This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 662: Not Just the Messenger, But Trouble Too

Chapter 662: Chapter 662: Not Just the Messenger, But Trouble Too

On the elevator to the airship.

With a backpack on his back, Gnome King Riches was waving goodbye to his good brothers on the platform.

"Goodbye, brothers! When I become the overlord of the Southern sea area, I’ll treat you to the good stuff!"

Having heard about remnants of a space station from before the war in the Southern sea area, he had specially bought a set of diving gear, planning to try his luck there.

Maybe he’d haul up a power armor that still worked?

That’d be like instantly graduating with God Equip!

Even if it was broken, it was no big deal—as long as ten percent of the parts were still good, he could sell them for tens or even hundreds of thousands of Silver coins with ease.

Standing on the platform, Mole, the canyon escapee, smiled and waved his hand.

"No worries, I have a feeling that we’ll see each other again in a few days."

He didn’t care much for such small adventures; as long as the money was right, that’s all that mattered. Besides, in a few days, he’d have to fly to Ideal City to check on how his Game Company was operating.

The survival game launched by Skeleton Studio on Endpoint Cloud was receiving rave reviews, and lately, he was planning to add a few more skins to the game and really milk those Ideal City leeks.

Gnome King Riches: "Damn! Who curses his brother like that?"

Standing by his side, Elena said with a comical expression.

"That’s not bad, it saves you a return ticket."

"Old Na?" Carrying fishing gear, the young punk was surprised and greeted her, "What the fuck? You’re here too?"

Elena grinned.

"Just joining the fun, don’t mind me. Plus, I heard there’s a bunch of Variants over there that I’ve never seen before, and I mainly want to see what they look like."

Mole said with a playful smile.

"Don’t make those Variants go extinct there."

Elena rolled her eyes.

"Fuck off! Am I that kind of person?"

While they were chatting idly, the elevator slowly rose, bringing the last group of players into the cabin.

After completing loading, the airship started to rise in altitude, and the propellers hanging under the hull and tail began to activate, pushing this airship filled with dreams and hope towards the distant horizon.

"Ah, I’m jealous, damn it!"

Watching the airship gradually move into the distance, Debt Giant Eye, who was on the platform enjoying the spectacle, had an expression filled with envy, jealousy, and hate.

He wanted to check that place out too, but unfortunately, he had a large family of offspring to provide for right now.

Although he felt that Baiyue Province probably had opportunities for those offspring to thrive, the current cost of freight was just too high.

He could only wait for Bull Horse Group’s brothers to run a few more flights and drive down the ticket prices before he could take a look there...

"Let’s go, let’s go." After seeing off his good brothers, Mole packed up his waving hand and prepared to leave the platform.

Just then, another Inflatable Airship docked above the air station, gently dropping down anchor ropes and an elevator.

The man standing on the elevator was dressed in luxurious clothing, with a haughty expression and his little mustache turned upward, just like the king on a playing card.

Including Mole, Big Eyes, and other veteran players, the players on the platform all instinctively smelled a plot unfolding and halted their dispersing steps, casting curious glances at the elevator.

The elevator came to a stop.

A group of people walked down from the airship.

Upon seeing the familiar face mixed in among them, Mole, Big Eyes, and the others suddenly widened their eyes, exclaiming involuntarily, "What the fuck."

Basking in those admiring gazes, Mr. Bennott had pride and satisfaction written all over his face, quite content with these barbarians’ "envy."

Now he understood a little why those antisocial expansionists were so passionate whenever they spoke of expeditions.

Although this place lacked the prosperity of Triumph City, being surrounded by envious eyes was quite a pleasant feeling.

However, his understanding was only minimal and could not go deeper.

To satisfy that pitiful vanity, to waste an enormous amount of manpower and resources on a grand expedition that made no sense, launching a war against an unknown opponent without any apparent benefit.

Such behavior was simply too selfish.

Griffin’s death had a lot of mysteries, but he didn’t die unjustly.

Lost in his own world, Mr. Bennott suddenly heard the "What the fuck" that blurted out and absentmindedly cocked his ear towards the Pangolin following behind him, whispering,

"’What the fuck’—what does that mean?"

As Old Soldier was making frantic eye signals with his buddies, he almost choked on his own spit and hurriedly replied,

"It implies disbelief and admiration... You can take it as a polite form of greeting."

"I see."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Mr. Bennott curled his lips into a satisfied smile.

Old Soldier felt his scalp tingle and silently prayed in his heart that this guy wouldn’t say the same thing when meeting Mr. Manager.

Embarrassing himself was a minor issue.

If he slipped up, he’d be completely fucked!

"Respected Mr. Bennott, welcome to City of Dawn; I am Mr. Cheng, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Alliance. The Manager specifically instructed me to treat you well, although we’ve had some disputes in the past. The war is over now, and visitors are guests."

"Just as I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Cheng," Mr. Bennott offered a perfunctory civility and then straightforwardly asked, "Where is your Manager? I’d like to speak with him directly."

"The Manager has entrusted all diplomatic affairs of the Alliance to me, and discussing matters with me is the same."

Faced with Mr. Bennott’s dismissive look, Mr. Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining his polite demeanor as he continued,

"As for our Manager Mr., he is discussing the charter and cooperation details of the Mucor Research Community with representatives from the Academy and the Enterprise. If you wish to meet him, you’ll need to make an appointment according to protocol... The same goes for the Academy and the Enterprise."

Mr. Bennott’s brows twitched slightly.

Never had the envoys of the Army been disregarded like this, which left him feeling somewhat displeased.

However, hearing that The Enterprise faction and the Academy had also been treated this way, he managed to keep his composure, though with a displeased expression he continued.

"Our delegation numbers over a hundred; we require a piece of land to station ourselves."

Cheng Yan continued in a gentle tone.

"We have prepared a hotel for your accommodation."

"That won’t be necessary," Mr. Bennott slightly lifted his chin, "I believe I mentioned in the written diplomatic correspondence that we Weilante People only stay in our own houses."

Cheng Yan wore an expression of helplessness.

"Please don’t misunderstand; we’re only suggesting out of goodwill... If you insist, then please feel free to do as you wish."

Seeing that the other party was willing to compromise, Mr. Bennott’s brows relaxed slightly, and he nodded, leading the ten-plus people in his party off the platform.

The lift slowly ascended.

There were still over ninety people on the airship; it would take several trips to get them all down. Some of them were Weilante People, and some were their servants.

The staff members following Cheng Yan couldn’t help but whisper a complaint.

"These wild men are just outrageous... We prepared houses for them, and they don’t want to stay but insist on setting up their own tents."

The other staff members nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Glancing sideways at his subordinates, Cheng Yan said softly.

"On the Wasteland, there are many settlements with cultural practices different from ours; you must learn to understand in order to maintain good relations... We just need to do our job well."

In Cheng Yan’s view, the Weilante People were not the only odd ones.

To him, the researchers from the Academy were equally strange: they had perfectly good houses available but insisted on sleeping in their vehicles.

And these vehicles always stopped in concealed places, only descending next to their airport when necessary.

Compared to them, the personnel from The Enterprise faction might be slightly more normal.

The only oddity was their obsession with tall buildings.

It was said that Ideal Grand Hotel, a hundred stories high, was vacant below the fiftieth floor, and very few visitors from Ideal City would choose to stay below the fiftieth floor.

Just as the Army’s envoys arrived in the City of Dawn, Chu Guang, who was in the midst of a meeting, had been informed of the situation through Xiao Qi.

During the meeting break, within the spacious rest room.

Sitting down on the sofa, Chu Guang took a holographic computer pen out of his pocket, placed it on the table, lightly touched the button to unfold the screen, and listened to the report from Cheng Yan, the foreign minister of the Alliance.

"The Weilante People’s delegation has requested to be stationed near the City of Dawn. Following your instructions, I’ve agreed to their request and have allocated the open space near the First Army Corps base to them."

Watching Cheng Yan in the light blue floating window, Chu Guang nodded.

"Did they have any reaction?"

"None," Cheng Yan replied, "they don’t seem to care about the location of the station. That Ten Thousand Leader named Mr. Bennott is currently leading the delegation to set up camp."

As he said this, Cheng Yan paused for a moment before continuing.

"Additionally, I’ve noticed that among the servants accompanying them, some are suspected to be slaves, which contradicts our laws... I’m concerned there may be potential issues."

A long time ago, when the Alliance’s strength wasn’t as strong, they had made some compromises on the issue of slavery.

For instance, allowing traders who owned slaves to pass through the City of Dawn, only restricting them from abusing captives and slaves, and forcibly requiring slave owners to house slaves in designated accommodations at trading stations to segregate the two.

Later, as the Alliance’s military and economic power grew, Home of the Refugees, a semi-official organization, would buy survivors who had lost their freedom from slave owners at market prices and guide them to live normal lives.

And now, the Alliance had enough strength to say no to those slave traders, even equating them with Looters and actively intercepting them.

Whether intimidated by the Alliance’s military power or coveting its markets, those passing traders, for the sake of silver coins, would conscientiously clear out their carriages and dissociate from that unclean business.

After all, most traders sought profit and wouldn’t forgo a whole forest for the sake of a single trade.

Order, like chaos, radiates outwards.

However, a delegation from the Army is, after all, not a merchant caravan, and using the methods for managing traders on them was clearly not appropriate.

After listening to Cheng Yan’s report, Chu Guang frowned slightly and pondered for a moment before saying.

"Give them a copy of the Alliance’s laws along with their supplies, and remind them tactfully that it would be best to respect our rules. The station we’ve provided to them is not equivalent to diplomatic territory; we do not recognize ownership of people over people, nor will we protect illegal rights. Their diplomatic immunity only ensures their safety, not that they won’t be expelled."

"Okay, I’ll convey this to them." After listening to Chu Guang’s words, Cheng Yan nodded in agreement, although he couldn’t help but feel a headache, unable to imagine how he should diplomatically convey this firm order.

Seeing that the meeting break was nearly over, Chu Guang asked.

"Is there anything else?"

Cheng Yan immediately said.

"There is one more thing... about the West Winds Empire."

Chu Guang was momentarily taken aback, it took him some time to recall information about this survivor force, then his expression turned slightly odd as he asked.

"Do they... need anything?"

Cheng Yan nodded with a subtle expression and continued.

"I’ve only learned of this recently, but they sent envoys to us a while ago. Their delegation has already left the Lion Kingdom and is estimated to arrive near Falling Leaves City within three days... They’re hoping we meet them at the border, claiming it’s to facilitate drawing our location on their map."

Chu Guang couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle at these words, but he kept a straight face as he asked.

"Are they here for the ’Mutated slime fungus’ research community as well?"

Cheng Yan shook his head and said.

"They didn’t mention that, and I feel they might not be aware of our situation here. According to the Royal Family of the Lion Kingdom, the original itinerary of the West Winds Empire’s delegation seemed to only involve a tour around the Falcon Kingdom and the Camel Hump Kingdom; they hadn’t planned to go as far east... to the extent that they caused quite a few incomprehensible jokes upon their arrival in the Lion Kingdom."

Chu Guang asked curiously.

"What’s the joke?"

Cheng Yan paused slightly before replying.

"This... The Lion Royal Family didn’t proactively mention it, should I ask?"

"No need for that, if they didn’t mention it, let it be," Chu Guang pondered for a moment before giving serious instructions, "Guests should be welcomed duly, arrange a few cars to pick them up."

Cheng Yan nodded and said,

"Yes."

The communication ended, and the pale blue holographic screen dissipated into specks of stardust.

Chu Guang picked up the holographic computer pen from the table, put it back in his pocket, stood up and left the rest area, his face bearing a slight smile as he returned to the adjacent conference room.

Now, representatives of the Army, the Academy, and the Company had gathered once again.

The moment that would decide the fate of Wasteland had come once more!

...

News of the Army’s messengers arriving at the Alliance spread quickly throughout the entire city.

Even though there had been rumors of the Army sending messengers quite some time ago, because Pioneer City was so far from the core territories of the Alliance, no one paid much attention.

Not until people saw the Weilante people appear in City of Dawn did the related news spread at an unbelievable pace.

At dusk.

In the lobby of the Highway Town Inn.

Drinkers sitting at the table were chattering noisily, discussing the news they had read in the newspapers and rumors they had heard.

"Is it true?! Messengers from Triumph City came to City of Dawn?"

"Of course, it’s true! They got off that inflatable airship at the air port, loads of people saw it!"

"That guy with the big nose, I could spot him from a mile away!"

"Haha! Those big-nosed folks really have the nerve to come back! Haven’t they been beaten enough?"

"It looks like those guys were really subdued, or else they wouldn’t have sent messengers to talk with us."

"Unbelievable... Does that mean that right now, City of Dawn is hosting messengers from the Academy, the Company, and the Army?!"

"Impressive!"

Listening to the excited chatter, Lisa, holding a tray in her hands, had eyes full of surprise.

Messengers from Triumph City?

Thinking about how Pangolin had gone to Triumph City, those surprised eyes gradually took on a hint of anticipation.

Maybe those people would have news of him...

Old White, sitting at the bar, took a sip of beer and said with a teasing tone, chuckling,

"The Army’s station is next to the camp of the First Army Corps, just go and ask... while it’s still not dark yet."

He certainly knew that Old Soldier was there.

But he thought it’d be more exciting for her to find out herself.

Lisa gave him a grateful look, bowed deeply, and then hurriedly ran to the kitchen behind the bar to ask Old Hooke for leave.

Watching the swinging curtain at the kitchen door, Old White grinned. Mole, sitting beside him, let out a belch and jokingly said,

"I bet that dog Old Soldier is going to be shocked... that someone waited for him for an entire year without his knowledge."

"You guys are so dogged, keeping it secret from the girl for so long," Teng Teng, sitting nearby drinking sparkling water, quipped.

"Haha, it’s more interesting this way!"

Mole chuckled mischievously, then turned his head to ask the Spring Water Commander at the next table,

"You think that guy will accept it?"

Spring Water made a helpless gesture,

"Who knows, I’ve known that dog for so long and still can’t figure out what he really likes."

Teng Teng, suddenly enthusiastic, interjected,

"Is there a possibility... what he really has in his heart is actually Coleway? After all, they’ve fought side by side for so long, it’s inevitable that they developed some kind of camaraderie, right?"

The guys sitting by the bar all shivered uncontrollably. Edge Shoveling, who was drinking, choked and started coughing.

Spring Water also coughed,

"I think that possibility is tiny... otherwise, I Max Black would have lost his integrity a long time ago."

"???" I Max Black, who was battling disconnection, looked up bewildered, was about to object, then his connection dropped again.

"What if?"

Facing Teng Teng, who was flushed with excitement, Crow made a helpless expression.

"Sorry, our Teng Teng is a bit tipsy."

Teng Teng quickly turned her head towards her,

"Eek! I’m drinking sparkling water!"

Debt Giant Eye chuckled with a sly look, fetching a notebook, "Since everyone’s so interested, why don’t we place a bet? Just for fun, I’ll set up the wager... I’ll put up 100 Silver coins, betting that Old Soldier definitely isn’t picky!"

"I bet he’s going to chicken out... if he wanted to, he would have done it back then, there’s no need to wait till now," Spring Water was about to bet 100 Silver coins, but then he hesitated and changed his mind, "I’ll just bet 50 Silver coins."

Teng Teng, excited, also raised her hand.

"I, I, I bet on Science—"

"Rejected! Only two options, next!"

"Tch!"

"I bet the Old Soldier chickened out! After all, he’s so fast, he probably doesn’t want others to find out, right?"

"Hahaha! Then I’ll bet against you for fun!"

The crowd bantered back and forth with jokes, and in just a few minutes, two or three dozen onlookers had placed their bets.

Debt Giant Eye scribbled away, then looked up at Old White, who was only focused on his drink and hadn’t spoken, and asked with a chuckle.

"What about you, Old White?"

"Me?" Old White was startled, then smiled and said, "I don’t care much, it’s his own business how he chooses."

Debt Giant Eye said with a teasing grin.

"Of course, brother, you can’t force that guy’s head down for 100 Silver, right? We’re just betting for fun."

Old White made a helpless expression and pulled out a bill for 100 Silver.

"I’ll bet 50 Silver on each side."

Debt Giant Eye: "Damn! That works too!"

Canyon Mole fleeing: "Betting on both sides is too conservative!"

Outside, the day had turned to night without notice, and the streetlights were lit one after the other.

It had been nearly an hour since Lisa set off, and the topic of conversation had gradually shifted from the Old Soldier to the ports of the Baiyue Strait.

Just then, I Max Black, who had finally managed to log in, propped his hands on the table, and, swaying, stood up with the topic from an hour ago.

"Burp—After talking for so long, why don’t we go over and take a look! Brothers, anyone want to join me for a peek?"

"Let’s go," the Spring Water Commander at the same table pulled out his VM to pay the bill, and helped I Max Black, who hadn’t stood steadily, "We might not wait for that snot-nosed kid to come over, I’m going to take a look too."

Crow, who was sitting at the bar with Teng Teng, also raised her hand curiously.

"Me, me, me! Take me with you for the fun!"

While the crowd was getting rowdy, Old Hooke, the innkeeper, suddenly came out from the kitchen, looking worried, and spoke to Old White, who was sitting at the bar.

"Lisa told me she’d be back in an hour, but now it’s dark outside... It’s not the time I’m stingy with, it’s just that the kid has always been very punctual, and nothing like this has ever happened before."

Seeing the old man so uneasy, Old White put down the glass in his hand and gave him a reassuring look.

"Don’t worry, I’ll go take a look."

"Thank you, this round is on me!" Old Hooke looked at Old White with gratitude, suddenly remembered something, and quickly took out his terminal to prepare a mission.

Almost every tavern and inn in the Alliance was fitted with this "Mercenary System," which could handle anything from clearing out Variant nests to finding lost kittens.

As long as it didn’t violate the laws of the Alliance, someone would come to solve their problems.

Seeing the old man’s actions, Old White cracked a smile and put his hand over the wrinkled one.

"Don’t mention it, this round of drinks is enough for payment."

After saying this, he got up from the bar, followed the Spring Water Commander and a few players like I Max Black out of the inn, and went towards the brightly lit street...

...

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of the Bugra Free State, Norleg, who was visiting the City of Dawn, had also received news that a military envoy had arrived in the City of Dawn.

Although he was not surprised that the Army was interested in the "Mucor Research Community," he was genuinely shocked by the Weilante People’s speed of response.

From Triumph City here, there were over tens of thousands of kilometers!

And in between, there was a vast desert!

A Commercial Team would typically need at least half a year to travel from Luo Xia Province to the West Coast of the continent, with stops and starts it could even take a year to reach!

Arriving in such a short time showed the importance they attached to this meeting, and rumors had it that the visiting messenger’s rank was a Ten Thousand Leader!

After listening to his subordinate’s report, Norleg looked very serious.

Even though Mayor Otto was a pro-corporate politician, it didn’t mean that the Free State had to completely abandon the Army, an old friend.

Yet now, Triumph City had sent an envoy to the City of Dawn!

And it wasn’t a unilateral decision by any faction within the Army, but a directive from the supreme Marshal himself.

A frown formed between Norleg’s brows.

Could it be...

Had the expansionists completely lost power within the Army?

As he deliberated over how to report this news to Mayor Otto, there was suddenly a rush of hurried footsteps at the door.

Within moments, his secretary appeared at the doorway.

"New developments!"

With an ecstatic expression, the secretary barely caught his breath and hurriedly said to Norleg in the room.

"The Army’s delegation! Those Weilante People! They’ve clashed with the Alliance people!"

"What?"

Norleg was slightly stunned, then his face erupted in ecstasy.

"Quick, take me to see!"

The secretary nodded excitedly in a rush.

"Yes!"

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