Chapter 700: Humpback Whale and EDEN, Hope Brought by Goting

Terra Continent, Wind City Marine Research Institute.

The EDEN Alliance member faction, Humpback Whale, was located here.

"President, three more people have frozen to death. It's been over two months now. Although our food reserves are still decent, our fuel reserves are running low~"

This was a small meeting. Four people sat huddled around a small fire, greedily absorbing the only bit of warmth available.

"Be grateful! I heard the OSD Armed Forces in Flower City have completely lost contact. Clearly, things are looking grim for them. The fact that we've managed to hold on this long thanks to this research institute's underground facilities is already remarkable."

With those words, the atmosphere in the room grew even heavier.

"This damn weather, it's like it doesn't want people to survive..."

Finally, the only person in the room who hadn't spoken, a man who looked to be in his forties or fifties, let out a sigh.

He looked at one of the others.

"Still no response from the Orthodox Church?"

That person shook his head and let out a scoff.

"No. Honestly, I think they're struggling to keep themselves alive at this point. In this kind of weather, even the magma on their bodies could freeze over. Maybe their situation is even worse than ours."

"Impossible..." someone said hesitantly.

"Regardless, they possess inhuman powers. No matter what, their situation has to be better than ours. I think they just don't want to bother with us, letting us fend for ourselves..."

"Hmph..."

Another person was about to speak when they were interrupted by the crackling static of a radio. Everyone's eyes snapped toward the radio in the corner, expressions filled with shock and uncertainty.

They exchanged glances, each understanding what the others were thinking.

Who in this godforsaken weather was trying to make contact?

They had only maintained communication during the early stages of the Extreme Cold Disaster. For nearly half a month now, almost no one had bothered wasting the effort.

"Hello... hello... this is the Orthodox Church... this is... the Orthodox Church... I am Pope Goting. If anyone can hear me, please respond..."

"This is..."

When the voice crackled through the radio, the four of them were stunned by what they heard. Some even wondered if they were hearing things.

"Did he just say... who he is?"

"The Orthodox Church... he said Orthodox Church, it's Pope Goting..."

One of them snapped out of it immediately and rushed to the radio to reply:

"Humpback Whale receiving. This is Humpback Whale..." completely abandoning the mocking demeanor from moments ago.

The others also looked at the radio with hope in their eyes.

Although they had just shown disappointment toward the Orthodox Church, they all knew perfectly well that in this environment, if anyone had the best chance of surviving to the end...

Without a doubt, it was the Orthodox Church.

And after being out of contact for so long, why would they suddenly reach out now? Could they have discovered something?

"Alanta Counterattack Front receiving. This is the Alanta Counterattack Front... Pope Goting, are you all alright?"

"Kite Rat Association receiving... we couldn't reach you before. We thought you had already..."

In an instant, the Orthodox Church's appearance was like a switch. The radio that had lain silent for half a month burst back to life with activity.

One after another, the various member factions of the EDEN Alliance surfaced.

Listening to the names still coming through the radio, the four members of Humpback Whale in the room were dumbfounded.

"These bastards... they're all still alive. Then why didn't anyone answer before?" one of them muttered with a curse.

"Heh, why else? Everyone's struggling to keep themselves alive. We understand, they know it too. Why waste the energy to reply when you could save that strength and those resources to wait for a turning point?"

Another pointed at the radio and sneered.

"Look, isn't the turning point here now!"

Everyone was left speechless.

And just as the voices were about to die down, another voice came through the radio.

"OSD Armed Forces... receiving... sending greetings to Pope Goting..."

The four exchanged looks, and in the end, all they could spit out was:

"Damn! That bastard..."

The radio fell silent for a long time. Just as everyone's hearts were starting to sink again, Goting's voice, laced with laughter, rang out once more.

"Hehe... seems everyone's still alive! That's good... The reason we lost contact before was because we had followed the Oracle. Just a few hours ago, we were in another world fighting against heretics..."

"And the reason I've returned here, back to the Terra Continent, is because I received word that a new danger has descended upon the Terra Continent..."

When Goting explained that oil creatures had entered the Terra Continent, and that even the Mechanical Vanguard Society had suffered losses at their hands, every faction in the EDEN Alliance felt the pressure.

"Additionally, I learned from the Oracle that this Extreme Cold Disaster may last for a very long time. So, I recommended you all to the Oracle..."

"If you're willing, I will take you away!"

The four members of Humpback Whale listened to Goting's words, caught off guard.

"He said he's going to take us away?"

"Yes, that's what he said. Also, did you all catch what Goting said earlier? He said he was fighting in another world just a few hours ago..."

"Yeah, I heard it too. He definitely said another world."

Hiss—

All four of them sucked in a sharp breath.

"Another world, huh!"

Meanwhile, others on the radio had already asked that very question.

Goting's answer was equally clear.

"You heard correctly, it is another world. In fact, the Oracle governs many worlds. This world of ours is only one of them. We have a massive need for people.

Whether it's combat personnel, production workers, maintenance staff, or technical experts, we have huge shortages across the board.

That's precisely why I recommended you to him. The other worlds have no ice, no cold. Food and survival supplies are nothing to worry about either. We've already established our own farms and livestock operations..."

Goting's words were irresistibly tempting.

He fully displayed the professional expertise of a preacher, a high-ranking clergy member.

He showcased the strengths and advantages of the Ten Thousand Nations Pact Civilization to everyone.

He also knew exactly what the EDEN Alliance needed most.

And in fact, he succeeded.

Although his speech wasn't exactly brilliant.

But just as Goting had anticipated, he knew precisely what these factions needed most right now.

Delicious food, a warm environment, and the hope of survival.

These were things the EDEN Alliance desperately needed.

With no other options available, Goting became their only way out.

The radio fell into another brief silence.

"Lord Goting, we are willing to follow. All 52 members of the OSD Armed Forces will follow. We only ask that you come for us as soon as possible, because... we can't hold out much longer."

"Lord Goting, all 235 members of the Kite Rat Association will follow..."

"Lord Goting..."

The Humpback Whale President looked at the other three.

"What do you all think?"

The three exchanged glances, then all looked at the Humpback Whale President.

He gave a slight nod.

"In that case, let's get ready!"

Two of them immediately left to notify the rest of the members outside, while the remaining one spoke into the radio:

"Lord Goting, all 256 members of Humpback Whale will follow..."