Even with prior expectations, the harsh reality of the real world still surpassed imagination.
Humanity was like a small boat sailing in an endless dark ocean, never knowing when disaster might strike.
Having just witnessed the terror and strangeness of the Spirit Realm, Rod had gained a deeper understanding of this.
In his current understanding, the Spirit Realm was like a deeper layer of existence, and disturbances originating from the Spirit Realm ultimately affected the physical world.
This feedback was usually negative, causing the emergence of monsters and the descent of disasters.
According to Molly, the Dark World was like an ocean, where monsters had some strange connection, and disturbances rippled out like waves.
Calm was the best scenario.
But beneath this calm, in the unfathomable depths of the deep sea, more terrifying unknowns were lurking—changes in the deep sea were undetectable on the surface.
The White Tower was an institution that tried to detect and foresee these terrifying undercurrents.
From Molly’s description, Rod guessed that the abrupt interruption of the ’Doomsday Stasis,’ might be related to the "Quantification" of the Dark Devourer.
The relationship between the Spirit Realm and the Dream Realm might be much closer than imagined.
"I must visit the White Tower when I have time."
"Perhaps I could fully understand what Quantification is, exactly where the dream bubbles float in the Spirit Realm, how the regions of the Spirit Realm are distributed, which areas are dangerous, and which are relatively safe."
If these questions could be clarified, at least the threats from Dream Invasion would be greatly reduced.
With Molly’s help, Rod had basically figured out the current state of Trolian.
Not counting the front-line positions, the area controlled by Trolian measured about 300,000 square kilometers, with a total defense perimeter exceeding 1,000 kilometers, divided into six combat zones, with thousands of various types of defense installations.
About 100 million humans lived in this area, half of them in Royal City alone.
Due to the significant sense of security provided by the massive walls of Los and the perpetually burning Holy Fire, the number of unregistered residents in Royal City exceeded ten million, especially in Outer City Districts 10 to 13, which were almost bursting with civilians.
The major human settlements were also severely overcrowded.
New living spaces were indeed urgently needed.
But the combat strength of Trolian was insufficient. Currently, about 400,000 Fire Holders were registered, with the number of new recruits annually ranging between 6,000 and 30,000.
The number of combatants on the front lines was less than 300,000.
Production personnel, logistics personnel, those retired due to old age, and those unable to fight due to various fatal injuries accounted for one-third.
Resources were the greatest factor limiting the number and strength of Fire Holders, with Royal City currently most lacking in Sun Crystals.
This was just a broad overview. More detailed and in-depth information could not be covered in two days.
However, Dalin had already appointed Molly as Rod’s personal assistant and deputy officer, responsible for handling all his daily and non-daily affairs. There would be plenty of time in the future.
Two days later, Rod attended a memorial service organized by the Supreme Council for Theodore.
Given Theodore’s significant influence within Royal City, the news of his death was not made public, and the memorial service was restricted to those in the know.
The service was presided over by Amendo, the First Elder of the Supreme Council, and attendees included the King, Archbishop Horus, the First Defense Chief Dalin, and other important figures of Royal City.
Theodore had never married and his parents and relatives had long passed away. The only one who barely qualified as family and was present was Rod, who had been the last vessel for Theodore’s soul.
Despite having no blood relatives, the venue was still filled with an air of mourning and the sounds of sobbing.
Due to the need for secrecy, the memorial service was held at the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground.
Under the towering golden flames of the Holy Fire, the King said, "Your life illuminated countless people, your brilliance guided countless more. May you rest in peace in the heavenly fire, and may you see a forever prosperous and strong Trolian."
Everyone together said, "May the fire burn eternally, may the hero remain immortal, may the torch be passed on, the spirit continue, and humanity never perish."
All present removed their hats and bowed in respect.
The King placed the urn containing Theodore’s relics into the Holy Fire. The flames surged, and the urn disappeared without a trace.
The sound of crying within the sacrificial ground grew louder, and some even fainted on the spot.
Suddenly recalling something, Rod discreetly entered the Dream Realm and pulled out a ring, which he handed to the King.
"This is a relic of the Dean; he intended to pass it to Kashan."
The King took the ring and examined it for a moment, then said gently, "Inside this is a unique piece of Soul Trait, Rod. Why did Theodore want to pass it to Kashan?"
"The Dean mentioned that it was Kashan’s Soul Trait artifact, that it belonged to Kashan as a relic."
Archbishop Horus suddenly spoke, "I understand now. This is an artifact of Kashan’s ancestral lineage. Kashan’s grandmother had once lent it to Lord Theodore. It’s a case of returning the property to its rightful owner. Let me handle this."
This brief event passed quickly, and as the memorial approached its end, the First Elder Amendo took the stage to speak.
He demanded that everyone maintain secrecy. Royal City would announce that Theodore was recuperating from his injuries, Jinworth Academy would appoint a new acting Dean, and the Spellcaster Academy would also be managed by a new Spell Master. All affairs would proceed without any abnormalities.
Everyone needn’t worry. Anyone who revealed secrets would face severe punishment from Royal City.
The aged man with a face full of wrinkles finished his statement with a warning glance at Rod, as if suspecting him to be a likely source of leaks.