Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1046: Section 603: Journey to Central South (4)_2

Chapter 1046: Section 603: Journey to Central South (4)_2

"Do you know, Mr. Malin, the wilderness here is full of Chaos. I even ran into this champion trying to rally his defeated troops. This unlucky guy’s Golden Cake has pretty good quality. Honestly, this place feels like my personal paradise."

"Looks like I should congratulate you on a successful hunt." Malin glanced at Ails’ army and noticed there were barely any losses.

"Indeed, I love this forest. My army feels at home here. By the way, can I display my trophies to the city?"

As Ails finished speaking, he reached behind him, and Malin saw the gunmen approaching with Chaos heads hanging from their waists.

Malin turned around, leaping back up to the city wall, where he asked Bishop Zhang if Ails could present his trophies to the citizens. The bald man pondered for a moment and eventually agreed. Of course, he also sent word to inform the citizens to prevent any misunderstandings.

Once the citizens learned the truth, those eager to watch the spectacle crowded the long stretch of the city wall. They observed as Ails bowed to Malin, then, one gunman after another walked past Malin, unfastening the trophies at their waists. As the pile of Chaos heads grew taller and taller before Malin, the citizens, initially calm in watching the scene, began whispering among themselves.

When the mound of Chaos heads blocked the street leading out of the city, the citizens erupted into cheers, their voices rising in waves.

"I like the people here. Unlike those Northern Nobles who cover their noses with silk handkerchiefs upon seeing Chaos heads."

Ails threw the champion’s head onto the top of the tower formed by heads and passed by Malin with an exceptionally cheerful expression.

"Those are Nobles, and they are commoners." Malin said with a smile.

"But I can sense that each and every one of them is the master of their own Fate. Every single one of them. You know, I can tell from the smiles on their faces. Everyone in this city will be their own master. None of them will be slaves. Whereas in the North, of every ten soldiers I meet, four are slaves of various kinds. The rest are merely pawns in their lords’ hands, pitiful souls with no control over their lives."

Malin fell silent, for he understood what Ails meant. He was complaining about the Nobles’ recent military tactics—Malin had heard about them. There had been too many unnecessary sacrifices.

There was even talk of valuing cannonballs over human lives. If it weren’t for Malin’s determination to stay until the soldiers revolted, he would’ve long returned to hang the adviser who proposed this idea atop the Bell Tower in Copenhagen.

Ails raised his arms wide and headed toward the city wall, bowing to the citizens above.

"Citizens! I’d like to make a trade with these heads! I have some small requests I hope you’ll agree to!"

"Speak, oh exceptional Lich!" Bishop Zhang replied, and Malin could tell the bald middle-aged man’s voice was brimming with joy. Surely, there’s nothing more exhilarating than seeing the severed heads of your life-and-death enemies appear before you as mere trophies.

"I want the freedom to hunt Chaos in this Great Forest Land! These Chaos heads will be my rent payment!"

"Citizens, what do you say?" Bishop Zhang asked.

"We agree!" The citizens shouted loudly.

Malin sat down with a smile as Mana transformed into a chair to support its master.

Bishop Zhang, living up to expectations, agreed to Ails’ first request, and behind him, the citizens erupted in thunderous applause.

"I want the freedom to replenish my troops from this Great Forest Land! Chaos corpses will be my ideal recruits!"

"Citizens! What do you think?" Bishop Zhang asked, now displaying a confident smile.

"We agree!" Tens of thousands of citizens cried out in unison.

So Bishop Zhang, beaming joyfully, sealed the deal on behalf of the citizens for Ails’ second request. Behind him, some young women even threw flowers into Malin’s lap.

This earned Ails a rather resentful look aimed at Malin. Malin, meanwhile, found himself quite awkward and couldn’t help but express disdain for the Lich—"With your skeleton-like frame, you don’t exactly have the charm to attract girls. Can you seriously blame me?"

Under Malin’s straightforward, unflinching gaze, Ails finally felt guilty and turned back toward the city wall.

"Citizens, your generosity fills me with respect. I now have one final, small request—may I enter this great city and have a sip of..." The Lich turned his head to look at Malin.

"Holy Trifolium Fruit Tea, the strongest brew in the city," Malin said with a smile.

Holy Trifolium Fruit Tea was a specialty of the city. This tea was infused with Positive Energy, a pure and potent brew, renowned for its legend of curing illnesses lingering for over six months with just one sip.

Malin recalled the tea fondly—the flavor was impeccable—and Ails had long heard about it and yearned for a taste.

"Yes! I’d like to request a sip of Holy Trifolium Fruit Tea. If I drink this tea, will I be allowed to enter this great city?"

This time, Bishop Zhang hesitated.

But compared to Bishop Zhang’s hesitation, the citizens acted swiftly. Before long, a jar was hoisted down by the citizens.