Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1041: Section 602: Trip to Central South (Part 2)

Chapter 1041: Section 602: Trip to Central South (Part 2)

When that official was still unable to come to terms with reality, Malin had already instinctively taken up the reins of command: "Citizens! Take your wives and children and retreat to the shelters!" Then he turned to look at the Sage’s disciple. "I don’t understand the structure of your country’s military, but I want to know—where is the army?"

"They are the army." The Sage’s disciple extended his hand and pointed at the citizens. With pride and confidence, he introduced them to Malin: "They are the army of Thainan."

Malin turned around and observed the adult males among the citizens forming ranks, while the younger children were retreating in an orderly manner alongside their mothers and sisters.

"Open the armory beneath the Bell Tower! Arm the citizens! Sound the Sage’s Bell! I am the disciple of the Eighth Sage! Inform the Martial Monks! I’ll meet them on the walls!" The teenager issued orders before walking over to the official. "Remember your duty, sir, and do not disgrace the face of Thainan in front of our guest."

"Understood. I swear to uphold my charge. However, as a guest, you should be seeking refuge, not risking yourself." The official glanced at Malin, instinctively taking his youthful appearance seriously. But soon, he slapped his forehead in embarrassment. "Apologies, I misspoke. Nevertheless, you are a guest—please do not expose yourself to unnecessary danger."

"No, sir. I cannot watch you fight and die on the front lines while I remain safely behind. That goes against every principle I hold dear in life." Malin smiled as he bid farewell to the official, then turned to Meng Quyi beside him. "To be honest, I don’t believe the battlefield is truly suited for women."

"Just as you’ve said to me—do you expect me to watch men march to their deaths while staying at home with a clear conscience?" Meng Quyi shook her head. "We women are also warriors, Malin. I understand that your intention is to protect us, but war has never discriminated on the basis of gender, especially when facing Chaos."

"I understand, and you’re probably about to say that as a War Witch, you can contribute to everyone’s efforts." Malin smiled as he rolled up the sleeve of his jacket, allowing Mana to morph into a long staff in his hand. This movement naturally led the Sage’s disciple to see Malin as nothing less than a legendary Caster.

Without hesitation, the disciple walked toward the front and began speaking with Malin: "Mr. Malin, have you ever heard about our Thainan system?"

"I haven’t. In fact, the only system I’ve seen is Meng Quyi’s War Witch methodology. Truthfully, I’m unfamiliar with the rest. However, I’ve heard that the Sage system requires a person to be disabled." Malin untied his headband, and the spell-enhanced energy within his body began activating. The first notable change was his hair, which grew to waist-length almost instantly—thick and lustrous to the point that any seasoned programmer would feel utterly envious.

Using the headband to tie back his now long hair, Malin waited for the Sage’s disciple to respond.

The disciple, without turning back, replied with remarkable composure: "Indeed, this is our fate, but it is also our blessing. More of our disabled join the military to confront Chaos head-on, while those of us who remain are chosen as apprentices to the Sages. One day, we may even inherit their legacy."

"It seems I won’t get an answer from you, but no matter—I’ll ask your Sage mentor directly. For now, let’s go meet Chaos." Malin didn’t expect the child to provide a substantial explanation.

Following the disciple to the northern part of the city, Malin observed as the city rapidly armed itself—massive doors beneath the Bell Tower were opening, granting every citizen access to a weapon and leather armor. Some were even equipped with firearms.

Most of these were lever-action rifles, with medium-length barrels and steel bullets encased in cartridges.

You see, sometimes fate is ruthless like that. But the people of Thainan, as they had thousands of years before, had evidently found their solution.

"Little Master, our forces have assembled. May we move forward with you?" A middle-aged man bowed his head as he addressed the Sage’s disciple.

"Of course, follow me, sir." The young disciple smiled as he waved his hand and turned sharply, raising his left hand high. Onlookers his age, previously unsure of what to do, erupted in cheers and joined him. As their commander, he naturally noticed Malin and Meng Quyi.

He recognized Meng Quyi as a Transcendent War Witch, a formidable presence he was familiar with, but the same could not be said for Malin—whose distinctive actions puzzled him. He was obviously not Ah San; Malin had met those people before, their skin mostly brown, far from Malin’s almost milky white complexion.

In appearance, he didn’t seem like an ordinary human. The staff in his hand was certainly not a mundane artifact, and as for the Bippo stored in the leather pouch on Malin’s waist, the disciple couldn’t even begin to guess its origins.

After pondering for a while, he decided to address him. "Hello, I’m Li Xingxing. Are you a guest from a distant land?"

"From the Western Human World," Malin replied with a smile. For warriors unafraid of danger, Malin never hesitated to show respect and warmth.

"The Western Human World! Heavens, I always thought that was nothing more than folklore. Little Master, are all humans from your lands like you?" The middle-aged man scrutinized Malin with curiosity.

"Not at all—my appearance is a rarity. Most resemble you, though there are slight differences in facial features and skin tone." Malin’s response, delivered in fluent Thainan, surprised many of the armed citizens. However, after the Sage’s disciple introduced Malin as an extraordinary legendary figure, their surprise turned to admiration.