บท 83: Demacia: You guys deserve to die
"It's okay, you should be sleeping or practicing by now." Bai Yi glanced back, gently touching Luo Ning's head before taking her hand and walking toward the pharmacy.
Beside him, Orr's soul fire flickered beneath his hood. He couldn't help but cast his gaze toward the vanishing dragon, sensing the faint presence of undead energy.
This damn capitalist seems to have a strange affinity for the undead world. If the opportunity arises, I'll definitely remind the bone dragon to examine that damn contract more closely!
"But…"
"No buts. I can handle things outside, but only this time." Bai Yi's tone sharpened.
Luo Ning's hand was slightly cold in his, and he found himself strangely drawn to this world—perhaps it was the first time he truly started to like it.
"Well, okay… but you're still in danger," Luo Ning muttered softly. "I only know that you'll be able to return if you come back now."
"There's no room for negotiation. Come help me when you're stronger. For now, you're just an employee, and I'm your boss. Employees listen to their boss!" Bai Yi couldn't help but look back again, a familiar sensation of being watched creeping over him, as though Orr's gaze was tracking him.
Orr also felt it. The oppressive aura of the undead flared within him, his dark blue flames turning blood red. The very magic of this area trembled in response.
After a brief pause, the feeling of being spied upon slowly dissipated, and everything seemed to return to normal.
"Got it," Luo Ning said, glancing up at Bai Yi in confusion. "What's wrong, boss?"
"Nothing, let's go." Bai Yi shook his head and looked at the little girl with a puzzled frown. As they walked, the guardian ring given by the city lord suddenly warned them.
That was top-tier gold equipment—enough to make him pause. A two-minute early warning was impressive, but it was Luo Ning's abilities that truly astounded him. She was the only fortune-teller in the entire federation who could predict the Night Rose. Her foresight abilities were... almost transcendent.
"Hey, boss, have you really become the acting city lord?" Luo Ning asked, eyes sparkling.
"Hm." Bai Yi's hand tightened. Luo Ning was human, just twelve years old, which left two possibilities:
First, she could be a genius with potential surpassing the SSS level, with her talent focused entirely on foresight.
Second, she might be the reincarnation of some powerful being.
Judging by the way he was easily killed in the future, the answer was clear: She was a top talent, particularly gifted in foresight.
"Boss, will you still run a pharmacy in the future?" Luo Ning asked nervously.
Bai Yi blinked, then smiled. "Don't worry, you won't lose your job. Even if I become city lord, I'll make sure you still have a place in the City Lord's Mansion."
"That's a relief," Luo Ning sighed. She had been worried that the white plague might suddenly kill her, or that the pharmacy would shut down, leaving her with nowhere to go in the outer city. Now, with those worries gone, her steps felt lighter.
But now that she was no longer anxious, a new thought surfaced. "Boss, if you become the city lord, could you improve the outer city? People are bullied there, and many are sick and can't even afford medicine."
"No." Bai Yi interrupted firmly, his voice unyielding. "That's just the way things are in the Federation. You can't fix the suffering of the people."
"Why? Doesn't the city lord have great power?" Luo Ning frowned, clearly confused.
When they had been bullied in the outer city, many had cursed the capitalists, the city lord, and the law enforcement. Now, in the inner city, the prosperity seemed like a different world. She couldn't understand why the people outside had to suffer while those inside enjoyed a lavish life.
Bai Yi thought for a moment before asking, "Did anyone bully you when you were in school?"
"No!" Luo Ning shook her head immediately. "At school, there are wizards and law enforcement uncles. The bullies are very well-behaved there."
"So what did you learn in school?" Bai Yi smiled.
"Mostly common characters, the writing systems of different races, the strengths and weaknesses of different professions, and basic knowledge like fighting," Luo Ning explained seriously.
"See? Didn't I tell you? As long as you study hard and show some talent, you won't get bullied."
"But…"
"No buts. You'll understand when you grow up. How about I take you to the entertainment district?"
"The entertainment district? The casinos and taverns?"
"No, you'll understand when we get there. Al, go back."
Bai Yi led Luo Ning to buy some supplies. Her sudden involvement with the Night Rose was dangerous, and Bai Yi couldn't allow that. To protect her, he gave her a gold-level protective scroll, knowing that she might be in danger soon.
Originally, he had considered giving her the scroll the city lord gave him, but he couldn't risk it. Instead, he bought two mid-level gold scrolls—one for protection and the other for fixed-point space teleportation. The designated point was the City Lord's Mansion. Once the protection scroll was activated, the teleportation scroll would automatically trigger, whisking her to safety.
Combined with the vast amount of divination knowledge he had acquired from the Hall of Knowledge, the plan should be foolproof, right?
After all, Luo Ning's foresight was unparalleled. In her previous life, before she revealed her ability to foresee the Night Rose, the Federation hadn't even realized someone like her existed. It was a shame she fell so quickly, especially when external enemies surrounded the country and internal strife tore it apart. The old swordsman fought to the very end, but he was outmatched.
Lying on the small bed in the corner of the lab, staring up at the steel ceiling, Bai Yi thought of Luo Ning. His mind, weary from lack of rest, slowly drifted off to sleep.
It had been over a month since he last slept. Though he didn't technically need sleep due to his current mental strength, the exhaustion of his tasks had caught up with him. Tonight would be a sleepless night for many, as the spread of the Alchemy Magic Network and the rise of the Night Rose loomed large in the Federation's consciousness.
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