Chapter 1464: 1462: Journey to the Holy City

Chapter 1464: Chapter 1462: Journey to the Holy City

Since Captain Hugo had other matters to attend to, they needed to wait a bit longer.

Thus, Han Dong acted as a guide and took Sally on a near-complete tour of the Holy City.

This included a visit to the younger sister and mother of the original owner of Nicholas’s body. Nicholas’s younger sister, Nina, who had been skilled in machinery from an early age, was now studying {Mechanical Studies} at the Knight Academy and was only one step away from Breaking the Breed.

Setting aside Nicholas’s reputation, Nina’s status as an Apprentice Knight and her commendable performance at the academy were enough to allow the mother and daughter to enjoy mid-tier or higher living conditions.

Aside from that, they also visited the Mysterious Department, where Han Dong was pursuing advanced studies.

When Han Dong arrived at the Dark Moon Tower in a carriage, there was still a butler who came specifically to “dig him out” and greet him.

“Nicholas, what’s behind this area?”

Sally pointed to the swamp area at the rear of the tower. She unexpectedly caught a strong scent of witchcraft, one strand of which even caused an intoxicating reaction.

“This is the Witch Swamp managed by Deputy Director Witch-Kaylonia.”

“Witch? Is it the same as Helen?”

“Probably not the same type. These witches originate from the diverse witchcraft practices of Fate Space. The witches here are quite capable… She’s also Mia’s mentor.”

“Mia? That clingy little spider of yours? Let’s go; take me to see it.”

“Haha…”

As they walked along the swamp’s suspension bridges, occasionally, Witch Apprentices residing in the treehouses poked their heads out to glance at them.

Upon seeing Sally, the Black Mountain Goat, their own witchcraft-triggered warnings scared them into retreating back into their windows, diving into their beds, or clutching the protective charms made of finger bones and toad skin while praying fervently.

As the pair approached the central educational district of the swamp,

an intruder alert had already been sounded within the swamp, and a mighty presence suddenly descended, blocking their path.

“Mrs. Kaylonia! And… the Great Plague Chief!”

“Isn’t this Nicholas?”

The Great Plague Chief immediately extended a robust arm, firmly gripping Han Dong’s shoulder to warmly assess the physical changes of the young man.

“So, you’ve already completed Opening the Gate during the Big Expedition? And the gate quality is quite high! Haha, as expected of Black White’s prized student.”

With Black White mentioned, the witch’s expression immediately shifted, she also shot a hard glare at the Great Plague Chief.

Sally, the Black Mountain Goat, had half of her body hidden behind Han Dong, keeping a wary eye on the two individuals—especially the Great Plague Chief, whose attire resembled a primitive tribal outfit and who carried a massive axe and halberd on his back.

『Yet another two Mythic Bodies!

That human male is emitting two distinct energies simultaneously, which is incredibly rare. He possesses “Dual Seeds”—one resembling Hop’s strength, the other resembling Eugenes’s plague—completely different in origin.

A unique plague marked by black spots resides within his body, capable of causing large-scale invasions and also enhancing him through plague-based empowerment.

The overall power level doesn’t lose out at all compared to the Mythic Bodies we encountered during the London Game. The potential of “Double Seeds” is undeniable—it’s highly likely they could break through the membrane to King Level in the future.

Not expected to find so many strong figures hidden in the human main city.』

At this moment, Witch-Kaylonia glanced at Sally and caught a faint, rare trace of danger in her scent. Based on her experience, a critical term surfaced in her mind [Black Mountain Goat].

“Nicholas, it seems your preferences indeed lean towards exotic demons outside the city.

My Mia, so exceptional, yet you still chose an exotic demon over her… No wonder she never spoke of your affairs when she visited before.

Actually, it might be good for her. With Mia’s talent, putting emotions aside for now could greatly accelerate her growth.”

“Where’s Mia?”

“I’ve arranged a special trial for her together with Archimedes Frey, the Deputy Captain of the Doomsday Knight Brigade.

She’s also mentioned due to your influence, she’s established a witchcraft-level connection with a subsuper world called [Secret Country].

Her future Fate trials will likely delve deeply into it.”

“Good, that’s for the best.”

Having exchanged greetings, Han Dong did not intend to linger further.

As he was about to leave, his shoulder was gently pressed by the Great Plague Chief.

“Nicholas, I heard during the Big Expedition you single-handedly executed a Mythic Body from the enemy army? Is that true?”

“Just a sensory-type Mythic Body…”

“To execute even a sensory-type Mythic requires touching the Mythic tier—it’s the same for all types. If that truly happened, then it proves you wield the power to rend myth.

Nicholas, you’re not busy now, right? How about sparring with me?”

Han Dong was quite curious about the Great Plague Chief’s “abilities.”

After all, the Holy City presently only had two known Dual Cultivation Knights—Han Dong and the Great Plague Chief.

*The advantage of Dual Cultivation lies in the simultaneous germination of two Fate Seeds, forming a Talent Tree with a more stable foundation. Subsequent talent choices present more and higher-quality options (regular knights only have two options upon gaining talent points, while Han Dong has three).

Han Dong wore an awkward expression—he didn’t want to spend the next few days bedridden and unable to move. Moreover, the Holy City couldn’t provide the advanced medical facilities of places like [Fight Club].

He could only politely decline.

“Great Plague Chief, my ability to defeat a Mythic Body was primarily due to using a forbidden technique with near-lethal side effects… After the battle, only Captain Olivia’s treatment stabilized my condition.

If we were to spar, I wouldn’t be able to use that move—it could leave me with permanent after-effects.”

“That makes sense. Without special techniques, crossing such a vast tier difference is impossible, let alone executing the opponent.

Forget it then.

My ability is unlike that of other captains; it’s not easy to control its intensity… I hope that soon, Nicholas, you can fight alongside us, showing me your true power.

I believe it shouldn’t take long for that day to come.”

“Alright.”

Leaving the Knight Academy.

Han Dong also visited the last special area—a place he felt compelled to go after much consideration—the [Bell Tower].

There were two things Han Dong had to verify:

1. The “Clockmaker” wore the same Vortex Mask as the Black Tower workers.

2. Mr. Black White’s White Personality seemed to have a close private relationship with the Clockmaker, yet during the Holy City’s reformation, the White Personality was suppressed… Perhaps the Clockmaker was also restricted.

However, when Han Dong arrived at the Bell Tower,

the “Clockmaker,” who was supposed to oversee, manage, and adjust the Bell Tower for a lifetime, was nowhere to be found, replaced by a senior divine assistant from the Mechanical God Sect.

“Excuse me, where is the Clockmaker?”

The cooperative relationship between Han Dong and Mr. Newton had already been officially announced within the Steam Knights.

“Honorable Mr. Nicholas, due to the [Great Reformation], all connections to Fate must be temporarily severed.

During this time, the Clockmaker was confined to the lowest level of Steam City, prohibited from any contact. The Bell Tower is also temporarily closed.

Once the Great Reformation concludes and the timing is appropriate, the Clockmaker will return to the Bell Tower.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Han Dong had now confirmed that the Clockmaker was closely tied to the Black Tower. It was even possible that the Clockmaker was a Black Tower agent sent to the Holy City to oversee and manage the “Door of Fate.”

If that were the case, every main city might have one.

“Once the Clockmaker returns, I’ll bring Mr. Black White along for a discussion… If the connection to the Black Tower is real, I may be able to assist.”