Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

Empress Sephiria's voice echoed clearly and calmly in the spacious viewing hall.

"Based on the abilities and value you demonstrate, and the reasons you state..."

"I can grant you exploration permission, allowing you to enter the interior of the alchemy workshop, and I will give you authorization."

Su Zhisu perked up and sat up straight.

"But please note that this is merely a 'permission'."

The Queen's gaze sharpened.

"The depths of the workshop are extremely dangerous, especially the final [Final Work]."

"It is Amadeus' final creation, and in the end you will still have to face it on your own."

"but……"

She changed the subject.

"In response to your 'friendship' and 'value,' I can offer you some additional assistance."

Su Zhisu's spirits lifted.

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"First, regarding the top-secret files on Liliana Thea and Amadeus' research, I can authorize Kyle to disclose a portion of them to you within certain limits."

"This might help you better understand the truth of what happened back then, and Liliana's possible condition."

"Secondly, the Alchemists' Guild of Hydeland might be interested in your 'Alchemy Transformation' ability."

"If you are willing to provide some technical services or knowledge exchange within a certain scope, then you will have a satisfactory reward."

"This might help you grow stronger faster, thereby increasing your resources for exploring the Alchemy Workshop."

"Finally, and most importantly—"

Queen Sephiria gazed at Su Zhixu and spoke, word by word.

"I can give you a 'witness' in the name of Queen Hydeland."

"When you face the final product and try to communicate or prove yourself, this 'testimony' might add a bit of persuasiveness to your case, or..."

"To offer a chance to save your life."

"But you need to earn the approval of the 'Final Work' in your own way. External forces cannot interfere."

Su Zhisu quickly weighed the options in her mind.

The Queen's terms were fair, even generous.

She granted the exploration legal authorization, provided intelligence support and channels for monetizing the technology, and even gave a "testimony" to save her life.

This has greatly reduced the difficulty and risk of exploration.

"These are very fair terms. I accept them."

Su Zhisu stood up and bowed slightly again.

"Thank you for your generosity and support, Your Majesty."

"Well then, it's a pleasure to cooperate, Lord Su Zhisu."

Empress Sephiria also smiled slightly, a smile that carried the wisdom of a ruler and a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

Kyle.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Kyle Crane, who had been standing by, immediately stepped forward.

"You will be responsible for liaising with Lord Su Zhisu."

"Take him to the archives and retrieve copies of the relevant files. Arrange for him to have an informal meeting with the president of the Alchemists' Guild."

"In addition, arrange a guest room in the palace area for Lord Su Zhisu to facilitate his activities in Hydeland in the near future."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Kyle respectfully accepted the order.

"Lord Su Zhisu, let's end it here for today."

The Queen turned her gaze back to the window.

At the horizon where the sea meets the sky, the last rays of sunlight are sinking into darkness, and the deep night begins to envelop the sea.

"You've come from afar, and you must be tired. Let Kyle take you to rest first. We can discuss the details tomorrow."

"I will obey Your Majesty's arrangements."

Su Zhisu bowed and took his leave.

Led by Kyle, he left the Hall of Views, walked through the quiet corridors, and exited the main building of the White Tower Palace.

The palace district was quiet and solemn at night, with magic lamps casting a soft glow on both sides of the road.

"Your Excellency Su Zhisu, please come with me. I will take you to the guest room first."

Kyle walked ahead to the side, leading the way, his tone more familiar than before.

"His Majesty values ​​you highly. To be granted permission to enter the 'Puppet's Grip' is an extremely rare occurrence in recent years."

"It seems that the 'gift' I brought and the 'value' I demonstrated have indeed impressed His Majesty."

Su Zhixu responded calmly.

"You are too modest. The Seed of Dreams is a rare and wondrous item, and its alchemical transformation ability is even more practical. His Majesty has always appreciated those who are capable of solving real problems."

Kyle smiled and lowered his voice.

"The files concerning Master Amadeus's alchemy workshop..."

"I'll retrieve it later, and I can get it to you as early as tomorrow morning."

"However, some parts may involve higher taboo secrets and require His Majesty's secondary authorization to view."

"I understand, thank you for your trouble."

"In addition, Master Maurice, the president of the Alchemists' Guild, is a... well, a rather stubborn but research-loving old-school alchemist."

"He is very interested in novel technologies, but he also values ​​tradition and rules. When communicating with him, perhaps we should focus on the angle from which we approach the discussion."

"Thanks for reminding me."

The two arrived at a relatively independent three-story stone building on the edge of the palace area.

The building has a simple exterior but is well maintained, with palace servants quietly standing guard at the entrance.

"This is the guest room prepared for you. It is fully equipped with daily necessities. If you need anything else, please let the servants know."

Kyle handed a small silver key to Su Zhisu.

"I will pick you up at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. We will go to the archives first, and then arrange a meeting with Master Morris depending on the situation."

"OK."

"Then please get some rest. I'll go and take care of the matters His Majesty has entrusted to me."

Kyle bowed and left.

Su Zhisu used the key to open the door and entered the small building.

The first floor serves as both a living room and a study, furnished in a simple and comfortable style. A fire had already been lit in the fireplace to dispel the chill of the night.

He went up to the second floor. The bedroom was spacious and clean, and from the window he could see part of the night view of the palace district and the twinkling lights of Hydeland.

He didn't rest immediately, but sat down at his desk and took out Thorne's pocket watch.

The pocket watch lay quietly under the warm indoor light, its case smooth and lustrous.

"Edgar Thorne...Amadeus Thorne..."

"Liliana Thea..."

"Amadeus's research involves the transformation of the soul and life... He wants to create eternal life, even..."

"Liliana is his assistant, Edgar is his son..."

"The pocket watch holds Edgar's soul's obsession, while the marine iguana's egg is a highly pure life-giving substance..."

"These clues pieced together..."

A vague outline gradually took shape in Su Zhisu's mind.

"Could it be that Amadeus's unfinished experiment was related to Edgar?"

"Or... does Liliana want to use Amadeus's research to complete some kind of... transformation related to Edgar?"

"And the eggs of the marine iguana are the key ingredient?"

This speculation left him with mixed feelings.

If that's the case, then the hidden mission might involve far more than just a relic of a love affair.