Chapter 1460: Chapter 1458: Holy Ring
A secluded office inside the Secret Museum.
Clack, clack~ The sound of tentacles reverberated incessantly.
The desk and surrounding floor were piled high with documents. A certain young man was multitasking, rapidly processing the endless paperwork… With increasing proficiency, more tentacles emerged to assist him.
At peak efficiency, he could reach a sixteen-fold processing speed.
Amid such intense work demands, strands of hair continually slipped from the top of the young man’s head.
To ensure staff could work efficiently 24 hours a day, each office was equipped with a bed and restroom.
On the current room’s bed, a pair of black goat’s hooves casually shifted positions.
“Nicholas, do you humans just live day to day like this? It’s so dreary.”
“Work is work; I don’t have much of a choice.
Usually, knights have more free time. It’s just that our Knight Regiment is a bit unique. On regular days, everyone undertakes some investigative tasks outside the city or deals with nearby demon-related issues.
Give me just a moment—these will be sorted soon!
It’s the only option. If I finish these early and assist Captain Hugo, we can head to Mi University sooner.”
“You… really plan to become a teacher there?”
“Yes~ To a large extent, it was your interest that stirred my curiosity.
Especially the [Grand Library] you mentioned, Sally.
Didn’t you say before that achieving an Associate Professor title would grant access to the hidden Demon Books stored in the library? There’s also plenty of other fascinating writings.
Mi University, being a special institution associated with dozens of Old Kings, must have one of the top libraries in the demon circles… The more I think about it, the more eager I am to go.”
“If you do get appointed, I’ll join you.
As a distinguished alumna and bearer of the ‘Element’ identity, I should be able to secure the status of ‘Visiting Scholar.'”
“Perfect~ I’ve never been there. If Miss Sally could guide me, it would save me quite a bit of time.”
Sally touched the goat horns on her forehead. “My only concern now is that if Pope learns about your intention to teach at Mi University, he might attempt some covert interference.”
“It won’t be a big issue. Pope is generally easygoing.
If he does intervene, it’ll only be within the framework of campus rules, increasing the difficulty level… If I fail, it’ll simply mean a lack of ability on my end.”
As they chatted, Han Dong finally completed editing the last stack of documents.
Since the conclusion of the London Game, Han Dong hadn’t experienced a proper rest (except for soaking in nutrient fluid with the Goat Mother in the heart of the Black Forest).
After finishing such high-intensity work, unprecedented fatigue swept through him, rendering him unable to override the weariness signals from his brain.
“Sally, I need to sleep for a while…”
Just as Han Dong stood up, his body slumped forward.
As his head neared collision with the ground, a series of soft, purple tentacles encircled his body, gently dragging him toward the bed…
The previously rigid wire-frame bed suddenly became abnormally soft, emitting a fragrance superior to any worldly perfume.
This sleep lasted two full days and nights.
Han Dong even had a dream, wherein he wandered endlessly in a boundless black forest, unable to locate its edges and gradually losing himself within.
Slowly, he began to cease resisting the forest, settling down and taking root.
He savored the fresh, juicy tree bark and the vibrantly colored mushrooms, merging further with the forest. He could even seamlessly bind himself to the soft tree trunks and absorb their sap directly.
Though only two days passed in reality, the dream felt like months, even years, had elapsed.
For a few minutes after waking, he struggled to re-acquaint himself with reality.
However, his spirit and body were fully replenished; even the hair lost from overwork had grown back… Meanwhile, Han Dong’s entire body was encased in clusters of sticky, sweet-smelling fluids similar to the sap secreted by dreamlike trees, capable of replenishing nourishment.
On the narrow, one-meter-wide wire-frame bed, Sally slept beside him, their bodies pressed close, with strands of material resembling a fusion of flesh and liquid adhering to their contact points.
…
Ten minutes later.
Han Dong, carrying a towering stack of documents, once again entered Captain Hugo’s office.
Walking alongside him was Sally, her face veiled in black lace, visibly shy.
“Thank you, Nicholas~ I feel a little bad asking you to start working right after your return.
There are still matters I need your help with, but Mr. Newton sent over an invitation; he hopes you’ll visit [Sacred Ring].
I’d recommend going as soon as possible.
Currently, the Steam Knights play a vital role in the Holy City’s transformation, and you seem to have technical collaborations with Mr. Newton.”
“Alright, I’ll head over now.”
Rather than facing the mountain of paperwork again, Han Dong preferred to meet Mr. Newton.
Moreover,
Han Dong held a growing interest in [Sacred Ring], the paramount structure atop the Holy City’s political hierarchy… and had an ongoing technical collaboration agreement with Mr. Newton.
…
[Sacred Ring]
Nestled within the “Steam Pillar,” this specialized architectural structure originally served as the primary activity zone for the Steam Knights Corps – Mechanical God Sect. Today, it has become a center of power and a key venue for the deliberation of vital political policies.
Using Mr. Newton’s letter, Han Dong passed through multiple levels of inspection with ease before arriving at the Sacred Ring Area once again.
Besides the core instructors garbed in the robes of the Mechanical God Sect, the area now hosted others charged with special duties—for instance, former senior council members and liaisons of various knight regiments.
“Nicholas, you’re finally here!
Captain Hugo truly doesn’t appreciate his exceptional team members. You were the greatest contributor to the Big Expedition, and yet, on your return, you’re saddled with menial tasks.
Still, your mental state far exceeds my expectations.
Our upcoming collaboration should proceed smoothly.”
A familiar voice echoed alongside heavy footsteps.
Mr. Newton, sporting his aristocratic wig, approached with a smile. While his expression was friendly, Han Dong couldn’t help but feel an unsettling discomfort.
Sally clung tightly to his arm, seeming to sense a whiff of danger emanating from this human’s interior.
“And this young lady?”
“Sally, someone I became acquainted with outside the city…”
But before Han Dong could finish introducing her, Mr. Newton flashed a welcoming smile and summoned a mechanical assistant.
“The conversation ahead will touch on technical secrets.
We’d like Miss Sally to rest in the VIP lounge, where she’ll be provided all available services.”
As Sally began to protest, Han Dong whispered gently in her ear:
“Sally, please head to the VIP lounge… Contact me immediately if anything happens. I shouldn’t take long here and will meet you shortly.”
“Alright~”
With Sally escorted away by a mechanical minion.
Mr. Newton’s heavy, sturdy arm promptly landed on Han Dong’s shoulder.
“I’ve already heard from the captain about your remarkable performance during the Expedition. Mr. Black White’s judgment is impeccable… If only you were my student, how wonderful that would be.
This meeting is about deepening our ‘technical collaboration.’
The Gold Master happens to be available today, so we can discuss previously untouchable matters.”