Chapter 320: The City Lord and the Dream Demon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 320: The City Lord and the Dream Demon
"Is that all? Is there nothing else?"
Tan Han shifted her posture, sitting up straight as her gaze locked onto the Ninglan New City official holding a stack of documents.
"I am truly sorry, miss. This is all the intelligence the City Lord has authorized me to share with you. Please do not doubt his Excellency's sincerity. The Nightmares and the Dream Demons are equally massive threats to Ninglan New City; the City Lord wishes to see them expelled as quickly as possible."
"Fine, save the platitudes. Can I meet with the City Lord himself? If I can't see him, I find it hard to believe in Ninglan New City's sincerity. Don't forget the price we paid to help you drive out that Dream Demon before!" Tan Han spoke with a sharp, forceful edge to her voice.
"Calm yourself! Miss, please, stay calm. I understand your grief over losing a companion, but the City Lord is exhausted by city affairs and simply has no time to attend to everyone. Please forgive us. The fact that his Excellency specifically sent me to receive you all already demonstrates the importance Ninglan New City places on this matter."
Tan Han was naturally dissatisfied with the intelligence she had received. Aside from the last time she had forced her way in to find the City Lord and learned some basic information, she had gained very little. After all, he was a City Lord, not an official specialized in intelligence gathering, so most of what he shared was merely a general overview.
Now, she couldn't even get a meeting. Every time she came, it was the same; the information they provided was like squeezing toothpaste from a tube—frustratingly slow and minimal.
"Sigh..."
Ultimately, Tan Han sighed and stood up.
"Is Miss Tan Han preparing to leave? Allow me to see you out." The official rose as well. He was a professional at stonewalling and haggling; after spending his days dealing with all sorts of eccentric Outsiders, this Tan Han was one of the few he could actually communicate with normally. If he could, he would have liked to help her, but he had no choice—he was just following orders.
In matters like this, he couldn't afford even a hint of personal bias.
They stepped out of the reception room and into the long corridor.
"There's no need to see me further."
"It’s no trouble at all. It’s on my way."
Tan Han didn't argue further and followed silently. As they walked, an artistic ornament decorating one side of the corridor suddenly fell to the floor, the loud crash echoing through the hall.
"My apologies. It seems this place needs some maintenance." The official looked slightly embarrassed as he went to move the ornament to the side.
In that moment, Tan Han moved her hand behind her back. A tiny mouse dropped silently from her palm to the floor, quickly vanishing into the shadows of the corridor.
"It’s fine. But... you really should consider a thorough renovation of this place."
In the end, the two parted ways at Ninglan Township Castle as if nothing had happened, each returning to their own business.
However, Tan Han did not go far. She moved to a secluded spot that was still very close to the castle.
The mouse from earlier was a summoning spell Tan Han had cast. Unfortunately, it was just a very ordinary mouse.
But when combined with other spells, it became an excellent tool.
"Visual Sharing. Body Control," Tan Han whispered, activating her magic.
Inside Ninglan Township Castle, the mouse—which had crawled into a hidden corner—suddenly had its eyes glow red. A spark of intelligence filled its dull, tiny eyes, and its nimble body momentarily stiffened.
Then, the mouse began to move forward with a strange, purposeful gait. Its target: the City Lord’s location.
Strange... he’s not in his office... how is that possible? Observing the busy scene of officials through the mouse's eyes, Tan Han didn't act recklessly. Although there might be information or documents here she didn't know about, a summoned mouse appearing in this room would likely be killed instantly.
Besides... she wasn't doing this just for documents. More importantly, she was here to complete a deal.
Before long, Tan Han maneuvered the mouse through the castle, eventually hearing voices coming from the City Lord’s bedroom.
Why is he in there? Tan Han muttered to herself, though she didn't suspect anything yet.
She merely grumbled inwardly about this supposedly "busy" City Lord...
The security in Ninglan Township Castle was unexpectedly tight. Since she didn't want to fall out with Ninglan New City just yet, Tan Han had to ensure her little tricks remained undetected.
But this was the convenience of being a Caster; they had far too many ways to easily obtain what they wanted. However, Tan Han realized she had still slightly underestimated this City Lord.
The locals knew they couldn't handle the Outsiders' tendency to ignore everyone. Since their soldiers couldn't stop them, they hired other Outsiders to do it.
Tan Han spotted the figures of other Outsiders within the castle. She didn't know what kind of benefits the City Lord had promised them.
Most likely, it involved intelligence.
When Outsiders and the people of this world could not interact on a material level, information and intelligence became the only trading currency between them.
It made sense why they guarded their intelligence so fiercely; they likely hoped to use their early information advantage to seize the initiative in this crisis.
However, even if they were Outsiders, those who could be so easily ordered around were naturally unable to stop Tan Han’s progress.
Inside the City Lord’s bedroom:
"Can't take it already? We Dream Demons haven't even shown our signature skills yet. It won't do to surrender this early~"
"Well? We Dream Demons are much more capable than those Outsiders, aren't we? They’re just useless trash. Instead of waiting for those guys to help you clear out the Nightmares, you’d be better off letting us help you. All you have to pay is a tiny price—and it’s not even a price you have to pay yourself. Those lowly commoners will suffice."
"Think about it. Letting those ordinary commoners shine at the very end can be considered their contribution to Ninglan New City. Link the Nightmare attacks to death, and you, the City Lord, will become the sole savior. Wouldn't that be better for your rule? I can even... help you get rid of those people you find eyesores."
"No... let me think about it more..." the City Lord spoke, his voice thick with exhaustion.
"Still thinking? You’ve been thinking for a long time. You already have the answer in your heart, so why hesitate?"
"If only your decisiveness were as solid as your muscles. The events in Ninglan New City have already drained your strength. The low point of the external Energy Tide has passed~ It won't be long before the next tide hits."
"When that happens, the pressure on Ninglan New City will only grow... what do you think?"
"I..."
"Oh my~ how careless." Before Ninglan Qiuyun could speak, the Dream Demon suddenly sat up, her curvaceous body swaying as she climbed off the bed. "How did a little peeping mouse sneak into the City Lord’s 'most secure' bedroom?"
"Trying to run? You can't escape~ It seems we have a little mouse from the dreamscape." The Dream Demon dove into the dream, her hand grasping the air as a rapier appeared. With a single thrust, she impaled the little mouse.
"It really was just a mouse," the Dream Demon said with a smile, watching the mouse dissipate on the tip of her blade.
She turned back, smiling at the City Lord.
"Now... it seems you have no choice."
"No..."
"That mouse was a spell effect. So... do you think it was a spontaneous act by those Outsiders, or... oh, it doesn't really matter anymore, does it?"
"If you want to keep your seat as City Lord, you should know exactly what you need to do."
* * *
Outside, Tan Han’s eyes snapped open. Realizing something was wrong, she immediately used a spell to distance herself from Ninglan Township Castle.
Her scouting mouse had been killed in one hit, but before that, she had discovered something far more explosive.
That City Lord... was actually in bed with a Dream Demon!
She didn't even want to recall the image; it was a total eyesore.
But this also signaled that the worst-case scenario had already occurred.
Knowing what kind of entities Dream Demons were, Tan Han had already been wary.
But whether it was the Outsiders from the Transcendent Academy or the Dream Demons, to the City Lord of this world, they were all outsiders. It wasn't about friendship; it was only about interests.
Even if those Dream Demons had caused great destruction to Ninglan New City, they could also expel—or rather, consume—the Nightmares. There was no doubt about that; they were likely far more efficient than the Outsiders from the Transcendent Academy.
This City Lord... actually plans to sacrifice ordinary people to establish a high-pressure regime... Tan Han understood. Nightmares couldn't kill people, but if the City Lord collaborated with the Dream Demons, the deaths caused by the demons' consumption of Soul Essence could be blamed on the Nightmares. The City Lord, by working with the Dream Demons, would become the only one capable of "solving" the Nightmare problem. Even if the commoners wanted to resist, they wouldn't have the strength—unless they wanted to live under the constant threat of death from the Nightmares.
Once that situation was established, the Outsiders would be at a total disadvantage.
Furthermore, to maintain this long-term cooperation, the Dream Demons would never completely eliminate the Nightmares. That meant the Outsiders would never be able to return home.
It was a death loop.
If things reached that point, the Outsiders wouldn't even have bargaining chips. They were threats themselves, or even potential food for the Dream Demons. Why would the demons be kind enough to let them go?
After reaching a safe location, Tan Han thought it over and followed her memory to a roadside cafe.
"What can I get for you, guest?" the shopkeeper asked warmly.
"A cup of Star-Moon Coffee," Tan Han said, her eyes instinctively glancing at the menu behind the counter. That coffee wasn't listed.
"Is it Miss Tan Han? It’s an honor," the shopkeeper whispered a greeting. "Do you have any other requirements?"
"Help me contact Ninglan Qiuyue. Give her my name. Thank you," Tan Han said.
This was Tan Han’s method of contacting Ninglan Qiuyue. Since Tan Han couldn't use the communication devices within Ninglan New City, she had to use specific locations to reach her.
This action wasn't just her personal whim; it was a prerequisite for her cooperation with the girl, Ninglan Qiuyue.
Tan Han had encountered the girl before, but later, Qiuyue had taken the initiative to find her, leading to their current partnership.
Since there had been no breakthrough in obtaining intelligence from the City Lord, getting information from this girl was another path. After all, she was the City Lord’s daughter.
In truth, compared to this daughter who wasn't valued by the City Lord, Tan Han would have preferred to contact Ninglan Qiuyu. She had visited the Ninglan New City History Museum; none of the past City Lords had been female. This suggested that Ninglan Qiuyu was being groomed by Ninglan Qiuyun as the next City Lord, even if he currently seemed a bit rough around the edges.
But despite his flaws, he certainly knew more than Ninglan Qiuyue. However, he seemed to harbor a slight hostility toward Outsiders, a resentment rooted in the belief that all the calamities in Ninglan New City were linked to their arrival.
Before long, a figure walked into the cafe and was led into a private room by the enthusiastic shopkeeper.
"Hello, Miss Tan Han. We meet again. It looks like you’ve brought me good news?" Ninglan Qiuyue asked as soon as she closed the door.
"I might have to disappoint you. The news I bring might not be very 'good' for you," Tan Han said, shaking her head.
"Father... did he really..."
"It might be even worse than you think."
"What exactly happened? Please, be specific," Ninglan Qiuyue said, pulling out a chair to sit across from Tan Han.
"I know, but this is an exchange of intelligence. I’ve confirmed your suspicions, but for the specific details, I need you to provide equivalent information in return." Tan Han paused, refusing to say more.
"So... you still don't quite trust me." Tan Han’s hesitation forced Ninglan Qiuyue to calm down. She adjusted her mindset, pulling back her urgent demeanor. After all, the most important piece of information she wanted to confirm was already in hand.
"Naturally. We don't have much of a foundation for trust. Your Ninglan New City guards against us Outsiders far too obviously. I just want to obtain more of the things we ought to know," Tan Han said calmly.
"True. There’s no need to make our relationship so stiff. Previously, we only had a few brief conversations. I wonder, how much trust do you have in that girl you call Xiao Han?"
"Xiao Han? Why are you suddenly bringing her up?"
"Your reaction is quite strong. It seems she holds a significant place in your heart. Originally, we wouldn't have had much reason to interact, but Xiao Han recommended you to me. She spoke very highly of you."
"Xiao Han mentioned me to you? Where is she now? She wasn't at the Beyonder Research Association earlier."
"You really want to know? It seems we do have some common ground. Why don't we talk? Let’s try... not to treat our meeting as a mere transaction of intelligence, but as a conversation between friends. That Teacher Xiao Han... oh no, she should be Scholar Xiao Han now. She’s caused quite a stir. It’s reached a level where even I can no longer interfere."
"Fine." Tan Han nodded. She was also very curious to know what Xiao Han had done this time.
"That’s more like it. Friends should let their guard down. Let’s... start by talking about Xiao Han? I’m very curious about her. I can't see through her. Everything she does seems to be behind a veil; I can't grasp her true intent. Would you mind telling me about her?"
"I imagine... she must be a legendary figure in your world as well, right?"