CHAPTER 280: PLAYING

Demi was even more ticked off. This mystery force had grabbed her out of nowhere and then forced her to cram alchemical knowledge.

Sure, she loved alchemy and the alchemical knowledge here was pretty comprehensive, making her somewhat enjoy it.

But who the hell could stand studying all day, every day, and all night!

This damn alchemical life form strictly controlled even eating and sleeping time, precise to the second.

During this period, forget sleeping in—even zoning out would get her a warning.

"Apprentice Demi has violated alchemical life form discrimination regulations—warning number two!"

The red light on the alchemical life form’s surface flashed faster, radiating dangerous vibes.

"I fu—"

Demi was livid. A little helper alchemical life form was talking to her about discrimination?

Her studying this whole time hadn’t been for nothing—at least she’d properly read through that thick alchemical life form manual.

The round-topped, square-bottomed alchemical life form in front of her was called Auxiliary Type I, specifically designed to babysit alchemical apprentice teaching.

"Warning ineffective. According to apprentice management regulations, implementing primary punishment measures."

"No!"

Demi panicked. Her anger-clouded mind finally remembered this thing’s punishment methods, and she turned to run.

The gem at Auxiliary Type I’s core instantly flashed, thunderously shooting out a human-shaped lightning bolt. Demi immediately felt electric current rip through her entire body—painful and numbing. With a crack, she hit the sand with black smoke rising from her head, eyes rolled back white, hands and feet occasionally twitching...

"Punishment complete. Apprentice Demi, please return to your room to study immediately..."

Demi’s pathetic state didn’t evoke any sympathy from Auxiliary Type I. Instead, it floated in front of the girl and kept nagging, its central gem flashing with the threat of another strike.

"Cough cough! You win!"

Demi clenched her fists, brushed sand off her body, and stood up, secretly swearing that someday she’d definitely, definitely tear this thing apart!

No... fry it to pieces!

"Auxiliary Type I, I want to learn how to make and take apart Auxiliary Type I!"

"Apprentice Demi, materials are in the third area. Suggest prioritizing study of ’A Few Points on Alchemy,’ ’Origins of Alchemical Life Forms,’ ’A Hundred Alchemical Tips’..."

Auxiliary Type I very dutifully provided the optimal study plan, completely clueless about Demi’s scheme.

"Bring them all!!!"

Tonight she’d study until dawn!

...

In the first dark mist layer, at the place Carlos named "Mirror Lake," the second core fortress "Mirror Lake Fortress" was gradually taking shape.

Thousands of Lulu monsters were driven by Psionics, hauling massive solid ice rocks from distant solid ice mines to build Mirror Lake Fortress.

"Good, very good."

Only after using Lulus did Carlos appreciate true efficiency. No need for food, drink, or sleep (work them to death and call it a day), massive numbers, and endless supply. Working one batch to death just meant catching another batch—worry-free and effortless.

No wonder so many players in his past life were obsessed with factories. With such useful "workers," factory owners made money hand over fist.

"Caw!"

"Moo!"

"Caw!"

"Moo!"

On the nearby ice plains, Red Spirit and Blood Silver were having a ball.

They’d cornered a group of Sliding Turtle Monsters from who knows where.

Red Spirit kicked with its foot, sending a terrified Sliding Turtle Monster flying, smacking into over ten others as collision sounds rang out nonstop.

After Red Spirit kicked, it was Blood Silver’s turn. It got down on all fours, charged up with effort, and gave a Sliding Turtle Monster’s back a solid kick. This monster followed its buddies’ fate as many couldn’t dodge in time, getting their heads busted and bloody, bodies mangled.

The Sliding Turtle Monsters desperately tried to escape their playful fate, but unfortunately their prized speed meant jack squat to these two monsters way beyond their league. Instead, it just made things more interesting as they got kicked around until they croaked...

Carlos watched Red Spirit and Blood Silver play with fondness, feeling sentimental.

They really were still just two kids. Should he give them more playtime in the future?

The Psionics acting as overseers watched monsters that could be death threats to them getting played with like hockey pucks.

Their feelings were all over the map, and some originally respectful looks now had traces of fear.

These Psionics who developed scared hearts mostly carried spy missions.

Red Spirit and Blood Silver’s casual way of toying with monsters was truly terrifying.

It made them think that if they got busted, they’d probably be like these poor Sliding Turtle Monsters—kicked around like soccer balls.

Such horrible consequences were scary as hell to think about.

Just then, a golden figure in the distant ice plains rapidly approached from far to near, stopping in front of Carlos in the blink of an eye.

"Master!"

Carlos nodded, gesturing for Ginya to enter the temporary city hall...

Inside Mirror Lake Fortress - City Hall,

"Where’s the stuff?"

"Here."

Light flashed from Ginya’s storage ring as several large boxes appeared, packed with ancient gold coins.

Carlos checked them out—definitely Ersbah ancient gold coins. Roughly calculating the amount, there was more than enough to swap for a new set of shield equipment.

Putting away the gold coins, Ginya had done its job well. Carlos glanced at the dejected Ginya and tried to cheer it up:

"Don’t sweat not catching the Shadow Twins.

Someday you’ll run into them again, and then..."

"Then I’ll definitely nab them good and give them no chance to escape!"

With its master’s words, Ginya’s funk instantly vanished. It suddenly got somewhat bashful:

"Master, I brought you some presents!"

"Huh?"

Carlos was pretty surprised. His retainer had learned to bring gifts after one trip out.

Red Spirit lacked this awareness, and Purple Vortex even less so. Thinking about it, Ginya with human memories did indeed have experience in this area.

He was somewhat excited—what would the retainer’s gift be?

Sensing its master’s obvious anticipation, Ginya felt it and grinned mysteriously, light from its storage ring flashing even brighter than before.

Instantly the entire hall was crammed with treasure chests containing all kinds of precious minerals, rare materials, secret liquids, and medicinal ingredients. Carlos’s eyelids twitched as he got a bad feeling:

"Where’d this stuff come from?"

"The palace treasury. After the Shadow Twins got away, I saw the palace treasury had no guards, so I grabbed them on my way out."

Ginya’s matter-of-fact words made Carlos sigh in relief:

"Palace treasury?

As long as nobody saw."

Carlos wasn’t worried about the Dotruu Kingdom’s accusations—just afraid of messing with the Valois family’s reputation.

Nobody seeing meant no evidence, and no evidence meant it all came down to who had the bigger stick.

"Master, don’t worry. I flew openly over those weaklings, and they didn’t dare say a peep."

Ginya vividly described the Dotruu Kingdom nobles’ cowardice—facing its robbery, they lacked the guts to chase after it.

"...They know you took it?"

Carlos had a bit of a headache. The Dotruu Kingdom’s strength didn’t matter much, especially with the old king’s mess. Their country was probably in chaos, inevitably fighting over the throne and unable to look after themselves.