Chapter 329: 104. The Visit from Nali
“So, the Ice Owl Race actually cannot fly?”
“Yes, our wings no longer have that functionality, but people in our tribe still love to decorate their wings, especially the males. Their wings are larger than ours, and when dating or marrying, we also choose partners based on the appearance of their wings.”
“So now they’re used for courtship?”
Fisher looked up at the slightly miniaturized pair of wings behind Freya and suddenly realized the difference between the Ice Owl Race and other winged subhuman races. In fact, the ancestors of the Ice Owl Race should have been able to glide short distances. According to Freya, the Ice Owls originally lived on the northern coast of the Northern Region and relied on catching sea fish for their livelihood. The war waged by the Phoenix Race to defend the Northern Region did not involve them, and only after the Phoenixes vanished did they slowly begin to interact with the six races and humans.
“Courtship sounds a bit strange, like talking about animals. Don’t you like subhumans?”
Fisher glanced at Valentina next to him awkwardly and explained, “In a sense, all living beings you see are animals—humans, Ice Owls, the six races, and even Phoenixes. No matter how high their rank, they will still have corresponding biological traits and patterns. While some might be special and don’t require reproduction, most creatures do, and that’s why specific courtship methods are necessary. Strength, intelligence, attractiveness, and reproductive capabilities are all crucial factors, particularly important for understanding an unfamiliar subhuman.”
Valentina opened her mouth and then looked up and down at Fisher, who was recording data. Through his white shirt, his muscular outline was faintly visible, which made Valentina begin to wonder whether this guy was hinting at something to her. For some reason, her fair cheeks warmed slightly, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.
“Alright, the record of the Ice Owl Race is almost complete. Thank you for your cooperation, Officer Freya. You’ve been a great help.”
“Not at all; I really did nothing. I don’t deserve that.”
After putting the final touch on Freya’s appearance sketch in his notebook, Fisher pondered for a moment and wrote “less than or equal to rank five” next to the “life rank,” which indicated that the Ice Owl Race’s overall rank is in the “humanoid rank.”
Originally, he intended to have Valentina assist, but she had no experience in studying subhumans. As a result, she kept looking around and often asking irrelevant questions, which led Fisher to ultimately decide to conduct the research himself.
“Now, Kexiening, are you ready?”
He turned to look at the curled-up Slime mother and daughter. After he said this, the two daughters immediately pushed Kexiening out and shrank even further into the corner of the room, leaving Fisher both amused and exasperated. Valentina rolled her eyes and remarked, “No wonder the Moon Princess dislikes the Slime Race the most among the six races; their snobbishness and lack of compassion are indeed hard to accept.”
“They’re among the more unique Slimes; otherwise, they wouldn’t still be in the Northern Region without returning to the border. If you were lucky enough to meet other Slimes, you’d find this race quite interesting.”
“I’m curious about what you saw in the Slime border that led you to evaluate them like that?”
“I’m also curious about what you saw in Zhenbing that made you lose composure last night.”
“…”
Valentina on her wheelchair slightly puffed her cheeks, and her hair stood out slightly as if it were frizzing. If her legs weren’t disabled, she would likely have come over to give Fisher a beating right now, but even so, her resentment towards Fisher, stemming from his unpleasant personality, was almost tangible, prompting Fisher to quietly sit a bit farther away, fearing she might suddenly get up and hit him.
Fisher didn’t plan to tell Valentina about the Slime’s mixing in various parts of the world, as it would be helpful for future matters. He simply sat Kexiening in front of him, where Freya had been sitting earlier. Then he opened a new page and wrote down the term “Slime Race.”
The Sub-Human Supplement Handbook had already started to warm slightly when he was studying Freya, indicating that he had likely reached the first stage of biological research. Fisher didn’t force the progress of social research, as studying the Ice Owl Race was purely to complete the Cotton Candy Sequence.
“After the research, you can leave here and return to the border. Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”
Kexiening nodded after hearing this and comfortably flopped her soft body onto the sofa. After all, she had seen how Freya was studied earlier, so she wasn’t panicking now.
“Wait, your name is Fisher, right? I’ve been a bit puzzled. It seems like you’ve been looking at me with a strange gaze since the first time we met. Where did you see or hear about me before?”
“Oh, you noticed? No wonder they say Slimes are perceptive. I was in the Southern Continent before, where I met a subhuman slave trader named ‘Colin,’ and I had some connections with him, so of course, I heard your name. Later, I found out that Colin is your son, and he even stole your circus. Interestingly, after leaving you, the circus is still called Kexiening Circus, and the border pipes keep playing your name.”
“I see, that little brat.”
After hearing Fisher’s words, the green Slime opened her mouth, and the third tentacle on her head drooped down, appearing somewhat dispirited. It wasn’t until Fisher reached out to touch her soft, warm gelatinous tentacles that she looked at the ceiling sarcastically and said, “I’ve always been the dullest Slime in the tribe. Unlike my kind, who can easily make money, I can’t manage anything properly. Moreover, my biggest flaws are being opportunistic and stingy. Since the father of these three kids passed away, I’ve been even less attentive to them. I’ve been so calculating with my own children that I nearly want to extract endless value from them. Until one day, Colin stole everything of value from me under the cover of night and left the Northern Region while I was sound asleep.”
“But he doesn’t dare return to the border. If it weren’t for this trip back, I wouldn’t have known he was involved in the vile business of selling subhumans and got caught by some Dragon Queen. Not only did he lose the circus, but he probably also won’t survive.”
Fisher confirmed the texture of her gelatinous skin, realizing that beneath that green, resilient gelatinous exterior was a truly jelly-like fluid feel, which felt quite fascinating. He was also listening to Kexiening’s words but kept a neutral expression as he asked her, “Are you lamenting because your son is going to die, or because your circus is completely gone?”
“To be honest? A bit of both. Speaking of which, you’re doing research, so you probably don’t know how Slimes reproduce. Before a little Slime is born, we have no special signs. One day, when you wake up, you suddenly find a squirming puddle beside you, as if a chunk of meat fell off your body.”
Kexiening’s conversation with Fisher felt like casual chat. She spoke while also moving her body as per Fisher’s instructions, leading Valentina to slightly furrow her brows.
“My late husband was delighted, but I didn’t feel much because waking up to find three mouths needing to be fed and clothed made a considerable amount of money flow away like water. At night, they scream for food, leaving me sleepless. They’re like three burdens, driving me crazy.”
“I originally thought I would raise them without owing anything until they could become independent, then let them leave quickly. After coming of age, whatever they did outside had nothing to do with me; if something happened, they shouldn’t come looking for me. I had no connection with them. If it weren’t for that guy stealing my stuff, those two should have been sent to the border, so there would be no more ties.”
Valentina’s expression turned cold as she listened. She glanced at the two Slimes huddled up in the corner of the bed, rubbed her temples, and coldly said, “You’re quite the parent. No wonder those two weren’t very polite to you; if one doesn’t know better, they might think you three are enemies.”
However, after hearing Kexiening’s words, Fisher suddenly stopped his research actions and looked up at her.
“Yes, but it sounds like you do have some feelings for your children; otherwise, you wouldn’t still be wandering around with your daughters despite not having much money. I can see they’re not exactly starving, are they? The calculating nature of Slimes constantly reminds you that these three little lives are a losing proposition from the start, but blood and emotion have invisibly deepened the connection between you and your offspring.”
After this, he bent down to sketch a few strokes of the Slime’s appearance in his notebook, vividly depicting the Slime’s gelatinous skin. Valentina glanced at Fisher’s meticulous strokes; she couldn’t help but wonder how a scholar could draw so well. Did wizarding runes always come with such abilities?
“Kexiening, after hearing what you said, I’ve roughly understood your thoughts. A reminder: don’t rush to the Southern Continent trying to save your son, even if it’s due to a sudden impulse or enlightenment. I caution you that the other party is still concerned about you as the nominal mother, and it’s not for this purpose.”
Kexiening slightly opened her mouth, surprised at the level of detail in this scholar’s thoughts. She didn’t understand when her buried little thoughts had leaked out, but Fisher continued, “No matter what the past was like, your son has committed an irreparable mistake. Many subhumans who lost their homes because of the war have lost their last freedom and dignity because of your son. They were stripped of the last value in their bodies, leaving behind a pain deeper than your regrets right now. That Dragon Queen won’t spare villains who harm their own kind. Even if you go, you can’t change the outcome.”
“Furthermore, such an outcome is the inevitable consequence of Colin’s failed investment. Your non-involvement is just like a company declaring insolvency but not wanting to bear responsibility, though this responsibility has exceeded the legal definitions in Nali; however, Kexiening, if you go, it will be different. For a pure merchant like Colin, there’s no need for unnecessary suffering. Your people understand this well. If there was any chance for rescue, they would have spoken up during last night’s negotiations.”
“Whether you wish to compensate for past regrets or see the end of your bloodline, this is not the optimal solution. After all, before you, there are two available alternatives that can be redeemed. They may ultimately become Colin or, perhaps, two normal Slimes, depending to some extent on you.”
“Blood creates an inherent link between parents and children, but this link doesn’t imply it’s unbreakable or unique. I am an orphan, yet due to the selfless love and attention from others, I don’t feel that lacking parents is a tragic thing. Because of this, I am more grateful than anyone else for my relatives with no blood ties.”
Fisher’s pen paused slightly; he seemed to hear the reprimanding voice of a certain nun, which made him feel a sudden urge to transcribe the Genesis. Still, he decided against it as it sounded a bit too foolish.
Kexiening turned her gaze sideways only to find her two daughters still huddled up in the corner of the bed. However, whether it was because of Fisher’s words, they simultaneously looked at Kexiening, but just for a moment; after noticing that the other was looking at them, they hurriedly looked down again. After a long silence, Kexiening exhaled and said to Fisher, “I understand. I won’t go to the Southern Continent. After I finish dealing with things here, I will take Korya and the others back to the border. Even if it’s just to serve the ancestors, it’s better than nothing. Thank you, Mr. Fisher.”
“No need to thank me; it was just a small hint. The final decision is still yours. The recording is mostly complete, but there’s still a little question about the past history of Slimes. Valentina, little Valentina?”
Fisher turned his head, only to see Valentina staring blankly at him, her pale silver eyes flickering with a bit of sparkle. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was having another prophetic vision due to her connection with the Phoenix Blood.
“Uh? I—cough, cough, I’m fine.”
Seeing Fisher about to lean closer to observe her, the dazed Valentina hurriedly snapped back to reality and waved her hands; she certainly wasn’t seeing the future again because of the Phoenix Blood, and she absolutely wouldn’t admit that she felt a bit touched and warm due to his words.
“Glad to hear you’re fine.”
Just as Fisher was puzzled and sat back down, a knock suddenly came on the door. Valentina and Fisher turned their heads simultaneously, only to see the door swing open, revealing Heidi Lin, who looked serious.
“Heidi Lin? I came over to see Mr. Fisher studying subhumans. There are others in the room, and nothing has happened.”
Upon seeing Heidi Lin, Valentina instinctively raised her hand to explain, fearing that the terrifying Heidi Lin would report this matter to the family or perhaps secretly warn her to stay away from Fisher.
However, this time, Heidi Lin had different thoughts.
Her expression was serious as she took a meaningful glance at Fisher in the room. After a moment’s pause, she turned to Valentina and said in a deep voice, “Miss, a group of people from Nali say they want to visit you. They claim we should hand over the fugitive wanted by Nali—Fisher Benavides.”
Upon hearing this, Valentina immediately turned to Fisher, her expression becoming serious in an instant. Although they had anticipated that Nali might come looking for someone, considering Fisher was a fugitive worth much in Nali, he was indeed an important figure to the Queen of Nali. They just didn’t expect them to arrive so soon.
No matter how much they pursued, Fisher had drifted from the Southern Ocean up north for months, passing through the ocean, Pat Sulshen Island, and finally reaching the Kingdom of Sardinia. Then he traveled north from the Kingdom of Sardinia to Nebalon and Miya; he had just arrived in Miya when they caught up with him. It was hard to say they hadn’t been monitoring his movements overseas.
The Queen’s increasing concern indicated that the Turan Family faced greater resistance. Even though the Turan Family was indeed large enough to not fear Nali in the Northern Region, that was when viewed from the broader perspective of the entire Turan Family. If the family thought it unnecessary to protect Fisher, or if Nali reached some agreement bypassing them, it would be problematic.
In any case, Valentina knew she had to be 100% alert when facing Nali.
Her expression quickly calmed down. Before Fisher could speak, she made a command first.
“Alright, I will go down with Heidi Lin to meet the guests from Nali, but I won’t hand over Fisher. This was the agreement reached when he gave me the Cangniao mark. Heidi Lin, please don’t tell the family about this yet. I will discuss it with them directly tonight. As for you, Fisher, just continue your research here. It’s best to avoid showing yourself; leave it to me to handle.”
Valentina pushed her wheelchair out of the room, and Heidi Lin adjusted her hair crown and answered with “Yes,” before following the young lady out of the room. This left Fisher in the room, his gaze slightly shifting as he moved to the window, pondering the swirling snow visible below.
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(End of this chapter)
