Night Journey

Chapter 60 The Mystery of the Boiling Sword
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the gray fog, the city of Hull finally witnessed the end of the Tidal Night.

Outside the high wall, the wilderness was in ruins. Under the devouring of the worms, huge pits appeared out of nowhere, and even the high wall itself suffered some damage.

A large number of wounded were sent to the hospital, and many others disappeared completely in the Night of the Tide. No one knows whether they were devoured by demons or fell into the spirit world with the Devourers.

"Cillian, you're alive!"

Anya looked at Ciri in disbelief.

He plunged into the darkness, and then the wriggler emerged from the spirit world.

In that desperate situation, Anya thought Cirion was dead.

Anya exclaimed, "How is this possible..."

"Nothing is impossible."

Dailin patted Anya on the shoulder and said in a very low voice, "Don't forget, he's a secret agent from the Holy City of the Sun."

Cillian's successful survival undoubtedly fueled Dalyn's self-delusion.

"Near miss."

Upon seeing that the two were still alive, Cillian smiled sincerely.

Just as I was about to step forward and explain what had happened, another figure cut in between them, standing like an impenetrable wall.

Upon seeing who it was, Dailin and Anya's expressions instantly turned serious.

“Oh, I remember you two,” Rolf said with a smile. “You’re Dalyn, and this is Anya. I’m sure I’m right.”

“It’s us, Chief.” Dalin saluted Rolf. “We met once before at the City Guard Bureau. I didn’t expect you to remember us.”

“We craftsmen have always had excellent memories,” Rolf pointed to his head, “after all, we have to remember a lot of design blueprints.”

"According to the City Guard Bureau's procedures, you will now have to go back and report, undergo testing for the chaotic contamination, and write a lengthy report recounting what happened last night..."

Rolf put his hand on Cillian's shoulder. "Please tell Decal that I've borrowed Cillian for a morning."

He didn't explain what he was going to do, nor did he need to. Dailin and Anya had no right to ask or refuse.

Cillian wasn't sure if Rolf had gleaned anything from the Boiling Sword, or if he simply wanted to express his gratitude for Rolf's help.

But no matter how he guessed, Cillian could only obediently follow along.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, Dai Lin sighed deeply.

Anya asked, "What's wrong?"

Dailin countered, "Anya, which force do you think controls Hel City?"

"What a stupid question. It's obviously the city-state council."

Daelin continued, "Then who controls the city-state council?"

Anya was about to reply when she suddenly remembered something and fell silent.

Dalin spoke her unspoken words: "Decades ago, as that mobile fortress rose into reality, the Academy of All Machines brought new life to Hel City. Since then, Spirit Craftsmen have occupied more and more seats and their influence has grown."

"Rolf Reed is more than just the Chief Technology Officer of Hull City."

Dalin read out a series of titles, “He is also the head of the House of All Laws in Hull and one of the members of the city council.”

Anya didn't understand why this was being brought up. "So?"

"Haven't you realized it yet?"

Dalin's tone became excited, "Cillian, a young man who has only recently arrived in Hel City, has already made contact with Rolf. Perhaps... Cillian is not a spy after all."

Changing the subject, Dai Lin spoke up.

"He's more like an imperial envoy."

……

When Cillian stepped off the dedicated light rail line, he had already arrived in the inner city of Hull.

The beacon, a beacon protecting the entire city, came into view. It was magnificent and enormous, with the sounds of mechanical meshing and low humming coming from inside the building. The lingering heat from a night of burning had just ended and was mixed with the wind.

Cillian had lived in Hull for some time, but this was the first time he had been so close to the Lighthouse of Light.

The surrounding buildings are closely packed together with the Lighthouse, and the skywalks, like a spider web, connect the many buildings together, with people crawling around like ants.

A rumbling sound came from inside the building as the light rail slowly emerged.

Crowded, oppressive, suffocating.

This was Cillian's first impression of the inner city. Living here for a long time inevitably leads to feelings of depression and even negative emotions.

But for all the citizens of Hull, the inner city meant absolute security and was the goal they strived for their entire lives.

Even if they can only live on the lowest floor, in a dark and damp corner, where they never see the sun.

As the chief technology officer of Hull, Rolf's home is located at the top of a high-rise building in the inner city, with a glass dome covering the dining room, making it magnificent and resplendent.

After a night of bloody battle, neither of them rested or even changed their clothes. They were covered in blood and looked completely out of place in this elegant setting.

Rolf said sincerely, "I thank you again, Cillian. Without your help, I might have been dragged into the Spirit Realm by the Devourers." "It's nothing, just the least I could do."

Cillian glanced down at Boiling Sword, then said, "But you invited me to breakfast, there must be more to it than that, right?"

"Yes."

Rolf's candor surprised Cillian.

"With so many people around, it's inevitable that some information will leak out."

He then changed the subject, "But here, in my fortress, I can assure you that no one will overhear our conversation."

Cillian asked coldly, "If I die here, no one will know, right?"

"Haha, aren't you being a little too wary of me? We just went through life and death together not long ago."

Rolf was amused by Cillian's reaction.

A series of ticking sounds came from outside the restaurant, followed by steady footsteps. Cillian looked to the side alertly and saw a group of bronze-colored wind-up dolls walking towards them.

Their chests emitted a faint glow of primordial energy, and their intricate gears meshed and operated, gently placing steaming hot meals on the table.

"These are my wind-up servants, responsible for taking care of my daily life. Apart from that, I live here all by myself."

Rolf picked up his knife and fork, chopped up a sausage, and asked a question without warning while chewing.

"May I see your sword?"

Cillian remained silent for a moment, staring into Rolf's eyes, and placed the still-blood-stained Boiling Sword directly on the dining table.

Rolf did not immediately take the Boiling Sword, but instead asked a question.

Why did you let your guard down again?

Cillian picked up his knife and fork and said slowly, "With your rank and power, if you have any ill intentions towards me, I can't resist no matter what I do. I might as well eat something first."

"I've been wielding my sword all night, and now I'm starving."

After saying that, Cillian began to eat and stuff himself without any hesitation.

Rolf paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"You're quite an interesting kid."

As Rolf spoke, he stood up respectfully, picked up the Boiling Sword with both hands, took a napkin, and carefully wiped the bloodstains from the blade.

His gaze was deep and captivating, as if he were looking at the woman he loved.

During the meal, Cillian said, "Let me make this clear first, I will neither give away nor sell this sword."

What if I take it by force?

Rolf asked without looking up.

"Then you can have it."

Cillian put down his knife and fork, adopting an indifferent attitude, "Anyway, I can't kill you right now."

"I thought you would fight me to the death."

“Fight to the death with you? That would be too stupid,” Cillian shook his head and said calmly, “I’ll give you the sword, and run away from here like a mouse with your tail between your legs.”

“I could even leave Hel City that very day, but when I become stronger than you, I will return here, kill you, burn all of this to the ground, and take my sword from your corpse.”

Rolf maintained his smile, "Intrigues and schemes lose their effectiveness once spoken."

Cillian retorted, "But you're not planning to take my sword either, are you?"

"Haha."

Rolf observed the emblems on both sides of the sword hilt.

"The last time I saw Boiling Sword was almost a hundred years ago. At that time, I was an apprentice living in the Forging Court with my master."

His eyes were full of nostalgia, and he said in a deep voice, "I was fortunate enough to enter my teacher's collection room, where the Boiling Sword was placed in the very center and on the highest display case."

Rolf looked into Cillian's eyes and said solemnly.

"Where did you get this Boiling Sword?"

Cillian met his gaze without flinching. "It comes from my teacher; it's a keepsake he left me."

Then, Cillian asked, "Unfortunately, my teacher died in an accident before he could tell me more about this sword. Do you know anything about it?"

Rolf remained silent, narrowing his eyes, sometimes glancing at Cillian, sometimes looking at Boiling Sword. After a long while, he finally spoke slowly.

"About the Boiling Sword? Of course I know. The so-called Boiling Sword comes from the Myriad Machines Law Academy."

Rolf paused, then explained further.

"Created by Tiangong Ironworks itself."

(End of this chapter)