Transform into a human

Windmill City is where Yue Lai and Mo woke up. How it was originally created is lost to history, but it connects all places called "Windmill Town". No major civilization has jurisdiction over it.

As for whether the Federation is aware of the existence of this lawless land... who knows?

More than 200 years ago, after Yue Lai and Mo woke up, they asked their neighbors about their origins, but were told that they rarely had contact with others, and even the owner of the "black-hearted bakery" did not know their origins, so the matter was left unresolved.

And so they have lived on this vibrant land where everything thrives to this day. Thanks to the unique nature of Windmill City, they have made a name for themselves in the underground market for relics, and even have a reputation in some star systems that are no less than that of Mirror Flower Water Moon.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have received an invitation from Ariane.

Just as Cavendish was immersed in the awe of the new world, Yue Lai took out the pen that had been taken from the vault of the Taiyang Group. It was time for him to complete his commission.

He left the office and walked a short distance to Casti's house. Fortunately, the police did not damage the place as it was originally.

The mountain of detective novels was spotless, and the potted plants were thriving—the mayor had probably asked someone to take care of them.

Yue Lai opened the bag, spread the black rose petals he brought from Prison No. 14 on the ground, and then carefully placed the pen on top of them.

"Are you planning to keep this room indefinitely?"

A familiar voice came from behind him. Yue Lai turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a big belly leaning against the door frame. His worn-out shirt was covered with damp mud, and his white belly could be seen at the hem of the shirt.

The mayor of Windmill Town.

"Can't you leave this old man something to look forward to?"

"I thought you didn't care about the birth, aging, sickness and death of ordinary people like us."

"First of all, you're not an ordinary person. Secondly, don't talk about me like I'm a cold-blooded creature."

"But you know, if there are no heirs, the property will revert to the town."

"That's why I need to discuss it with you."

The town mayor pondered for a long time: "What about the tax revenue from the city?"

Yue Lai knew what the "taxes" he was talking about were, but that's a long story.

After the Windmill City appeared, the windmill towns that it had anchored entered a strange state: no new towns could join, and the towns that had already joined could not leave.

A small town once tried to change its name, and then the fortress heavily guarded by the Federation suddenly disappeared from reality.

This has led to a situation where land in windmill towns has become extremely valuable.

The strategic value of Windmill City is self-evident, especially for the heroes of Andromeda. It is a natural haven where they can use its connectivity to travel tens of thousands of light-years in an instant and easily escape the pursuit of a civilization.

This naturally led to many public security problems.

Therefore, in order to deal with the heroes from various star systems, the mayors established a self-governing committee in Windmill City. Each town has a corresponding seat, and if any outsider breaks the rules, the strong members of the self-governing committee will naturally teach him a lesson.

Of course, supporting the strong requires an economic foundation, and each town needs to pay a high amount of tax to the self-governing committee every year, with the main source of the tax revenue being rent.

The mayor's meaning was clear: Helena's empty house could be kept, but more money would have to be paid.

Yue Lai suddenly remembered something very important: his savings had been stolen in Langhua City, extorted by Xia Du, but he had forgotten to ask for them back...

Of course, the more important reason is that he couldn't bring himself to do it.

It's true that even a hero can be brought down by a single penny... We can't very well go and "borrow" from Yue Hao again, can we?

The mayor patted his backside: "If we really can't come up with the money... I'm sorry, I have to think about the rest of the town."

"Wait," Yue Lai suddenly listened intently, then said with a serious expression, "There's a client's voice in the wind!"

Just as the two were discussing their plans, several unexpected guests arrived in Windmill Town.

Deefu, Qiqi, and Winona arrived in town aboard a light agricultural airship. This combat songstress had suffered a lot of criticism during the turmoil at the police headquarters, mainly due to public doubts about her combat abilities, and her original persona was at risk of collapsing.

"Luo An, you should stay in this town and lay low for a while. That explorer is a good friend of your grandfather. Wait until Bai fights a few matches for you before you go out and make your move."

"Oh," Winona replied listlessly.

The character design of the battle songstress is not just for show. She has a stand named "White," who also follows the path of a rebellious child and is specifically responsible for fighting and killing.

"Speaking of Mo and that Yue... what was Yue again? Yue Lai? Don't they run a lost history research agency in Esfri? I think it's called Windmill Town Lost History Research Agency?"

In just a few days, Winona and Moe developed a good friendship. The battle songstress not only did not pursue the elf lady's infringement, but even allowed her to continue to use her face to swindle and deceive.

Anyway, Qiqi and Diefu couldn't understand this old lady's thought process.

"It can't be them. Although the name 'Windmill Town' is unique, there are several places called Esfri." Deefer obviously knew something. She shook her head. "Back then, the old patriarch was forced to stay in the Relic Town to complete the promotion ceremony for a Grand Duke. When he was seriously injured, it was that adventurer who saved him."

"The Relic Town!" Winona exclaimed in a low voice, she had never imagined that her grandfather had such a thrilling experience.

The Relic Town is not a town, but a polluted planet filled with out-of-control evil relics, including remnants of ancient gods. Even a great lord would face a near-death experience if he went in.

That adventurer who could rescue Winona's grandfather must at least be a great lord; no wonder Heimdall Loan entrusted him with such an important task back then.

The three of them stepped off the aircraft. Qiqi activated the optical camouflage she carried with her and quickly searched the entire Windmill Town.

"Have we gone to the wrong place?" she wondered. "Has it moved after all these years?"

Diefu denied it without hesitation: "The coordinates given by the old patriarch are right here. He couldn't possibly be wrong."

"Given the unique characteristics of Windmill Town, I'm more inclined to believe that we just didn't find the right approach."

"It's just finding a shop, why are you bringing up methods!" Qiqi scratched her hair in frustration.

Compared to the other two, Winona seemed more like she was on a picnic, nonchalantly stating, "Then it must be missing a certain incantation!"

Qi Qi was utterly exhausted: "Little darling, please stop making a scene..."

But a rebellious son is a rebellious son; he will always do the opposite of what others ask of him. She stood before the fountain and muttered to herself:

"Gods, please answer my call and open a door for me to the Lost Heritage Search Agency!"

"You didn't even have a proper incantation..."

"Click—"

The word "have" was forced back down by Qiqi, and a door actually opened out of thin air in the open space southwest of the fountain!

Yue Lai's greasy smile appeared before the three of them:

"I heard you've been looking for me?"

"Windmill Town Heritage Discovery Office: Mission Accomplished!"

(End of Volume 1)