OBS Chapter 21. Let it live! Let it live!
Chapter 21. Let it live! Let it live!
Petersburg.
The clock tower is located in the very center of the city. It is 600 meters long and 40 meters high, with a dial diameter of 40 meters. With the blessing of a special magic circle, the time can be seen by looking up, no matter where you are in St. Petersburg.
After Green and his companions retrieved their rewards from the city hall storeroom, they followed Dr. Raven and Philip to the clock tower.
The treasure had already been promised to Grimm and his companion by the Bull-Slaying Knight. They came along out of curiosity to see what the hero's treasure was.
Although Philip had previously informed Tian Sha Xing through his familiar, he did not know what kind of test Tian Sha Xing would give.
Although he knew that the respected old man was sensible, he suggested that they come along out of concern for his niece.
The Raven doctor had originally intended to return to study the surgical manual, but upon hearing that Philip was coming along, he said:
"Don't rush to study the classics. That old man Philip is very cunning and treacherous. He says one thing to your face and another behind your back. Who knows if he has already conspired with that Killer Star to steal your Hero's Treasure?"
I have to go and see!"
Clearly, the Raven Doctor still harbors resentment over what happened back then.
Philip: "Slander! This is blatant slander, I'm telling you!"
On the way, Philip reminded the three of the following:
"You should know that the Clock Tower rings its alarm bells whenever the Demon King returns, right?"
The three nodded.
"The clock tower in St. Petersburg had already rung a few years ago when the Demon King's army first appeared, but for some reason, the Demon King has not appeared this time."
Philip sighed:
"In the past, after the alarm bells rang, the guardians of these towers would stay in the area. When the war against the demons officially began, they would do their part to fight against the demon army in the area until the last moment, even though this was not their hometown."
The Clock Tower, established over nine hundred years ago, is divided into three realms: 108 secret envoys from the lower three realms, 72 great cultivators from the middle three realms, and 12 regional bishops from the Eternal Day Realm. Of the 72 great cultivators alone, each a top-tier being in the middle three realms, over a thousand have perished in the several wars against demons over the past few hundred years. The secret envoys from the lower three realms have suffered countless losses, and even the bishops of the Eternal Day Realm have lost a full thirty.
"The start of this war against the demon is unknown. Those who are still willing to stay in the Clock Tower are all loyal and righteous, and are ready to give their lives to fight against the Demon King and ensure the continuation of humanity."
"Therefore, the clock tower is like an ever-flowing firewood, with special significance. Strangers should not approach it, and it cannot tolerate the slightest damage."
Philip said seriously:
"When you go into the tower later and meet Elder Tian Sha Xing, no matter what kind of test he puts on you, even if it's deliberately difficult, I hope you won't get emotional and clash with him."
"We understand."
Green has the utmost respect for such warriors who protect human civilization.
Mabel shook her head and said, "Uncle Plant, what do you take us for? Even if we can't pass his test, can't we at least sneak into the top of the tower?"
Philip covered his face: "See, this is typical robber thinking. You should try to spend less time with Han Naixi in the future."
The closer you get to the clock tower, the more you feel its grandeur. This unyielding clock tower reminded Green of the Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, before he traveled there.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
"Green, where do you think would be a good place for us to travel after we graduate?"
"For me, London, England, or Tokyo and Hokkaido are both fine. Anyway, you're number one in the province and I'm number two. Those big companies will cover the travel expenses for their promotional purposes. Which one do you want to go?"
"I want to go to the Albert Tower in Belfast, England, or the Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. As the saying goes, the higher you stand, the farther you can see. Since we're already standing so high, we're sure to have a bright future!"
"Okay, whatever makes you happy."
"Green, how about I give you a special gift when we get to the top of the tower?"
"What gift? Your stockings?"
"Get lost, junior. This is a secret. We'll talk about it later."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The first floor of the clock tower is quite luxurious, resembling a grand hotel from the outside. However, once inside, it's quite simple, containing only basic living facilities.
A long staircase leads to the top of the tower, where intricate, enormous gears turn incessantly, providing magic to the magic array within.
An elderly man with a crew cut sat in a rocking chair next to the steps. He had a regular face, a strong body, and his eyes were slightly squinted, as if he were asleep.
The moment Green and his two companions saw the old man, they felt dizzy and disoriented. When they opened their eyes again, they saw a completely different scene.
……
The scorching sun baked the land until it cracked.
"My melon! My melon!"
Green slowly opened his eyes and saw an old farmer crying over a large melon field.
Green, curious, stepped forward and asked:
"Grandpa, what's wrong with you?"
"Alas," the old farmer sighed deeply.
"It's too hot, all the magic melons I planted have died from the sun, and it looks like I won't be able to pay next quarter's taxes..."
"Magic melon? Tax money?"
Having just arrived in this place, and being unfamiliar with both people and the environment, Green, realizing that this other world wasn't all about fighting and killing, but rather about understanding human relationships and social dynamics, began to speak:
"Grandpa, is there anything I can do to help you?"
The old farmer glanced at him and said, "Young man, are you an adventurer from out of town?"
"This place is called Scorched Earth. It was originally a fertile land full of life. Who knew that when the hero fought the demon king, he passed through this place and a wisp of black flame scattered here during the battle."
From then on, the magic here became scarce, the rivers almost dried up, the soil cracked, and the heat was unbearable day and night. The rice we used to grow could no longer be cultivated; we could only grow magical plants to sell for a living.
The old farmer pointed to a large, withered melon field in front of him:
"Over a hundred years have passed, and we've all adapted to the weather here. We manage to make a living by growing these magic gourds and vegetables."
My magic melons were about to have a bumper harvest, but a few days ago the weather turned incredibly hot, and the already thin magical energy in the air almost disappeared.
The temperature suddenly changed, and without the magical nourishment, these magical gourds and vegetables all withered away. We definitely won't be able to pay next quarter's taxes. Sigh.
The old farmer sighed and shook his head, saying:
"Young man, since you're an adventurer from out of town, you'd better leave this place quickly. Even if you wanted to help, you couldn't do anything for me."
Green didn't leave, but instead fell into deep thought.
It's not just Green.
At this moment, Mabel and Arthur the Bull-Slayer were experiencing the same scene.
"Little girl, you look so delicate and fair-skinned, you must be from a noble family, right? I'm afraid you can't be of much help to me, you should go back now."
Mabel frowned. "Old man, are you looking down on me, your boss?"
……
"What did you just say?"
The old farmer looked at the cattle-slaughtering knight in front of him and thought to himself, "This man isn't even as old as me, yet his hearing is so bad."
So he repeated:
"I'm telling you, you'd better leave here. You're no help to me."
The butcher shook his head: "No, I meant the previous sentence. You just said that you can't pay your taxes?"
…………
Beyond the illusion.
Inside the clock tower.
The Raven Doctor looked at the magical screen floating in front of him, which was displaying images of Grimm and the other two.
Philip asked, "Senior Tian Sha Xing, what's going on here?"
Tian Sha Xing nodded and said:
"I understand everything you said earlier. I don't object to the two of them wanting the hero's treasure, but only if they are of good character. I dare not imagine what a person of bad character might do if they got the hero's treasure."
As for the knight, since he was already here, I just pulled him into the illusion as well.
Philip nodded in agreement: "That's true."
"This is one of the tests I set for the three of them."
Tian Sha Xing explained:
"Back when I was a fledgling adventurer, I stumbled into a special illusion set up by a senior adventurer."
The scene in that illusion is the memory of that senior adventurer, just like what you just saw.
Once upon a time, a piece of land in Teraila was reduced to scorched earth by the battle between a hero and a demon king, where nothing could grow and the heat was unbearable.
This challenge tests whether they can maintain a kind heart when they encounter an old farmer in a strange, illusory world whose melon field is withered and who cannot pay his taxes.
As soon as Tian Sha Xing finished speaking, an image appeared on the magical light screen.
After a moment of contemplation, Green said:
"How can you say it won't work if I haven't even tried it yet? I think I already have a solution."
Mabel said, "How dare you look down on me, the boss? Well then, I'm going to help you today! It's just a melon patch, right? I can turn it upside down in no time!"
The Bull-Slaughtering Knight: "Of course I'll help you, but it might not be in the melon patch."
Philip looked at the Star of Destruction and thought to himself, "Is this test really that simple?"
Tian Sha Xing chuckled: "Of course it's not that simple."
"This test will not only test their kindness, but also their patience and execution."
After all, anyone can talk the talk, right? The environment in this illusion is extremely harsh. When I first encountered this test, I chose to help the old farmer.
But soon I discovered that to revitalize the old farmer's magic melon field, I not only needed to find a way to gather the magic power in the air to provide the magic melon with sufficient nutrients, but also to find a way to prevent the temperature fluctuations in the melon field from becoming too drastic, so as to ensure the survival rate of the magic melon and allow the melon farmer to pay enough taxes in the next quarter.
Don't underestimate raising the demon melon; it's a highly skilled job, and you have to endure scorching heat that even superhumans would find unbearable. Most people wouldn't be able to stick with it just for a verbal promise.
Philip nodded. "In that case, it is indeed quite difficult."
Tian Sha Xing said, "Back then, in the illusion, I almost gave up several times because of the scorching heat in the sky and the low survival rate of the demon melons due to sudden temperature changes."
But patience means being open-minded and able to persevere! In the end, I not only persisted, but I also ensured the old farmer paid his taxes and even had a surplus, successfully obtaining the adventurer's skill manual, which I still benefit from to this day.
Philip nodded and said, "If I were to enter this illusion, I would probably do the same thing as Senior Tian Sha Xing."
This is currently the most conservative, but also the most effective, method.
The Raven Doctor shook his head dismissively:
"Philip, you're really foolish. Only an idiot would use that method. If it were me, I'd immediately research magical potions on the spot. One injection, and I'd bring any magical gourd or vegetable back to life!"
Philip: "Heh."
Tian Sha Xing: "..."
It seems like he was also scolded.
The group then turned their attention to the magic screen.
……
Although Mabel had never seen a magic melon, she had heard of a vegetable called flying grass.
Flying Grass also grows by absorbing magic, thus possessing a certain degree of intelligence. Every year during harvest season, to avoid being picked, they pull themselves out of the ground and fly to a secret realm known only to their kind.
This magic melon also grows by absorbing magic power, so it should have some intelligence.
If it has intelligence, then it should be able to understand human speech, right?
Mabel put on a pair of white boxing gloves and went to the melon patch, eager to try her hand at it.
He shouted at a withered magic gourd vine:
"Demon Melon, I command you to come out here!"
No response.
"Oh?"
Mabel was angry:
"You audacious devil! How dare you disobey my orders!"
Then, black and white flames appeared in her hands, and she swung her fist at the demonic gourd vine.
Of course, it didn't actually hit anything.
It's intimidation!
She wanted to instill fear in the demonic vine and make it obey her commands!
She threw punches, faster and faster, eventually throwing a hundred punches per second, like streaks of shooting stars.
……
Beyond the illusion.
Both Tian Sha Xing and Philip shook their heads.
The young people are too naive to think that this will make the magic melon appear.
You're bragging. Do you think you're some great magician?
The Heavenly Killer Star commented, "This is utterly absurd."
Philip remained noncommittal; in his view, Mabel was indeed being ridiculous.
Only the Raven Doctor chuckled.
"A mediocre person is a mediocre person. This is not nonsense; it's just that mediocre people can't understand it. It's like how there was a mediocre person who was jealous of my unparalleled talent back then."
Philip couldn't hold back any longer, "Han Naixi, you better shut up."
"Oh?" Doctor Raven raised an eyelid. "Look at the screen yourselves. Did I say anything wrong?"
"Um?"
Seeing her confidence, the two looked at the screen.
……
"Demon melon! I command you to come out here!"
Mabel shouted angrily as she swung her fist.
The Demon Gourd Vine was terrified. Where did this madwoman come from? She ordered it to produce demon gourds the moment they met. Did she think it could just produce them whenever it wanted?
And it's one thing for you to threaten me, but those black flames in your hands almost burned me several times!
The old farmer cried out, "Stop hitting it! Stop hitting it! If my melon vines are damaged, they won't bear any more melons!"
"Hmph! Get out of my way, let it give birth! If it doesn't give birth today, I'll beat it until it does!"
Mabel, her hands wreathed in black flames, waved them around menacingly:
"Give birth! Why don't you give birth!"
When she got tired of hitting, she shouted ten times towards the sky:
"Come forth, my King's Power!"
The core of the small ice explosion.
The power of the ice spirit surged within her, covering her body with frost, dispelling the scorching heat. After resting enough, she continued to frighten the demonic gourd vine.
However, what she didn't know was that the black flames in her hand were the same kind that had scattered when the hero fought the demon king back then.
The wisp of black flame that had been scattered back then was about to be extinguished, but now, sensing the familiar aura, it cheered and surged forth from all directions underground, bringing with it a massive amount of magic power in the air, all converging towards Mabel.
Mabel felt herself growing more energetic and powerful with each fight, as if her magic was inexhaustible. She pondered:
"Could it be that I possess some special physique that allows me to grow stronger with each battle? I see, this must be one of the astonishing talents hidden within me, the boss!"
As she spoke, a massive amount of magic not only surged into Mabel's body, but some of it also dissipated and was absorbed by the magic melon vine.
One, two, three, four, five, six...
Catalyzed by this magical power, the magic gourd vine, which had been parched for so long, began to produce magic gourds continuously.
The crying old farmer exclaimed in surprise:
"It gave birth? It actually gave birth!"
The old farmer immediately knelt down and bowed to Mabel.
"My dear noble lady, please don't stop! Let it grow! Let it grow!"