Exploring Technology in a Wizard World
Chapter 315 - Chapter 315 Chapter 314 Unavoidable Sandstorm

Chapter 315: Chapter 314: Unavoidable Sandstorm Chapter 315: Chapter 314: Unavoidable Sandstorm Day broke.

A gentle breeze swept through White Stone City, and Richard heard the gate’s “bang, bang, bang.” It didn’t sound like the wind’s doing but rather someone knocking.

Richard raised an eyebrow, stepped outside, and opened the gate, only to see a muscular man standing there.

Richard recognized him. Previously, when he had commissioned Baki to handle the Gutas corpse, Baki had brought this man with him.

If he remembered correctly, the visitor was a member of the “Steel Brotherhood” to which Baki belonged.

Initially, Richard had thought the Steel Brotherhood was just a small gang in White Stone City, but upon closer inspection, he realized the organization was extraordinary.

The Steel Brotherhood couldn’t be compared to the White Stone Tower Wizard Association, but in the world of ordinary people without extraordinary powers, it had entrenched itself for decades, extending its tendrils into various industries across White Stone City, indeed a behemoth.

Were it not for several emerging gangs challenging its dominance, the Steel Brotherhood would have grown even more powerful. In fact, White Stone City was no longer adequate to contain it–the Brotherhood had established vast networks far beyond the city limits.

Of course, in the eyes of wizards and Wizard Powers possessing extraordinary powers, the Steel Brotherhood was merely a trivial clown, an ant they could crush at any moment.

However, Richard recognized that this ant–the Steel Brotherhood–was no ordinary ant. They could leverage their vast network to accomplish things even wizards couldn’t.

In the past month, while studying the secrets of the White Stone Tower and the Black Spirit King, three books were still missing. One of these had been located with the Brotherhood’s help, and another was found in the White Stone Tower library, in the hands of a young female student.

Regarding the books from the Black Spirit Empire required to unlock the secrets of the White Stone Tower and the Black Spirit King, Richard had gathered almost all, except for the last one, bearing the palindrome number 363.

This was simple–the numbers under 40 verified by the Lickerel Number method gave eleven palindrome numbers–11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99, 121, 363.

Most of these eleven palindrome numbers corresponded to at least two numbers under 40, except for the last palindrome, 363, which matched only one number–39.

For this reason, Richard had paid a hefty price to commission the “Steel Brotherhood” to watch for any books from the Black Spirit Empire with the number 39. Now that their man had shown up, perhaps he had news.

Richard looked at E Lai, raised his eyebrows, and said, “E Lai, right? What’s the matter? Is there any news about the task I commissioned your gang to undertake?”

“Indeed.” The muscular E Lai nodded and said, “We found the book you wanted in a place outside White Stone City, from a merchant, and it cost us quite a bit to secure it.”

“Where is it now?”

“It’s still en route; it should arrive in White Stone City in about three days,” E Lai said. “I came here to notify you from the boss that we will make the transaction at the place we met last time in three days, handing over the item to you and thus fulfilling your initial commission. Of course, you should prepare the final payment.”

“No problem.” Richard nodded, his thoughts racing with some surprise. He hadn’t expected the Steel Brotherhood to have such reach; although it took some time, they had indeed found the last book he needed. It seemed worthwhile to establish a closer contact with them in the future.

“By the way, everything is safe with the book, right? It hasn’t been targeted by anyone? There won’t be any issues on the way back, right?” Richard inquired.

“Don’t worry about that, we are always careful. Since we’ve taken on your commission, we’ll definitely ensure the item reaches your hands, our reputation guarantees it. Even if something does go wrong, we’ll do our best to remedy it, at least… we’ll make sure no trouble comes your way.”

“That’s reassuring.” Richard responded.

“Then I’ll see you in three days.” E Lai said, stepping onto the street. He suddenly turned his head and asked, “Oh, by the way, I’ve been curious about something. You and Baki…”

“Hmm?”

“Uh, it’s nothing.” E Lai thought of something, waved his hand, and quickly walked away.

Richard watched the retreating figure, blinked, shook his head, and turned to walk through the door.

“Whooosh!”

A gust of wind carrying dust surged towards the door.

“Squeak!”

Richard quickly closed the door, keeping the dust outside. However… fine particles of sand still blew in through the crack of the door…

Richard looked at the dust clinging to the hem of his clothes and slightly frowned, “Is it that relentless, unavoidable?”

The next moment, Richard gently shook off the dust and walked into the laboratory.

…

Later that day, in a secret room, Suo Men and Mu Konni were sitting together.

Mu Konni held a tiny papyrus scroll rolled like a chopstick in her hand and looked at Suo Men, “What is this all about?”

“This?” Suo Men glanced at the scroll in Mu Konni’s hand and spoke indifferently, “It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing? Didn’t you say that you’ve always been wary of the Black Spirit King’s secrets being unraveled? Now, there are crucial books related to the secrets that have been sent to White Stone City. The Silver Ring couldn’t help but personally urge us to act, telling us to intercept and destroy the items, and you’re taking it so lightly?

This isn’t like you, Suo Men! You should be proactive about the organization’s matters, always ensuring no loopholes are left. How come I need to remind you of this matter’s importance?”

“Hmph.” Suo Men looked at Mu Konni, “Of course I recognize the importance of this matter. Even if I didn’t, with the Silver Ring alarmed, that should make it clear.”

“And yet you sit here, not preparing to act? You seemed to be preparing to deal with target eighteen just a while ago, right? Delaying that target isn’t an issue, but if this book reaches White Stone City, it could spell disaster,” said Mu Konni.

“No.” Suo Men shook his head, “The book reaching White Stone City might not be bad–in fact, I did it intentionally.”

“Hmm?”

“White Stone City is not a simple place; many here are somewhat familiar with the Black Spirit King’s secrets, and some are quite interested in them. If we act now, intercepting a book and preventing them from deciphering it, there’s no problem, but I want a more thorough solution.

The book will arrive in White Stone City in about two or three days, and I’m very interested to see whose hands it will pass through. When it does, we will find them and eliminate them, thoroughly. Then, the Black Spirit King’s secrets will likely never be unveiled, and incidentally, our long-term mission in White Stone City will be nearly complete.”

“Is that so…” Mu Konni pondered.

“But in that case…” Mu Konni thought of something and spoke, “But in that case, what about the Silver Ring? You should know, this Silver Ring isn’t the previous supervisor Thor.

We were assigned to the East Coast, overseen by this new Silver Ring, who has no connection with us. Aren’t you worried about being targeted later if you disobey his wishes?”