Chapter 62: Detonation Plan

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Detonation Plan

"There must be some sort of Soul Core or something similar."

Shen Yun hadn’t read all those novels for nothing. Hearing Vierlia’s explanation, he easily guessed the reason.

"We had similar suspicions, but..." Vierlia shook her head. The man was indeed exceptionally difficult to kill.

"Tell me some more specific information," Shen Yun continued. To know one’s enemy is to be invincible, and that Black Mage absolutely had to be eliminated.

As Vierlia elaborated, Shen Yun gradually formed a general impression of the situation.

"Isn’t this just a classic case of an unloved teenager craving attention and gradually twisting into a psychopath? Your social care system has major issues," he couldn’t help but mock.

"...In that regard, we are indeed far inferior to your world." Vierlia fell silent for a moment before shaking her head again. "But the very essence of our two worlds is different. They are hard to compare."

Although she had only been in this world for a little over a day, she was genuinely astounded. There was no Magic and no supernatural powers, yet ordinary humans had managed to create such an incredible civilization. Every human being was equal in personhood—something completely impossible in her world.

"We can take our time learning about your world later," Shen Yun said, standing up. "Right now, all we need to do is wait."

"Wait?" Vierlia was taken aback.

"Exactly. We wait for that Black Mage from your world to push our world to the point where we have no choice but to unite." Shen Yun smiled faintly. "I am incredibly glad that he’s a madman."

If Ludwig had been a brilliant, scheming mastermind, his best approach to gaining an advantage would be to win over one faction while attacking another—just as they had done in the Otherworld. Who to recruit and who to target would have been glaringly obvious, and Earth would inevitably have plunged into the flames of war. But now... just as Shen Yun said, a lunatic like him might actually be beneficial to Earth’s peace.

"We absolutely cannot wait any longer, Your Majesty Queen Vierlia." A man’s voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. Alberta limped into the room on his crutches. "We should set out immediately. This must be when Ludwig is at his weakest."

"I didn’t invite you to eavesdrop." Shen Yun couldn’t understand his words, but his brow furrowed anyway.

Alberta kept his eyes fixed entirely on Vierlia, completely ignoring Shen Yun.

"Master, the data from his pupils is a bit off," Little Nine warned in his mind. "Although he hides it well, the big data analysis shows there is still a ten to twenty percent spike in negative emotions, like anger..."

"Can you tell who these negative emotions are directed at?" Shen Yun asked, his expression remaining perfectly calm. Even John hadn’t been able to spot the slightest hint of negativity. How could this orthodox Paladin, an expert of the Saint Realm no less, harbor such uncontrollable negative emotions? Now this was interesting. Weren’t they supposed to suppress their desires?

"I think... they are directed at you, Master," Little Nine continued her detailed emotional data analysis. "He is extremely infatuated with Queen Vierlia; possessiveness makes up the highest percentage of his emotions. Master, you need to be very careful of this person. After all, one either explodes from repression or goes mad from it."

"I understand." Shen Yun secretly raised his guard.

If not for Little Nine, he really wouldn’t have noticed a thing just by looking at the surface. Anyone else would just think this was a slightly paranoid, righteous knight.

"Paladin Alberta!" Vierlia exuded her full regal aura when facing him. If she didn’t, Alberta simply wouldn’t listen. "We have failed many times already. Do you still think we can capture Ludwig entirely on our own? Furthermore, look at how arrogant you are being right now. Do you wish to abandon the faith you serve?"

Shen Yun couldn’t understand a word of the language Vierlia was using, but he could grasp the general gist from her tone and expression. It seemed their relationship wasn’t very good.

Alberta lowered his head, masking his gaze. Ultimately, he didn’t say a word, simply turning on his crutches and leaving.

Vierlia seemed even angrier, her chest heaving slightly. In the end, she could only look at Shen Yun apologetically. "I am sorry. Alberta was indeed entirely too rude... He isn’t supposed to be like this."

"Have you known each other for a long time?" Shen Yun asked.

"...Three years ago, when I entered the Saint Realm, I met him for the first time at the celebration." Vierlia hesitated a little but sighed. "He wanted to become my knight. I refused him, but he still remained in my country as the representative of the Holy Hall."

"Why did you refuse?" Shen Yun asked again, already beginning to piece things together.

"Because..." Vierlia paused. Then, noticing that Alberta’s footsteps outside the door had suddenly stopped, she simply explained, "He seemed incredibly rigid... and very boring."

Vierlia didn’t know if she was the root cause, but Alberta’s subsequent behavior had indeed always been different from the other Paladins. Some of his actions were particularly off-putting to her. Now, she just bluntly stated her reason for rejecting him that day. The relationship between a ruler and their knight was actually extremely intimate; historically, quite a few queens had married their own knights. Thus, Vierlia hadn’t wanted to bind herself to a boring man.

"Understandable. No one wants to spend their time with a bore." Shen Yun nodded, then his tone shifted. "But let me make this clear in advance. Alberta’s actions last night severely violated my country’s laws, so he is not a guest. If he does anything offensive again, I won’t be as merciful as I was last night."

He didn’t mask his voice. This was a direct warning to Alberta waiting outside.

"I will keep him in line," Vierlia said sternly.

Shen Yun mused that she probably wouldn’t be able to keep him in line at all. He felt that Alberta would be a ticking time bomb sooner or later. However, he couldn’t just strike without cause, or he would completely ruin his relationship with the queen standing before him. Unless... he detonated the bomb early. With that thought in mind, Shen Yun decided to test the waters.

He suddenly looked at Vierlia and smiled. "We can now basically confirm that last night’s incident was Alberta’s personal doing and had nothing to do with you. In that case, Your Majesty the Queen, who has traveled from afar, would you like to experience my country’s friendly hospitality?"

"Is that so?" Vierlia looked at Shen Yun suspiciously. Her azure eyes seemed to speak, clearly telling him that she didn’t believe him for a second. From last night until now, she hadn’t seen much friendliness from this guy.

"For example, my country’s cuisine will definitely not disappoint you." Shen Yun took out the Tripod Cauldron from his jacket. "Allow me to formally introduce my private chef."

Little Nine, who had entered the Tripod Cauldron earlier, now emerged in her human form. Lifting the hem of her maid skirt, she bowed elegantly.

"Little Nine greets Queen Vierlia."

"What a beautiful girl." Vierlia’s eyes lit up as she couldn’t help but marvel.

"Thank you for the compliment." Shen Yun made no effort to hide the smugness on his face, acting as if he were the one being praised. He then looked at Little Nine. "Nine, this presidential suite has a fully equipped kitchen. Whip up a delicious lunch; I want to entertain our guest."

After all, his mission originally included properly entertaining this Otherworld queen, who didn’t appear to be an enemy. Ideally, he would be able to extract more information from her.