Chapter 475: 92. Utopia of Ants
Inside the room, Fisher and Hela had not come out yet, but Tang Zeming Asuka had been waiting outside for a long time. Unlike the others in the group, she seemed to have a good impression of this place. Perhaps it was because Margaret was also a Trans like her, which made her more concerned about her situation and the country she had created; or maybe it was due to Margaret’s gentle nature, which made Tang Zeming Asuka feel particularly close to her.
She looked at the enclosed land outside, resembling a classic Western city-state, carefully observing everything within it.
Tang Zeming Asuka keenly noticed that all the resources here were provided and distributed by Chuan. Because there was no way to grow food here, the residents living here did not need to produce or farm; since Chuan could quickly construct buildings, the subhumans coming here also did not need to build; and because there were threats from the elves on the Tree Continent outside, the residents here were not allowed to go out.
But the weak beings living here would certainly not mind this. Compared to the blood-soaked, uncertain days outside, living here could indeed be considered a paradise.
Just the compatibility of a single mythical being below could create such a beautiful scene. If all mythical beings could be as friendly as Chuan, perhaps this world would be much more beautiful than the one they lived in?
As she watched the subhumans and humans below resting in their allotted lands, relaxing and chatting with each other, Tang Zeming Asuka opened her mouth. Just at that moment, footsteps came from behind her. She hurriedly turned to look and saw Mikhail carrying a pile of food distribution tools.
His computer-enhanced eye glimmered slightly. For an unknown reason, upon seeing Tang Zeming Asuka, he raised the food in his hand and asked, “Want something to eat?”
“Ah, thank you, Mr. Mikhail, but I’m not very hungry,” she replied.
Mikhail nodded, popped a fruit into his mouth, and showed no intention of returning to the room. Instead, he placed the food in the living room and moved to the window, looking out just like Tang Zeming Asuka.
Mikhail had a blank expression, but Tang Zeming Asuka glanced at him and laughed, saying, “Mr. Mikhail, it seems very peaceful here. Compared to the Tree Continent, the environment is really much better.”
“It’s alright. The power of mythical beings can create many miracles here.”
Tang Zeming Asuka paused for a moment, feeling the gentle breeze outside, and suddenly voiced her concern, “Mr. Mikhail, we can return to our world after completing the task, but what about Ms. Margaret? Is she not leaving?”
“I don’t know. To be honest, I’m not sure if I should go back. While this place is bad, the world I was living in is even worse. My wife and companions were all executed by the company. I have nothing to bring back except hatred.”
“Eh?”
Tang Zeming Asuka slightly opened her mouth, looking at Mikhail, who was expressionlessly eating the fruit. She seemed a bit surprised. Normally, it was her companions who pursued her past and the world she originally lived in, while she rarely cared about the past and origins of other companions.
Young people are always taken care of by older ones; Tang Zeming Asuka had always played this role.
“By the way, how did Mr. Mikhail cross over?” she asked.
“After my wife was executed, I crazily wanted to take revenge for her. Later, I stole a missile from the company, and then I crashed it into the company’s headquarters along with the missile. Unfortunately, there was a repelling shield created by a new technology outside. I exploded a few hundred meters away from the headquarters, and when I woke up, I was already in the Holy Realm.”
“Ah, that’s incredible. I… I just took a nap after class one afternoon and crossed over.”
Tang Zeming Asuka felt a bit embarrassed; it seemed that in comparison, her crossing was so plain and dull.
“What about Fisher? Have you asked him where he came from?”
“Eh, no. However, Mr. Fisher doesn’t seem to come from our world; he isn’t very familiar with our world. He seems to come from another world.”
“Are there other worlds? Could it be that they are all like this, filled with subhumans?”
Tang Zeming Asuka covered her mouth and laughed, and then the two Trans people stopped talking. Finally, she spoke slowly, confirming with a hint of regret, “So, Mr. Mikhail, you don’t plan to go back?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see when the time comes. By the way, young people are great; they always have the warmth to care about others’ situations. Instead of worrying about what will happen to others later, it’s better to confirm your own situation. You still have concerns and family in your original world, right? Since you must go back, it’s best to be prepared for it. Even if I don’t go back, I can still stay in the Holy Realm. As for Margaret… well, I don’t really know.”
“Don’t know?”
Tang Zeming Asuka didn’t quite understand what Mikhail meant. She turned to look at him with confusion, and he questioned her while looking out at the land before them, “Tang Zeming, what do you think this place resembles?”
“What place?”
“Have you heard of Utopia?”
“No.”
“…
Mikhail silently turned his head to look at the clueless JK beside him, waited for a while before continuing, “Actually, calling it Utopia is inaccurate. The name ‘Ideal Nation’ describes it more accurately. To compare relations here, it’s more like a group of incredibly powerful and absolutely friendly aliens suddenly appeared during your era. They brought technology and systems that are beyond your imagination, hoping to solve humanity’s painful problems. They allow everyone to live without labor, instantly satisfying all desires imaginable. All tools, food, entertainment products, and even partners are allocated ideally. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
“There are two key assumptions. First, this group of aliens is absolutely friendly toward humans and doesn’t demand anything in return for their contributions, with their only potential request being interest; second, the technology and power of the aliens far surpass humans. The second point is fundamental to the establishment of this scenario, while the first point is guaranteed by it. So, if you were a human in this situation, what would you think?”
Tang Zeming Asuka pouted and responded, “Um, that seems… not bad?”
Mikhail smiled and said to her, “Not just good, it’s perfect. If there really are such kind, god-like aliens, then all problems would be solved. This scenario has a crucial hidden assumption, which is that the aliens genuinely care about humans and are absolutely friendly. But what if we change to a similar scenario?
“You are a young and kind child. Due to your instinctual love and respect for life, you created a small ant hole using mashed potatoes, inviting the ants from a certain place into your ant hole. You are too kind and eager, providing everything necessary for their survival—forever suitable temperatures, numerous food sources, and completely safe habitats.”
“Isn’t that ant hole a utopia for the ants?”
“You have absolute power over the ants. And let’s assume that your kindness means you have almost absolute friendliness and patience toward them, never giving up on them. But one day, this child’s family discovered that their child had silently converted their bedside cabinet into an ant hole filled with all sorts of ants and was sleeping with them, even stealing the family’s living expenses of the month to buy mashed potatoes and thermostats for the ants. What do you think the child’s parents would do?”
Tang Zeming Asuka was slightly stunned, unable to speak as she gazed at the country before her. Grasping the edge of the house’s railing, she asked Mikhail, “So, Duke Chuan is actually that child, and his elven compatriots and the World Tree are his parents?”
“Does that matter?”
Mikhail finished his fruit, spat out the core, and let the fruit drop outside. He then patted his hands and left the place, leaving Tang Zeming Asuka behind.
“What matters is whether we are ants or not.”
Tang Zeming Asuka suddenly understood Mikhail’s meaning and his current dilemma, and she herself began to feel somewhat melancholic.
The hypothesis Mikhail spoke of was not merely about the Ideal Nation at that moment, but also expressed his views on the relationship between mythical beings and other life forms in this world, as well as his conflict about whether to return to his original world.
Mythical beings and other life forms were essentially two different species. While the problems that other species, similar to ants, seemed easy to resolve in the eyes of mythical beings, they also had their own challenges, much like those higher than ants and could not harbor completely selfless thoughts toward ants.
Similarly, the reason Mikhail was conflicted about whether to return to his world also held true. Archangel Michael seemed to admire him, but Mikhail was unsure whether this admiration was for him or for the ants. Perhaps, much like that child, he wondered if his feelings for the ants were false? But as situations change, ants are eventually expelled from his furious parents’ house.
However, Mr. Fisher seemed completely unconcerned about this. He and Archangel Hela appeared to have a good relationship, and Tang Zeming Asuka felt that this was related to Fisher’s level of life.
The closer he was to the rank of mythical beings, the smaller the gap between ants and humans would become.
But having experienced such terrifying power disparities, Tang Zeming Asuka didn’t know how to bridge the ranks like Mr. Fisher, let alone most humans.
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a power that could help humans and other beings overcome this dilemma?
Tang Zeming Asuka leaned against the windowsill, suddenly having this thought.
Soon, she was slightly taken aback, as if she thought of something, and slowly looked back toward Fisher’s room.
“Mr. Fisher! Mr. Fisher…”
Tang Zeming Asuka excitedly pushed open Fisher’s room door, seemingly wanting to say something, but as soon as she opened the door, she froze as if struck by lightning.
Inside the room, Fisher, half-naked, was continuously cutting at the connection between his and Hela’s rooms with a Fluid Sword, as if trying to completely open up the two rooms, while Hela floated behind him, leaning against him in a ghostly way, also turning to look at her.
“What’s wrong?”
Fisher was slightly taken aback, but suddenly felt Hela grasping his neck with both hands from behind. Before he could react, Hela had already “panicked” and shouted, “Little Tang Zeming! Little Tang Zeming, hurry, come save me! Mr. Fisher is… he is determined to break into my room, boohoo, I can’t stop him!”
Fisher’s face darkened, and he almost couldn’t help but give Hela a punch.
Just a moment ago, this guy had yelled the loudest when he wanted this room open. Now, he was pretending to be innocent?
But Tang Zeming Asuka wasn’t a fool. She first looked at Fisher’s bare upper body, then swallowed hard and quickly shifted her gaze, mumbling toward Hela, “But you’re not a mythical… cough cough. In any case, if you want to refuse, it should be easy, right? Obviously, it was you who wanted Mr. Fisher to break open the room!”
Being exposed, Hela didn’t get angry at all; instead, she looked at Tang Zeming Asuka with some curiosity, smiling and stroking her chin, saying, “Oh, Little Tang Zeming has suddenly become smart. Could it be that your brain has been opened up? How strange, really strange…”
“I’m not a fool!”
Before Tang Zeming Asuka could start to pester him angrily, Fisher interrupted them, asking, “What’s wrong, Tang Zeming?”
Tang Zeming Asuka wanted to say something, but after pausing for a moment, she pointed outside and said, “Chuan sent us food, and after I finish eating, I’ll go to Ms. Margaret’s side. But could you please come with me, Mr. Fisher? It’s… if I go alone…”
Fisher thought for a moment, nodded, then stood up and said, “Alright, let the others stay here. Hela, I’ll leave this to you.”
“Take care.”
Hela smiled and nodded, letting Fisher and Tang Zeming Asuka go as she leaned against the windowsill, watching the bustling scene outside.
Watching them go until their figures disappeared, her gaze gradually moved up as if wanting to look above.
At the moment her gaze moved up, high in the sky, Emhart, hiding in the clouds and observing the situation below, suddenly jumped in fright. Although the other party might have just glanced over, the fear engraved in Emhart’s heart triggered a reflex, causing him to hurry back into Gabriel’s embrace.
But he quickly realized that Hela, leaning against the windowsill below, was merely yawning and had not looked at him.
“Nob?”
Gabriel, behind him, tilted his head and asked.
“No, no, I can’t let that guy stay near Fisher. Mom, let me go down. I need to tell Fisher about this, or else he must be delighted with that situation right now. No, no, I know this guy well. He easily makes mistakes when he’s thinking about reproductive desires, especially with Baemon around.”
“Nob, you can’t leave Mom’s side.”
Although Gabriel’s expression remained blank, her voice was decidedly firm, and even her embrace around him and the crystal did not move.
“I’ll be back after I finish speaking, Mom, please. You’re the best.”
Emhart decided to use the skill “Acting Cute.” He had perfected this move to the point that there seemed to be no flaws, and it appeared genuine.
But Gabriel still refused, offering another reason, “It’s dangerous down there.”
“Ah, I know it’s dangerous! That Baemon is definitely very dangerous. My restraints imposed by her haven’t been lifted yet. I can’t say anything, but at least I can tell that guy it’s Baemon.”
Emhart hastily struggled in Gabriel’s arms, but it seemed she had already severed their connection and wouldn’t let him leave, no matter what.
With no choice, he could only remain a bystander, watching as Fisher stayed near that guy, engulfed in a world of turmoil and agony.
“Mr. Fisher, h…”
Walking along the path to the central stone tower, Tang Zeming Asuka, following behind Fisher, pouted and suddenly repeated a sentence she had heard before but did not understand.
“So, what does this mean?”
“Mr. Fisher is so lewd; he even wants to break down the rooms for what bad things at night?”
Fisher paused at her words, turned to look at Tang Zeming Asuka, but he hadn’t expected that as soon as he turned back, she suddenly covered her head and stepped back several paces, looking at Fisher very cautiously, as if fearing he would hit her head again.
“What are you doing?”
“Anyway, Mr. Fisher is definitely going to hit my head again, right?”
“Why would I hit you? I just wanted to ask how the central ring magic I taught you is coming along.”
“Hey, Mr. Fisher is changing the subject. You haven’t mentioned what you are going to do at night yet.”
This silly high school girl did not know why, but she seemed particularly bold today. She used to shy away after just one or two sentences. Maybe it was because she was in a good mood?
Fisher looked into her eyes seriously, slowly asking, “Do you really want to know?”
Tang Zeming Asuka’s face flushed slightly, as if his gaze had warmth, causing her to avert her own gaze.
“I—I don’t want to know!”
“Well then, that settles it. What about the magic?”
“I—I’ve learned the magic, but I can only do one or two ring heads and fixed main rings. I haven’t tried the others yet.”
“It’s a pity there are no grimoires here; otherwise, I could save a lot of effort, and you could learn more magic.”
Just like an excellent teacher not having textbooks, Fisher relied entirely on verbal teaching to transmit skills. This way of teaching was very popular during the Middle Ages, when magic education focused on traditional teacher-student pairings. Many magicians used one or two “secret techniques” to charge a few magic apprentices to pass down knowledge through oral and practical methods. Sometimes, when a magician died out, that school of magic would become lost.
It wasn’t until modern times that this method began to be improved, and the establishment of magic associations and magic academies promoted magic to a greater extent, making teaching much simpler.
Also thanks to Tang Zeming Asuka’s astonishing talent, even with such interrupted teaching methods, her progress wasn’t slow at all; she could even apply what she learned in other contexts.
“Speaking of which, Mr. Fisher, I still don’t know where you came from. You’re also a Trans, but it seems you don’t come from my world or Mr. Mikhail’s world?”
“Yeah, I come from a place very similar to this one.”
“Really? So, will you leave here as well, Mr. Fisher?”
“Why, are you starting to get tired of my teaching?”
“Not at all! I’m just curious about what your world is like, after all, Mr. Fisher has another student, right?”
“Yeah, she’s a lot like you, but she’s a whale folk like Gouwen.”
“She?”
Tang Zeming Asuka puffed up her cheeks and let out a sigh, saying, “I knew it! Mr. Fisher has a great charm with women.”
“Just average.”
“Whale folk, huh? I wonder what it would feel like if I had a whale tail and ears. She must live very deep in the ocean. In my next life, maybe I want to be a fish too, swimming around carefree.”
Fisher lightly tapped her on the head, causing her to retreat several paces while covering her head, looking at Fisher pitifully as she called out, “Mr. Fisher!”
“Always thinking about the next life rather than this one can easily lead to pitfalls, like getting your head tapped by me.”
They soon arrived at that tall tower, clambering back up the path they had taken before to reach the area where they had enjoyed tea.
However, at this moment, not only were Margaret and Chuan present, but also several ragged subhumans who were talking to Chuan about something.
“Right, but I don’t know who they are. It was too dark at night, but there were probably four or five of them. I didn’t see clearly, but they’re definitely not of the same subhuman race, but various kinds. I could understand what they were saying, and one of them was definitely a Brain Demon.”
“Ms. Margaret, we’re here! Has anything happened here?”
“Ah, you’re here! Please sit down and wait for us for a moment.”
As Margaret listened and turned her gaze toward Tang Zeming Asuka, she smiled and waved, kindly inviting her over to sit.
When Fisher and Tang Zeming Asuka walked closer, she explained to them somewhat helplessly, “You should know that many items in the Ideal Nation are currently provided by Chuan’s power, but many things cannot be produced relying on Chuan’s power. So over the past six months, we’ve had transactions with other settlements near and far, and I can say our relationship is quite good. However, recently, this trade has encountered a little trouble. A gang of elusive thieves has appeared in the wilderness.”
“Thieves?”
“Ah, yes.”
Speaking of this, Margaret found it a bit laughable and a little bit mournful, “The supplies that group of thieves stole weren’t much, but their methods are somewhat frightening, making nearby settlements a little uneasy.”
“They like to target subhuman women.”
After intently observing the water next to him, Fisher suddenly turned his head to look at Margaret for an unknown reason.
