Bakerland, West District, 51 Henry Street.
In the evening, having just finished his work, Audis Gale was lying back in his armchair.
Ding~ Ding~ Ding
The bell on the door rang. So late at night, a visitor?
Under the bright gas lamp, Audis lazily raised his head, then immediately sat upright.
The visitor was a woman with waist-length chestnut hair, and prominent eyebrows giving her a heroic and commanding look.
Her figure was well-proportioned, neither fat nor thin, and her blue eyes were as deep and beautiful as the condensed ocean.
Her chestnut hair and beautiful face, along with her rare but stylish white shirt, long pants, and black leather boots, reminded Audis of a prominent figure in the extraordinary world: the "Mysterious Queen" Bernadette.
He recognized her not from legends but because, as a world-traveler, he remembered her hair color and unique outfit; she was the eldest daughter of Emperor Rossell.
Three years ago, he arrived in this world, and a "Source"-related extraordinary incident made him a "Seeker of Secrets".
Simply recalling part of the original story allowed his "Seeker" potion to activate immediately.
Due to this incident, the "Heart of Machinery" closely monitored him for a long time, and he even suspected the Steam and Mechanical God might have taken interest in him.
Fortunately, they could not determine his connection with the "Source," so he was never captured and studied like an alien.
Recently, Audis had a chance for promotion, but he was still a "Seeker of Secrets".
At that moment, in the herb shop, Audis immediately smiled and said, "Hello, how can I help you?"
The visitor was Bernadette herself. She examined Audis; a young man of 23–24, with black eyes and slightly wavy black hair.
He was reasonably handsome, with thin lips, a high nose bridge, and bright eyes.
He wore a linen shirt, a loose coat, and cloth shoes—informal but very comfortable.
Inside the herb shop, on counters and shelves, there were various herbs, giving the impression of a very ordinary shop.
Finally, Bernadette's gaze fell on Audis: "I have something I want you to see."
Audis paused. Had she come to sell him something?
Thanks to his extraordinary incident upon arriving and running the herb shop, he had connections; some extraordinary individuals sold their goods through him.
But the Mysterious Queen should have her own channels.
While thinking, Audis hung the "Closed" sign on the door and drew the curtains.
After finishing, he stood behind the counter and gestured politely.
Bernadette took a small wooden box from her pocket, placed it on the counter, and pushed it toward Audis.
Audis opened the box and found several oddly shaped metallic pieces resembling blocks, each with faint reddish glowing engravings.
Audis's eyes narrowed, but he quickly hid his astonishment: "What is this?"
Bernadette smiled politely: "You should know."
Audis feigned ignorance: "Sorry, I have no memory of this."
Then he switched to a professional smile: "My shop specializes in a limited field; I cannot purchase this. Try elsewhere."
Bernadette said: "Let me remind you," pointing to the address: "Pete, 116 Michel Street."
Audis immediately recognized it. Pete was a thief, and these were the weapons he lost yesterday.
His smile vanished: "Since your information is precise, you must know who my 'behind-the-scenes boss' is."
Bernadette: "Of course, and I know your relationship with him, but I came anyway!"
Audis sighed. Even in Bakerland, unless royalty or the church intervened, no one could threaten her.
Specifically, even against angel-level enemies, Bernadette would not fear, as she possessed three Level-0 sealed items!
Audis said: "Are you interested in the extraordinary applications of this weapon?"
Bernadette nodded: "Smart boy. I want to know who made it, its principles, and then I'll reassemble it."
Audis smiled: "You should know I am not a craftsman; this is a failed experiment from the Steam and Mechanical God Church. They asked me to handle it."
He then diverted: "I'm curious, how did you take it apart?"
Bernadette narrowed her eyes: "Lying! Even if it's a failed experiment, the Church wouldn't act like this! How I disassembled it is my business."
She failed to reassemble it afterward.
Bernadette placed her hands on the counter: "You better tell the truth; don't force me to use certain methods."
In fact, the weapon was made by Audis and hid his greatest secret.
Upon arriving in this world, Audis gained a strange ability: every Sunday after sleeping, he enters a mysterious space.
This space consists of layers of light forming comprehensive knowledge; anything he can imagine, he can find there.
But to return, he must complete a task. Even if he spends a year there, he wakes up as if he only slept briefly.
Initially casual, his tasks became more complex as his knowledge grew.
This weapon came from one of his research projects, an innovative use of spiritual material.
As he tried to evade the Church, Bernadette raised her hand to silence him, listening intently, then said: "Come with me to a place."
Before he could ask "Where?", a phantom feather covered the scene, and when it faded, Audis found himself at the Kingdom Museum on King's Avenue.
He paused, recalling that the museum had recently held the "Rossell Memorial Exhibition."
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