Chapter 340

After deciding to go to the City of Desire, Ryan went to Jonathan to find out more about the situation inside.

The latter fought his way in and out of the City of Desire seven times, and can be said to know it inside and out.

Old Joe didn't hold back either, telling Ryan everything he knew. Many details were so clear that even the people inside the City of Desire might not know them. As expected of an old leader, he was reliable. However, when Ryan invited him to be his guide, Old Joe decisively refused.

"No way! I'd rather die than go!"

Old Joe's tone was very firm.

Ryan was puzzled. "Weren't you fearless before? Why are you chickening out now?"

Logically speaking, given Old Joe's personality, it's impossible that he was too afraid to show his face because he was beaten by that City Lord. Besides, with him and Witch K together this time, who in the world could rival them?

As long as the gods don't intervene, no one can stop the two of them!

Ryan's intuition told him that there was more to Old Joe's story, because Old Joe had left in a rather hasty manner when he entered the City of Desire. He had just been going in and out of Hersola with Lady Winchel's sister, and then suddenly he went to the City of Desire.

But since Old Joe wouldn't tell him, there was nothing he could do; Ryan could only get on with the important business first.

He sent a message to Dilia, who was far away in the Kingdom of Lotte, asking her to also go to the City of Desire. Delia was, after all, a councilor, and it would be easier for her to get things done in the City of Desire.

As for the key to enter, it's unnecessary, because Witch K can directly tear through the Chaos Space, rip open the protection of the City of Desire, and accurately find that legendary city-state.

"The City of Desire isn't as mysterious as outsiders make it out to be. The so-called key to enter the city is just a simple ritual for precise location tracking. It didn't exist before; it was something that this City Lord introduced after taking office."

"The greater the restrictions, the more mysterious the rumors, and the more fearsome it becomes. This is what is known as mystery. Mortals naturally have a sense of awe for the unknown. Of course, the purpose of that guy's actions was not only to keep the City of Desire mysterious, but also to protect the existence of the city itself."

"You should know that the City of Desire exists in the Chaos Space. In fact, not all places in the Chaos Space are affected by the Chaos Power. There are many places where the power is weak or even unaffected, but they are very rare."

As an ancient monster who has lived for thousands of years, Witch K obviously has a lot of authority to say on this matter; she doesn't even know how long she has been in the Chaos Space.

Ryan had a sudden thought and asked, "Your home isn't in the Chaos Space, is it?"

"Heh~ You've got it pretty well." Witch K chuckled. "You're right, it is indeed there, and it's a place completely unaffected by any power. It's just that it's very small, barely big enough for a courtyard and a pond, no more than that."

Ryan thought to himself, "Isn't that enough? Are you going to build a soccer field inside? So your little witches can play soccer there?"

"And even if you're not affected by the chaos, you're still within the Chaos Space, so you'll still be detected by the Chaos Demon. That's why there's Mana Shield around the City of Desire. You must have heard about what happened to those who tried to leave the City of Desire to explore the world outside, right?" Witch K asked, turning her head.

Ryan nodded. "I've heard of it. It seems like most of them are dead."

"Yes, most of them died at the hands of the Chaos Demon, and a few were killed by the City Lord."

"Why did the City Lord kill them?" Ryan asked, then nodded thoughtfully. "To prevent those people from luring the Chaos Demon there, and to maintain the city's mystery?"

"Yes. So, after hearing my explanation, do you feel that this city isn't so bad after all?"

Ryan shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

This principle applies everywhere.

It's like how many people find magic tricks amazing, but once the secret is revealed, they think, "Wow, it's so simple!"

The so-called simplicity is only when someone tells you the answer, when you already know the answer.

The fact that the City of Desire has been able to operate for so many years while still maintaining its mystery, and manage such a large city so that everyone lives under its own rules, is enough to show that the City Lord is no ordinary person.

I just don't know what this person wants from me. I have no conflict of interest with the City of Desire. Could it be that they want to cooperate with the Primal Church...? As Ryan's thoughts wandered, Witch K had already torn through the Chaos Space and pinpointed the location of the City of Desire.

As the two emerged from the chaotic vortex, a magnificent and vast city-state came into view before Ryan. There were no city walls, and from the outside, one could vaguely see the glittering and bustling scenery inside. The City of Desire had no daytime; the entire city was illuminated by gas lamps and magical lights, so there was no night either, hence it was also known as the City That Never Sleeps.

Ryan looked behind him towards the direction outside the city and could feel the Chaos Power lingering in the air. It wasn't very strong, so this place must be relatively far from the forces of chaos.

An invisible Mana Barrier surrounds the entire city, separating the power of chaos from the City of Desire, preventing the power from seeping in.

However, Ryan discovered that compared to the omnipresent Chaos Power, the barrier of the City of Desire seemed somewhat flimsy and precarious, like a ship caught in the waves of the ocean, which could capsize at any moment.

I have a feeling this thing won't last long, is it just my imagination?... As Ryan was lost in thought, he saw the witch K reach out and lightly swipe her hand, instantly tearing the barrier apart as if it were nothing.

Let's go.

She said it lightly.

There were no guards.

Ryan looked around.

That's true. Most people never thought of going out, and those who did all died.

The two of them swaggered into the city without attracting anyone's attention.

Ryan discovered that most of the people living here were still ordinary people; while there were quite a few Supernatural Being, they weren't outrageously numerous.

There are many places where supernatural powers are used. For example, there are no horse-drawn carriages here, but rather rail-powered buses. The power system is a fusion of mechanics and supernatural powers, and Ryan can feel the Magic Power released from it.

Ryan remembered that the 'knowledge' he received from the Earth Goddess contained the idea and implementation of this kind of application, but due to the development of the empire's internal technology tree and the actual situation, it could not be implemented immediately.

Unexpectedly, I saw it in the City of Desire.

"No wonder Old Joe said this city represents the future development direction for all countries on the Rhea Continent. In terms of applying extraordinary power to reality, it's far ahead of the rest of the world," Ryan exclaimed.

Cars, lighting systems, Ryan even self-regulating agencies used to maintain order on the streets were visible.

"They've really gone all out!"

Even if a self-regulating doll were made using the cheapest materials, the cost of maintaining a city would be astronomical.

From this perspective, the rulers of the city-state truly devoted their thoughts and energy to management.

"I wonder how long it will take for the Augustus Empire to achieve empire-wide coverage? Five years? Ten years? We have a long way to go, Vainay."

The more Ryan looked at the city, the more he thought it was amazing.

At the heart of the City of Desire stands a majestic, towering castle.

Spires soar into the clouds, and darkness shrouds the castle, adding to its mystique.

"That's where the City Lord lives?"

Ryan stood on a tall building far from the castle and looked out. The area around the castle was a blank zone, which even people from the City of Desire could not approach at will. Occasionally, soldiers in full armor and weapons would patrol by, which was awe-inspiring.

Although the City of Desire has beautiful scenery, business is more important, so Ryan came here with Witch K as soon as possible.

"There's no Mana Barrier?"

He examined it closely and found that it was just an ordinary castle, at least from the outside, perhaps a little bigger and more magnificent.

"That's normal. The City of Desire is already under a barrier, so no one dares to cause trouble at the castle. Therefore, the barrier is dispensable." Witch K's deep black eyes gazed at the castle.

"The City Lord's majesty, indeed." Ryan's gaze shifted from the castle to the plaza directly in front, where a colossal statue of the God of Desire stood.

Similar to other statues of gods, the face is not defined, representing that God cannot be looked at directly. If any church faction possesses a statue with a specific image of God, it is most likely a fraud, and even less likely... still a fraud.

Since idols often possess divinity, the consequences of looking directly at a deity, if not severe, would at least drive one insane.

So, the end result would be that everyone in the church would go mad, and if that were the case, they should have been wiped out by the Gate of Janus long ago.

Around the statue are some things related to the God of Desire, some are relics, some are symbols. The other part of Motis's broken sword is here. Speaking of which, if Motis were brought here to go on a rampage, his leveling up would be very fast.

"What are you looking at?" Ryan noticed that the witch K was staring at the castle, as if searching for something.

Witch K gently shook her head, saying nothing, but simply gesturing for him to go and take a look first.

Since they had an invitation, Ryan didn't plan to sneak off to meet the mysterious City Lord. However, when the two of them walked over openly, the castle guards told them that the City Lord was out and not there.

"Brother, are you sure the City Lord has gone out?" Ryan asked, frowning.

"Confirmed. The City Lord personally instructed that she will be away for a few days and will not be receiving guests during this time... Also, who is your brother?" The guard waved his hand dismissively. "Don't make up any relationships. Go, go, go. Don't wander around the castle area unnecessarily."

As a castle guard, he sees countless important figures every day. He knows everyone in the City of Desire with any status, and he knows exactly who he can't offend and who he doesn't need to care about.

Therefore, he saw through Ryan's true nature at a glance; he was just another one trying to curry favor with the City Lord and rise to prominence.

"As expected." Witch K said calmly.

"You expected this?" Ryan asked in surprise.

"Not really, it's just that I noticed the castle was empty."

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean, woman? What do you mean the castle is empty? Aren't we human? Aren't we human?" The guard was enraged by the witch K's words, but when he was about to do something, he was frightened into standing still by a faint look from the witch K.

"Heh, looks like it won't be so easy to find anyone. Let's go, let's check other places first."

Ryan nodded thoughtfully.

He knew what Witch K meant; she had invited him, but then told the guards she was leaving, clearly doing it on purpose.

If the invitation wasn't sent to the wrong person, then it means the timing of this meeting might be wrong, or the way it's being conducted might be incorrect, or both are possible.

The fact that the City Lord left no other message suggests that Ryan may need to find the opportunity to meet himself.

At least something that can be found.

Witch K suggested they take a walk first. She knew the City Lord better Ryan; he wasn't the type to put on airs. Since they were already here, they might as well look around first.

With Witch K backing him up, and his own strength surpassing the seventh rank, Ryan is now quite calm, as the saying goes, "Skill breeds boldness."

"Speaking of which, I saw quite a few shops with pink signs when I passed by that street earlier... well, I don't mean anything by it, I was just curious, and I also saw a few girls outside who didn't even have any clothes to wear, they were so pitiful, maybe I should go over and see if I could help them out? Hey, what's with that look of disdain you give me, like I'm looking at a dung beetle? What are you suspecting?!"

Ryan planned to first experience the unique features of the City of Desire. After all, he had come all this way, and wasn't the point of coming to a foreign land to experience its customs and culture? He remembered that the big shots in a certain group in his previous life often said that they were going to travel to Japan to fight against the Japanese.

I understand your sense of national responsibility!

However, before Ryan could even reach that street, Dilia called out to him.

After entering, he instructed Dilia to gather information about the situation here, as a senator would have an easier time getting news of any developments than he could.

"Master, asking me to inquire about the City Lord is really too difficult," Dilia said, looking aggrieved.

If she had any thoughts about siding with Ryan before, they were completely gone now. Putting aside her identity as a member of the Augustus Empire, the mere presence of the Primal Church was enough to make this little councilor from the City of Desire curse Rainbow Bridge three hundred times over.

"I only heard that the City Lord seemed to have left the City of Desire this afternoon, but I don't know where he went."

"She really left?" Ryan stroked his chin. "Wait, how did you know that? I mean, since your level isn't high enough to reach the City Lord's, how would you know she left?"

Big shots usually keep their whereabouts secret, just like emperors. They can't possibly announce what they do every day to the world, right? That would be giving away information to those who want to kill them.

"We didn't know that at first, but Elder Bernard summoned us councilors not long ago and said that the City Lord had to leave the City of Desire on some business. In her absence, we were to each perform our duties and protect the City of Desire."

Bernard?

That unlucky guy who got beaten up by Old Joe and ended up in the ICU, and who also had his things taken away?

"An elder statesman telling the councilors to each do their job to protect the City of Desire... doesn't that seem a bit redundant and unnecessary?" Ryan found it increasingly strange.

Does that mean the councilors won't do their jobs if they're not given instructions?

Furthermore, councilors are relatively less restricted and there's a possibility they could be turned or betrayed by other churches. Directly informing the councilors of the situation would only make it easier for the City of Desire to fall into crisis, wouldn't it?

So, this is an opportunity to spread rumors.

"Could it be that they deliberately told me this way?" Ryan asked, stunned.

"It's not impossible." Witch K suddenly smiled. "After all, that guy does seem quite intelligent; otherwise, how could he have managed the City of Desire so well?"

"Um..."

So, in reality, all his actions of using Dilia to investigate the City of Desire were under the watchful eye of the City Lord?

Look, there's a clown!

No, no, no, this time it's all the members of parliament. What if they only have suspicions?

"Forget it, don't worry about the details." "Great things don't concern themselves with trifles," Ryan said. "Any other information you're looking for? You don't just know the City Lord went out, do you?"

Dilia shook her head.

"Tsk, what about the elders? What's the situation with the seven elders?"

"I don't know. How could we councilors possibly know the whereabouts of the elders?" Dilia said, then, seeing Ryan's murderous glare, quickly added, "There's one! But it's not the elder himself; it's his son who's getting married."

Ryan said blankly, "What the hell is it to me if someone's son is getting married?"

Dilia said somewhat aggrievedly, "Didn't you tell me to go through every little detail...? And the girl Elder Hyde's son is going to marry, I heard, is connected to that outlaw."

"What outlaw? I'm Zhang San, for crying out loud." Ryan waved his hand dismissively, then suddenly realized something was off. "What did you say? Outlaw? The guy who injured Bernard?"

Yes, that's him.

Ryan was taken aback. "Then what's his relationship with that girl?"

"Oh, that's very relevant! I've investigated a lot!" Dilia got excited and enthusiastically told Ryan about everything she had found out, from their first meeting to their frequent dates, even including the hotels they stayed at. Ryan was so puzzled that Ryan thought, "The reason you haven't found anything else is because you've wasted all your time on this!"

"So, Old Joe likes that girl? No, no, no, that's Old Joe, a master of romance, how could he possibly be hung up on just one..."