Chapter 173: Subject 11

"If that's truly so, this thing is indeed unusual," Naimi Xisi remarked, the one who lived in a technological civilization in his past life instantly saw the potential of the Death Root.

This is something that can change Frelen's future societal path.

If under normal circumstances, Frelen's medieval civilization would persist for a very long time, perhaps until the future when a benevolent genius Mage suddenly emerges, discovers a way for ordinary people to wield magic, and transforms all of Frelen into a magitech civilization.

However, the emergence of the Death Root could completely block that path.

With this cheap chemical fuel, the route to exploring a magitech civilization is no longer so necessary.

On the contrary, steam‑engine type technologies might develop faster.

"That's also why I came to find you," Sai Fa Er said seriously.

"In my years of exploring the south, I've discovered that the Dark Tide is a continuously spreading natural phenomenon; the entire southern Maztek Continent is riddled with Dark Tides, and they keep advancing toward the central region."

"These Dark Tides are extremely dangerous to ordinary people, because the gathering of necrotic energy periodically forms unconscious necrotic energy aggregates within the tide, which attack those nearby."

"The southern Maztek Continent was originally inhabited by a race called the Green People, but because of the Dark Tide, they have nearly become extinct."

"If this continues, the entire Maztek Continent will be engulfed by the Dark Tide."

"I need a magical material called Sun God's Hymn; I found it in a southern underground ruin, and it's the only thing that can halt the spread of the Dark Tide."

"Unfortunately," Sai Fa Er sighed, "I was ambushed by a mysterious person who destroyed the only Sun God's Hymn I had in my hand."

"I hope you can help me find another Sun God's Hymn," Sai Fa Er said earnestly, looking at Naimi Xisi.

Juan Ce Long was somewhat speechless, so you want to be a good person but lack the ability, and try to pull me along?

Naimi Xisi rolled his eyes; he doesn't have time for that.

"I know where Sun God's Hymn can be found; every pyramid of the Hu Ake Li Alliance contains one, and my Mage Tower has one too, but I shredded it and forged it into a spell amplifier."

"I advise you not to even think about it; those pyramids aren't easy to deal with—each requires Legendary-level power to confront," Naimi Xisi said, spreading his hands.

Sai Fa Er didn't give up, offering a few kind words, but Naimi Xisi firmly rejected them.

Joking aside, after the last destruction of Tikal, those Niksalan people surely heightened their vigilance; who knows what might be encountered if we go again.

"Moreover," Naimi Xisi frowned, "the Golden Legion is coming; I must first secure my domain. Mr. Sai Fa Er, I advise you to start looking here as well."

"When the Golden Legion's iron hooves arrive, you'll have to search farther north. As for those Dark Tides, they won't breach us for a while; the boat will straighten itself at the bridgehead. Consider it later when the time is right."

Sai Fa Er sighed, "You're right; I was being impatient."

Naimi Xisi shook his head; the son of the Black Staff was indeed kind-hearted, wanting to stop the Dark Tides from harming creatures, and even offered the Death Root to lure him into helping.

Unfortunately, Juan Ce Long wasn't very interested; the ever-reproducing nature of the Dark Tide makes it impossible to monopolize, and the method of creating Death Root is too simple, so the secret won't last long. If he got involved, the end result would be nothing more than battling a group of Am Empire energy magnates for market share.

It's not that he lacks confidence, but he truly doesn't think his former self, a mere ordinary clerk, could have the ability to clash with a group of cunning merchants in the financial market.

He prefers to speak with muscles and magic.

"Since that's the case, I won't disturb you any further," Sai Fa Er left the conference room, heading to the second‑floor lounge, leaving Xia Nai behind. "What's wrong, anything else?" Naimi Xisi asked, somewhat surprised.

After Sai Fa Er left, Xia Nai cast a soundproof spell and laughed, "It's not really a big deal."

"Last month a newcomer arrived; that old man kept shouting, saying you never show up, and now with the newcomer, we can't hold meetings properly," Xia Nai said, spreading her hands.

Naimi Xisi indeed hadn't been there for a long time, mainly because he was too busy lately, engrossed in spell research and constructing the Mage Tower, unable to break away.

"A newcomer?" he asked curiously, "Finally, one arrives?"

He hadn't forgotten that the six‑person council still had two vacant seats.

"Hmm," Xia Nai nodded, then seemed to recall something, her expression turning odd, "But that newcomer is a bit special."

"Oh? In what way is it special?"

"The other party is a five‑year‑old girl," Xia Nai said with some helplessness.

"When she arrived she knew nothing, got scared and kept crying, making that old man almost cry himself," she laughed, covering her mouth.

"A child?" Naimi Xisi frowned, "Such an Artifact‑level item ending up in a child's hands—who knows if it's a blessing or a curse."

!

"Yes, besides knowing she's called 'Subject 11', she knows nothing else. What a pitiful little girl; whose parents gave her such a ridiculous name," Xia Nai said, irritated.

Naimi Xisi shook his head, "Understood. I'll attend tomorrow's meeting; coincidentally, I'm very interested in the secret manual that Fa Qi obtained from that ancient ruin. After all this time, their development should be finished by now, right?"

Tomorrow is the middle of the month, the 15th, which is also when the Between the Thrones opens each month.

——

The next day, at midnight when the moon was at its zenith, Naimi Xisi went to Between the Thrones.

In front of the massive throne, four of the six seats were already occupied.

The old man La Jia Te snorted, "I thought you'd forgotten us entirely."

"We had agreed you'd come rescue me when the chance arose, I gave you magical knowledge, and then you vanished for a year. If Xia Nai hadn't mentioned it, I would've thought you were dead."

Naimi Xisi carelessly took his seat, saying nonchalantly, "Do you think everyone is an immortal like you? I'm just a mature True Dragon; if I want to rescue you, I'll have to wait until I reach Legendary."

La Jia Te's face creased in a bitter frown, like a wilted chrysanthemum; he knows the True Dragon's growth time—waiting for a mature dragon to reach Legendary takes at least four or five hundred years!

Naimi Xisi ignored him further, instead watching the occupant of the fifth seat with interest.

A very young, cute child sat on the chair, timidly looking at Naimi Xisi.

Her hair was shaved clean, leaving only a buzz‑cut; gender indistinguishable, and pale skin beside each temple bore a tiny puncture mark.

"You're Subject 11? Did you name yourself?" the True Dragon asked curiously.

The little girl glanced at him, lowered her head and whispered, "Dad gave me the name Subject 11."

La Jia Te sneered, "What kind of person is your father, giving his child such a name? I've never named my disciples that; they're all my designated cannon fodder."

The little girl's head drooped further, voice trembling, "I don't even know who my dad is; the gun‑wielding uncle calls him Doctor Bu Lun Na."

(End of Chapter)