“Excellent.”

Ms. Mapel was also very satisfied with Li Andy’s straightforwardness.

“This commission involves some border issues. If you need it, you can use some of our academy’s ‘equipment’.”

“Your equipment?”

Li Andy raised his eyebrows, curious.

Following Ms. Mapel, he took the elevator to the floor beneath the tower’s ground level.

A steel door rotated open, and Li Andy saw a vast space.

The layout here reminded him of a weapon testing ground.

He glanced sideways at the metal sign, and indeed it was—【Light Weapon Research and Testing Ground】.

As expected of an academy located in Central City of Nine District, its composition was truly diverse.

He feared that the purpose of their current commission was not simply for what Professor Youge might have left behind.

Ms. Mapel led the way, saying:

“The Meditation Society is currently under investigation, and I don’t actually have many people I can use. If Ms. Cuiboma hadn’t mentioned it, I would have actually planned to investigate myself, rather than commissioning you.”

Li Andy paused, the tall figure of the proprietress of Dulin flashing through his mind.

The mention of a familiar person gave him the illusion that “there are many people in the circle, and the world is truly small.”

But in reality, everyone was in key positions in Nine District, so it was not strange for them to be connected.

Even if their levels were different, those people shrouded in shadows could always come together due to various similar choices.

As if… a curse from fate.

Next, under Ms. Mapel’s introduction, Li Andy also saw many novel pieces of equipment.

For example, pneumatic guns that didn't require bullets.

And also, half-body steam armor similar to an exoskeleton.

All sorts of strangely shaped steam prosthetics were even filling the maintenance area.

If relics could be combined with equipment, their power would definitely be more than one plus one.

Whenever Li Andy saw these “high-tech” pieces of equipment, he couldn't help but complain about the impoverished life Youxi lived in the game.

Even though there was a lot of equipment they could rely on, they could only use their initial equipment to fight to the end of the level.

Thinking of this, Li Andy secretly decided that if their commission fee was too low, he would definitely go back tonight and teach them a good lesson.

“How about it, isn't it beautiful?”

After a general introduction, Ms. Mapel asked somewhat proudly.

Li Andy nodded:

“Hmm, both retro and futuristic.”

“Retro?”

Ms. Mapel raised her delicate eyebrows slightly.

“Even in the Empire, this is considered an advanced design. You actually think it’s retro?”

Li Andy was slightly stunned and casually replied:

“Probably… because the design concept hasn’t deviated from the imitation of natural organisms by gears.”

Ms. Mapel frowned and concentrated upon hearing this, falling into deep thought.

So much so that she didn't pay much attention to what equipment Li Andy subsequently chose.

Only when they were about to leave did she inexplicably ask:

“Have you always been optimistic about the power of technology?”

Li Andy pondered for a few seconds and gave an affirmative answer.

Ms. Mapel smiled upon hearing this, but the next moment, her smile gradually faded, and a hint of melancholy appeared in her eyes:

“I also hope it can always be this way.

“The power of steam is great; it has pushed us into another era, broadened our horizons, and expanded our footprints.

“But… it also made us dig up things we shouldn’t have, and peeked at things we shouldn’t have peeked at…”

Li Andy frowned and looked at her.

Ms. Mapel, however, did not explain this, walking ahead and leading him out from beneath the ground.

In the silence, Li Andy couldn’t help but reconsider the question he had just asked.

Can technological progress truly always be optimistic for humanity?

…

On the other side.

Youxi and Sophia had already discussed some commission prerequisites with Irene.

These included the approximate cost of the commission and the scope of responsibilities.

For Irene, this was a pleasant surprise.

Because the price… was incredibly cost-effective!

This made her somewhat worried whether the other party’s abilities truly met the standards.

But soon, the statement from the girl with the black-to-white hair quickly dispelled her confusion.

“Ms. Irene, can you be frank with us about the relationship between Eric and your father?”

Youxi gazed intently into Irene’s eyes.

“Ms. Irene, you seemed to have confused their identities several times in your previous narration.”

Irene’s body trembled, and her hands subconsciously clenched her skirt.

Youxi continued:

“Ms. Irene, there are many inexplicable things in this world, but inexplicable doesn't mean they can't exist. For example, the soul.”

Irene’s body stiffened. After a few seconds of silence, she took a deep breath and slowly articulated her conjecture that “Father’s soul might be attached to Eric.”

Youxi listened and nodded, occasionally guiding the conversation and asking questions to help Irene outline the characters’ personalities.

Molly, standing by, held a pen and silently took notes.

【Father Youge is calm and relatively taciturn. He is very devoted; after my mother passed away, he never sought another partner again.】

【Eric is slightly timid but has a flexible mind and always comes up with particularly novel ideas.】

【Father was dissatisfied with Eric’s temperament, saying he couldn’t protect me, and wouldn’t let me be with him.】

【I know they both love me very much, and I… don’t want to be separated from either of them.】

Half an hour later, Youxi handed a handkerchief to the crying Irene and comforted her:

“Don’t worry, Ms. Irene. If those people are after something your father might have left behind, then they most likely won’t harm Mr. Eric’s life. We will find Mr. Eric as soon as possible and rescue him.”

“Thank you.”

Irene sniffled and nodded gratefully.

Before Youxi said goodbye and left, she paused for a few seconds at the doorway and suddenly turned back to ask:

“By the way, Ms. Irene. Who do you think Mr. Eric is now?”

Irene was stunned.

She… couldn’t answer.

…

…

Night.

Eric woke up hungry.

Looking at the dim darkness around him, he began to feel scared.

His limbs were bound, and only his breathing and the pain from his wounds made him feel alive.

At this moment, he felt that he should be Eric, and not that… damned Youge.