Chapter 84: Calan City
【You have been emergency disconnected. Please choose whether to reconnect.】
“Or what? Will you sleep with me?”
【Reconnecting...】
“You really have no sense of humor...”
【Connection complete. Reading character information.】
【Welcome back, chaotic neutral Tan Mo. Loading Innocent World. Good night.】
...
East of Innocent Continent, outside Calan City
“Sigh~” Mo Tan exhaled a long breath, then pouted at the night sky, which was already full of Prosperity Stars: “Am I really only suited to logging in at night?”
He rolled his eyes, then strolled towards the city gate not far away, quickly organizing the information he had obtained earlier at Tian Zhu Mountain.
Although he had already done an analysis when he was lawful good Mo, the focus of the current Mo Tan was clearly different from his past self. Whether it was the confusing Light and Shadow Revelation, or the concerning World Collapse Rate, both struck him as very interesting~
As for the several hours of blank time that had reappeared, Mo Tan wasn't too bothered by it now, because he had already found a clue regarding that matter. The upcoming verification and his planned actions didn't conflict, so he just needed to proceed step by step...
【That version of me was called the Light of Revelation, and the activation of so-called artificial souls and the breakthrough of rune puppets clearly refer to Cordova. Plus, the Revelator hasn't been found in tens of thousands of years...】
“It all seems closely related to us ‘players’,” Mo Tan grinned, muttering, “While I can’t rule out the possibility that it’s just ‘game lore,’ it feels a bit too real. And what about stories like ‘knowing this increases the World Collapse Rate’? What if a hundred players hear it? Are they going to drop another meteor directly to finish off No Wrongdoing... Wait a minute...”
At this point, he suddenly stopped, pondered for a moment, then chuckled and said, “Pioneers, Sun Dynasty, Ondhill independence.”
【You have unlocked Story Codex: “The Rise of the Sun Dynasty”, Civilization Attribute: Lore +5】
“Haha, hahaha~ So this kind of operation is possible?!” Mo Tan covered his mouth and let out a string of long laughs, so happy he couldn't contain himself.
Fortunately, there were no pedestrians in front of Calan City at this time, otherwise, his appearance would have easily made others think he was crazy.
Although, he did seem very much like a madman right now...
“Very good, excellent! Next up is...” Mo Tan snapped his fingers casually: “The awesome Slave King, the awesome Unfalling City of Ondhill, the seemingly awesome Dragon Empire biting the dust, and the Great Meteorite Escape~”
【You have unlocked Story Codex: “The Fall of the Sun Dynasty”, Civilization Attribute: Lore +1】
Mo Tan, who had completed two Story Codexes within a minute, suddenly sneered: “Tian Zhu Mountain, Rune Creation Project, Artificial Soul Experiment, and... Cordova.”
【You have unlocked Story Codex: “The Birth of the Rune Puppet”, Civilization Attribute: Lore +1】
Mo Tan nodded with satisfaction, then tentatively said, “Cordova... particularly unlucky?”
This time, no system notification sound came.
“Alright, it seems his misery isn’t a story, but an ongoing present that hasn’t ended yet.” Mo Tan shrugged, and after a long silence, spoke again: “Tian Zhu Mountain, independent spatial rules, and talent abilities unrelated to strength.”
【You have unlocked Codex: “Concept Space”, Civilization Attribute: Lore +1】
Mo Tan waited for a long while, but didn't hear the 'World Collapse Rate +1%' prompt. This conclusion, which was within his expectations but outside of reason, made him ponder for a moment, then he walked towards the nearby city gate with a smile, as if nothing had happened...
He didn't intend to stand there wasting time.
...
Calan City was not large. Its population and prosperity were much lower than Pato City, which Mo Tan had previously wreaked havoc on. After all, although the latter was also a neutral small city, it at least had the Pading Knight Academy and the Holy Church Chapel as landmark features.
Of course, this was still a city, not an ordinary village or town, so various neutral organizations and guild strongholds were relatively complete.
That was enough for Mo Tan~
After roughly asking a drowsy guard for directions and swiping his money pouch, Mo Tan hummed a tune happily and walked into this innocent, neutral, boring, trouble-free, and not-yet-bedtime small city...
...
Twenty minutes later
Calan City, ‘Air Pump’ Inn, second floor
After dismissing the somewhat noisy short waiter with a silver coin, Mo Tan walked to the innermost guest room on the second floor and gently knocked on the door.
“Cordova?”
The somewhat tired young priestess Ai Fan Ye opened the door from inside, then immediately widened her eyes: “Sir! You’re finally here!”
The girl quickly stepped aside to let Mo Tan into the room, then, somewhat nervously, turned and bowed to him, whispering, “I thought you wouldn’t come to find us.”
Little Ai was still wearing her somewhat old priestess robe, her tired little face showing a hint of reserved joy. Completely different from when Mo Tan first met her, this seemingly delicate apprentice priestess had clearly matured a lot. The demise of the Warm Sun Squad and Dave's betrayal had made this girl grow up significantly in a short time, and after a few days, the lingering confusion and naivety in her demeanor had almost completely faded...
“In most cases, my promises are quite trustworthy.” Mo Tan casually sat on a chair in the corner of the room, glancing at the somewhat nervous Little Ai beside him: “It seems you’ve thought a lot of things through these past few days~”
The girl nodded gently: “Mhm, rather than saying I’ve thought them through, it’s more like I’ve accepted them... Before, it always felt a bit unreal, but now it’s fine. When I get sad sometimes, Cordova also comforts me.”
“Very good.” Mo Tan raised an eyebrow: “I’ll give you one more chance. If you leave now and return to Pato City, you can still live a peaceful life. I imagine that rekindled couple wouldn’t mind taking care of you...”
Little Ai paused for a moment, then shook her head firmly: “I still want to follow you. As I said before, this life, which should have been lost, was given by you, and everyone’s revenge was achieved because of you. I am willing to follow you forever.”
“Oh~” Mo Tan whistled: “When making such a solemn vow in a sober state, shouldn’t you expose your chest?”
“Uh?!” Little Ai was clearly stunned, and then...
【System Warning: You are suspected of intentionally inducing a female NPC to engage in extreme impulsive behavior. Please maintain a proper gaming attitude.】
Then the system notification sounded.
“Tsk tsk, so that’s how it is~” Mo Tan pouted, muttering in a voice only he could hear: “Someone like Ya Ya could even pounce on me and lick my face without issue, because she subjectively wants to do that, but...”
Mo Tan waved his hand at the bewildered Little Ai. He never intended for the girl to actually expose her chest or anything; his earlier remark was less about flirting and more about a sudden whim to tease the system~
The system, however, was very serious...
【So, the key to judging sexual harassment still depends on subjectivity. Fan Ye clearly doesn't want to expose her chest, and although I might influence her choice, it could still constitute harassment. Hmm, I wonder to what extent one can go if an NPC is willing. Should I try to fall in love with a bearded dwarf girl...】
Mo Tan carefully considered this matter, which was of no use to him at the moment, and ultimately decided to abandon the terrifying idea of falling in love with a dwarf lady...
“Just kidding~” He stretched lazily, then casually asked, “Where’s Cordova?”
“He went to the Thieves' Guild,” Little Ai said, looking at the sky outside, and smiled, “He should be back soon.”
Then, just like in a novel, the door was pushed open from the outside by Cordova~
“Sir.” The young Thief brought his index and middle fingers together, placed them at his neck, and bowed to Mo Tan in a follower’s salute: “I’ve returned.”
Mo Tan nodded, chuckling, “I don’t recall instructing you to gather intelligence or anything...”
“Just some ordinary news.” Cordova, dressed in simple cloth clothes, shrugged: “Mostly about Calan City itself. I also occasionally paid attention to passing merchant caravans, and some miscellaneous rumors. Since it’s not a place I’m familiar with, I took the opportunity during my free time to inquire about some things.”
Little Ai also whispered from the side, “I also learned a bit about the church and beliefs here, though not as well as Cordova did.”
“Excellent~” Mo Tan clapped his hands softly: “You two are doing very well.”
The two young people, who were about the same age as their ‘Sir,’ both smiled. Although unspoken, Cordova and Little Ai putting in the effort to do these things was partly because they hoped Mo Tan would be more satisfied with them.
“Then let me give you two a few instructions…” Mo Tan leaned lazily back in his chair, which was tilted so only one leg touched the ground, and smiled: “First, Cordova, for now, focus on gathering intelligence about the Violet Empire to the south. If possible, try to find any clues related to slave trading. Any problems?”
Cordova shook his head: “No problem.”
“Very good.” Mo Tan then looked at Little Ai: “Fan Ye, you should still frequent the church. If you hear any news related to Evil Cultists, pay close attention, even if it’s just a general rumor. Also, occasionally try using divine magic without praying to a deity. This isn’t strictly required, just try it when you have time.”
Little Ai nodded. Although she didn't know why her Sir would ask her to try such an incredible thing, she didn't raise the slightest doubt. Many High-Rank clergy members had the ability to instantly cast low-level divine spells, though whether they prayed during the process was unknown.
“And also…” Mo Tan pondered for a moment, then asked Cordova: “During your time at the Thieves' Guild, have you heard anything about a dragon falling in the ruined capital of Ondhill in the Northwest?”
Cordova paused, then frowned and shook his head: “No, but I can go specifically inquire about it tomorrow.”
“Then that’s it.” Mo Tan nodded, then stood up and walked towards the door: “You two rest for now, I’ll come back~”
Watching Mo Tan's retreating figure, both young people involuntarily let out a long sigh. It wasn't because of the pressure their Sir exerted on them, but rather a strange sense of reassurance that came from knowing he had arrived in the city.
In Pato City, he effortlessly brought Dave, who was about to become a hero and Paladin, to his demise. With a laugh, he destroyed the Whisper Sect's years-long plan in an instant, lured the Holy Church United's High Paladin to execute the Evil Cultists leader Lang En, and then swaggered away right under the Paladin's nose, even casually burning down the Evil Cultists' stronghold that no one had ever found...
Although their Sir was full of mysteries, and he always seemed crazy and flamboyant, and despite appearing completely unreliable, he miraculously possessed a power that brought peace of mind.
The two young people, who had rarely left Pato City, exchanged a smile. The anxious and heavy atmosphere of the past few days vanished in an instant...
...
Five minutes later
North of Calan City, Central Avenue
Mo Tan stood in front of a two-story building with a lyre and a parchment scroll carved on either side. He gently plucked the harp in his arms and walked in with a smile~
The Calan City Wanderer's Inn was no different from its ‘branches’ elsewhere. The atmosphere was somewhat similar to the ‘Woodland Residence’ tavern in Pato City. Some unknown warm-toned plants were carefully decorated on the magic-crystal lamps, and the pure white walls were hung with various common musical instruments. There were also many exquisite small wooden shelves on the walls, piled with stacks of scrolls and many familiar poetry collections. There were no rows of tables and chairs like in ordinary taverns or inns, but instead, some soft cushions. As soon as Mo Tan entered, he saw several Bards, who seemed to have had too much to drink, sitting on the cushions and chatting... I mean, chatting~
“Welcome goo~”
A soft voice rang out not far away. A girl with long black hair quickly trotted to the door, flashing Mo Tan a smile with nine plus signs of sweetness: “Hello, customer goo~”
“You’ve worked hard.” Mo Tan stared at the young girl for a while before sighing leisurely, “The job requirements here are quite high.”
The girl was wearing an outfit that looked like a modified maid's dress, holding a tray in her left hand and a rag in her right, with a stack of plates on her head and two glass cups on her slender shoulder. Yet, she miraculously maintained her balance and shook her head with a smile: “It’s not hard goo~ Do you want to eat or stay, customer goo?”
“Neither~” Mo Tan shook his head.
“Oh, then roll away goo~”
Chapter 81: End
