Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1061: Section 670: Sudden Turn (5)

Chapter 1061: Section 670: Sudden Turn (5)

The Festival of the Deity is a celebration in the world of Eastland. Originating at the beginning of the Third Era, it served as a means for humans to establish communication channels with the True Lord. Typically held once a year, humans offer gifts to the True Lord and the Deity, and upon accepting these gifts, the True Lord would provide protection to them for the following year.

This is a highly ceremonial rite where humans, the True Lord, and the Immortal establish a covenant. Additionally, it is governed by the Heavenly Way—a concept held by the Thanan people of Eastland. According to Malin’s perspective, it refers to a supreme True Lord who does not require offerings himself but instead oversees the covenants between humans, the True Lord, and the Deities.

Much like the Lord of Justice, but Malin believed the Lord of Justice wasn’t this figure. In the human world of the East, there would likely be another being equally powerful as him, perhaps even acquainted with him.

However, just as the Lord of Justice might know this figure, he would certainly not disclose their identity to Malin.

So, when Malin, accompanied by Meng Quyi, stepped through the city gates leading from the harbor district into the heart of the city, they were immediately engulfed by the festive atmosphere of the Day of Offerings. On both sides of the main avenue, countless stalls lined the streets, citizens adorned in brightly colored garments, and groups of children running through the neighborhoods. Malin had never seen such a bustling crowd.

Back when Malin had ventured deep into the city, it was ravaged by the God of Fire. But today, newly constructed small buildings dotted the landscape before Malin’s eyes. The blended architectural styles of East and West gave these structures a solid appearance. Particularly the taller buildings—those over four stories high—at the intersections seemed robust enough to function as fortifications.

As they walked across the bridge that had been fiercely defended in those days, Malin spotted a relief sculpture stationed atop the central pier of the bridge. The sculpture depicted a vaguely shaped small figure standing before ranks of soldiers. One hand held a raised sword, and the other a flag, pointing resolutely towards the North.

"Oh, come on! I’m not *that* short!"

Malin momentarily felt a surge of fury, then let it go, reasoning... Well, compared to the perpetual struggle with an unmanageable stubble, being shorter wasn’t exactly a terrible inconvenience.

But still, it’s *too* short. I’m at least 1.2 meters tall, right? When you calculate it, this statue shortens me by at least 0.721 centimeters!

"Eh, is that a hero?" Meng Quyi ran up to the relief sculpture and curiously began questioning the person who appeared to be its guide.

A short while later, the wooden-clog-wearing girl clattered back over. Her healthily tanned skin glowed, and she pointed at the small figure in the sculpture: "I asked the gentleman introducing the sculpture. He said that’s the True Lord, and apparently, the actual True Lord is said to be even more adorable than that little statue."

Ha, I’ve inherited my father’s bloodline—am I adorable or not? Do I not already know this myself?

Malin, feeling vain, slicked his hand across his pomaded slick-back hairstyle. Then, his attention was drawn to a unit of the City Defense Force marching across the bridge, armed with long firearms affixed with bayonettes. Leading the group was none other than the middle-aged Big Beard Malin had encountered during his deep excursion. The man’s temples had now turned gray, but he remained the commanding officer of this City Guard detachment.

In his unit, Malin noticed a particularly young lad with an expression and features that bore a striking resemblance to Big Beard.

This tugged at Malin’s heartstrings. This was what successors of this world ought to look like. Watching the City Guard unit approach from the other end of the bridge, it was evident that Big Beard had spotted something. He turned his gaze toward Malin’s direction. After a glance, the realization that he couldn’t uncover anything particular from this brief moment rendered the middle-aged man’s demeanor slightly peculiar. Nevertheless, he resumed his march, leading his men onward.

At the sculpture, Big Beard raised a sheathed long blade high, signaling the soldiers behind him to step into formation and begin chanting slogans.

Malin felt a surge of joy at this sight. He could tell these soldiers had undergone rigorous training. Their steps were impeccably synchronized. Only soldiers of this caliber could persist on the harshest of battlefields until the very last moment. While they might not survive themselves, their valor and fidelity to their roles could ensure the survival of countless innocents. Just like the soldiers on the bridge that day—without Malin’s intervention, they would certainly have perished. Yet, their courage and unwavering loyalty to their identities proved that they weren’t cowards.

"I honestly didn’t expect to find such disciplined City Guard detachments here in a southwestern city." Meng Quyi looked on with pride after the guard unit left, turning to Malin with a glowing admiration. "What do you think? Our Thanan City Guard detachments are pretty formidable too, aren’t they?"

"They’re very impressive," Malin commented, deliberately avoiding pointing out the girl’s contradictory remarks and instead spoke about the guard unit.

If the City Guards throughout Thainan displayed a similar level of courage, Malin would certainly exclaim their invincibility.

This put Meng Quyi in an elated mood. Grabbing Malin’s hand eagerly, she started toward the heart of the city. According to her, there lay a grander marketplace, even more exquisite statues, and countless stalls offering a variety of snacks.

"Aren’t you worried you’ll get fat?" Malin playfully teased.

"I’ve been resistant to weight gain since I was a kid, just like you!" The girl playfully referenced Malin, her face blooming with a carefree smile. The spirited young girl held Malin’s hand tightly, as though afraid he might run off. "Malin, do you think this True Lord child resembles you and your paternal ancestors?"

Noticing the confusion and embarrassment on Malin’s face, the girl chuckled and stuck out her tongue mischievously. "I know, ten years ago you were still a kid and couldn’t have crossed mountains and rivers all the way here. But I’m so curious—could they be from the same clan as your father’s bloodline?"