Chapter 406 - 11: Taking Action Personally

They say that when you come to a new world, you should adapt to its local customs. Su Zhou had already braced himself for a meal of "dark cuisine," but the breakfast the Naisel family’s Little Duke prepared for him was unexpectedly lavish.

Roasted mushrooms, grilled meat, a basin of fried shrimp, and wine—a very healthy, high-protein meal. He ate with great satisfaction, going back for eight helpings.

It was a bit strange. The roasted mushrooms and fried shrimp made sense, since the area around Naisel City was indeed humid and had lakes. But for a luxury item like wine to still exist in this post-apocalyptic world was truly odd.

"My lord, some areas in the Maze are quite suitable for growing crops." A maidservant, wiping away a cold sweat as she watched Su Zhou devour the shelter’s assets, answered in a low voice. "With the help of some Druid Magic, we at least don’t have to worry about food."

According to her, it wasn’t just crops. The Extraordinary Magical Beasts in the Maze also reproduced far more quickly than they had on the surface before the apocalypse. As a result, the city wasn’t lacking in Extraordinary Materials or beast meat.

Elias was currently in a private chamber, reviewing the Naisel family’s logs and records to get a handle on the Shelter City’s current situation, so he didn’t join Su Zhou for breakfast.

"So, what you’re saying is, if it weren’t for the apocalypse, this world of yours would have achieved a utopia thanks to the Maze—or at least reached a point where no one had to worry about food or clothing."

The Otherworld native naturally didn’t understand Su Zhou’s quip. Seeing her confused expression, Su Zhou felt a little bored. He started to miss his phone and the internet. ’Sigh, when will I get a phone that can connect to the internet in other worlds? Then when I run into something I don’t get, I can just look it up on QianDu, post a question on DaoHu, you know, an "online and waiting, urgent!" kind of thing...’

With that thought, he lost his appetite. He waved a hand, signaling for the maidservant to start clearing the table, and headed back to the study to continue reading his Magic Books.

But just as Su Zhou left the dining room, the maidservant’s expression changed subtly. She let out a breath, then nervously glanced around before pulling a colorless, translucent piece of Magic Equipment that looked like a Crystal Thin Slice from her bosom.

Then, she placed the Crystal Thin Slice on the spot where Su Zhou had just been sitting. In an instant, the once-colorless crystal turned a purplish-cyan.

Once she was done, sensing that her actions had gone unnoticed, the maidservant took another deep breath to calm herself and began clearing the plates and utensils as usual.

Following standard procedure, she finished her duties, then asked the Steward for leave, claiming she was unwell and needed to see a doctor. Permission was quickly granted.

The maidservant then left the Duke’s Mansion and headed for a remote area of Naisel City.

’I hope this Communication Altar the Messenger gave me works properly...’

Hiding in a deserted alley, she retrieved a small, exquisitely crafted Crystal Altar from a hidden spot among some brick and rubble. After steadying her nerves, the maidservant began to chant in a strange tongue that even a Naisel City native wouldn’t understand. Then, she solemnly placed the purplish-cyan Crystal Thin Slice upon the altar.

Flashes of magical light pulsed as the Array on the altar activated.

"Lord Messenger, these are the Magic Power fluctuations of the Wilderness Wanderer who killed the three Messengers. I have stored them in the chip you provided..."

As she chanted, ripples like water began to emanate from the maidservant, who originally possessed no Magic Power. She poured her thoughts into the altar: "The new Duke is a fourteen-year-old boy, only at the Official Low Rank. He poses no threat. However, the Wilderness Wanderer he hired is at least as strong as the former Duke. And once he obtains the Naisel family’s magical legacy, his power will certainly grow even further."

"If you wish to eliminate him, you must dispatch a sufficient number of Messengers. Otherwise, it’s very likely that..."

She didn’t get to finish.

Because Su Zhou, who had appeared behind her, knocked her out cold.

’I thought it was strange. Who hides a Magical Artifact in their cleavage? It made me take a confused second look. Now people will probably think I’m into big chests. My reputation is ruined.’

Tossing the unconscious maidservant aside, Su Zhou examined the small Crystal Altar with interest. ’Interesting. A composite Magical Artifact that can transmit both information and Magic Power? That must be the trace of my Spiritual Power I deliberately left behind on the chip. Too bad. I was hoping to follow the trail and smoke out the other hidden traitors, but it’s just for communication.’

With that thought, he plucked the Crystal Thin Slice from the altar, casually crushed it into powder, and let it scatter on the wind.

At that moment, on the other end of the Array, the communication connected.

"Is this a comrade from Naisel City? Some time ago, three Messengers fell there, and most of our comrades were wiped out. The search for the Father God’s Divine Hall has stalled again. What happened?"

An urgent male voice came from the other end of the communication, clearly desperate for news.

The language he spoke wasn’t the local tongue of Naisel City, nor was it the language from the era of the Thousand Lakes Country. It belonged to an even earlier age, a more ancient linguistic family. Of course, it didn’t matter what language he was speaking—Su Zhou couldn’t understand a word of it.

So, the foul-mouthed young man paused for a moment, then unleashed a three-piece combo of the Otherworld curses he’d recently learned: "Fuck your mom! Your mom’s dead! And I’m your daddy!"