Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1060: Section 609: Sudden Turn (Part 4)_2

Chapter 1060: Section 609: Sudden Turn (Part 4)_2

"Let’s continue discussing Mr. Malin. Tomorrow is Bangkok’s grandest divine festival. If our guest really is Malin, then tonight he must be deep diving into the city of Bangkok. This confirms that his deep dive can affect reality, proving that Malin is indeed the True Lord Malin worshipped in the Bangkok region." Bei Luo said this as if intentionally handing over the reins to his friend. The first child took over the conversation: "If that’s true, then Malin’s priority level needs to be raised to the highest... Wait a moment, I have an urgent letter from Yangon’s Bishop Zhao... Interesting, Bei Luo, we need to halt the operation for Chao Chengshan. Her Astromancer Sequence is reacting, and the target is Malin Gaiate."

"The Astromancer Sequence is reacting? Malin? So, does this mean he likely possesses the advanced tier of the Astromancer hierarchy? Ah, I see now, no wonder!" The man seemed to have uncovered something, while Bei Luo raised a new question.

"What is the advanced tier of the Astromancer hierarchy? Does Mr. Meng have any information on this?" Bei Luo’s question received no answer, as nobody had inquired about it yet. He immediately decided to go and ask Mr. Meng.

"Hold on, satellite spotted Malin. He’s heading back to his little den." The first child’s voice issued a warning.

......

Malin crawled out of his little den and looked up at the sky. The starlit night sky left him melancholic—it had been such a thrilling deep dive that Malin was itching to find someone familiar to share and brag about the experience.

What made Malin even more downcast was the realization that he had become larger—a forced change. He wanted to shrink down but found he couldn’t.

Rubbing the stubble on his face, Malin felt a pang of frustration.

Leaning against the railing of the ship, he sat listlessly for two hours until the morning sun began its ascent, and someone came up to the deck.

It was Mr. Meng.

"You’re up rather early." Malin grinned and asked.

"Indeed. By the way, what’s with the size change?" Mr. Meng, looking as if he hadn’t slept well, greeted Malin and then, standing at the ship’s edge, got busy with his personal matters.

After finishing, the old man shook off and turned to Malin: "The city we’re heading to today is called Bangkok. Did my daughter mention it to you?"

"She did. She said this is the city with the most singular beliefs in all of Thainan. She mentioned something about some super-powered True Lord saving this city." Malin had indeed heard Meng Quyi talk about it before, and couldn’t help but compare his deep dive endeavours to the feats of that True Lord, wondering if he fell short in some ways.

On reflection, he probably did fall short. Malin was still a mortal, while a being like the True Lord was at least on the level of an Evil God.

No comparison—it was a deep dive, while the True Lord dealt with actual history.

"Precisely. I’ve never visited this city before. Last time I was here, I couldn’t disembark due to illness." Mr. Meng talked about this, hinting at a strong desire to finally experience Bangkok.

"You seem very keen on visiting—why’s that?" Malin asked curiously.

"Because I’ve just received a letter saying that Bangkok is hosting a grand divine festival today, featuring local delicacies. I’ve long wanted to try the cuisine from the Southwest Province—it’s said that Bangkok’s food is the best in the province. This time, I must fulfill that wish."

Talk of food immediately perked Malin up. Rumour had it that Bangkok offered sticky rice made from the world’s finest genetically modified rice and various delectable fish dishes. Before the Great Ruin, this region was already known for its genetically enhanced livestock—and the province now allegedly boasts the best-reviewed roasted meats around.

As someone who couldn’t go without meat, Malin eagerly began strategizing about how he’d eat as soon as he disembarked—the bland diet on the sea had worn him out.

As Malin planned, the fleet gradually approached Bangkok. From interacting with more people, Malin confirmed that Bangkok was indeed a city of intrigue. For example, the only public belief here was in the True Lord. Another curiosity: fleets had previously been barred from docking here, but an invite from Lin the Sage, Bangkok’s overseer, specifically requested a meeting with the Westland delegates and ambassadors.

"Perhaps Lin the Sage will meet you as well," Mr. Meng said to Malin.

Malin nodded: "I wouldn’t mind, but I hope the meeting is delayed. That way, I can prioritize eating roasted meat."

Malin’s response made Mr. Meng laugh heartily. He assured him that Lin the Sage would definitely meet the ambassadors first.

"Great!" Malin said, then looking toward the distant city added, "By the way, Meng Quyi, how about I take you to eat roasted meat?"

"Yay!" The girl joyfully raised her hands in excitement.

......

Wearing a breezy short robe, Malin tied a small ponytail with his hair. As soon as the fleet docked, he and Meng Quyi cheerfully disembarked together. The playful duo eventually made it through customs. Excited, Malin led the young girl out of the checkpoint and quickly noticed street vendors nearby. The enticing aroma of roasting meat mixed with spices wafted toward him, instantly catching his attention. Malin pulled the girl over and plopped down at one of the meat stalls. He had already exchanged currency at the customs area, so he slapped down a row of silver coins: "Bring out all the roasted meat you’ve got!"

The stubbled vendor noticed Malin’s appearance, then glanced at Meng Quyi: "Guests from Westland, truly a tiring journey for you."

He then began grilling the meat.

Malin nodded: "You’re telling me. After drifting at sea for so long, eating fish becomes monotonous. That’s why, the moment I hit land, I came straight to you. Speaking of, have you seen many Westland guests like myself who speak Thainan the way I do?"

"You’re the first," the vendor answered with a laugh while brushing oil onto the grill.

Malin spread his hands before accepting a small bottle handed to him by the vendor’s wife.

"Drink up, young man. You and your companion must have traveled far." Despite looking slightly younger than her husband, the wife’s face still bore traces of life’s hardships. Nonetheless, the couple seemed genuinely satisfied with their work.

The first batch of roasted meat and refreshing water was devoured by Malin and Meng Quyi with gusto. Though the meat was slightly overcooked, its tenderness stood out. Noticing Meng Quyi’s delight, Malin decided to order another round: "By the way, what meat is this?"

"It’s knotworm meat," Meng Quyi chimed in swiftly, grabbing the last skewer.

"Knotworm? What’s that?" Malin asked with curiosity.

"An edible insect from before the Great Ruin. Nowadays, they’re everywhere outside Bangkok. We often send the kids to catch them—they bring back plenty each day." The vendor’s wife explained while pulling out a worm leg: "The meat you’re eating comes from these legs. Just crack the shell, and it reveals the best tender meat."

The bio-engineering feats before the Great Ruin were truly impressive.

Malin marvelled inwardly, then gave a thumbs-up: "Another serving, please. This meat is amazing."

"Aren’t you afraid? From what I remember, Westlanders usually dislike insects." The vendor expressed with some surprise.

"I’m not scared." Malin grinned cheekily—insects were nothing; eating cicadas back in the day was far more adventurous.

Of course, he didn’t say it aloud. Accepting the rice wine handed over by the wife, Malin and Meng Quyi began drinking while noticing lively commotion beyond the city gates.

"I heard you’re hosting a divine festival here today, right?"

"Yes, it’s the divine festival, a tribute to the True Lord who saved us ten years ago." The vendor smiled: "You’re outsiders, so don’t worry. Our True Lord is a God of Goodness. He wouldn’t dare commit atrocities like demanding children for sacrifices."

"Indeed, the True Lord is a God of Goodness. He hasn’t responded to us for years, which is naturally because he doesn’t want to harm us." The vendor’s wife echoed.

Meng Quyi grew curious: "Does your True Lord have an honorific title?"

"Indeed, our True Lord is called Malin, and he’s also a Westlander like you," the vendor proudly stated.

"Don’t be silly, dear. He’s clearly one of us Thanan people. I’ve heard the True Lord speak—his Thainan is better than yours," the vendor’s wife countered, revealing their differing views.

Malin glanced at Meng Quyi.

The girl beamed a radiant smile.

"How does it feel to be a True Lord?" she asked in Sydney language.

"Awful." Malin answered with embarrassment.

And a hint of fear.

What was going on?

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