Trafford’s Trading Club

The Royal Palace guards had obviously become far stricter—this was worlds apart from when Claudia first disguised herself as Princess Yamana and sneaked into the palace.

It’s likely because of what happened at the banquet that the palace has strengthened its defenses now.

But for now, Mr. Otto and Claudia’s escape has been relatively smooth… only that Claudia is also worried about not having any information about new classmates along the way, which might be her only concern at the moment.

Perhaps it’s a shared feeling of not belonging to this place, coming from the modern world.

“What about that Yiben, are we not going to bother with him?” Claudia suddenly recalled Yiben, who was knocked out by Otto at the very beginning and hidden away.

Otto directly said, “He’s Yiben. The one I know is Aria, and he’s still outside the Oasis Temple now.”

Claudia was silent for a moment before she murmured softly, “Mr. Otto, can you really tell the difference? These two worlds, there’s someone like me, like Aria, and even…”

“Even what?” Otto turned back immediately.

Claudia opened her mouth, originally wanting to say that there might even be a High Priest like her father, but the words ultimately transformed into: “Maybe even like you.”

“Which is why we should leave this place more than ever.” Otto said expressionlessly, “If you remain in the falsehood long enough, one day even you will be assimilated by the falsehood.”

Assimilated by the falsehood… Claudia’s heart suddenly trembled, vaguely grasping at something.

She was about to say something but was interrupted by Otto’s sudden stop ahead. Seeing Mr. Otto just standing there, Claudia instinctively frowned, “What’s going on?”

“Later, you just hide.” Mr. Otto suddenly said coldly.

“What do you mean…” Claudia was startled, and at the same time, an arrow suddenly shot to the ground in front of her… Watching the shaft still vibrating inserted in the ground, she gasped sharply!

It’s the White-robed Guards—five of them suddenly appeared ahead on the path! Even amongst them, one of the White-robed Guards was holding a peculiar flute!

He was blowing into the flute, clearly summoning more people.

“Princess, the High Priest requests your return.” The White-robed Guard playing the flute said in a deep voice, “And as for this guy trying to abduct the princess… execute him!”

Claudia immediately whispered, “Can you… handle these guys?”

She remembered Otto quietly knocking out two White-robed Guards before, feeling anxious yet not overly panicked.

Otto returned Claudia’s gaze with an indescribable look… then said nothing, yet suddenly his body moved, not pushing Claudia aside initially but instead holding her in front and grabbing her neck: “Step back, or I won’t be polite with the princess.”

Claudia immediately caught on and screamed, “Don’t come near! This guy will really kill me… don’t come close! He’s going to kill me… ah, ah—ah!”

“Can you… stop talking?” Mr. Otto whispered in her ear.

“Why? I think I’ve perfectly displayed a fearful emotion, right?” Claudia moved her lips.

“I wish you hadn’t been in your school’s drama club or anything.” Mr. Otto couldn’t help but sigh.

At the same moment, the group of White-robed Guards, who were not planning to cooperate with the act, started to strike at the leader’s command.

“Capture the woman alive… kill the man!”

Facing the assault from several White-robed Guards, Mr. Otto clearly dared not be careless, having to push Claudia aside—he took note of the words the White-robed Guards used.

Woman!

Clearly, in their eyes, Claudia was never regarded as the princess… even if the real Princess Yamana were here, their attitude wouldn’t change much.

These formidable White-robed Guards are loyal only to the High Priest of the temple.

Claudia was pushed aside, while Otto was surrounded by five White-robed Guards alone… it was her first time witnessing Otto’s skills, unexpectedly so good, handling five White-robed Guards alone and still appearing at ease.

But Mr. Otto couldn’t hold on for long—within moments, more White-robed Guards had been summoned by the flute’s sound, and even with his prowess, Mr. Otto was outmatched.

The White-robed Guards clearly had a well-practiced formation for dealing with enemies, ultimately overwhelming Mr. Otto.

At this time, Otto’s hands were gripped by two White-robed Guards, while his legs were kicked, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

“Always just a mortal…” Mr. Otto, rendered immobile, couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile.

He glanced over, seeing Claudia seized as well, having her arms restrained by two of the White-robed Guards, unable to break free… observing this, Otto could only sigh inwardly.

Just then, the White-robed Guards around suddenly made way as the High Priest from the temple slowly approached… this time, the High Priest had donned a black robe.

On his head, he wore no ornamentation, his hair naturally flowing, and his square face bore an oddly gentle look.

The High Priest came before the captured Otto, who looked up, his brows deeply furrowed—obviously, he recognized this High Priest… his appearance.

“Xie Jiatu?” Mr. Otto said instinctively.

“How dare you address the High Priest by name!” Behind him, a White-robed Guard furiously slapped Otto in the face—a powerful blow, and after taking it, blood oozed from Otto’s mouth.

The White-robed Guard, seeing that he intended to continue beating, was suddenly stopped by a gesture from the High Priest, who then respectfully retreated two steps.

The High Priest glanced around—despite Otto being captured, seven White-robed Guards were already lying around!

Though not dead, these White-robed Guards were evidently heavily injured, unable to recover in a short period.

“These White-robed Guards are the elites of the Temple, their skills are exceptional. To be able to hold your own in the midst of so many White-robed Guards, and even defeat seven of them…” the High Priest looked down at Otto, “I didn’t expect your skills to be so good. It would be a pity to just kill you like this.”

“What is it, esteemed High Priest? Are you interested in recruiting me, the criminal who tried to abduct the Princess?” Mr. Otto said calmly.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” The High Priest smiled slightly, then waved his hand.

At this moment, a White-robed Guard stepped forward, wielding a wooden stick, and forcefully struck Otto on the back of his neck… but surprisingly, the strike didn’t knock Otto out. The guard struck a second time, and only then did Otto slowly collapse, allowing the White-robed Guards to drag him away.

…

When the High Priest approached Claudia, she tried to remain calm, but her body was more honest than she imagined.

The High Priest looked at her silently… Claudia gradually became flustered, “I… I… I actually, I…”

“Her Royal Highness the Princess is frightened.” The High Priest said softly, “Tonight, the Princess was attacked by a monster, and now someone intends to abduct you… It seems the Royal Palace’s guards are indeed too lax.”

“Yes… yes.” Claudia found herself unable to meet his gaze… especially when she deduced that this High Priest might actually be the monster, intending to destroy this City of the Sun, her heart was already shrouded in fear!

“Guards, escort Her Royal Highness the Princess back. Make sure no criminals approach her again this time!” The High Priest said sternly, “If it happens again, you will walk into the Punishment Chamber and face the consequences yourselves.”

The White-robed Guards, usually expressionless, showed visible terror upon hearing mention of the Punishment Chamber… To Claudia, these machine-like figures also had things they feared?

Yet she allowed these White-robed Guards to take her away, and on the way back to her quarters… Claudia instinctively turned back, only to see that the High Priest hadn’t left immediately. Instead, he stood in place, silently watching her departing figure.

Xie Jiatu… the High Priest’s name is also Xie Jiatu?

Is this a coincidence, or… Claudia couldn’t determine it at the moment, but she had a very special feeling—a feeling that the High Priest Xie Jiatu, silently watching her now, suddenly overlapped with her father, Professor Xie Jiatu.

She was startled, recalling what Mr. Otto had said—you, if you always reside in falsehood, will one day be assimilated by it.

Falsehood…

…

Firelight illuminated the dungeon, and a White-robed Guard brought a jug of water, dousing Mr. Otto—but the water did not awaken him.

Just as the guard was about to fetch another jug, the High Priest gestured for them to stop, instructing, “All of you, leave now.”

“High Priest, this person is not to be feared!” The White-robed Guards were slightly surprised.

The High Priest shook his head and gestured again…the guards dared not disobey and silently exited the dungeon. Only then did the High Priest step forward to the chained Otto, looking down at him.

“Stop pretending; open your eyes.” The High Priest abruptly said, “I have a few questions to ask you.”

Otto gave no reaction, still bowing his head. The High Priest waited for a moment before saying indifferently, “Do you know where you are? This is the path leading to the Punishment Chamber… Behind the door behind you, that’s the Punishment Chamber.”

Otto remained unresponsive.

The High Priest continued, unfazed, “The so-called Punishment Chamber is where the True God punishes sinners. Inside, there’s no physical torment…it’s merely an empty room, except for one thing.”

Otto still showed no response.

The High Priest calmly added, “Except for one thing… the longer you stay in the Punishment Chamber, the more you’ll see the most painful and regretful events of your life… Whether you pierce your eyes or burst your eardrums, these painful and regrettable memories will replay in your mind endlessly.”

Finally, Otto’s breathing seemed to hasten slightly, and his brow showed an almost imperceptible furrow… The High Priest, however, smiled serenely, “Those disobedient White-robed Guards who entered the Punishment Chamber, I’ve only seen one endure for three days; most commit suicide in less than a day… Of course, you might think I’m deceiving you. What does it matter? I intend to send you in, let you experience it yourself… maybe I’m really just tricking you.”

Without warning, Otto opened his eyes and slowly raised his head, smiling, “So even the High Priest of the Temple has such a twisted sense of humor… As a Priest, I didn’t expect you to enjoy tormenting others so much.”

The High Priest replied calmly, “Torment? Not at all. We merely believe that a person, when in a state of regret, will truly comprehend the errors of their past… A mental examination can help one realize the line between right and wrong.”

Otto shrugged, “I wonder if Your Excellency the High Priest has any regrets or painful memories.”

The High Priest replied calmly, “The Punishment Chamber has no effect on me because I am the Representative of the True God.”

Otto was not provoked, only showing a look of interest, “You are the High Priest of the empire, commanding the formidable White-robed Guards. In the eyes of the City of the Sun’s citizens, your status even surpasses that of the Pharaoh, and you’re also the Representative of the True God… I’m curious why you still allow this Pharaoh to exist. You could take full control of this land yourself.”

“A nation needs a ruler, the Temple needs a Proxy Agent.” The High Priest shook his head, “There doesn’t have to be a conflict between the two.”

Otto raised an eyebrow, “Divine Right of Kings, hasn’t the High Priest heard of that?”

“It seems…” The High Priest gazed meaningfully at Otto, smiling, “You appear to be a faithful devotee of theocracy.”

Otto said straightforwardly, “After all, a mortal body cannot rival the True God… since one cannot rival the God with a mortal body, why not uphold the God to gain power beyond mortals.”

“You wish to gain transcendent power?” The High Priest asked with some curiosity, “Why?”

Otto replied slowly, “Perhaps because I’ve lived a long time and wish to try everything.”

The High Priest furrowed his brow, scrutinizing Otto for a while before slowly speaking, “You’ve actually given me this answer once before.”

“What do you mean?” Otto frowned… Simultaneously, an inexplicable fear crept into his heart.

“What I mean is unimportant.” The High Priest shook his head, “What’s important is, it’s time for you to leave… Otto.”

Otto suddenly widened his eyes, a flash of insight crossed his mind, and he blurted out, “You are Xie Jiatu… Professor?!”

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