Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 1170 - 901 Maximian IX

Chapter 1170: Chapter 901 Maximian IX

The Sky Patroller restarted, Xu Cheng pulled down the lever, and the Shuttle Machine ascended into the sky, leaving Sevaburg, turning towards Netanya on the Taixi Continent.

Memories like the wind, another mark etched into Xu Cheng’s memory, her father said memories are new connections formed by synaptic nerves. She hated explaining things so clearly. If it can be explained, it can be altered, even fabricated.

On the road, Lianhua kept talking non-stop, either lecturing Shahua or talking about money. Xu Cheng could filter her voice, listening only to the useful parts.

"...Transport 10 tons of steel, concrete, prefabricated components, tents, fabrics, electrical appliances, medical equipment, and key chips to the industrial area of Netanya, payment of 180,000 funds." Lianhua recited the content of the next report, "180,000, eh, the people of Netanya must be very wealthy."

"Netanya is the crown domain restored by Maximilian IX Habsburg." Ming Gongqiao searched the archives, "This person, though lucky enough to protect the people of Laetania, and eventually embraced as the ruler, he lacks ambition and is of mediocre ability."

"Quack, quack." Xu Cheng drove the Shuttle Machine eagerly, looking forward to seeing the landscape of the next region. Father said living is about seeing varied landscapes across different places. Father, once I find you, I will recount the customs and sceneries from different places to you.

She piloted the Shuttle Machine to high altitude, Yevdokia’s meticulous care and maintenance of the Sky Patroller left nothing to be desired, with new parts doubling its power. After 7 hours of long flight, the scenery of Netanya was right before their eyes.

"Look, look, the mist has cleared!" Bubble gazed at the distant scenery.

The land was vast, mountains towering high, a sprawling magnificent green valley unfolded beneath the Shuttle Machine, the wide and tranquil Dalu River quietly meandering, the sea of forest stretched recklessly along the mountain base, vast and endless, until out of view.

The highway meandered twistingly, picturesque Taixi-style small villages mesmerized them, these buildings adorned steep, lovely tiled roofs, spread across the foot of the hills, orchards, windmills, and sheep pens were visible everywhere.

"Look, it’s the cows!" Bubble stood up.

"Quack! Quack!" Xu Cheng was anxious.

As soon as she thought of cows, she thought of fresh milk, but she couldn’t afford to distract herself watching. She really wanted her own dairy farm.

Large wildflowers dotted the grassland, blooming in the warm spring wilderness, irises, marigolds, and sunflowers swayed lazily under the evening sunlight.

Some vehicles drove swiftly on the road, tractors worked in the fields, young children strolled in the countryside. Carefree, free-roaming cows and wandering goats measured the vastness with their hooves, oblivious to the monsters outside the safety zone.

The life here was simply dreamlike like a fairyland! Bubble observed the surroundings. As if alien invasion never touched this land.

"This place is so beautiful..." Bubble murmured, "Even after so long, I thought such beauty had already disappeared from the world."

"...Yes..." Lianhua couldn’t help but caress the window, anticipating the landing of the Shuttle Machine.

There were still traces of damage in some villages, Bubble saw some military vehicles surrounded the village, as if some disaster had occurred there.

Xu Cheng steered the Shuttle Machine towards the target positioned by the signal: the industrial zone of New Eagle Fort, as the Shuttle Machine approached the city, large swathes of old-style houses surrounded a fortress built on the hills, numerous factories lined the river in the suburbs, polluting the downstream waters, black smoke enveloping the sky.

She stopped the Shuttle Machine, avoiding vehicles and pedestrians, after ground crew connection, signaled Xu Cheng to move the Sky Patroller to the designated spot.

Nearby was a large warehouse, once she arrived, the cargo could be unloaded quickly.

"Here we go!" Xu Cheng opened the Shuttle Machine’s cabin door eagerly, wanting to watch living cows walk after delivering the cargo.

Once stepping into the yard, the dry acrid smell of coal smoke wafted, a rough foreman named Hans approached, directing subordinates to check and unload the cargo from the Shuttle Machine, then verified Xu Cheng’s code, adding 180,000 funds to her card.

Hans was a bear-like man, with broad shoulders, a hefty chest, and enormous hands covered in calluses, seemingly capable of crushing rocks, wearing an orange helmet, not only was his physique intimidating from the heart, his expression was habitually stern.

"From Jialong Slope to Netanya, it must take many days of flying." Hans said.

He wore coarse clothing suited for labor, covered by a splash-proof jacket, thick leather boots peeked from the mud-splattered shoes.

"Uh-huh!" Xu Cheng nodded, standing and pacing eagerly, unable to wait to leave the industrial area.

Bubble, meticulous in her observations, detected a hint of oddity from Hans this stern man, as if he were worried about something. She associated it with the attacked village she saw in the suburbs.

"Is everything alright? Did the aliens break in?" Bubble asked.

"What troubles this place isn’t the ’restricted zone’, as the army will find ways to repel them, clear and easy to block. The problem lies with the ubiquitous Vampire... Some of our villages were attacked by Vampires, with that race-obsessed fool Maximilian IX around, our villages are like unguarded blood banks to Vampires, especially at night." Hans said.

As dusk fell, Hans looked at the sky with concern, hoping the sunlight would linger a while longer.

"If there really is danger, what will happen? Will the city send reinforcements?" Bubble asked.

"I heard." Hans snorted with disgust, "When everyone mentioned the vampire invasion to Maximilian IX, he didn’t even come out of his virtual warehouse."

"Vampires! They’re all over the Taixi Continent, and if they’re here, then the Seven Hills are surely infested." Bubble turned to Xu Cheng.

"Quack..." Xu Cheng fell into deep thought. Vampires are reportedly terrifying, but her Ripple Rush is a weapon against them. Every breath she takes causes burning ripples to circulate through her body, bringing the scorching power of the sun.

If vampires invade, what will everyone do? Xu Cheng shuddered at the thought of vampires attacking rural villages. The people of Taixi Continent live dispersed in expansive rural areas, making it difficult to resist scattered vampire invasions. The beauty and tranquility here would be torn to shreds by these brutal vampires.

Hans shook his head, seemingly sharing their thoughts.

"Beware of vampires." He warned.

The sun dipped below the mountains, its afterglow bidding farewell to the world. The city of New Eagle Fort lit up, while distant countryside shivered in darkness.

Many have already moved to the city, willing to abandon their homes, building temporary residences around New Eagle Fort with tents and vehicles as their homes, preferring not to become vampire fodder in the suburbs.

"Let’s rest here for the night and leave tomorrow." Bubble turned around.

"Okay!" Xu Cheng nodded vigorously.

"I want to stay in a nice hotel!" Lianhua declared.

They left the Shuttle Machine here, locked it securely, under Ming Gongqiao’s watch. Then they left the factory area, heading to find a hotel in New Eagle Fort’s city district.

As the lights began to shine, the streets here were narrow cobblestone lanes, not wide enough for two cars to drive side by side. Xu Cheng looked around curiously, having never seen such a Taixi Continent-style small town before, snapping pictures with her camera.

Lianhua and Shahua went to find a hotel. They parted ways at once, while Xu Cheng and Bubble wandered the streets aimlessly.

Everywhere were quaint half-timbered houses with steep sloping roofs. Most had open shutters, and window boxes beneath the sills were filled with red, pink, and purple geraniums and petunias, filling the air with floral fragrance.

Stores lined the streets on both sides. Xu Cheng felt these shops had quite a history and a sense of design. Paintings in store windows, carvings under eaves, blooming flowers—all combined to create an unforgettable view of the neighborhood.

The pace of life here moved leisurely, with many people drinking coffee by the roadside. There were many coffee shops and bakeries, one every 50 meters. Bakers retrieved fresh pastries from ovens in pastry shops, door chimes tinkle as doors swung open. Xu Cheng also saw numerous taverns emitting warm yellow light, where melodious folk music flowed out, followed by laughter and the clinking of glasses.

What a lazy place... Xu Cheng couldn’t help but stretch.

"How about some bread?" Bubble pointed at one of the bakeries.

"Quack!" Xu Cheng slipped through the glass door, stepping onto the checkered floor.

The bakery’s walls were a warm buttery gold, filled with the scent of yeast, sugar, and fresh milk. A few customers curiously eyed the unfamiliar little envoy.

Xu Cheng ordered lots of milk, while Bubble bought croissants, macarons, and chocolates. They rewarded themselves with sweets and packed more bread in their bags. Netanya was practically a kingdom of bread and pastries—Bubble could eat a lot of sweets without feeling fed up.

Xu Cheng and Bubble went to the Golden Eagle Hotel to meet up with Lianhua and Shahua.

"How many rooms to book? Shahua and I can share one, and you and Bubble can share?" Lianhua checked, "Just 2000 for the night."

"Quack quack." Xu Cheng had no objections. She held Bubble’s hand, entering a mid-level room of the Golden Eagle Hotel, forcefully pushing open the antique wooden door. The wooden antique furniture inside gave her a sense of time traveling back to ancient days, with only the electric lights, communicator, and hot water massage tub maintaining modern style.

This room offered a full view of the street. Xu Cheng sat on the feather mattress of the four-poster bed, hugging a feather pillow, engaging in a pillow fight with Bubble. They hopped on the soft bed, furiously swinging pillows during their dialogue until both were exhausted.

"I really wish to stay here a while longer..." Xu Cheng, tired out, leaned back and lay down in the fluffy bed. Netanya’s peaceful and leisurely life felt truly special to her.

"Me too..." Bubble closed her eyes, lying on the ultra-soft bed, feeling her body light as a feather, finally having a chance to rest her utterly fatigued body.

This place felt like frozen in time. Xu Cheng’s thoughts wandered. Everywhere there was the aroma of baked bread, ripe fruits, and milk, and warmth enveloped her.

From somewhere across the floor, came the sound of an accordion playing. The melody left an indelible impression on Xu Cheng, reminding her of her childhood, a bittersweet nostalgia. She feared such beauty might just be a mirage, at any moment disappearing suddenly.

"Huff... Huff..." Xu Cheng breathed casually, eyes closed. With Bubble there, she felt there was nothing to worry about. She longed to live a peaceful life with Bubble.

Bubble’s thoughts grew hazy.

"Shall we...turn off the lights?" Bubble asked.