The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

　Dan Heng caught the key information and frowned slightly.

　"you do not say!"

　Sambo jumped off the box, took a few steps closer, and lowered his voice, "Come on, this isn't the place to talk, come with me."

　He furtively looked around, leading the still suspicious trio through several more secluded tunnels filled with abandoned mining machinery, and stopped in a relatively hidden corner.

　"To make a long story short,"

　Sambo dropped his nonchalant demeanor and became unusually serious. "Here's the situation: you, visitors from outer space, were immediately placed on the planet by our great Great Guardian of Beloberg, Lord Cocolia, who personally ordered you to be listed as the highest-level dangerous individuals and wanted throughout the entire planet."

　“If the Silvermane Iron Guards see you, killing them without mercy might be a bit much, but capturing them and throwing them into the Forbidden Iron Prison to serve their lives is definitely the case.”

　"Why?!"

　March 7th exclaimed incredulously, "We didn't do anything! We didn't even rummage through a trash can!"

　(Xing nodded subconsciously in agreement)

　"That's the most outrageous part!"

　Sambo spread his hands, looking even more wronged than them. "I, old Sambo, have been in the underworld for so many years, cheating and swindling... ah, no, I mean doing business, at least I have a reason for it."

　"This arrest warrant you issued is utterly absurd and unreasonable! I'm speaking out for you!"

　Dan Heng's gaze was as cold as a knife. He slightly raised the Strike Cloud in his hand, the tip of the spear once again precisely pressed against Sang Bo's throat: "Your words are hard to believe. How could the Great Guardian know of our arrival in an instant? And how can you be sure this isn't a lie you fabricated for some purpose?"

　Sambo shrank back in fright and quickly waved his hands: "Hey, hey, hey! Dude! Calm down! Guns have no eyes! Although I, Sambokoski, am sometimes... uh... flexible in business, why would I make up such an easily exposed lie? To make myself uncomfortable?"

　He carefully tried to push the gun tip away with his fingers. "Go take a look at the entrance to the upper area. It must be plastered with your three handsome photos now, and they're quite lifelike... Of course, the bounty is also frighteningly high."

　"Then you ran faster than anyone else back then!"

　March 7th immediately exposed their weakness: "They dumped us on those Iron Guards!"

　"I call that a strategic retreat! Calling for reinforcements! Finding props!"

　Sambo protested, "Otherwise, where do you think that hypnotic gas came from? Was it blown in by the wind? If I hadn't run away, we'd be in prison right now!"

　He sighed, his expression turning pained: "Speaking of which, it's me, old Sangbo, who suffered the biggest loss, okay? Before, although I was also a wanted criminal, the crime was at most illegal trafficking of cultural relics. If I was caught, I would pay a fine, bribe some officials, and be released after a year or two in jail."

　"it's good now!"

　He counted on his fingers, “'Agent who attacked the garrison commander,' 'Lackey who assisted the extraterrestrials,' 'Traitor to Beloberg,' 'Ambitious man who overthrew the Beloberg regime'... Good heavens, each charge is more frightening than the last!”

　"He's gone from petty thieves to the ringleader of a rebel! If he gets caught this time, ten old Sambos wouldn't be enough to put him to death! My business channels in the upper district are all gone! My reputation... though it wasn't much before... is completely bankrupt! The price I paid to save you guys was too high!"

　Hearing Sangbo's tearful accusations, March 7's anger subsided somewhat, replaced by a hint of embarrassment: "Okay...it seems so...well...thank you?"

　Dan Heng remained silent for a moment, then slowly withdrew his attack. Although Sang Bo's words were still difficult to verify, the part about the wanted poster was logically difficult to fabricate out of thin air, and the price he paid seemed all too real.

　"So, we absolutely cannot enter the upper area at this time?"

　"absolute?"

　Sambo stroked his chin, his eyes darting around. "It's not that absolute. Old Sambo, when I'm out in the world, I rely on my 'flexibility'."

　"Disguise, substitution, feints... there's always a way to overcome difficulties! As long as there's money... uh, as long as you guys need it, I, Old Sambo, can still find a way to get you up there."

　"Of course, it will cost more... oh no, I mean we need to be extra careful and keep a low profile."

　"Can you still disguise yourself?"

　My curiosity about March 7th was piqued again.

　"I know a little, I know a little~"

　Sambo puffed out her chest smugly. "As a successful... former successful businesswoman, it's normal to have extra skills for self-defense. Otherwise, where do you think I got all this information from?"

　Danheng interrupted his boasting: "Our primary objective is not to enter the upper zone. We are here to find and seal the source of the calamity that caused the freezing and rifting of Yalilo-VI—the Star Core."

　"The harsh environment here, the rifts, and the monsters are all related to it. Sambo, by helping us, you are also helping your planet. Is there any news about 'stellar cores' or similar anomalous energy sources in the lower regions?"

　"Star...core?"

　Sambo scratched his blue hair, looking bewildered. "The name sounds intimidating, but I've never actually heard of it. The lower districts are well-informed, but it's mostly about who has a few extra loaves of bread, or where a small mineral vein has been discovered..."

　Seeing the "what use are you?" looks from the three (especially Xing), Sangbo immediately changed the subject: "However! Just because I don't know doesn't mean nobody knows!"

　"The lower level is full of hidden talents, there are always a few old-timers... uh, senior figures, who know some strange and unusual things."

　"Speak the key."

　Danheng reminded him.

　"Mechanical settlement!"

　Sambo slapped his thigh. "The boss there is Schwarzlo! He's a robot who's been down there for hundreds of years! He has who knows how many ancient stories he knows."

　"If even he doesn't know what a star core is, then probably no one in this lower region knows."

　"The robot leader?"

　Dan Heng pondered for a moment, "It sounds like an automaton unit."

　"Yes, yes, yes! It's one of those metal lumps!"

　Sambo nodded repeatedly. "How about it? Should I, old Sambo, take you guys to try your luck?"

　"Although that guy has a very strange temper and is difficult to communicate with, I'm confident I can persuade him, Old Sambo..."

　"lead the way."

　Dan Heng's words were concise and to the point.

　"Okay! Leave it to me!"

　Sambo readily agreed, then a smile spread across his face. "However... the journey to the Mechanical Settlement is quite long, and that place is dirt poor, with nothing good to eat or drink."

　"Look, you've all slept for two days now, your stomachs must be rumbling by now, right? How about I, Old Sangbo, treat you three to some of the local delicacies of Panyan Town? It'll be a good way to deepen our 'temporary friendship'?"

　"Who said you're friends with me!"

　March 7th complained, but her stomach betrayed her with a growl, making her blush instantly.

　Sambo chuckled: "Girl, look at you, talking so formally! We're in this together now, all in the same boat... uh, esteemed passengers! You need to be well-fed to have the energy to work, to have the energy to save the world!"

　Xing touched her empty stomach and looked at Danheng and March 7.

　Dan Heng nodded slightly, while San Yueqi whispered, "...It seems... he is a little hungry. Besides, it wouldn't be bad for him to bleed!"

　Thinking about how they could rip off this unscrupulous businessman for a meal, the three exchanged glances and instantly reached an agreement.

　"All right,"

　Dan Heng, representing the delegation, said, "Then let's eat first."

　"Yes, sir! This way, everyone!"

　Sambo beamed, as if treating everyone was some incredible honor, and enthusiastically led the way, "I guarantee the three of you will experience the most authentic, the most... uh... unforgettable Lower District flavors!"

　He led the three of them toward the bustling market in Panyan Town, filled with a complex aroma and noisy chatter.

　……

　Chapter 112 Prove the Variables to Me.

　After enjoying a meal with local flavors from the lower districts, Sambo led the train crew through a maze of mine tunnels and canyons filled with abandoned machinery.

　Finally, they arrived at a massive gate constructed of heavy metal and rough rivets—the entrance to the mechanical settlement. Two beetle-type mechs were guarding the entrance.

　"Watch closely, everyone! See how I, Old Sambo, will use my silver tongue to make these iron lumps open the door obediently!"

　Sangbo straightened his flashy jacket, cleared his throat, and, striking a familiar pose, shouted at a security camera above the gate that was flashing red light: "Hey! Dude! Open the door!"

　"It's me, your old friend Sambokosky! I've brought some distinguished guests to visit Boss Schwarzkopf! It's urgent!"

　A monotone synthesized voice blared from the loudspeaker above the gate: "Identity verified: Sanbokoski. Access history: Bad. Historical behavior: 11 fraudulent attempts, 7 illegal high-priced transactions. Risk assessment: High. Access request: Denied."

　A smile appeared on Danheng's face, Sanyue covered her mouth and chuckled secretly, while Xing turned her back and laughed loudly, mocking Sangbo.

　"Uh……"

　Sambo's smile froze. He tried to salvage the situation, "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! This is truly important business! These three are important figures from outer space! They're seeking out Boss Schwarzlo about a matter of life and death for the planet!"

　Just then, another electronic voice, which sounded... seemingly carrying a subtle emotion, rang out from a smaller, surprisingly exquisitely painted "traffic light" shaped robot next to it: "Initiating secondary identity verification and intent analysis... Encryption protocol detected... Confirmed."

　"Visitor information has matched Mr. Schwarz's list of 'special guests'. Access granted. Access to the Mechanical Settlement permitted."

　"Zi-"

　The heavy gates roared as they slowly slid open to both sides.

　The robot, named Paskin, turned to the three people, its mechanical arm making a slightly stiff but clearly intended gesture: "Distinguished guests, welcome to the Mechanical Settlement. The earlier obstruction was merely a routine procedure; please forgive our intrusion. Mr. Schwarz has been waiting for some time; please follow me."

　The three train crew members were clearly stunned by the massive transformation of the mechanical settlement, even though they had just been refusing access.

　But after Sambo simply said "visitors from outer space," the mechs of the mechanical settlement seemed to change completely, suddenly becoming extremely welcoming to them. Could it be that Sambo could control the machines to his advantage?

　This operation was so smooth and seamless that it completely stunned Sambo. He stared, mouth agape, at the open door and then at the robot that seemed to have a soul and knew how to treat guests.

　When Sambo tried to go in, he was stopped by the mechs, which was clearly not Sambo's doing.

　Sangbo received a mix of "Is that all?" and "Are you even capable?" stares from Xing, March 7, and Danheng, and his face immediately burned with embarrassment.

　"Mr. Sambokoski, you are not on the visitor list. Please do not force your way in. Please cooperate with us. Thank you."

　"Wait... dude, when did your program become so intelligent?"

　Sambo moved closer to Paskin, looking him up and down. He could sense that outside the cold core of these creations was an exceptionally warm and powerful life energy—the Power of Abundance.

　Who else could have pulled this off besides that passing miracle doctor? "Russell, you've really stirred up some big news..." He marveled inwardly, wondering if all the automated soldiers in the entire mechanical settlement had been brought to life.

　Just as the three were about to follow Paskin into the settlement, Sambo tried to squeeze in as well, but was blocked outside by Paskin's nimble mechanical arm.

　"Hey? Wait a minute! Me! Me too! I'm with them! My best buddies!"

　Sambo pointed at the retreating figures of the three people and hurriedly called out.

　Paskin's indicator light flashed steadily: "Reconfirmation: Sambokosky, you are not on Mr. Schwarz's guest list."

　"Historical behavior analysis shows: extremely low credit rating. Furthermore, you have sold substandard drive shafts to the settlement 11 times at prices 150% higher than the market average. Overall assessment: malicious visitor. Entry prohibited."

　"Doing business like that can't be called cheating, it's called venture capital! Besides, it was so much trouble to get that batch of goods!"

　Sambo tried to reason with them, saying, "Please be lenient! Look, they've already been put in!"

　He pointed inside.

　Xing, who had already walked some distance away, seemed to hear the noise behind her. She turned around, looked at Sangbo who was blocked outside the door, and curled up a very subtle but provocative smile. Then she turned back without hesitation.

　Paskin's mechanical voice seemed to have a hint of... smugness?

　"My logic module cannot understand your explanation. I only follow instructions and protocols. You stay outside. It's safe for everyone."

　Sambo sullenly rubbed his nose, watching the slowly closing gate, and muttered, "Fine, fine, you're the main characters, have fun..."

　He's easygoing; there's always plenty of fun to be had.

　Upon entering the mechanical settlement, the three immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from that of Rocky Town.

　Although the place is also filled with the roar of machinery and the gleam of metal, it is orderly.

　The automated soldiers bustled about, but they didn't resemble cold, impersonal tools; rather, they were more like... residents, each fulfilling their duties.

　What surprised them even more was that the few humans working here, although dressed simply, did not have the sallow and withered complexion of the miners in Rocky Town; some even had a rosy glow on their faces.

　"This place... seems to be better managed?"

　March 7th whispered to Danheng.

　Danheng glanced at the well-functioning heating pipes and the automated food distribution system and nodded: "An efficient resource allocation system. It seems that this Schwarzro does indeed have his unique skills."

　Paskin led them to a wide-open plaza in the center of the settlement. There stood a colossal mechanical construct, over three meters tall—Swarovski.

　With an almost artistic precision and patience that belies his size, he was sculpting a lifelike snowman with his enormous metal fingers. The snowman's outline vaguely resembled Clara's.

　Clara, the girl in the red dress, sat quietly on Schwarz's wide metal shoulder armor, her small hands gently resting on his head armor, watching intently.

　"Mr. Schwarz, the distinguished guest has been brought."

　The robot reported this, then walked away on its small mechanical legs.

　Schwarz stopped moving. He carefully lifted Clara off his shoulder and placed her beside him, then turned around and swept his huge red monocular eye over the three of them, emitting a deep electronic voice: "Welcome to the Mechanical Settlement, three visitors from beyond the heavens."

　Dan Heng stepped forward and cut straight to the point: "We have never met you before, Mr. Schwarz. You seem to have known we were coming? That doesn't make sense."

　"The logic is clear."