The journey was silent, and when we got back to the car, it was still early.
When asked if Centaurea should return to the hotel, Gregor turned his attention to Ifrit.
Seeing that the other person looked somewhat sullen, Gregor asked.
Are there any places nearby to relax and unwind?
"A place to relax... there's an artificial lake on the other side of the city."
"Let's go there."
The car started and drove through the hustle and bustle filled with advertisements and game promotions, eventually arriving at a park.
The greenery in the steel jungle is indeed very uplifting; at least Ifrit was temporarily freed from her complicated thoughts.
Watching the other person play in the bushes, Gregor went to the deserted newsstand on the street corner, intending to buy a newspaper.
Centaurea quickly stepped forward to pay, stopping someone from taking out the Pure Gold.
"Ah, this..."
The boss scratched his face, looking somewhat embarrassed, and explained to the two puzzled looks,
"There's only one left. It's usually reserved for a special customer."
"He should have been here by now, but he hasn't shown up for so long... He's probably working overtime."
"I won't take your money..."
The boss pointed to a bench not far away.
"You can look at it there, but don't damage it. Just return it to me when you're done."
After agreeing, Gregor carefully sat down on the bench, holding the newspaper.
The bench, which should have seated three people, now seemed rather cramped.
Gregor looked at the text in the report, but apart from a few words he had seen before, he still couldn't understand most of it.
Centaurea took the newspaper and began to read it.
Although they didn't recognize the people in the newspaper, they still found the gossip fascinating.
Until...
The Black Knight and the Black Iron Knight are staying at the same hotel—the truth is! They've been living together all along...
Centaurea: "..."
She flipped through the newspaper with suspicion, and sure enough, she saw the logo of the Wine Report.
Weren't those newspaper offices all demolished?!
Seeing Centaurea stop, Gregor assumed she had finished reading and was about to return the newspaper when he saw someone unexpected.
He gently nodded to Centaurea beside him, then pointed somewhat uncertainly to the artificial lake.
Centaurea followed the gaze and saw that someone who had just appeared in the Wine Report was fishing there.
"Um... Miss Black Knight?"
Centaurea was a little unsure, so Gregor gestured for her to keep an eye on Ifrit before walking over himself.
"Is this the location you mentioned?"
After confirming that the person in front of him was indeed a mace, Gregor was speechless.
The reason is none other than the sign prohibiting fishing on the lake not far away.
"Don't worry, I've already paid the fine."
Gregor hesitated, then met the gaze of a staff member not far away.
Is it alright?
It's alright.
Seeing the response in the other person's eyes, Gregor turned his gaze back.
"Did you find anything?"
Jian did not answer, his eyes fixed on the buoy on the water's surface.
Seeing the float suddenly sink, Jian's eyes narrowed and his hand gripped the fishing rod with a jolt.
The force from the fishing rod travels along the fishing line straight to the surface of the water, creating ripples.
Under Gregor's gaze, as if watching a kung fu movie, the fishing line ripped through the water, carrying the object at its end into his hand.
[An empty fishhook]
The two. "..."
Didn't you put any bait in?
Gregor instinctively asked a question, only to be met with a deathly silence.
Without saying a word, he baited the hook and cast it again.
Watching the other person's skillful movements, Gregor suddenly became curious about how many fish he had caught with his mace.
His gaze shifted to the covered water tank to the side.
Gregor slowly approached, creating a small opening.
Snap!
A hand slammed down on the lid of the box. Gregor looked at the handprint on it, feeling a little embarrassed, but...
"Didn't you catch a single one?"
Suffocating silence
"They've been released."
"But..."
I said I released them.
Gregor shut his mouth and activated his energy vision to look underwater.
A large school of fish, plump and strong, circled the hook, constantly sucking at the bait above, but they just wouldn't bite.
"That..."
"Keep quiet, or you'll scare the scales away."
Gregor: "..."
Whatever makes you happy.
Gregor suddenly understood why no staff members had stopped them; people were paying for feeding the fish themselves, so why should they be stopped?
Back on the bench, Centaurea followed Ifrit away.
The bench, which should have been empty, now had a blond Kuranta man exuding the aura of a corporate slave.
Sensing someone approaching, the other person moved aside, looking somewhat tired.
Gregor sat down, making sure to give the other person as much space as possible.
Looking at the newspaper in the other person's hand, Gregor guessed that he was probably the special customer the manager had mentioned.
"Is there something you need?"
Gregor was surprised that the other party could detect his gaze even through the armor, and he sincerely apologized.
"..."
There was no response from the other party, and the atmosphere fell silent. Gregor shifted uncomfortably.
Why does this atmosphere... feel so much like when I'm with my own elders?
Seemingly noticing Gregor's discomfort, the Kuranta man sighed and prepared to get up.
Ring ring--
Gregor watched as the other person swiftly pulled out their terminal, instantly switching into working mode.
"A job again? But... double pay?"
"But if I'm all alone... a day off?"
"Okay, I'll be right back."
Watching the other person leave in such a hurry, Gregor couldn't help but sigh.
Even in another world, you still have to work...
But--
I recalled a certain form of address I had just heard mentioned.
Mlynar... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before.
"Boss? What are you doing?"
Ifrit's cry brought him back to reality, and Gregor picked her up and placed her on his head.
"Finished playing?"
"There's nothing fun about it."
Ifrit curled her lip and grabbed the two horns on her head to use as handles.
"I'd rather go back and watch TV."
"Then let's go back."
Gregor, seeing that it was indeed getting late, decided to take the two back to port.
In the taxi, Gregor calmed himself down and opened the Group Chat.
[Gregor: Vane, I need to ask you something.]
[Vane: That's strange, what trouble have you run into?]
[Gregor: No, I'm just suddenly curious about Rhodes Island you mentioned.]
[Vane: Rhodes Island? It wasn't even established yet!]
[Gregor: I'm just curious, how do they handle the Infected?]
[Vane: Infected affairs... what aspect do you mean?]
[Gregor: It's about how to get along normally and equally...]
[Vane: I can't.]
[Vane: Rhodes Island is indeed treating and trying its best to change the situation of the Infected, but with little success.]
[Vane: Rhodes Island can only be described as a driving force behind the changes in the story, or as influencing local decision-makers to change their ways.]
[Gregor: Specifically?]
[Vane: I don't know anything about that either. I'm not Ark scholar. If I had to say, it would be armed intervention.]
Gregor looked at the text in the group chat with some confusion.
[Gregor: Armed intervention... aren't they a pharmaceutical company?]
[Vane: It's just the Kazdel government-in-exile disguised as a pharmaceutical company; there are a bunch of important figures from various countries on the island.]
[Vane: Why are you suddenly asking this? Have you made friends with Infected?]
[Gregor: Here's the thing...]
Narrated...
[Vane: Sector Zero... Remember to collect Sona's CG for me.]
[Gregor: A plot character?]
[Vane: Hmm, I roughly understand your idea... You want to change their situation?]
[Gregor: Do you have a way?]
[Vane: Use your invincible power to force Kazimierz to his knees... You certainly won't agree to that, will you?]
[Vane: Use sufficient funding to leverage Commercial Union and establish an Infected community.]
[Vane: But given the greed of those capitalists, it's probably just a facade. Gaining the support of the Campaign Knight, though, would be worthwhile.]
Campaign Knight?
Gregor searched his memory and recalled Saria's introduction.
[Gregor: They're like the nobles here, aren't they? Are they really useful?]
[Vane: There are still some normal people among the current Campaign Knight. If I remember correctly, the "banner" of Kazimierz hasn't died out yet.]
[Vane: Cyril Nearl, the most representative of the traditional chivalrous spirit of Kazimierz, a household name and a hero.]
[Vane: He was the pillar of strength for the Campaign Knight; if he hadn't died from injuries, the corruption in Kazimierz wouldn't have grown so rapidly.]
Nearl... Maria's family?
Wait! Was that man named Mlynar her uncle?
[Gregor: Nearl... I have indeed met people from this family.]
[Vane: That makes things easier... Find a way to heal them with a life potion, and the Campaign Knight' goodwill towards you will be maxed out!]
[Vane: As for the remaining Commercial Union, whether it's funding or brute force, you can handle it yourself, boss.]
[Gregor: Thank you...]
[Vane: Dude, don't thank me. But let me make this clear beforehand, this thing won't change the overall situation.]
[Without addressing the underlying cause of the infection, establishing communities for Infected and managing them separately from the general population is already the best option.]
[Gregor: That's enough, they're strong.]
[Vane: Well... I can only say that the Infected in Kazimierz aren't that unruly. Should I say it's due to the influence of chivalry?]
[Vane: If that doesn't work, send in the Business Federation. I'll have the We Many have a good talk with them. Once everyone's thinking is connected, there won't be any more discrimination.]
[Gregor: What ultimate villain's statement?]
After exchanging a few words, Gregor closed the Group Chat and began to think.
If I make contact rashly, the other party will most likely not believe me, right?
His gaze flickered to Ifrit, who was yawning beside him. Would it be better to approach her in the name of Rhine Lab?
They claimed the life-saving potion was the result of the other party's research.
Nodding, Gregor decided to go back and discuss it with Saria.
The taxi slowly came to a stop, Centaurea tapped the steering wheel, waiting for the red light to pass.
Just then, all the advertisements on the surrounding screens changed to news and information.
The unified scene instantly turned the surroundings noisy, startling Ifrit awake from her drowsy state.
The group looked at the screen together, and the spokesperson, dressed in a well-tailored suit, greeted them with a smile.
Good evening, residents of Kazimierz.
[I understand your questions; the sudden news broadcast must be about something important.]
Centaurea curled her lip, silently complaining to herself.
What important thing could it be? Probably just another bill to help them expand their business...
[Following discussions between the Business Federation and the National Assembly, we have decided to add a new bill and a special event.]
Really.
Centaurea, bored, watched the red light countdown and started the car.
[Following the earlier appearance of the Black Iron Knight, we've noticed that the audience has even higher expectations for the current knightly competition.]
Hmm? Is there something else I need to do?
Gregor was taken aback, and the other two followed suit, shifting their attention as well.
[Standard battles won't satisfy everyone, so we're preparing to launch a special tournament.]
The spokesperson opened his arms as if to embrace the whole world.
[Honor Championship, no points required, anyone can participate, and the winner... will also enter the Hall of Champions!]
[And at the same time, this competition is completely unrestricted! It's a battleground of life and death!]
Centaurea froze, the light had turned green, but the car didn't start.
With no one urging them on, everyone's eyes were focused on the advertising screen.
As a reward for the ultimate winner of this competition, the Commercial Union will grant him a wish, a... opportunity to rise to the top!
The streets outside the car window began to erupt in cheers and shouts, as people eagerly awaited the start of the new race.
The speaker continued, but his words instantly silenced the entire street.
[As I mentioned before, there are no restrictions in this match, so... this match will remove the restrictions on Infected players!]
[Infected... can still participate!!!]
The crowd erupted in another kind of uproar, with shouts and curses filling the air.
The spokesperson continued, mentioning that the Business Federation uses comprehensive facilities to protect public safety, etc.
But Centaurea was no longer listening.
She started the car with slightly trembling hands, not daring to look in the rearview mirror.
"Boss..."
Ifrit's slightly worried voice rang out, and after a long while, a calm electronic voice broke the silence.
"Fine."
Gregor loosened his grip on the deformed car door.
"I'm fine."