Chapter 106 - 105: Clinging to a Bigshot

Chapter 106: Chapter 105: Clinging to a Bigshot

"With the loss of an entire city, does the Duchy have absolutely no intention of holding anyone accountable?" Gaode couldn’t help but ask.

In his previous life, if a city suffered such massive losses from natural disasters or man-made calamities, the local government would undoubtedly be held responsible. Now, an entire city had fallen, and the number of casualties was beyond counting. As the highest leader of the entire Bremen region, would the City Lord of Bremen truly face no punishment at all?

"Logically speaking, he should bear some punishment. After all, the signs of the Earth Vein’s rebirth had been apparent for so long. At the very least, he is guilty of negligence," Maciej said, not shying away from sharing a few secrets with Gaode. "But here’s the thing—our City Lord has incredibly strong connections.

"The wife of the current dean of the Cyrus Magic Academy comes from our City Lord’s clan, the Haines Clan." He pointed upward. "Relying on this relationship, City Lord Haines enjoys quite a few privileges. When it comes to offenses like this that could go either way, the higher-ups generally just pretend it never happened.

"Moreover, thanks to this connection, as long as the Direct Lineage descendants of the Haines Clan have decent Magic talent, they can directly enter the Cyrus Magic Academy without having to pass those notoriously strict assessments."

At this point, Maciej’s tone was brimming with envy. It seemed this was the "privilege" he cared about the most.

"Take this time, for example. Mage Frey led a team to support Bremen," Maciej continued. "And our esteemed City Lord Haines managed to pull the right strings in no time at all. When Mage Frey returns, he’ll be taking three of City Lord Haines’s children with him to study at the Cyrus Magic Academy."

Hearing the familiar name "Cyrus Magic Academy," Gaode subconsciously sat up straight.

"Miss Jelica is one thing," Maciej said. "She’s only sixteen this year, yet she already broke through to the Third-class Mage Apprentice realm three years ago. She has only remained a Third-class Mage Apprentice because she wants to ensure an Awakening of a powerful specialization during her Rising Ring. She’s spent the last few years focusing entirely on studying Magic and expanding her Magic Library.

"With Miss Jelica’s level of talent, even if she took the Cyrus Magic Academy’s formal assessment, she would have a very high chance of passing. But the other two are several years older than her, and they only just reached the Third-class Mage Apprentice realm this year.

"With the resources of the City Lord’s Mansion, even a pig could be force-fed enough Magic Potions to become a Third-class Mage Apprentice. Letting such mediocre talents enter the Cyrus Magic Academy is just a waste of resources," he muttered under his breath, curling his lip.

"Did you say Miss Jelica?" On the other side, Gaode paid no mind to Maciej’s grumbling, his eyes lighting up. He never expected that the beautiful young lady with melancholy in her eyes was actually a genius with outstanding Mage talent.

Maciej didn’t think much of it. How could he have guessed that a Wild Mage like Gaode would have crossed paths with a lady from the City Lord’s Mansion?

Assuming Gaode was merely curious, he casually elaborated, "Miss Jelica is the most exceptionally talented Mage of the Haines Clan’s current generation. It’s a pity she’s a woman, and her mother passed away from illness early on. Otherwise, it’s highly likely she would have been the next City Lord of Bremen. After her mother died, the City Lord’s numerous concubines began fighting amongst themselves, all vying for the position of official wife.

"Our City Lord is quite clever, though. He just stands by and watches, letting them scheme and battle it out in the open and in the shadows without ever officially naming a new wife."

At the mention of gossip from the City Lord’s Mansion, Maciej couldn’t help but say a few more words. Sure enough, no one disliked gossip. Gaode listened with keen interest, a flurry of thoughts turning in his mind.

After a pleasant chat that lasted about half an hour, Gaode tactfully but firmly declined Maciej’s invitation to stay for dinner, leaving his home before mealtime.

"Miss Jelica, Miss Jelica..." Walking down the street, Gaode repeated the name under his breath as various ideas flashed through his mind.

The next day, Harvest Month, the 26th.

In the morning, Gaode arrived in front of the most central and magnificent building in all of Bremen: Number 1 Deep Flow District, the City Lord’s Mansion.

As the "center of power" in Bremen, the City Lord’s Mansion was built to be towering and awe-inspiring. Its high outer walls were constructed of white stone. Every block had been carefully selected and polished, its surface gleaming with a cold, profound luster. The front doors of the mansion were made of heavy red oak, inlaid with exquisite copper nails and intricate carvings—Solid and magnificent. Above the lintel hung the golden clan crest, bearing the emblem of a bird spreading its wings in flight. Faintly, one could also see several towering spires rising from within the estate. Every single detail displayed the City Lord’s prestige.

When Gaode stopped before the intricately carved doors of the City Lord’s Mansion, a daunting sense of awe welled up within him. He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it. The one-gold-coin timepiece accurately displayed the time: just a quarter past nine. Its mechanical hands ticked slowly, as if silently urging him forward.

Guards were stationed at the mansion’s entrance. Clad in shining armor and wielding spears, they stood tall and straight like statues.

"You there, what is your business?"

Before Gaode could make a move, one of the guards on duty had already noticed him. Seeing him lingering outside the gates, the guard took a few long strides forward, as was standard procedure. His voice was loud, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Gaode smiled faintly, drew the "business card" Jelica had given him from his breast pocket, and handed it to the guard. "I am Google Ditu. I am here to visit Miss Jelica. Please announce my arrival."

The guard took the card and examined it carefully. His expression softened. "Please wait a moment. I will inform the young lady right away."

With that, he turned and walked into the City Lord’s Mansion with the card in hand. The guard’s pace was steady and swift. He knew very well that Miss Jelica held an extraordinary status within the mansion. As her guest, no matter how unassuming Gaode looked, the guard didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.

A short while later, the guard returned from the mansion, accompanied by a maid. The maid wore an exquisite lace dress and pearl hair accessories. She had delicate features and an elegant demeanor. Just by looking at her, she was virtually indistinguishable from a young lady of a wealthy family. She first offered Gaode a graceful curtsy, then said softly, "Master Google, Miss Jelica has been informed of your visit and is waiting for you. Please follow me."

Gaode thanked the guard before following the maid through the gates of the City Lord’s Mansion. Passing through the heavy oak doors and led by the maid, he wound his way past beautiful stone fountains and flowerbeds, eventually arriving at an ornately decorated reception room. She gently pushed the door open, motioning for him to enter. Once Gaode stepped inside, the maid didn’t close the door. Instead, she stood guard at the entrance to prevent anyone from approaching.

The reception room was furnished elegantly and luxuriously. The walls were adorned with fine oil paintings and a prominent clan crest, and the space was filled with many valuable items that could only be described as "antiques." In the center of the room sat a massive long table, upon which delicate pastries and exquisite tea sets were arranged. Miss Jelica was already seated on one side of the table. Today, she wore a light blue dress, as serene and profound as the ocean. A gentle smile graced her face. Seeing Gaode enter, she stood up lightly and invited him to take a seat.

"Master Google, please sit," Jelica said, her voice soft and melodious, making one feel comfortable and at ease.

Following her gesture, Gaode sat down on the opposite side of the long table.

"Have you run into some trouble, Master Google, that brings you here today?" Miss Jelica asked softly as she poured him a cup of black tea.

She was very direct. After all, when she had originally given him her "business card," her exact words were, "If you ever run into any difficulties in the future and truly have no other options... you can come to Number 1 Deep Flow Street to find me. Perhaps I can be of assistance."