Chapter 439: 56. Royal Capital
Mikhail’s wife was not from New Moscow, nor was she from New Saint Petersburg; she came from the other side of the Ural Mountains, which had once been plowed over by a nuclear bomb, possibly from Old Moscow, Chechnya, or Belarus. He did not know where his wife was from, as he rarely inquired about her past.
They met in New Moscow on the West Siberian Plain when Mikhail was still working for New Siberia Wind, manufacturing various particle beam weapons to be sold around the world.
He still remembered his robust wife. To be honest, during Mikhail’s era, most people’s aesthetic standards were not so picky; selecting an appropriate partner of the opposite sex was an exclusive privilege of the more exceptional talents. He was just an engineer, and like most people, he often relied on virtual reality’s virtual cyber girlfriends to satisfy his physiological needs. Fortunately, he was lucky enough not to have been affected by nuclear pollution and was subsequently chosen for the company’s genetic engineering program to work for the future of humanity.
Well, in plain language, that meant he donated sperm, which allowed him to earn some decent compensation.
His love story was quite clichéd. During an attack by armed factions in New Russia on a company convoy transporting particle weapons, Mikhail’s wife, who was the commander of the attacking team, captured this valuable engineer to crack the company’s particle weapon technology.
The names of these armed factions were not uniform; they were generally members of certain gangs, bloodthirsty fugitives, and pitiful people who had been cornered by the company’s exploitation. They also had another name: “cyberpunks.”
Mikhail regarded them simply as terrorists, but ironically, he ended up falling in love with one of these terrorists, slowly descending and becoming one of them.
What is the difference between company-exploited employees and those struggling to survive outside?
Just as the fable describes, the analogy of country mice and city mice: the country mice are free and safe, but the barren countryside ensures they cannot enjoy delightful food; the city has everything, even discarded butter in garbage bins, but the city mice are hunted down by everyone and may lose their lives at any moment.
Clearly, Mikhail chose the latter. He implanted many dangerous cybernetic parts, and his innate mechanical design talent helped him, his wife, and their companions create weapons that worked wonders, allowing them to succeed in gang rivalries and robbing company transport convoys. But this was not a business without risks and costs.
Until one day, he developed severe mental illness due to invasive cybernetics; until one day his team, that despicable yet lovable group of cyberpunks, began to die one by one; until one day, even his wife died amidst the gang’s feuds;
Until one day, he reached a dead end and sought death’s release at an underground clinic of a female cybernetic doctor he frequently visited.
He crossed over.
He found himself on the bed of a powerful being, indifferent to gender and with a quirky temperament. Only later did he realize that he had been ill here for a long time, groggily mistaking Michael for his deceased wife for half a month.
Perhaps he wanted to embrace her, or maybe he revealed a bunch of secrets that only his wife knew, or perhaps he did other awkward things?
Although Michael had a strange temper, he surprisingly tolerated him, but this came at a cost — this angel, skilled in forging, also had peculiar tastes and was fond of various games, perhaps to alleviate his loneliness?
In any case, Mikhail was profoundly shocked by the experiences he had undergone.
“Michael!!”
In the swaying carriage, Mikhail suddenly woke up from a dream, gasping as he looked around. He noticed that everyone was staring at him, their expressions gradually shifting to something unusual, especially Hela, whose mouth was unable to suppress a smile, her cheeks slightly puffed out as if she were trying not to laugh.
Feeling Mikhail’s extremely awkward expression, Hela playfully waved her hand and said, “We were just talking about something happy, and I suddenly remembered it, which made me laugh.”
Mikhail, speechless, covered his head, not wanting to offer too many explanations. He was nearly forty, yet somehow seemed more reliable and composed than this unknown-aged angel.
But he suddenly felt that Hela seemed vaguely familiar, just as he felt when they first met.
He wondered if she had been present when he was treated by Michael.
Mikhail shook his head and looked outside, only seeing dense forests, then he asked, “Where are we? The last thing I remember is that we were at Phoenix Dwelling?”
“We are no longer at Phoenix Dwelling; we are on our way to the Elven Royal Capital. You slept for two days straight; if your health hadn’t been alright, we would have suspected you were dead. How about some water?”
Gouwen handed Mikhail a water bottle and explained what had happened while he was unconscious. After thanking him, Mikhail glanced at the Phoenix Neceria and the guiding envoy from the Royal Capital, the Black Snake.
“I must have had a mental episode; the brain’s load from using the computer was too much. I originally had signs of cybernetic psychosis, and it’s alright; I just need to take a break after removing the cybernetics.”
Mikhail took off the cybernetic eye he had donned earlier, then felt relieved that Michael’s esteemed name was not something an ordinary twelfth-rank Elf Black Snake could know, as they must conceal their origin from the Holy Realm.
“You’d best take it easy; there are many things in your body that aren’t original. Your body’s operational rhythms are quite strange, entirely disconnected from the original human state, making it hard for me to treat you, so you’ll have to rely on yourself. There is some food here, but we estimate we’ll reach the Royal Capital today, so hold on; I have a bit of business.”
As Gouwen continued speaking, he looked up at Fisher, who sat next to Neceria and Tang Zeming Asuka. The more he looked, the more irritated he felt, and although he had heard Hela privately say that Fisher’s Phoenix ex-wife was no longer by his side, he remained curious about what his daughter’s connection to this guy was.
Even though he had previously pointed out not to disclose anything about the future, it itched his mind knowing there could be a link to Xu or his daughter.
He silently inched closer, ears perked a bit to listen to Fisher and Neceria’s conversation.
“So, you’re saying the abilities of your Phoenix kind only enhance reflexes and the low temperatures of frost?”
“Indeed, among all the Phoenixes I know, there are no other abilities.”
Hmm, it seems they really don’t have the ability to foresee the future.
Could it be because they haven’t yet reached the mythical rank of the Phoenix?
Among the future Phoenixes are Nefiramui and her three children. Could it be necessary for a mythical-ranked Phoenix to see the radiance of the World Tree, and then through the bloodline connection within their race, transmit that ability?
Speaking of which, Fisher was quite curious about how other races crossed ranks.
Because he and Erwind relied on completion manuals to elevate their ranks, while other subhuman races without a completion manual still surpassed racial rank intervals. Moreover, how did that ocean emperor, who had a cheat-like ability, manage it?
Meanwhile, Tang Zeming Asuka was focused on completing her magic assignments, and as Fisher pondered this, he suddenly felt someone watching him from behind. He turned his head and saw Gouwen squinting at him, which puzzled him.
Since leaving Phoenix Dwelling that day, this guy had been acting strangely. While Tang Zeming Asuka and Hela were also quite odd, Fisher’s subconscious told him that others acted this way due to Hela, but Gouwen wasn’t so easily swayed.
“What’s up?”
Gouwen, noticing that Fisher had only surfacely inquired about Neceria, didn’t overstep but seemed to realize he was suspicious, concluding that Fisher didn’t look like the type fond of subhuman women.
Perhaps in the future, he really did separate from his Phoenix ex-wife due to changing world conditions or reality, and as he said, that his future daughter had some ambiguity with him due to their student-teacher relationship?
“Nothing, I have a way to help you; do you want to hear it?”
“A way to help me?”
Gouwen’s eyes moved downward slightly, as if he could see the overflowing energy within Fisher, then he lifted his gaze back to Fisher.
Fisher instantly understood, and the somewhat embarrassed Tang Zeming Asuka, who was pretending to carve magic but was secretly eavesdropping, blushed and shrank back.
Mister Gouwen, what exactly is this method of help you are referring to!!
So intriguing!!
After a moment’s hesitation, Fisher stood up and walked over to Gouwen, brushing past Hela and Mikhail together, heading towards the back of the carriage.
The Phoenix carriages were spacious, and the back platform could even be used for calisthenics. Fisher noticed Gouwen silently bringing him to the back of the carriage, somewhat puzzled, but still asked,
“The way you mentioned to help me…”
“Your energy is very restless; I’ll teach you a method. Do it with me now; it can help you control your desires.”
Fisher thought about it; since he would need to study how more subhumans entered the Fourteenth Rank later, controlling desires was of course beneficial. Otherwise, each time would be an explosive burden.
He decided to follow Gouwen’s lead. Gouwen wrapped his arms and began to sway, his hands moving oddly like seaweed.
“Calm your heart, sink the kidney energy, refrain from lust.”
Having reached the Thirteenth Rank, Fisher’s ability to learn physically was significantly better than before, at least it didn’t cause the headache as when Eil taught him combat methods. Combined with Gouwen’s bizarre incantation, after going through the process and some acupressure with Gouwen, it turned out shockingly effective, quelling the burning reproductive fire within him, making him feel refreshed.
This sensation he had only experienced after releasing before was now something he felt once again.
He looked at Gouwen in surprise and asked, “This is amazing; it really works. Is this part of your medical skills?”
Gouwen let out a sigh, looking at him with a touch of melancholy, shaking his head and replying, “No, this is a method my wife learned from the ocean octopus race. She taught me that when a person feels lonely outside, they should practice this to relieve some pressure. However, your situation is much more serious, so you’ll probably need more sessions to completely quell your energy.”
Fisher looked at Gouwen with sympathy, but Gouwen wasn’t unwilling about it. To Fisher, Gouwen had a good relationship with his wife, which was a mark of mutual fidelity. He couldn’t attain it but should not look down upon Gouwen; rather, he should reflect on himself.
“Are you thinking of your wife?”
“Not too bad; I feel a bit every time she’s mentioned.”
“Weren’t you supposed to send her a letter? Why haven’t you seen her reply? We have plenty of time on Tree Continent; maybe you can meet her.”
Gouwen glanced at Fisher, his expression remained gentle, but he seemed to think of something, and his gaze gradually darkened.
“… Never mind, my wife is delicate; she’s currently unwell and resting in the trench. And as you know, the whale people are mostly quite lazy; they don’t like moving. As for my wife… well, I will go back to see her once my business on the shore is done.”
Through Gouwen’s description, in Fisher’s mind, Gouwen’s wife transformed into a delicate and fragile figure, but she was actually a very strong and captivating female whale being. He didn’t pursue the matter further, only thanking him, “That’s true, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
What Gouwen didn’t say was: if you take care of your lower half, I’d be grateful.
For some reason, perhaps due to his love for his wife, he also carried a hint of concern for his yet-to-be-met daughter, feeling an uncontrollable urge to learn about her future circumstances in relation to his wife.
But he worried that revealing their relationship to Fisher would disrupt the future, thereby drawing destiny’s attention to them, so he dared not ask further or disclose any hint of his identity.
“Fisher-sensei! Mister Gouwen!”
Just as they were secretly conversing in the rear carriage, Tang Zeming Asuka’s exclamation rang out, causing Fisher and Gouwen to quickly rush forward, fearing something had happened.
Inside the carriage, Hela adorably tilted her head, her beautiful face pretending to act cute, which seemed very cute, but Fisher could tell at a glance that this guy was scheming something bad.
“We’ve arrived at the Royal Capital, take a look.”
Perhaps because Fisher’s suspicious gaze had made her overly self-conscious, she quickly redirected the topic, pointing towards the front of the carriage. Following her finger, skipping over Neceria and Tang Zeming Asuka sitting ahead, Fisher beheld an incredible sight.
It was an endless coastal plain, but farther out, the ocean had been covered by a massive illusory World Tree, obscuring everything.
Beneath the tree, broader than the ocean and brighter than the sun, stood a grand city composed entirely of wood.
Within the city grew many trees, and the beautifully harmonious and balanced buildings were neatly arranged in the geometric space above and below, until the densely packed structures reached the end, where they leaned against the golden World Tree by the seaside. There, a seemingly floating rectangular palace wall overlooked this vast land.
Many objects resembling glowing orbs dotted the tree, and Fisher instantly recognized them as the Universe Axis Line that had once sniped at their descent.
What was even more terrifying was that even being far from the Royal Capital, Fisher and the others could feel an incredibly heavy pressure, as if a ton of stones pressed against their chests, making it hard for them to breathe.
This feeling was something Fisher had previously experienced when they were judged by the seven archangels, and even then, aside from Archangel Gabriel, the other archangels had intentionally restrained their auras, making it not as severe as it was now.
Inside the Royal Capital, there were not only a high-ranking Elf.
Outside the Royal Capital, in the wilderness, many troops were stationed on all sides, some distance away from the Royal Capital. Looking out, Gouwen and Fisher recognized that these were the banners of the Elf Grand Dukes.
And the closest flag to the Royal Capital was,
【Peach】
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(The End of this Chapter)
