The doorway leading to the outside world was starkly simple, in contrast to the artistic design style within, so plain that it was hard to associate it with the Order Bureau. Stepping out of the building, a gloomy world unfolded before the eyes.
Pedestrians hurried along the streets, cars moved slowly, emitting thick exhaust fumes; everything was draped in a gray haze, as if wearing a pair of blurry glasses.
Emerging from the Order Bureau, Bologue found himself in the bustling streets, feeling quite peculiar, for it took only a few steps to transition from the mysterious extraordinary institution to the crowded streets.
The mundane world and the mysterious tightly intertwined, indistinguishable from one another.
Having walked a bit further, Bologue restrained his emotions... although there seemed little need to do so, for he had already encountered enough of the bizarre today, leaving his mood somewhat numbed.
Turning his head back, he wanted to look at the mysterious building housing the Order Bureau.
Bologue froze in place.
"Indeed, this is the Order Bureau. My first time seeing it, I had a similar expression," Geoffrey stood beside Bologue and said.
A skyscraper shot up from the ground, towering before him, its shadow completely engulfing Bologue.
The whole edifice resembled a delicate geometric body, its surface devoid of any windows, not even "passages" connecting the interior to the exterior, seemingly a colossal structure entirely cast from concrete, its rough gray walls blending with the misty atmosphere, anchored above in the heavy haze of Opus, like a pillar supporting a sea of clouds.
Bologue found it hard to catch his breath.
Wordless, soundless—there was only the oppressive solemnity brought by the immense structure and the bizarre astonishment in the face of normality, as if this were not a man-made building, but a tombstone erected by gods in a mythic era, coldly watching over the worldly changes, the rise and fall of the ages.
"In my memory, there were no buildings like this here."
Under the intense visual impact, Bologue's voice lost all emotion.
"Just simple cognitive distortion, one of this 'Cultivation Room's' many abilities," Geoffrey remarked with a sense of pride, "Only those holding a 'pass' can perceive its existence."
Bologue gazed at the majestic structure, gently rubbing the "Rupert's Tail" badge in his pocket, which presumably was his "pass."
"Cultivation Room?"
"Yes, that's its name."
Geoffrey looked at the fortress-like structure and spoke slowly.
"The 'Alchemy Matrix' is a very convenient tool. When implanted into an area, the region extensively covered by the 'Alchemy Matrix' is referred to as the 'Void Realm,' and the Order Bureau's 'Cultivation Room' is one such 'Void Realm' that can continuously expand.
One of the 'Cultivation Room's' secret abilities is expansion, allowing for the continuous enlargement and alteration of its narrow internal space, albeit requiring extensive material consumption... The reason your Special Operations Group's activity room hasn't been approved yet is that the 'Cultivation Room' is still undergoing expansion."
Reflecting on the 'Cultivation Room,' Geoffrey recalled the indescribable excitement upon first encountering such a miraculous creation. Bologue, too, was likely feeling the same, deeply staring at the 'Cultivation Room,' he could even see the doorplate hanging at zone number 117 of Lingna.
"Cognitive distortion, expansion...
The 'Cultivation Room' is the cornerstone of the Order Bureau. Over a long period of time, we've made numerous enhancements to the 'Cultivation Room,' making its 'Alchemy Matrix' increasingly complex. Do you remember the anomaly during the assessment? That was the work of the 'Cultivation Room,' showcasing another one of its abilities, 'seal,' extending its 'Alchemy Matrix,' temporarily transforming your location into part of the 'Cultivation Room' and then initiating renewal."
Scenes from the past flashed repeatedly before Bologue's eyes, recalling the moment when gray cement entirely sealed off the building.
"So the 'Transfer Station' is also a 'Void Realm,' right?" Bologue recalled seeing those doors standing in the darkness.
Geoffrey nodded, then mounted the steps, standing at a height.
"I won't see you off; wish you success in your mission, Bologue."
Geoffrey bid farewell to Bologue, who paused for a few seconds in place before suddenly speaking.
"Thank you, Geoffrey, thank you for all the care you've given me, and for explaining all of this without reservation."
These words were heartfelt, for without Geoffrey's help, the past year would have been intolerable for him as a debtor; worse still, he might have ended up back in the Black Prison.
"Hm? You suddenly saying all this really makes one uneasy!" Geoffrey's voice rose.
"No, I just feel that such words must be said when they need to be," Bologue remembered Adelle, he had prepared gifts but could never give them anymore.
Geoffrey seemed to grasp Bologue's sentiment, his expression also taking on a hint of melancholy, yet he smiled again.
"Though these matters are quite sad, seeing you able to mourn for another person, I think it's quite comforting," Geoffrey said, "Just to be clear, this isn't schadenfreude."
"Why so?"
"Because it makes you appear still capable of feeling joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, rather than a mindless monster."
Geoffrey finished speaking and turned back inside the Order Bureau, waving with his back to Bologue, who said nothing more, having already discussed enough; what was needed now was action.
With emotions of shock, Bologue left, glancing back at the 'Cultivation Room' every few steps, feeling that the direct impact of the giant structure was more stimulating than any employee benefits Geoffrey could speak of.