A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 2680: Chapter 1812: Dialogue (It’s Snowing Again Today)

Unlike Duanmu Huai, Mary and the others found the clock located in the warehouse without much effort—the reason was simple: because Mary could see it.

"That’s enough."

Mary grabbed Alicia with one hand and held her staff in the other, staring at the golden clock before her. In Mary’s eyes, she could see the clock emitting a dazzling golden glow, and it was precisely this glow that penetrated the wreckage of the warship, allowing them to find this place so easily.

But that’s as far as it goes. Duanmu Huai didn’t destroy it, which could only mean that, in Duanmu Huai’s view, it’s not a threat. However, Mary also understood very well that since Duanmu Huai didn’t take it, it means this thing isn’t considered good by him—if it was something good, he wouldn’t leave it here.

"He wants me to go up and touch this."

As the only person here currently able to communicate with the other party, Alicia dutifully conveyed the message she heard to the others.

"No way."

Mary stepped forward again, while indicating Lorena and Naruse Mio to prepare for combat. The only thing that reassured Mary was that Mianmu Zuoniao was still following behind them with a bored demeanor, yawning as if in a relaxed stroll rather than cheerfully drawing a sword to chop at the thing—a sign at least it had no hostility towards them for now.

But what happens afterward is hard to say.

"Who are you? What do you want us to do? Answer me immediately."

Mary stared at the clock and spoke, while the large clock remained silent for a moment, then...

"DONG—————!"

A deafening roar emanated from the clock, so loud that the girls couldn’t help but feel their brains being hammered into chaos. Next, the cold and cruel aura of destruction burst from the emblems they wore, neutralizing the subsequent sound wave attack.

"Everyone, retreat and prepare to fight!"

Mary raised her staff, and a "Soul Flood" had already gathered at the tip, ready to erupt with a roar and blast this broken clock into pieces.

At that moment, a figure finally appeared from within the clock.

He resembled a phantom, a sturdy man with long black hair, looking majestic and handsome. Just by looking at him, you’d know who he is, where he comes from, and where he’s headed.

However, Mary’s Golden Pupil caught more details. She glanced at Alicia beside her and took another step forward, positioning Alicia behind her. At the same time, Mary’s left hand made a subtle gesture, and Lorena and Naruse Mio intuitively stood at Alicia’s sides.

Meanwhile, Alicia herself was curiously scrutinizing the man before her.

"It’s strange, I’ve never met you, but I feel a sense of familiarity."

"Because we are alike, Miss."

The man smiled gently.

"I never expected such a surprise... if it were in the past, perhaps I would kneel down and propose to you."

Upon hearing this, the girls’ expressions turned peculiar, because such a... ghost suddenly saying something like that is indeed a bit hard to take seriously.

However, if Duanmu Huai were here, he might mockingly retort with, "He’s pure and natural without pollution, unlike those things that ate melamine or received hormone injections."

"Who are you?"

Mary raised her staff again, staring at the man who, while indeed imposing upon his appearance, they quickly adapted to the pressure—compared to Duanmu Huai, the oppressive feeling from this man wasn’t as significant.

"I am the Lord of the Human Empire, The Emperor."

The man didn’t look irritated by Mary’s question; instead, he nodded toward Mary with a kind demeanor as if watching his own child.

Of course, being looked at with such an expression was awkward for Mary.

"Lord of Humans?"

"The Emperor?"

The girls exchanged whispers, and then Lorena suddenly realized.

"Ah, the old cured meat Sir Knight talked about..."

"Ah..."

"Oh..."

Upon hearing Lorena’s words, the girls finally understood the identity of the existence before them—it’s important to note that Duanmu Huai’s Tribunal was the Imperial Tribunal, the Tribunal of Humans, but not The Emperor’s Tribunal. The proof lies in his battle cries of "In the name of the Tribunal" or "In the name of Humans," sometimes "In the name of the Empire," but never "In the name of The Emperor."

The girls had heard about The Emperor while Duanmu Huai recounted stories of the empire, but clearly, from Duanmu Huai’s attitude towards The Emperor, he never referred to him seriously or reverently. For Duanmu Huai, his usual nicknames were mostly "old cured meat," "jerky," "toilet man," and other unrefined titles.

So, when the girls heard "The Emperor," they initially couldn’t associate it with who Duanmu Huai was referring to, but as soon as Lorena mentioned "old cured meat," they immediately understood.

".............."

The man’s expression subtly tensed a bit, while at the same time, Mary looked down.