Chapter 128: Ten... Eighteen? Adult?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Ten... Eighteen? Adult?
Aodu Empire, Lightless Outpost.
This border fortress city, situated at the empire's westernmost edge and facing Heavenly Mountain, felt somewhat desolate at the moment.
Atop the towering city walls, the muzzles of the alchemy magitech cannons glinted with a cold, metallic luster. The footsteps of the patrolling soldiers were rhythmic and heavy, and the air was thick with a palpable, hair-trigger tension.
Xie Bai was currently sitting in the corner of a street-side teahouse that was still open, accompanied by the two little ones.
She closed the forum interface she had just finished browsing and took a small sip of the scalding honey-fruit tea. Her expression was a bit complicated.
She had already finished watching the video Maomao had posted, and the content was quite straightforward.
A cat avatar wearing a hat announced in the video that the Aodu Empire would restart its long-dormant Expedition Plan, allowing the edge of the Sword of Expedition to descend upon the entire continent once more.
Heavenly Mountain, which stood at the center of the continent as the holy land of the Holy Church, would be the first nail that had to be pulled during this grand undertaking.
Once this location was conquered, the Empire's fleets and legions could drive straight in, sweeping across the Western Continent before turning south.
As an ally, the Northern Empire would dispatch high-end combatants, including Demigod-level powerhouses, to coordinate the operation.
However, the information that caught the players' eyes the most—and the part that surprised Xie Bai the most—wasn't any of that.
The end of the video explicitly stated that the Wheel of Fate, regarded by the player base as a hidden top-tier faction, would also be providing support from the shadows.
Furthermore, they would be observing players who performed exceptionally well during the event, offering opportunities to join the organization based on their contribution points.
"Wait... how come I didn't know about this?"
Xie Bai set down her teacup and lightly pressed her fingers against her temples.
Then, she remembered that she had indeed sent a mental message to Thanatos telling him not to disturb her unless it was important.
Her intention had been to enjoy this leisurely time with the two little ones without being bothered by trivial matters.
Could it be because of that message that Thanatos and the others hadn't notified her about the Expedition Plan?
"But how is this a 'trivial matter'?"
Xie Bai nearly facepalmed.
"They're talking about sweeping across the world, and yet in their eyes, this is still just a minor detail not worth mentioning?"
Xie Bai then used her shadow as a link to briefly question Thanatos.
The answer she received was no different from the content of the video.
"Come to think of it, was this part of that Reborn One's plan too?"
Because Taro Ball's memories of his past life were quite limited in perspective, Xie Bai hadn't actually gained much useful information from him; most of it was just his own personal schemes.
Regarding much of the information Xie Bai wanted to focus on, Taro Ball had, at most, a superficial understanding.
Faced with this sudden Expedition Plan, Xie Bai didn't press the matter further.
Since Thanatos and the others had made this judgment and already begun to act, it meant they had considerable confidence and a solid plan.
In their eyes, this truly was just a localized operation within a controllable range that didn't require her personal oversight.
Besides, she happened to be at the Lightless Outpost right now, just a stone's throw away from Heavenly Mountain.
If any unexpected variables truly did arise, she would have enough time to react.
It was just... did they know she was actually here?
"Forget it, I'll just let nature take its course."
Xie Bai shook her head, temporarily pushing the complicated thoughts aside.
The priority right now was to find a place to get some proper rest.
Ever since her brief nap in the workshop, the desire for a comfortable sleep had been quietly coiling around her heart like a vine, becoming increasingly vivid.
Right now, she needed a quiet, warm, and soft bed to completely relax her tense nerves and body.
"Gamie, Little Gamie, let's go find a place to rest."
Xie Bai stood up and called out to the two little ones, who were leaning against the window and peering toward Heavenly Mountain.
"Okay~"
Although the two little ones didn't feel a hint of fatigue, they naturally agreed to Xie Bai's request.
As one of the Empire's most important border fortresses, the urban functions of the Lightless Outpost were highly militarized. Entertainment facilities were scarce, and the overall atmosphere was solemn and oppressive.
However, during times of peace, it had also served as a unique tourist spot for adventurers and travelers coming to admire Heavenly Mountain and experience the frontier atmosphere.
Therefore, basic facilities like inns and taverns still existed.
It was just that now, under the shadow of war, these places seemed exceptionally quiet.
Aside from a few soldiers stationed here, one could only see a group of players who had been lured here wandering about.
Passing through the somewhat deserted streets, Xie Bai quickly found an inn that looked reasonably clean and tidy.
As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, a wave of warmth rushed over her, dispelling the chill from outside.
Standing at the front desk was a capable and sharp-looking young woman in a simple military uniform, organizing a registration ledger in her hands.
"Hello, I'd like a room, please."
Xie Bai walked forward, having to stand on her tiptoes just to barely get her line of sight over the high edge of the counter.
The receptionist looked up at the sound. Her gaze started at eye level, then shifted downward in confusion, finally landing on the three petite girls standing before the counter.
She was visibly stunned.
So small... how did three girls who looked so delicate and frail pass through the layers of checkpoints to reach this frontline city in a state of combat readiness?
Had the guards at the gates all fallen asleep?
However, her professional training allowed her to quickly suppress her surprise, and a standard polite smile appeared on her face.
"Hello, young lady. Please show me your Imperial identification."
The receptionist asked Xie Bai with a smile, her professional poise quickly returning.
"Hello, young lady, if you could please show me your Imperial identification."
Imperial identification documents were identity credentials manufactured by the Royal Alchemist Association using exclusive technology, featuring multiple built-in anti-counterfeit alchemy matrices.
They were the primary means of distinguishing Imperial citizens from foreigners. In theory, only the Emperor and the Royal Chief Alchemist had the highest authority to manipulate them.
But this obviously wasn't a problem for Xie Bai.
With the authority granted by the Imperial Crown and the ability of Void power to interfere with reality, forging a few perfectly realistic IDs was a simple task.
"Here, these are for the three of us."
Xie Bai handed over three IDs that looked flawless.
The receptionist took the IDs, her gaze once again sweeping over the three girls' overly youthful and cute faces, suspicion rising in her heart again.
Even if the IDs were real, given their apparent ages, she had every reason to escort them away from this dangerous place on the grounds that "minors are not permitted in military control zones."
As a soldier stationed on the Empire's northern frontier, protecting civilians was her duty.
Especially children like these who had no way to protect themselves.
However, as she carefully checked the information on the IDs, her expression instantly froze.
"Ten... Eighteen? Adult?"
She looked at the birth date column on Xie Bai's ID in disbelief, then quickly flipped through the other two.
The ID information for Gamie and Little Gamie also showed them as adults, with the race column explicitly marked as Human.
The receptionist's first reaction was that they were forgeries.
But the faint glow of the alchemy lines her fingertips touched, as well as the unique magical resonance of the ID material, all told her clearly that these IDs were genuine Imperial official products, and their anti-counterfeit grade was quite high.
While powerful individuals in this world generally had long lifespans and could maintain their current appearance...
She had never seen a normal human powerhouse who could maintain their appearance as a child!
Could this be one of those legendary special constitutions that humans had a chance of obtaining?
"Big sister, is there a problem?"
Xie Bai tilted her small face up, her crimson eyes blinking with a perfectly timed hint of confusion.