"You know?" the girl asked, her expression calm again.
Mo Shuying was momentarily stunned. "Someone actually wants to buy Chaldea?"
He frowned. Could it be that the plot hasn't changed, and Chaldea can't escape its destined destruction?
"Yes, a family offered a large sum to the Mage's Association to buy Chaldea, but they didn't succeed," Aion confirmed with a nod.
"Why not?"
"Because Chaldea hasn't sent any information in a long time, and the situation is unclear. After all, you all disappeared for two years. While the higher-ups at the Mage's Association suspect Chaldea is working to save Humanity's History, to them, it's not a major concern. What interests them is Chaldea's technology for traversing time and space and entering Singularities. As Chaldea's owner, the Mage's Association has the right to determine its ownership. That family offered a very tempting price, but it didn't go through because the higher-ups currently have no time to deal with Chaldea. They lack the time and personnel to ascertain Chaldea's situation. The Fairy King in London is enough to keep the Mage's Association completely occupied, so you can rest assured that the Mage's Association won't be hostile towards Chaldea for now. My purpose here was just to warn Chaldea; it would be best to prepare early. Please pass on a message for me: the Wandering Sea always welcomes Chaldea's inclusion."
With that, Aion stood up and walked away without looking back.
Mo Shuying sat there, frowning, deep in thought for a long while before finally relaying the information back to Chaldea.
Romani, receiving the message, finally connected the communication. Hearing Mo Shuying's words, he also frowned, clearly annoyed. His group risked their lives to save Humanity's History, yet they're so undervalued, treated like merchandise, and even at risk of being sold.
After a moment of contemplation, Romani spoke. "I understand. We'll investigate this. You continue your journey. I'll notify you of any new developments."
Mo Shuying nodded, then brought up something that had been bothering him. "Oh, Aion mentioned a Fairy Queen. Who is that?"
Mo Shuying indicated that he had only just emerged and was truly unfamiliar with the history of the magical world.
"Fairy Queen? I don't know, I haven't heard of one. But there are a few legendary figures with that name. We'll have to investigate to see who it is that can keep the Mage's Association so tied up." Romani noted down the name Fairy Queen, preparing to investigate it as well. He also realized that a lot must have happened during those two years of time distortion.
Mo Shuying's journey continued. Groudon flew through the air, its speed still swift.
Mo Shuying was tinkering with Groudon's weapon system. Given its name, it felt wrong not to equip it with Precipice Blades.
What are Precipice Blades? Essentially, it's the application of earth elemental power: scorching terrestrial blades rise from the ground, delivering terrifying thrusts to enemies, causing massive damage.
Having an airship wield earth power felt a bit awkward, to be honest.
Mo Shuying tried it a few times and gave up. While usable, its efficiency was too low; a simple bomb would be more direct.
If Precipice Blades weren't viable, then fire attacks were. That was no problem. Flamethrowing is simple. Just attach a flamethrower to the dragon's head, and it becomes a fire-breathing dragon in minutes.
So, a few hours later…
*"WHOOSH!"*
A crimson flame suddenly erupted from the hitherto empty sea.
Flames soared, steam billowed, and a dragon-shaped airship flashed by. The surface of the sea was left with a scattered collection of boiled fish.
Mo Shuying observed the effect. The power was decent; it should be fine for clearing out minor enemies.
"Still need some large-scale destructive weapons. Gotta think more…"
Time passed quickly. It had been over 10 hours of flight since leaving Australia. Mo Shuying had flown over many countries in between, not lingering anywhere. Now, the familiar land was visible ahead.
Huaxia, the place Mo Shuying yearned for, though he wasn't sure if this Huaxia was truly the one from his past.
Mo Shuying was very familiar with his own country's geography. Upon entering its airspace, he encountered no resistance, traveling unimpeded until he finally landed in an uninhabited area.
He jumped off the ship and stored it, a little emotional.
The place he was now standing was where he used to play after school as a child. A city was visible in the distance, very familiar, exactly as he remembered it.
"So similar… Could it really be here?"
Mo Shuying walked down the mountain and along the familiar streets. Seeing the familiar breakfast shops, baozi stalls, and dumpling restaurants along the roadside, his hands clenched involuntarily.
As he passed a barbershop, the owner, a graceful middle-aged woman, stepped out. Her eyes lit up when she saw Mo Shuying, and she spoke. "Is that Little Mo?"
"Ah? Auntie, it's me." Mo Shuying recognized the owner; he used to get his hair cut there often and knew her well.
"When did your hair get so long, child? And you seem to have gotten much stronger. It's only been half a month since I last saw you…" The owner sounded puzzled. Mo Shuying's heart skipped a beat or two. He'd been recognized! What did this mean?! It meant he existed here! This was his former world and his home!
"I…" Mo Shuying wanted to explain, but the owner suddenly had a realization.
"Oh! Is it some kind of cosplay? Oh, you young people's things, Auntie doesn't understand. This must be a wig, though, it's really well made! Must have cost a lot!" The graceful owner reached out to touch Mo Shuying's hair, but he subtly shifted his foot. Fortunately, someone called out from inside the shop.
"Ma'am! Sign me up for a membership!"
"Coming! Little Mo, Auntie's busy, so go play by yourself."
The proprietress said and then rushed inside to get to work.
Mo Shuying turned and left, his steps quickening! Like a gust of wind, he moved through the familiar streets, his Presence Concealment activated! He passed the familiar entrance to his residential complex, then the familiar stairwell, and finally, he stopped in front of his familiar apartment door.
"."
Mo Shuying was excited. He could hear breathing inside, and just as he was about to reach out and knock, he heard:
"Hello? Who is this? What? My son's been kidnapped by you?"
"Hmm?"
Someone was coming up the stairwell, seemingly on the phone, but Mo Shuying found the voice incredibly familiar!
It was his mother's voice.
Mo Shuying instantly held his breath, unconsciously activating Presence Concealment, not daring to even breathe. Soon, a woman, holding a phone and smiling, walked up the stairs.
"Oh dear~ Please don't hurt my son, he's just a child!"
The woman said, trying to suppress her laughter. Mo Shuying frowned, then realized she was dealing with a scam.
Mo Shuying chuckled. Well, well, trying to extort money from his mom? And claiming he'd been kidnapped? This scammer is incredibly unprofessional.
But there was one thing... he'd been missing for so long, and his mom wasn't worried at all?
As he pondered this, his mom reached the door and took out her key to open it. But before she could insert it, the door opened on its own, and a young man poked his head out, scratching his messy hair as he said,
"Mom, I could hear your voice all the way in my bedroom. Who are you talking to so loudly?"
"."
Looking at the young man who looked nine-tenths like him, Mo Shuying was utterly bewildered.
(Updates will be affected by a business trip.)
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 777+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------