Ryza said over the phone that the manufacturing and modifications were successful. They were currently finishing up, and it would be ready for pickup in two hours.
After calling Shiraori and learning that she seemed to be repairing something and couldn't spare the time, Jean set off alone toward Meruru's Alchemists Workshop.
With teleportation devices available, no location was considered far; you could say it was just a few steps away.
However, since the agreed-upon time was two hours later, Jean still walked slowly and aimlessly down the street.
The entire complex zone remained as bustling as ever. Aside from a few caution tapes in the plaza and a sign prohibiting singing, it was packed with people everywhere.
Fortunately, the public security was quite good. After all, with perfect surveillance and the fact that abilities exchanged with Reincarnation Points couldn't be used in public areas, things were generally peaceful.
"Of course, even that didn't stop Lady Nero from singing," Jean remarked offhandedly.
"Umu, indeed. Those people actually banned me from performing songs in front of the public; it is their loss!" A very pleasant voice suddenly popped up.
"Uh, Lady Nero?" Jean was extremely grateful right now that she hadn't let the words 'Umu Monster' slip out.
"Mm, precisely. I am the embodiment of art, the Flower of Olympia, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. To be able to recognize the Emperor's true form, you are quite a rare talent indeed." She spoke the tongue-twister of a name as crisply as a bird's song.
"Aha, I am truly honored, Your Majesty."
"Just call me Nero. By the way, I still don't know your name."
"I am Jean. Nice to meet you."
"Jean, is it?" She then stared with her large, emerald-green eyes for a moment. "Aren't you that sonic skateboard girl?"
"What the heck is that? It sounds like the protagonist of a ghost story."
"No need to be shy. Being able to physically exceed the speed of sound is a great achievement in itself. Hmm, since you don't seem familiar with this place, let me guide you through this exotic scenery." Nero realized her slip of the tongue and offered compensation.
Looking at the time and seeing there was still over an hour left, Jean readily agreed.
Thus, the two began strolling around the commercial street. However, since Jean didn't have any clothes she wanted to buy and their tastes didn't align, they gradually narrowed their focus to snacks.
Milk tea, crepes, takoyaki, fried yogurt, grilled skewers—they tried various snacks, both familiar and unfamiliar, as they moved from the commercial street toward the snack street.
"Although this city has become quite strange, it is indeed much more convenient than the Roman style I designed."
"The previous Roman style? You were the previous one, Nero?"
"That's right. After lifting the curse of the gods, the Emperor is invincible. It's just a pity that the person named V was too abnormal. I was taken out before I could even see through her. She must have been cheating!" Nero took a bite of a grilled chicken skewer and complained to Jean beside her.
"It couldn't have been the legendary Cybernetic Feng Ling Yue Ying, could it?"
"Who knows? Anyway, I don't use those things when I play games."
At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing sunglasses, dressed in tatters, and with a hand drill stuck in his waistband sat down in the seat next to them.
"Boss, one serving of grilled chicken skewers and a glass of shochu." "Coming right up, please wait a moment."
Not long after, once the food and drink arrived and just as he was about to pick it up, a petite girl suddenly appeared behind him.
"Yo, old man, after all these years, you've finally decided to have a second spring and start picking up girls?"
Suddenly, a terrifying killing intent radiated outward. In her haste, Jean generated a large amount of crystal cores, forming a tiny silver wind shield in front of her.
And Nero immediately drew Original Fire.
Just then, the girl's red scarf snapped in the air with a 'pop,' as if it were alive. Immediately, the suffocating killing intent in the surroundings vanished.
"Hey, hey, was that necessary? You scared the others."
The middle-aged man glared at the girl, then looked at Jean and Nero with a slightly apologetic gaze and said, "Sorry." He then paid the points and left the stall.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry. I didn't think he was so easily teased. I scared you guys, but to be able to react under that kind of killing intent, you two are quite good. Anyway, bye-bye~" She then vanished on the spot.
"What was that situation?" The sudden turn of events left Jean completely bewildered.
Nero, however, said thoughtfully, "We might have met some big shots. If I'm not mistaken, they should both be Seven Sages."
"What are those?"
"The Seven Sages are all humans. They are humans who came from seven different worlds, but by their own will, they broke through their worlds as humans, stood at the top after surpassing their worlds, and could be said to be the absolute pinnacle of the human race."
"Humans? That is truly..." Jean didn't know how to describe it. Just the fact that they persisted in their human form alone should be quite admirable.
The conversation with Nero once again stirred up the doubt that Jean had kept buried deep in her heart: What exactly was she?
Human? Evil God? Genshin? Or some other strange thing?
"Hahaha, what kind of question is that? Why care so much? You are you, isn't that enough?" After mentioning this offhandedly to Nero, she was laughed at instead.
"Anyone can say platitudes. So, what exactly is this 'me'? According to my memories, I am a human. According to my status, or rather my profession, I am an Evil God."
"That is a question. But what you are actually more concerned about is 'persistence,' right? This is a sign of inner emptiness, you know, Jean."
"Tsk, why do I feel like I'm so easily seen through? Is there a bookstore nearby? I'm going to go get a copy of 'An Actor Prepares' to read."
"I have a copy here, I'll lend it to you. Once you learn, let's perform a play together." Saying this, Nero pulled a luxurious hardcover edition of 'An Actor Prepares' from her inventory.
"May I ask what kind of play?"
"A musical!"
"Please forgive me, but I decline. Thank you."
The time was about up, so Jean said goodbye to Nero. They exchanged numbers and an agreement that they would, perhaps, maybe, possibly, maybe, probably perform a musical once. Although Jean used a lot of uncertain words to try to decline politely, Nero, being in high spirits, didn't listen to a word she said.
However, before leaving, Nero left behind some intriguing words: "See you later, Jean. I had a lot of fun just now. I don't know why, but I feel a sense of joy when I'm by your side. It seems you are also a cursed (blessed) person." After saying that, she scurried off.
Jean was naturally happy to have made a new friend, but there was something even more exciting right in front of her. She had arrived at the entrance of Meruru's Alchemists Workshop, ready to witness the rebirth of white wind, who had followed her through life and death.
---
— — Conference Room Mini-Theater — —
(The middle-aged man and the girl walked into the conference room one after the other.)
Saint Beast King: Oh, you're here. What happened just now? Who annoyed you?
Middle-aged man: Hmph. (Nods his head toward the girl beside him.)
Saint Beast King: Don't lower yourself to her level. This girl just relies on her unparalleled defense to provoke everyone everywhere.
Girl: What's the matter? Come and hit me! I'll stand right here and let you hit me, how about that?
Saint Beast King: I f***ing...
Middle-aged man: Forget it, forget it. I'm used to it. By the way, I didn't drink enough just now. Let's have another drink after this is over?
(A girl with long pink hair leaned over.)
Pink-haired girl: Lily, it's a miracle you haven't been beaten to death yet with how much you provoke people.
Girl (Lily): It's precisely because I can't be killed that I provoke people. For example: Abu, you perverted father-con!
Pink-haired girl (Abu): I f***ing...
Shiraori: Everyone quiet down. Are there only the three of you?
The three of them: Nod *3.
(Shiraori starts taking notes on paper.)
Attendees:
Haneda Hanau — — Lily White Rock (The Last Great Demon King)
Digger — — Simon (Gurren Lagann)
Perverted father-con (crossed out), Mysterious girl — — Abu (Jungle wa Itsumo Hare nochi Guu)
Shiraori: Ane's intelligence has been transmitted. We're going to be busy from now on.
-------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 50 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon:
patreon.com/MariaLight
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!