Chapter 267: 43. David No. 1
“Mechanism?”
“That’s right, Mr. Fisher. You can call me Mechanism, or you may refer to me as ‘David’ or ‘David No. 1.’ I can specifically recognize your calls, no need to worry.”
David No. 1?
It sounds less like a person and more like a device’s designation.
Could it be that the one conversing with me is not the Mechanism himself, but a machine with his will?
Fisher pondered over the title that had been uttered by the other party. According to the Creation Society’s classification of those who possess Completion Manuals, it was very likely that he was the owner of the “Mechanism Completion Manual.”
He silently ramped up his vigilance; one must always be cautious around the owners of Completion Manuals, especially after the other party had already demonstrated the unique qualities associated with such manuals.
At that moment, the room was filled with the smell of blood, the pungent odor emanating from the scattered remains of corpses. Fisher noticed small, completely inactive tentacles at the edges of the remains, clearly a product of Erwind. After carefully scanning the area, he also saw a severed arm bearing the tattoo of the Nali Overseas Intelligence Bureau on the ground.
They appeared to have been cut by some sharp, scalding weapon. The splattered blood on the walls and floor gave off a burnt smell, reminiscent of a pot of scorched meat broth, inducing nausea.
Meanwhile, the Cloud Cat Breed standing next to the room looked like a lifeless doll, staring blankly at Fisher, as if it were an unconscious puppet.
Terrifyingly powerful offensive weapons, unknown mental control methods—this seemed just to be the tip of the iceberg of the abilities of the mysterious figure known as Mechanism.
Gazing around once more, Fisher redirected his attention to the destruction prototype floating in mid-air.
“So, these Cloud Cats have been your people from the start. You made them appear before me not to contact the Iceberg Queen, but for me?”
The machine, resembling a mechanical large eye, slightly shook its body, as if nodding in response.
“Ah, this is just a little means to contact you, Mr. Fisher. We heard you have a special interest in subhuman races, so I specifically borrowed these Cloud Cats from the Miya region of the Northern Region for a while to attract your attention. I will return them afterward, and they won’t remember anything…”
Hearing the Mechanism’s plain words, even though there was no strange mockery or sarcasm in his tone, Fisher couldn’t help but feel an unsightly frown on his face.
What did it mean to have a unique interest in subhuman races, as if his taste were particularly strange?
It should be clarified; he merely had an academic desire to study subhuman races.
“But just as the ‘Fate Lord’ predicted, your understanding of Completion Manuals is very limited, and you are unaware of the composition and goals of our Society. It is precisely this mission that brought me to contact you, and this is the main purpose of my visit today. Next, I will briefly introduce you to our Society’s situation and the Life Lord issues, and try to establish a stable and friendly cooperative relationship with you.”
The Mechanism’s voice was very mechanical and monotone, making it difficult for Fisher to determine whether he was a living person or a machine.
“Mr. Fisher, according to our information, you seem to possess a Completion Manual unknown to us, correct?”
As the conversation shifted to the main topic, Fisher focused all his attention on the other party’s words, fearing he might fall into traps laid by the Creation Society.
The two members of the Creation Society he encountered so far had left a profound impression on him, giving him a very unfavorable view of the Society. Who knew what differed the Mechanism in front of him from the Fate Lord, Erwind, and Feilon?
However, when he met Erwind, he had already made it clear that the Creation Society was aware of his Completion Manual situation, so in regard to this, Fisher chose not to comment.
After receiving Fisher’s response, the mechanical glow from the Mechanism became increasingly bright.
“Erwind violated the Fate Lord’s orders and attempted to steal two Completion Manuals from you while defecting from the Society. Because of this, I received the Fate Lord’s directive to hold him accountable, and I unexpectedly encountered him in Shivali, leading to a confrontation.”
Fisher raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Erwind’s strange life form could not be wholly killed even by the mythical rank Eil; only through a weapon like the “Death Rune” could damage truly take effect. Did this Mechanism have other ways to deal with Erwind?
“Although I suffered great losses, Erwind also sustained severe injuries as a result. His soul was struck by the special Mechanism weapon I created, resulting in a fissure. Due to the unity of soul and body, this caused him temporarily irreversible damage…”
“But just as the Fate Lord said, every problem in the world will have an answer. Faced with such a dilemma, Erwind also thought of a solution… He attempted to use the powers of the Spirit Realm to heal his soul’s wounds and gain a higher level of soul quality; this was also his original intention in wanting to take the Soul Supplement Handbook from you.”
“He still has not given up on taking the Completion Manual from you. He knows that you possess a weapon that is particularly lethal to him, so he intends to stabilize his injuries and situation before coming to find you.”
Upon hearing this, Fisher suddenly understood why Erwind had his eyes on the pristine ice from Miya.
Previously, Emhart had mentioned that pristine ice exists as a natural link to the Spirit Realm, and that the young of the Phoenix race gain the ability to glimpse blurry futures by gazing at pristine ice for extended periods. Now, Erwind wanted to replicate that operation to find a way to communicate with the Spirit Realm.
No wonder that guy hadn’t sought him out on the island; it turned out he was injured and didn’t want to cause a conflict.
“He infected the consciousness of the Nali people trading here on Pat Sulshen Island through blood and flesh possession, attempting to seize the pristine ice before anyone else, but my Mechanisms discovered his trail, so I came here first to deal with him.”
“That said, I need to remind Mr. Fisher that any matters related to Completion Manuals must never be exposed to the secular world. Your lack of suspicion towards the trap I set is concerning, and your insensitivity regarding the Mechanism’s association with the Snowstorm Special Attack Team is not in accordance with protocol…”
Fisher smiled slightly upon hearing this, looking at the Mechanism as he said, “I understand. In fact, the reason you want to encircle Erwind is not because he violated your orders and wanted to take two Completion Manuals from me, is it? The real reason is that he exposed the creation related to the Completion Manual, Anna, to the view of the secular society, which could potentially expose the Society, correct?”
Facing Fisher’s inquiry, the Mechanism’s tone remained unchanged, perfectly matching his mechanical appearance. He merely continued, “In fact, these two things are not contradictory; the choice to eliminate Erwind is a comprehensive consideration from various perspectives. Since the former chairman, the Magic Lord, went missing suddenly, the checks and balances among the various manual holders have become increasingly fragile. This is unavoidable, and we are powerless to change it. Mr. Fisher only needs to know that now we are on your side.”
“Although I have dispersed Erwind’s consciousness, based on my observations, it seems he has gained something from this pristine ice ore and left here without much entanglement with me…”
As the Mechanism spoke, his body flew into the depths of the room. Fisher hesitated for a second and followed him inside until he reached the bedroom’s bedside, where he saw a small hidden compartment carved into the floor.
Peering inside, he found a large wooden box, and within the box lay a large piece of strange ore resembling beautiful jade, quietly gazing back at Fisher.
The ore was covered with a mist-like substance, and when one looked at it for an extended time, it felt as though the mist was slowly shifting, like some kind of guidance or omen. This eerie phenomenon imbued the beautiful stone with a spirit, and if further carved, it would become a rare work of art in this world.
This was the pristine ice ore unique to the Phoenix race.
“It seems he might find a way to enter the Spirit Realm through this small piece of pristine ice. However, I don’t know what method it specifically is; I just feel his consciousness leaving this place, but I don’t know where it went.”
Fisher looked down at the pristine ice, suddenly remembering what had happened on the small island. The Phoenix Scroll there seemed to have some subtle connection to the Spirit Realm. The source of that connection was not on the island but had merely blossomed through this unique medium of pristine ice.
And the source of that connection to the Spirit Realm lies in…
“It is the Frost Parasol Tree; that is Erwind’s ultimate destination.”
Fisher stared at the beautiful ore, which seemed to contain boundless mist, his expression turning serious.
According to the information from the scroll on the island, opening the Frost Parasol Tree required six race marks. Erwind must not know the method to enter the Frost Parasol Tree; otherwise, he wouldn’t have left behind the Cangniao Tribe’s mark.
It turned out that beneath that beautiful ore lay not only numerous ornaments and jewels but also a petite, exquisitely crafted snowflake-shaped mark, which Fisher gently retrieved from the box. Upon closer inspection, he saw a tall figure of a Cangniao kneeling on one knee, gazing up at the area above the mark.
At the top of the mark was a shape resembling a snowy mountain peak. According to the history of the Cangniao race, that snowy mountain peak shape seemed to represent the Frost Parasol Tree, where the Phoenix resided.
There were also many ancient northern characters on the mark, but Fisher’s grasp of the Northern Region Language was only at a mid-level, enough for everyday conversation, but he couldn’t make sense of these characters at all; he would have to wait until Emhart woke up to ask him.
“Frost Parasol Tree, retrieving entry… Please wait… I’ve found it, but this entry mainly appears in mythological records from the Frost Phoenix worship area. It seems you have some understanding of Erwind’s destination?”
Fisher did not answer his question but naturally tucked the Cangniao mark into his arms, then looked at the Mechanism hovering beside him and asked,
“So, the Creation Society sent you to contact me to still make me join your Society?”
“My intention was indeed that, but the Fate Lord mentioned that you may choose to refuse at this time. So even so, I will also provide you assistance to help you solve the Erwind problem first. Afterward, his Life Completion Manual will also be temporarily entrusted to you.”
Fisher raised an eyebrow after hearing this. At that moment, understanding what the Fate Lord intended from his words gave him a sudden illusion as if seeing an ordinary person in the ICU of a mental hospital, leaving him at a loss as to whether to feel surprised or frightened.
Either the Fate Lord was not a madman like Erwind or Feilon, or this madman was even better at acting than the other madmen.
“Ominous conditions often signify ulterior motives. Speak; what does she want me to do for her?”
The Mechanism’s body pulsed with light. If one looked closely, they would notice that within the flowing light, numerous bizarre symbols seemed to be continuously flowing.
“I previously mentioned that since the chairman suddenly disappeared, the Creation Society has become like a loose sand. Over the years, the Fate Lord has been acting on behalf of the chairman’s affairs. However, this Society was ultimately established by the Magic Lord, and the Fate Lord cannot replace her…”
“She told me she believes you are the key to discovering the whereabouts of the Magic Lord. She predicts that one day you will meet the Magic Lord, and she hopes that on the day of your meeting, you can bring her back.”
Initially, Fisher felt puzzled, but upon thinking that the Fate Lord, who possessed the “Fate Completion Manual,” might have some foresight regarding fate and the future, he retracted what he was about to say.
However, fortunately, the demands of the Creation Society from him were still quite clear; if they offered help without making any requests, Fisher would become somewhat suspicious.
The external military vessels from Miya seemed still negotiating with the local pirates, but they would soon enter the vicinity of Pat Sulshen Island. Fisher cast a glance outside and said,
“I understand. I agree to cooperate with you.”
“That’s good. I cannot stay here for long, and I need to deal with the scene to avoid leaving evidence. Mr. Fisher, you should leave the Iceberg Queen and head to the Northern Region as quickly as possible. Once you reach the Northern Region, I will contact you to trace Erwind’s whereabouts. Meanwhile, it will take some time for the Miya military vessels to enter the port; is there anything else I can do for you?”
After a brief pause, Fisher instinctively looked at the row of unresponsive Cloud Cat sisters standing behind him. He hadn’t yet researched the Cloud Cats; it would be great if he could gain some biological research progress on them here.
The hovering Mechanism promptly caught his gaze as if sensing it even before Fisher could speak. He nodded and asked Fisher:
“Mr. Fisher, there are less than ten minutes until the Miya military vessels arrive, so time may not be sufficient for that sort of thing. Or is it already enough?”
“…”
Fisher’s expression turned vacant, and at that moment, he confirmed that the Mechanism beside him was entirely unlike a normal human and more like a brainless machine.
Please support by voting and tipping; it is very important to me!
Thank you very much for your support!
(The end of this chapter)
