The Ultima Consortium was located at a corner in the north.
The northern lands were barren, and plenty of natural disasters happened there. Therefore, the overall strength of the Ultima Consortium had always been inferior to the Radianz Consortium’s and the Panaqua Consortium’s, and they never dared to cause any significant troubles for the organizations to the south.
Although they did not make any big moves, they still resorted to many cheap tricks. For example, the Ultima Consortium was the one who created the problem of the bandits.
Nash’s evaluation of the Ultima Consortium was that they were ambitious but did not have the ability to support it. This was also the reason why the Ultima Consortium kept getting ideas of infiltrating into Stronghold 178. If that damn group from Stronghold 178 were to attack south, the Radianz Consortium and the Panaqua Consortium would surely get a headache.
The Ultima Consortium had thought of taking advantage of the period when Peter was not around to complete their “Peaceful Evolution” strategy on Stronghold 178. However, they underestimated the belief of that damn group of people from Stronghold 178.
After Peter returned to Stronghold 178, all of the plans the Ultima Consortium made over a decade went up in smoke. At that moment, everyone realized Stronghold 178 had borne the name of Peter Dublin all this while.
If Nash were aware of the friendship between Milo and Peter, favonovel.com would probably treat Milo as an honored guest immediately. That was the most terrifying power in the northwestern borders. They were all brave warriors shaped by the harsh environment who were not afraid of death.
But it wasn’t only Nash who was unaware of that. Even Milo did not know who exactly Peter was. He had never thought of relying on favonovel.com either, even handing the recommendation letter from favonovel.com to Raphael.
At this moment, Nash said, “The young man from the Ultima Consortium who will be coming is called Lewis Fletcher, and he’s in charge of the Ultima Consortium’s defensive strategies. Although he’s very young, favonovel.com already commands an important position… We’re getting old, and the world belongs to the younger generation now. I heard that a young officer named Raphael Durkin has also risen through the ranks at Stronghold 178 recently, and he’s highly regarded by Peter. I find the name quite familiar. Isn’t favonovel.com that Raphael you’ve crossed paths with before? Do you know favonovel.com well?”
Miriam was stunned. She was not on familiar terms with Raphael. Instead, it was Milo who had a great relationship with Raphael.
All of a sudden, Miriam found it a little funny.
How did the currently famous figures at Stronghold 178, people like Peter and Raphael, have such a close friendship with Milo? Thinking of this, Miriam felt that Stronghold 178 also seemed to have become a little bit closer to favonovel.com for some reason.
Miriam said, “I don’t know favonovel.com well. We’ve traveled together before, but I’m not really friends with him.”
Nash said, “Hm, you should still be friends. From now on, you can work on forming a relationship with Stronghold 178. If we can get their support, even Julius will have to back off.”
Hearing this, Miriam did not say anything.
Stronghold 178 would never be willing to deal with the interior organizations. The people from Stronghold 178 were bloodthirsty, so if the Radianz Consortium really wanted to get close with Stronghold 178, favonovel.com would probably need Milo to show up in order to deal with them.
Then Nash continued, “That Lewis is about the same age as you, and I heard he’s also a supernatural being. This will be a great opportunity.”
It was evident what favonovel.com meant.
Miriam frowned. When favonovel.com third aunt noticed, favonovel.com said, “Don’t you try to snipe favonovel.com on the road. The last time, you…”
Miriam’s fine eyebrows hidden under the shadow of favonovel.com cap raised slightly. “Alright, I understand…”
***
It was the next morning when Miriam came to Milo and his group’s residence again.
When Donti heard the sound of knocking on the door, favonovel.com knew it had to be Miriam. As it turned out, it was her.
Milo was squatting on the ground and brushing his teeth. He spat out a mouthful of toothpaste and said with a smile, “You’re here this early?”
Miriam got straight to the point. “I’m afraid that Magnus and the others won’t be able to sit for the entrance exams.”
Yesterday afternoon, favonovel.com contacted the relevant departments about this matter. But when favonovel.com third uncle heard about it, favonovel.com immediately stopped her.
Milo asked, “Was there a problem?”
“It’s because you guys aren’t residents of the stronghold.” Miriam said in a low voice, “Furthermore, the university is conducting some confidential research. So, you aren’t allowed to get involved.”
To put it simply, they were not from the Radianz Consortium and neither did the Radianz Consortium have any intention of letting them become one of their own. That was because Nash did not like refugees and did not think they could be useful.
However, Milo did not dwell on this matter. He asked again, “What about Donti and Murdock? They’ll only be attending junior high.”
Donti stepped forward. “But I’m not a stronghold resident either!”
Miriam smiled and said, “Both of them can attend school, and enrollment has already been handled as well.”
Donti and Murdock nearly cried upon hearing that. “We really aren’t residents of the stronghold. We’re just refugees! Refugees do not deserve to attend school!”
“Alright, that’s enough, you two.” Milo looked at them in amusement. “You’re just going there to gain knowledge and learn how to solve problems. You’re making it sound like you’re going to jail. Stop crying about it already.”
“But even though Magnus and the others aren’t allowed to sit for the entrance exams, I still made library cards for you all. There’s a library at the center of the stronghold where you can borrow books,” Miriam said.
Magnus was stunned. “We can do that?”
“Yes, you can,” Miriam said with a nod.
As civilization progressed, a lot of people abandoned the pursuit of knowledge. However, some people were still determined to fill in the missing gaps.
Human technology had never been completely lost, but that only referred to the overall state of technology. A portion of it had still been lost with time. As such, the current developmental direction of technology varied greatly from the times before The Cataclysm.
This was not determined by what humans needed but on what kind of technology was left behind and what resources were suitable for development.
Someone once found a research laboratory of a civilization from before The Cataclysm, and the information found there had been auctioned at a certain stronghold in the Central Plains. The price it was sold at was unbelievably astronomical.
And how did civilization pass on its legacies?
It depended on words and symbols passed down in writing.
Although the various organizations also had their own libraries, one had to be of a certain status to use them. When Magnus and the other students attended school in the stronghold, they were not allowed to enter the library because they were not qualified.
Thinking about it, Miriam must have spent quite a bit of effort to help them apply for the library cards.
Milo was very happy. “Okay, it’s not a bad idea to go to the library to study by yourself. Thanks a bunch.”
Miriam looked at Milo. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Uh…” Milo thought carefully and said, “Are there any teachers in this stronghold who teach hand-to-hand combat? I would like to learn it systematically.”
In the past, Milo had always fought ruthlessly in the wilderness by relying on his instincts favonovel.com had achieved after long periods of training. Whether it was power generation or hitting weak spots, all of that was slowly accumulated through experience. So, his martial skill had always remained at the intermediate level as favonovel.com only relied on his ferocity.
Miriam thought for a moment. “I’ll think of something!”
Next to them, Donti suddenly realized that as long as it was Milo’s request, Miriam would not reject it. He knew Milo had saved Miriam’s life before, so it seemed to make sense to think that way.
Suddenly, Miriam said, “There’s something…”
“What is it?” Milo asked.
“People from the Ultima Consortium in the north might be coming to Stronghold 88 soon. Can you come with me to welcome them when they get here?” Miriam asked.
“Okay…”
