NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty: Wiesmann is a Bit Bewildered
“You may withdraw.”
Kunimoto Daikoku dismissed the attending members of the Golden Clan and then said, “I deeply appreciate your help for the Silver King.”
“There’s no need for formalities. I am a member of the Chat Group alongside Wiesmann, and mutual assistance is only natural.”
Wiesmann had already informed Kunimoto Daikoku about the Chat Group.
Such matters are left to the discretion of the group members; Bai Luo does not impose any restrictions.
“Yes, Lieutenant, Old Bai is quite good.”
“…”
Kunimoto Daikoku found Wiesmann’s attitude somewhat exasperating.
This man was overly naive.
Even though more than seventy years had passed, Wiesmann remained as he once was, his mindset unchanged.
However, Wiesmann differed from Kunimoto Daikoku.
As the strongest among the Authority Holders, Kunimoto Daikoku was considered the most powerful king in the K World and the ruler of the land.
He wielded overwhelming power, dominating Japan’s politics, economy, and military.
All institutions in this country operated under his will, and the Golden King himself was equivalent to the nation of Japan.
Thus, Kunimoto Daikoku understood far better than Wiesmann what the existence of other worlds implied.
New resources, broader horizons.
Consequently, both parties began discussing their respective needs.
The level of mystery in the K World was not particularly high, nor did it offer formidable combat capabilities.
But this world was technologically advanced, with an abundance of resources. If Bai Luo wanted to reconstruct the Ancient Capital of Alexandria, importing materials and technology from the K World would be incredibly convenient.
Indeed, the world of Misaka Mikoto in “A Certain Magical Index” also possessed various high technologies.
In terms of technological advancement, it even surpassed the K World.
However, Misaka Mikoto was merely an ordinary student in Academy City.
Bai Luo did have ways to connect with the academy’s principal, but due to the presence of Demon Gods, he was reluctant to enter that world.
Comparatively, collaborating with the Golden King seemed simpler.
“Do you require only these things?”
Kunimoto Daikoku looked at the list of supplies Bai Luo had compiled, which included daily necessities and basic living essentials.
Additionally, there were numerous books covering various industries, ranging from foundational to advanced levels. Bai Luo’s demands were quite extensive.
“I have a territory over there.”
“I see.”
Kunimoto Daikoku seemed to understand. Bai Luo’s world might be in a relatively backward stage.
Of course, Kunimoto Daikoku wouldn’t look down on Bai Luo for this reason.
Whether as the Black King or for the immense power Bai Luo possessed, capable of destroying this world, the Golden King dared not show any disrespect.
“But if that’s all, forgive me for saying, you’re at a significant disadvantage.”
What Bai Luo requested could easily be obtained in the K World.
Even those supplies, since the quantities weren’t large, the Golden King felt embarrassed to simply give them away.
Yes, embarrassing.
Kunimoto Daikoku found it hard to present such a meager offering.
To put it more straightforwardly, the gift was too light, and he couldn’t bear to give it.
“Cough, indeed.”
Bai Luo nodded, considering the Golden King’s position. He said, “Then let’s establish a continuous support plan.”
“Support plan?”
Kunimoto Daikoku didn’t understand. “Please elaborate.”
“My territory isn’t very large, and it probably won’t expand in the future,” Bai Luo described the general situation of his base. “In terms of scale, it’s just a small city with thousands of people.”
“A city with thousands of people?”
The Golden King roughly grasped the situation.
Providing resources for the development of a small city in the Shadow World was trivial for the Golden King, who controlled the resources of an entire nation and governed hundreds of millions of subjects.
“So, what do you require from our side?”
“It’s an honor to meet a powerful figure like His Majesty the Black King.”
The Golden King was adept at socializing. Knowing the disparity in strength between both sides, he made no requests.
Moreover, their interests did not conflict.
The sole issue of the Black King’s potential destruction of the world ceased to exist because Bai Luo wouldn’t remain in this world.
In a sense, unless the K World faced a civilization-ending crisis, Bai Luo’s power would have no place to be utilized.
“Alright.”
Bai Luo understood. He gave Kunimoto Daikoku a deep look and said nothing more.
Indeed, he still preferred interacting with Wiesmann.
Wiesmann regarded Bai Luo as a true friend.
Without considering gains or losses, without scheming or planning.
Just as this time, when Wiesmann encountered trouble and needed help, Bai Luo extended a helping hand.
Kunimoto Daikoku paid too much attention to these matters.
Perhaps his intentions were good, but Bai Luo had no interest in playing political games.
“Sorry, Old Bai.”
After leaving Fushigi-Inn, Bai Luo returned to the airship upon Wiesmann’s invitation.
On the way, Wiesmann apologized to Bai Luo: “Lieutenant, he is different from me. As the Golden King bearing the weight of this nation, he cannot make decisions lightly.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Bai Luo smiled nonchalantly. He patted Wiesmann’s shoulder and said, “Isn’t that why you’re here!”
“Maybe the lieutenant realized this point, so he excluded himself.”
“Huh? Is that so?”
Though Wiesmann appeared as an elegant gentleman, in reality, he was purely a clown.
“Regardless, I’m truly grateful this time.”
Most of the supplies on the airship had been consumed during the seventy years. The only thing left was a batch of rather vintage red wine.
Wiesmann planned to treat Bai Luo to some of these treasured wines.
“Dong!”
Wiesmann expertly opened the red wine, pouring a glass each for Bai Luo and himself.
Sitting in the flying ship’s hall, Bai Luo didn’t pretend to know how to drink alcohol. Instead, he casually asked Wiesmann about the proper way to enjoy red wine.
“How does it feel?”
Wiesmann watched Bai Luo, who followed his guidance to taste the wine correctly, his tone slightly expectant.
Because Bai Luo rarely drank red wine, Wiesmann specially chose a type suitable for beginners.
“Not bad.”
Bai Luo smiled, examining the red liquid in the glass under the light. “I always thought red wine was bitter, but this one is surprisingly good.”
In fact, different types of red wine vary in acidity, tannins, and sweetness.
The bitterness usually refers to the ‘tannin’ component in red wine.
Red wine with high tannin content tends to taste bitter.
“Everyone has different tastes; some prefer red wines with higher tannin content.”
Wiesmann precisely noticed this point and thus selected a type that Bai Luo could more readily accept. “If you like, you can take some back.”
“I have plenty of other things, but good red wine, I have an endless supply.”
As the Unchanging King, controlling the brewing of alcoholic beverages was exceptionally easy.
Over the years, although Wiesmann’s airship never docked, the delivery of various supplies by the Golden King never ceased.
For Wiesmann, who could manipulate gravity, it took merely a thought to obtain supplies from the ground.
“It seems you haven’t been idle while staying here.”
During the seventy years, Wiesmann wasn’t completely inactive. He developed a few hobbies, including researching alcohol.
“But the kids on my side are too young to drink.”
Although Bai Luo said this, he didn’t refuse Wiesmann’s kindness.
Not only red wine, but also Japanese sake and Chinese baijiu, Bai Luo selected some of each.
“By the way, aren’t you going to manage it?”
When Bai Luo, who had taken the items, looked at Wiesmann with slight confusion,
“What?”
However, Wiesmann seemed perplexed.
“What what?”
“…”
Mysteriously, the two stared at each other silently, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
“Wait a moment.”
Wiesmann quickly asked, “What are you talking about, Old Bai? What should be managed? Managed what?”
“No.”
Bai Luo was equally startled, pointing at the sofa beside him, “Didn’t you notice something missing over there?”
“Missing what?”
Following Bai Luo’s finger, Wiesmann saw that the sofa was empty.
The silver-haired youth paused for a moment before realizing, shouting, “That boy! He’s gone!!!”
“…”
Now it was Bai Luo’s turn to be speechless.
Goodness gracious!
Truly amazing!
When Bai Luo and Wiesmann arrived, they noticed that Izana Sha, temporarily named the boy, who was supposed to be lying on the sofa, had vanished.
When they went to see the Golden King, they hadn’t taken Izana Sha along but left him on the airship.
There was considerable distance from the ground, and Bai Luo had left magic power on him to ensure his safety.
“Why didn’t you say earlier, Old Bai?”
“I thought you knew.”
Bai Luo scratched his head. He could track Izana Sha’s location and knew he was still on the airship, not having left.
Besides, two groups of people had entered the airship.
The airship was vast. Apart from the Main Control Room, there were many rooms, functional areas, and storage rooms.
To put it bluntly, even if someone fought inside the cabin, given the soundproofing, Wiesmann might not hear it.
Perhaps the convenience of magic perception had led Bai Luo to subconsciously assume that Wiesmann had also noticed the situation.
The reason he hadn’t acted was because of the first Authority Holder’s confidence that he didn’t need Bai Luo’s help to resolve their disputes.
It seemed that in the original story, Wiesmann had easily maintained control of the situation.
“So, what exactly happened?”
“Cough cough.”
Bai Luo cleared his throat twice and explained, “It’s like this. When we came up earlier, I noticed two groups confronting each other inside the cabin.”
According to the feedback from Bai Luo’s magical perception, these two groups were undoubtedly the clans of the Red King and the Blue King.
Bai Luo didn’t know the exact details.
Judging from the situation, it seemed that the two groups landed sequentially and discovered the sleeping Izana Sha.
Unaware of Izana Sha’s true circumstances, they fiercely contested for him.
“Rest assured.”
Bai Luo sipped the fragrant red wine and calmly said, “I left magic power on the boy; he’ll be fine.”
“As for those two clans…”
He stopped speaking because it would be impolite to continue.
Bai Luo: Authority Clans? Hey, you’re pretty weak!