Embers Ad Infinitum
chapter-621

Chapter 621: Present Situation

Translator: CKtalon

The Old Task Force didn’t directly head to Wasteland Ruin 13 to investigate the Holm Fertility Center because they still had some preparations to do.

On the one hand, their planned route was to enter from the cave which the white wolf used in the North Shore Mountains. After all, their destination was closely guarded by First City’s army, leaving only a single gap. However, the Old Task Force had previously exposed their identity as Ruin Hunters, and First City had a mission to investigate the missions they had previously participated in.

Jiang Baimian wasn’t sure if this large faction—which had plenty of powerhouses—had grasped this secret passage and placed it under surveillance.

The lone Hunters who had explored Wasteland Ruin 13 with the Old Task Force back then were either dead or gone. Jiang Baimian wasn’t worried that First City would obtain the relevant information from them, but apart from these people, the Old Task Force had also hired a guide. This meant that there was a possibility of a leak.

The Old Task Force could only find an alternate way to enter Wasteland Ruin 13 if such a thing really happened. Therefore, Jiang Baimian hoped to confirm this problem from multiple sources.

She didn’t want to fall into an open net.

She had already learned from the company and the vulgar parrot’s owner, Kanna, that First City’s Hand of Order had originally wanted to investigate the missions the Old Task Force had taken on. However, a series of matters later happened, including the far-reaching uprising. The corresponding investigations were left on pause.

On the other hand, Wasteland Ruin 13 was a very dangerous place. Genava was also suspected to be the Source Brain’s contingency plan. The Old Task Force had to make sufficient preparations, get in tip-top condition, and resolve the latent dangers before heading over.

The jeep drove for more than ten minutes before stopping in front of a yellowish-brown building that was only three stories tall.

This was Ugo Hotel, which Jiang Baimian and the others were very familiar with.

The hotel’s business seemed to have deteriorated. When the Old Task Force walked into the lobby, only the slightly haggard, tanned, and blond boss—Ugo—was inside.

While tidying up stuff, his face was pale, and his hair was wet as if he had just undergone torture.

Shang Jianyao excitedly walked over and suppressed his voice. “Did you abuse yourself again? Did you sense your true self this time?”

Ugo looked up at him and calmly said, “I can’t share my feelings with people who have never experienced it.”

“Ooo.” Shang Jianyao looked eager.

Ugo cast his gaze at October Xue and Qian Bai. “How many rooms do you want?”

“We aren’t staying in the hotel this time.” Jiang Baimian laughed.

Ugo wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tattered towel. “Then, what are you doing here?”

As Bai Chen subconsciously looked around, Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “I want to inquire about something from the general.”

The general referred to General Phocas—the most senior and most prestigious general in First City—who was in a semi-retired state and only controlled a portion of the city defense forces.

He had converted to February’s Kalendaria, Dawn, and was a high-ranking member of the True Self Church. The hotel owner, Ugo, also belonged to this Church.

Ugo glanced at Long Yuehong, Genava, and the others and said calmly, “The city defense forces are no longer under the general’s command.”

“He has fully retired?” Shang Jianyao asked curiously.

Ugo shook his head. “The new consul, Marshal Gaius, attaches great importance to the general. He requested him to return to the field and replace him as commander of the Eastern Army Corps. The general set off a week ago and isn’t in the city.”

Gaius has plenty of tricks up his sleeve… Jiang Baimian’s first reaction was to sigh inwardly when she heard that.

As the new consul and military commander-in-chief who relied on an uprising to climb to power, Gaius definitely had to have the city defense forces under his control to feel at ease.

However, Phocas—who previously helmed the city defense forces—had qualifications, prestige, and background. It wasn’t that easy to deal with him, and a slight mistake might trigger another uprising.

In the face of such a situation, Gaius chose to compromise for a strategic advantage. He promoted Phocas and gave him more power, allowing him to take over his Eastern Army Corps.

This way, it was naturally inappropriate for Phocas to remain as the city guard commander. Furthermore, Gaius had painstakingly managed the Eastern Army Corps for many years. It was impossible for them to disobey his orders just because of a change in commander.

Gaius also indirectly expressed his goodwill toward the True Self Church that backed Phocas and the February Kalendaria—Dawn—that the True Self Church believed in. It could be considered killing two birds with one stone.

The art of transactions…

Just as this thought flashed through Jiang Baimian’s mind, Shang Jianyao blurted out with regret and pain, “He still owes us a celebratory feast!”

He ran off just like that!

Ugo’s expression changed a little.

Jiang Baimian quickly coughed and said, “We don’t need the general in the city or the city defense forces to know what we want to know. As long as he uses his connections slightly, he can resolve our problems.”

Ugo returned to his indifferent expression as if he wouldn’t flee even if someone was hanging themselves in front of him. “What can you offer to move the general?”

What can we use to move him? I haven’t talked about how we were screwed over by your general—how we bumped into Asus and Christina, which almost killed Little Red! Jiang Baimian’s heart palpitated, but she smiled. “We plan on visiting Wasteland Ruin 13. We wish to know if there are any safe routes we can take. Haven’t you guys always wanted the information Oray hid in that secret laboratory? We will share anything we find with you later.”

Heh heh, we will only go to the Holm Fertility Center. It’s impossible for us to gain much from it. When the time comes, we naturally won’t be able to share anything. This can’t be considered as us violating our promise… At this moment, the scene of Shang Jianyao describing his actions on the ‘cruise ship’ surfaced in Jiang Baimian’s mind—in order to reenact the truth, he made a face and made a ‘bleh bleh bleh’ sound.

Ugo digested Jiang Baimian’s words. “I can help you relay the message, but I can’t make any promises.”

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “If there’s no safe route, I’ll have to trouble the general to provide the guard situation regarding Wasteland Ruin 13’s tunnels. We’ll find a solution ourselves.”

She didn’t mention the North Shore Mountains passage and instead tactfully sought confirmation in order to prevent Phocas and First City’s military system from learning about this information when they weren’t aware of it originally. It would only breed trouble.

If the guard situation provided by Phocas didn’t include information on the North Shore Mountains, the Old Task Force could preliminarily confirm that the passage was safe based on Kanna’s feedback.

“Alright.” Ugo agreed. “How should I contact you in the future?”

“We’ll visit you regularly.” Jiang Baimian chose the safest method and didn’t even leave a telegram frequency.

As for the regularity, it was naturally up to the Old Task Force to decide. After all, Ugo spent most of his time in his hotel.

Upon seeing that Ugo didn’t object, Shang Jianyao changed the topic. “Your business has deteriorated. Did something happen?”

Ugo glanced at him. “Many lower-class citizens have joined the army and undergone training. The number of Ruin Hunters in First City and the surrounding area has dropped significantly.”

At this point, Ugo seemed to recall something. “When you were still in First City last year, an Awakened jumped down from a helicopter and died. Was it your doing?”

The Virtual World’s owner?

Before Jiang Baimian could decide if she should answer, Shang Jianyao patted his chest with a proud expression. “Yes, I did it!”

Ugo revealed a rare confused expression and sized up the fellow. He didn’t know the actual situation and only knew that General Phocas was rather concerned about this matter.

The Old Task Force left the hotel and returned to the street after a short chat about the changes the city had undergone.

After getting into the jeep, Shang Jianyao nagged, “First City’s business environment has deteriorated significantly. I wonder how Su Na and the others’ fast-food restaurant is doing…”

Su Na… Long Yuehong was stunned for a moment before he recalled that she was the Ashlandic woman his team had rescued from Wolf’s Den.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, “U-turn and take a look. Then, disguise yourself and go to the Hunter’s Guild. We’ll further confirm First City’s current situation through the missions issued.”

Bai Chen didn’t object and drove the jeep to the port.

As it was daytime, there weren’t many pedestrians in the Green Olive Zone. It didn’t take the Old Task Force long to reach the port.

Upon seeing boats coming and going, with many sailors and supplies being transported to the warehouse, Jiang Baimian immediately understood the situation of Su Na and company’s fast-food restaurant.

First City—which was about to expand—was crazily stocking up on supplies. The port was abnormally prosperous, and the sailors were enough to support the fast-food restaurant’s business.

Just as Jiang Baimian had expected, Su Na and the others were still busy and smiling on the ground floor of the building where Wolf’s Den was.

“When First City officially expands, the situation here will most likely change significantly. Their business might not be able to continue.” Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and sighed. “Find an opportunity to remind them so that they can make preparations early.”

“Yes,” Bai Chen was the first to respond.

For some reason, Long Yuehong recalled the wilderness nomad settlement that had been massacred by the Heartless.

Peace in the Ashlands was always so fragile.

The longer people lived in such an environment, the more numb they became. In the end, they had to believe in a Kalendaria and use ‘Them’ as a spiritual crutch.

…

After circling to First City’s Hunter’s Guild, the disguised Old Task Force split into two teams and entered the lobby.

As she scanned the area, Jiang Baimian saw an acquaintance.. It was the Ruin Hunter they had previously cooperated with—Oudick.