Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 950: Section 624: Problem (3)

Chapter 950: Section 624: Problem (3)

"Oh, what’s your name?" Looking at the child, Malin suddenly realized she had yet to introduce herself.

"Marlene Duboa." The child answered while backing away, eyeing Malin. Her left eye gave Malin a very odd illusion, as if it were a rotating object.

Out of love for a child, Malin did not speak, but rather kept her curiosity to herself.

Nevertheless, she speculated - could it be a cybernetic eye? Considering that the world two millennia later was all about cyberpunk, and this era even had technology preserved from before the great destruction, so perhaps a cybernetic eyeball wouldn’t be out of the question.

With this thought, Malin and the girl returned to the scene of the incident via the alleyway, only to find that Officer Harold had left, after having exchanged a greeting with Halil and Thanan City.

"Your Excellency Malin, have you found... oh, is it this child?" Thanan City turned his attention to the child by Malin’s side, apparently intrigued as he squatted down: "This child... why do you invoke such curiosity in me, I did not see you just now."

Perhaps it was because the child was standing beside Malin; his power had augmented her, allowing her ancient ancestor from Thanan City to see her.

The sense of recognition through bloodline had become diluted, but Thanan City instantly felt something odd, truly befitting of a Divine Detective, even as a Mortal, the gift was there, an irreplaceable treasure that belonged to no one else.

Malin smiled: "Let her introduce herself to you."

After speaking, Malin decided to step back to avoid getting caught in the crossfire if the two officers decided to come to blows later.

"Greetings, Mr. Thanan City." The child addressed Thanan City: "I am Marlene Duboa."

Thanan City paused for a moment... and Malin swore it was just that - a moment, because the Thanan officer immediately turned, his hand on his holster, his gaze sharp and ready to administer justice at the slightest provocation to Halil Duboa, who appeared bewildered.

Malin took out a handkerchief and wiped the non-existent sweat from her forehead.

Halil appeared somewhat puzzled, and while he seemed unaware of the confusion on his old friend’s face, he bent down with his hands on his knees, leaning forward to look at Marlene: "Odd... how come you share my last name."

Thanan City was silent once more, perhaps internally debating the nature of his old friend, but eventually his hand moved away from his holster, taking out his cigarette case, ready to light one up to calm his nerves.

Malin tucked away her handkerchief, her face beaming with a look of someone who loves a good spectacle and awaits the forthcoming drama.

"I am your progeny." Marlene looked at Halil with the most solemn expression.

Thanan City’s hand shook slightly as it held the cigarette; his face twisted as if he was meeting his old friend anew today.

Halil Duboa also fell silent, then he offered an awkward smile: "Who sent you? Was it Anna, Farrina, or Diana?"

Thanan City spat beside him, as if the officer, having had a change of heart about his friend, resignedly lit himself a cigarette.

Marlene shook her head: "No, none of them. I am from 1,600 years in the future, where the luckiest children get to travel back in time on a Backstream Deep Dive. Like this time, I was fortunate enough to come to this era and meet you."

Malin saw the surprise on Thanan City’s face, but he quickly gave a smile and turned to her for assistance.

So, Malin nodded: "She’s not lying, I’ve already met my own descendant."

With Malin’s words, a smile finally blossomed on Thanan City’s face, and he walked over and patted the stunned Halil on the shoulder: "Congratulations, old friend, though I doubt you have any gifts to give her."

"No, that’s not it, why do I feel it’s so odd, I could see her, so if I’m her ancestor, then why can you and Your Excellency Malin see her too?" Halil turned to the two beside him. Though known to have had a drinking history, as an officer, his talent remained intact.

"Surely it’s because I’m brilliant." Malin answered with a smile.

With Malin’s response, Halil looked towards Thanan City.

Thanan City placed a hand over his heart, visibly moved by the question. He then looked questingly towards Marlene: "Child, do you have an answer?"

Marlene pointed at him: "Your daughter is an ancestor of my mother."

"Ha, Old Gold, we are family in the future, eh." Halil laughed heartily, standing up and reaching out his hand to Thanan City.

Thanan City sighed but still high-fived with Halil: "Lucky for your little brat, 1,600 years down the line."

Marlene watched with a smile as her two ancestors finally embraced.

"By the way, child, did you come looking for me for a reason?" Halil looked very happy as he bent down again to face the girl.

"Backstream Deep Dive is the common way to learn Transcendent skills in our time, but I’ve already met you twice, meaning you have no such abilities, though that doesn’t matter much." As soon as the child finished speaking, Thanan City’s mouth twitched. As a Rank Nine Transcendent, though Thanan City was not powerful, he could still overwhelmingly overpower his own old friend in comparison.