The Record of Unusual Creatures
chapter-552

Chapter 552: Who’s Got Better Digging Skills?

Soon, there was nothing much for Hao Ren to do, because Hilda had already begun the follow-up diplomatic negotiations, and technical negotiations were handled by several leaders from the elven engineering team. Hao Ren’s mission was basically over…

Holletta had already received message from Hao Ren a few days ago. The residents near the Volcano of Dusk and the giant tree of life had already been evacuated. The related propagandas were also on schedule. Hao Ren did not know what kind of comfort words The Disciples of Glory had prepared for the public. Presumably it must have something to do with the Goddess again.

Hilda and the Pope were exchanging ideas about the two civilizations which were meeting for the first time. Opra took the opportunity to get out. She made a wink at Hao Ren and the two of them came to a quiet place. The marshal looked hesitant. “Why didn’t you inform me ahead of time that there would be a foreign queen visiting? The King should be the one comes and meets in person in accordance to the rules. We’ve thought that all who come to help are your ordinary subordinate…”

Hao Ren laughed wryly, then said, “Ahh… I didn’t know Hilda had wanted to come along. She must have had her own considerations. But don’t get yourself so worked up; the elves are here just to work, they don’t care about the formality.”

Opra looked at Hao Ren as if she was sizing him up, making Hao Ren a little nervous. Then Opra said, “The elves called you Sun King, but obviously you’re not of their race. I’m curious what you do in the otherworld. Of course, it’s I’m asking in my personal capacity. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

“It’s not a secret,” Hao Ren shrugged. “I’m like a traffic police and law enforcer responsible for law and order of the area under my jurisdiction. Just that my area of jurisdiction is relatively large. I brought these elves out from another world and I promised them a new land. So now I’m their lord.”

Opra was amazed. “A piece of… land?”

Hao Ren patted his chest and said, “Yeah, can’t you see how big family business is?”

“Sorry but I didn’t see it.”

“…..” Hao Ren was silent for a moment and then steered the conversation away awkwardly. “The operation will cause a scene this time, no less mammoth than the Dragonspine Ridge operation. I hope you have already done your homework.”

“With the experience of the Dragonspine Ridge operation, pacifying the public at home isn’t much a problem. The only problem is the surrounding small countries.” Opra smiled slightly. “It’s hard not to expect there will be some opportunists, those barbarians have never believed in the Goddess’ teaching, so they probably would not believe the church’s explanation of the ‘miracle’. Probably they would think that it’s a manifestation of Holletta having a natural disaster, and then take the opportunity to loot the kingdom. The King has been too soft for too long. Someone always forget the taste of blood.”

Opra said, glancing at Hao Ren. “What do you think about this?”

“Think about what?”

“As a… um, as you say, inspector. Don’t you say that your job is to travel around the world as spokesperson to observe the development of history of all species? Then the war between Holletta and the surrounding barbarians…”

Hao Ren shrugged. “Then you guys can just go at it.”

Opra was startled for a moment. Hao Ren smiled. “I know you are dealing with me on behalf of the king, but regrettably you wouldn’t get the answer you want. Mhoren His Highness thinks that I’ll help out? Because of my relationship with the Kingdom of Holletta that when you go to war with the neighbouring barbarians, there will be soldiers from heaven to help you winning the war. Please, send my words to His Highness the King that I will not intervene because it’s a civil war — yes, it’s written in my handbook, this is a civil war. The conflict that broke out within the races on your planet is just that you artificially divide the belligerents into ‘kingdom army’ and the ‘barbarian army’. We’ll only intervene if this one thing happens:

Hao Ren said, raising his hand pointing to the sky.

“Natural disasters, extinct-level natural disasters. My job is only to deal with this, because we want to ensure the diversity of civilizations. As long as diversity is maintained, it doesn’t matter who is the dominant race of the civilization. It’s called natural selection.

“Of course, if you are really being beaten by others and about to be wiped out, I’ll come and help you to sail through the difficult moment. That’s considered my personal initiative. The last time I did, I had moved 500,000 people.”

As soon as Hao Ren’s voice trailed off, Opra was surprised and for a moment she was unable to give response. A few second later, only then the marshal said with a subtle smile on her face. “Okay, that’s rather expected. We had set up a group of experts and scholars earlier to study way of thinking and action of you and the forces behind you. It seems there are right at least one-third of the time. I will pass your reply on to the King. I hope we won’t leave a bad impression all because of these questions. As you know, it’s a human nature to do thing in our own interest.”

Hao Ren smiled but said nothing, quietly relieving the fact that the MDT had forced him to study of the handbook in the last few days and just happened to have read about this matter, otherwise he would not be able to answer so matter-of-factly.

Opra kneaded her face, her expression was a little hapless. “I’ve done my part. I wasn’t really used to say those words… I prefer to go into the battlefield, see whom I’m upset with and finish them with just a wave of my sword. Not so much wrestling with words and mind. It’s a pity that there has been no war since many years ago, beside doing some relief works, even the marshal could only go and parade in the streets to fire up the atmosphere, and occasionally serve as a diplomat for Mhoren, which should be the responsible of Hoffman.”

Opra had actually prepared a grander welcoming ceremony under the decree of the king, including a banquet and meeting with other court officers. However, it was clear that the Aerymian elves did not have much interest in these arrangements. Hilda came to Hao Ren. “The handover of technology is over. Could you please first bring my men to the site? Leave the banquet of Holletta aside… at least after the mission is done.”

Hao Ren sensed that Hilda had other arrangements. “What about you?”

“I’m going to meet King Mhoren,” Hilda grinned with her hand spread open. “What do you think I come for? This is a historic moment where two unfamiliar civilizations come into contact with each other—don’t you think it’s a big deal?”

Hao Ren scratched his head. “I don’t understand how the mind of politicians work. Go ahead and get your work done. I’ll bring people head over to the giant tree of life. You find me there when you’re done.”

Having said that, Hao Ren strode to the Aerymian elves and clapped his hands. “Attention, people! We’ll go as planned; there will be two teams, Team A and Team B. Team A will head to the Volcano of Dusk, and Team B to the giant tree of life. Now let’s go to your team and receive your gears.”

The elven technicians immediately spring into action as they split into two teams in the vast field outside the manor. Opra and her men looked on curiously what Hao Ren was doing next. They saw the foreigner waved with a stroke of his hand…

Groups of huge alien equipment appeared in the sky like a phantom!

Those were all gigantic stuff; they were grey and white, each was more than one hundred meters in length, they all looked like a weird ship, was inlaid with huge grey crystals on one end and a strange metal structure on the other. These huge things were suspended in the air that they swarmed the sky in a flash, even the noonday was darkened, and the atmosphere of the estate appeared to be at dusk.

And after the appearance of these weird “grey white spaceships”, more oddly shaped equipment began to emerge one after another.

The commanders of the elven technicians immediately got busy as commands were issued among the teams. “Team A Group One, board the cutter ship… Team B Group Two, board the cutter ship…Team A Group Four, operate the Gravity Tractor. Installation team, check the respective magic connections to ensure that each person controls two sets of gravity generators. Hurry up! And do you best for the honour of the Queen!”

The elven technicians boarded their respective equipment. As the cockpit of each equipment was closed, it emitted a deep roar and the surface was flowing with colours. Before long, the entire sky was full of extra-terrestrial equipment. The Pope was stunned beyond word looking at the spectacular scene.

But Opra was total cool. The female marshal had witnessed the Dragonspine Ridge event, what unfolded before her now was no matched for what she had seen last time.

After the convoy of the super excavators were all in place, Hao Ren said to Opra cheerfully, “Now, let’s experience the advanced excavation technology of the aliens!”