Chapter Eighty-One: The Artificial Underground City

“Oh, there’s still a piece of candy left.” Reaching into her pocket, Elay discovered a single sweet wrapped in commemorative badge paper.

“Hehe, He, come here, squat down,” Elay called with a playful smile, hands hidden behind her back.

“What is it? Do you want a piggyback ride?” Zhao Tianhe grinned.

But Elay popped the candy into his mouth and ruffled his hair. “Good boy, good boy, Tianhe baby.”

Is this payback? Zhao Tianhe’s expression shifted as he sucked on the candy.

“This candy…”

“Huh? Is something wrong with it?” Elay froze in alarm.

“It’s delicious!” Zhao Tianhe exclaimed in surprise. “I’ve never tasted anything like it. I wish I could ask how it’s made, but maybe that’s not appropriate… Wait, we’re in the capital—let’s pick up some cookbooks at the bookstore later!”

Elay watched Zhao Tianhe bouncing with excitement and sighed.

“Honestly, aren’t you spoiling that airheaded knight a bit too much?” Elay crossed her arms and tapped her left foot impatiently on the ground. “Look at you now! You’re more like a chef than a hero!”

“Being a chef is great. I actually wavered between forensics and the culinary arts when I was alive.” Zhao Tianhe stroked his chin. “As for being a hero, that feels like a side gig. Two or three hours a day and it’s done, right?”

“That… does make some sense,” Elay faltered, but pressed on. “Still, that won’t do! In principle, you’re my Master—my summoner!”

“There’s nothing shameful about being good at cooking.” Zhao Tianhe shrugged with a smile. “Besides, my skills have all been honed through time in the kitchen.”

“Ugh, anyway… ah! Whatever! I don’t care anymore! I’m going to have fun!” With a huff, Elay spun around and stomped away.

As her affection grew, the storm was drawing closer… Zhao Tianhe chewed his candy and sighed inwardly. I’ll have to make a choice soon. Only children want everything; grown-ups know you can’t handle it all!

Nonetheless, Zhao Tianhe did go out and buy a stack of culinary books. In that, at least, he was truthful—he genuinely loved cooking.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed, and the city was ready for the grand airship parade. The night before, stands and magical light installations had already been set up along the main avenues to heighten the festive atmosphere.

Zhao Tianhe had not agreed to let Artoria participate in the parade; instead, the three decided to watch together.

“I wonder what kind of airships they’ll have this year.” Zhao Tianhe glanced through the booklet filled with images of previous years’ spectacular airships, his anticipation growing.

Beams of magical light projected into the sky, forming epic scenes from history, interwoven with the major events of the past five years.

There was even a scene of Li Mei, the female hero of the year, receiving her award, and some footage of the competition, with Artoria captured arm wrestling with her.

“That’s you! Amazing!” Elay pointed at the projection, her face full of astonishment.

“It’s nothing special. I didn’t win, after all,” Artoria replied coolly, munching on snacks.

“No, I mean that woman’s chest is amazing.” Elay grinned wickedly at Artoria. “Even as a goddess, I’ve never seen a human grow something like that! It’s the epitome of excess. Compared to her, the Knight King is so much healthier.”

“You…” Artoria accidentally crushed her snack, a single ahoge trembling on her forehead.

“The airship’s coming!” Zhao Tianhe’s shout turned their attention skyward.

A long shadow swooped down, twisting and turning before roaring past above the street, slowing dramatically and drawing gasps from the crowd.

It was a special airship—a golden, Chinese-style dragon!

Golden scales shimmered, the majestic dragon’s head lifelike, even the whiskers floating in the breeze as if alive. Four dragon claws gripped clouds, as if it were soaring through the sky.

The airship dove again, slowing further. Its belly opened in segments, releasing gondolas formed of air magic in which Li Mei and the others could be seen.

Bathed in magical light, the scene was breathtaking, almost otherworldly.

It reminded Zhao Tianhe of fireworks festivals on Earth, though without the booming explosions—less raucous, but with far superior sound and light effects.

He found the airship impressive, but not surprising; he’d already encountered many ancient Chinese customs and artifacts in this world, and many people bore Chinese surnames.

It just proves that plenty of good souls from my homeland have perished here. Take me, for example—a handsome youth destined to save hearts with gourmet food and become a legendary chef. Gazing at the massive dragon airship, Zhao Tianhe felt a surge of kinship, but then a strange drowsiness swept over him.

What’s happening? Dizzy… so sleepy… Zhao Tianhe frowned and slumped to the ground.

Artoria and Elay, enthralled by the giant airship and distracted by the noisy crowd, failed to notice his plight.

“Hm? Leito, what’s wrong? Sleepy?” A young woman glanced down at the child in her arms, now fast asleep, and asked in confusion, “Weren’t you looking forward to this for days? You didn’t stay up late either… Did you sneak toys into bed again?”

At Greenleaf Amusement Park, the simulated dungeon had long since closed. Yet within, the machinery rumbled on—no, it was running far beyond its limits.

Vast streams of life energy warped and tore at the entire area, transforming it into a slowly spinning, colossal orb of deep red light. Cracks spread across the arena’s walls; the whole building trembled on the verge of collapse.

“I wonder how they’ll respond. Judging from recent years, I doubt they’ll be too hardline,” a black-robed figure gloated, gazing at the scene through a crystal ball. “After all, it’s thousands of children’s lives at stake—some even the offspring of powerful figures! Hahaha…”

“It’s a shame about Rog Town, though. It seems we missed something crucial. The master says the Rainbow Heart is gone from there,” replied a tall man in immaculate formalwear, his face hidden. “But this time, whatever they decide, the result will be the same. Even if we fail, we’ll still win in the end!”

Across the city, thousands of children inexplicably fell into a deep sleep, impervious to their parents’ frantic calls.

A few vigilant parents with some magical knowledge attempted mental probes—and were nearly scared out of their wits.

Their children’s souls were missing!

They weren’t merely sleeping—their very souls had been wrenched away!

Hospitals and research institutions intervened at once, quickly identifying a link among the victims.

They had all visited the simulated dungeon at Greenleaf Amusement Park.

The city guard rushed to the site, only to find the collapsed building and, beneath the rubble, that awe-inspiring, enormous sphere.

“This is… a dungeon! And a real one at that!” The former hero, now captain of the patrol squad, stared in shock. “How is this possible? A man-made dungeon?!”