and according to myth, she will awaken at the end of the world, submerging the whole world in ice and snow! I realize why this phrase felt so familiar, because I’ve seen it before!"
Dr. Jones was just mentioning a past experience, but Perfikot suddenly focused her gaze and solemnly asked Dr. Jones: "Doctor, do you still remember where that temple is? If I ask you to find it, can you locate it?"
"There shouldn’t be a problem, as long as the ruins haven’t been destroyed by war." Dr. Jones nodded, although he couldn’t guarantee with absolute certainty, he was fairly confident that he could find that site.
Perfikot nodded in satisfaction, then instructed him: "In that case, immediately board the Navy’s escort ship back home. I need you to deliver my handwritten letter to the Eldest Princess, and then go to the Desert Kingdom to find that temple and the mural you mentioned, gather all related materials! ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveIＦire.net
Although I don’t know if this will be useful, as long as there is even the slightest possibility, we must clarify this matter! This could very well be an ancient Desert Kingdom prophecy about this disaster; I don’t believe this is just a coincidence!"
Dr. Jones nodded understandingly and then said: "Indeed, according to academic research, the Desert Kingdom hasn’t seen snow in at least a thousand years; the locals don’t even know what snow is.
Yet in their mythology, there exists a god of ice and snow, and this god occupies a very important position within the myths, which is very puzzling.
But if, as you, Milady, say, this relates to an apocalyptic prophecy about the disaster, then everything is explained."
"There’s no time to lose, take my handwritten letter and set out! If you need any help, talk to the Eldest Princess, she will support you." Perfikot said with some excitement.
Ever since discovering the end of the world, she had always been stifled by this looming destruction, and now having finally found that someone in ancient times had made a similar prophecy, Perfikot felt a sense of hopeful excitement.
After all, according to prophecy, in three hundred years the entire planet will be frozen solid; even surviving the ice and snow falling in three years would only allow humanity to eke out a pitiful existence.
Only by truly finding the source of the disaster can the planet’s death and the world’s destruction be prevented.
And the ancient Desert Kingdom prophecy Dr. Jones mentioned might just be the critical clue.
Dr. Jones also came to realize it, and an enormous sense of mission immediately filled him, making him enthusiastically express to Perfikot: "I will do my utmost to find that temple and information related to the prophecy! When I get back to Langton, I’ll have my academic friends help gather clues as well.
Since ancient Desert Kingdom had similar prophecies, it’s possible that other civilizations had similar information; I’ll have them keep an eye out!"
"I’ll leave it to you, do you need anything else?" Perfikot asked as she looked at Dr. Jones who was suddenly full of energy.
Dr. Jones thought for a moment and then said: "Could O’Connor go with me? He used to be a mercenary in the Desert Kingdom, familiar with the local conditions, and might come in handy.
It’s been many years since I was there; the war between the Empire and France in the Desert Kingdom made many changes locally, I need a guide familiar with the area."