Beating Instances through Words Left by the Dead

Perhaps it’s because the difficulty of the S-Level instance is too high, or maybe the World Industrial Exposition is too crucial for Stilan, that people from all over the world must witness it.

Steam Phantom is the only instance Wu Chang participated in where the main storyline did not accelerate to the end because the preliminary story had been completed.

Even though he had long resolved the Steam Council and Peace Church, Olivia maintained the original pace, intending to open the World Industrial Exposition at the end of the month, on the thirtieth day as stipulated in the main task.

The official statement of the World Industrial Exposition describes it as a grand event themed on global cooperation to promote cultural and technological exchange and development.

In reality, the World Industrial Exposition is merely a way for Stilan to flex its muscles to participating nations and show neighboring minor powers that they’re no longer on the same level, implying that future interactions require more tact.

As the World Industrial Exposition approaches, more and more foreign visitors come to Stilan.

Entering Stilan are not only regular tourists but also transcendent individuals and spies secretly nurtured by various countries.

Thanks to these individuals, the trip through the instance for Secret Magic Knights gains a sense of involvement.

Dealing with these individuals not only showcases one’s value and provides comfort in not simply winning easily but also increases the completion rate of the instance, which keeps the players enthusiastic.

Can’t bully the Steam Council, but can they not handle these foreign extraordinary individuals?

Often, Julie’s secret police haven’t even received word when foreign extraordinary individuals who have shown themselves are caught by players and sent to the Secret Security Department.

Originally, during this downtime, players wanted to take advantage and complete the main task three, investigating the prime minister’s assassination that hadn’t been attended to yet.

When Cold Mountain and Sword Star approached Wu Chang, Wu Chang indicated he had other matters to attend to and did not participate.

There’s a limit to easy victories; the truth behind Ron’s assassination required diligent investigation by him and Raventon, combined with his exclusive intelligence, to piece together the complete truth.

Other players now trying to take credit, do they think he’s a charity case?

Cold Mountain and others guessed Wu Chang already knew the answer; they didn’t press further but turned to Raventon, seeking to leverage the strength of this native detective from the plane for investigation.

To Wu Chang’s surprise, Raventon also refused their invitation, indicating that investigating who killed Prime Minister Ron now held no meaning, suggesting the culprit might have already perished in past events.

It might be the detective’s judgment; without ample evidence, Raventon intuitively guessed the case’s truth.

Though rebuffed twice, Cold Mountain and others did not give up.

Unfortunately, they acted too late; the Prime Minister’s Residence, the scene of the crime, had long been cleansed, renovated, leaving no clues behind.

The only available clues were records left by the Police Hall; as expected, after four or five days of busy investigation, they found nothing, leading to abandoning further inquiry.

Speaking of the crime scene, the Prime Minister’s Residence was thoroughly cleaned to welcome the new Prime Minister, Randy Anderson.

Randy, during this period, garnered a leading support rate with an almost entirely neutral stance, successfully being elected the new Prime Minister of Stilan ahead of the Industrial Exposition.

As supporters of Randy, all players under the Secret Magic Knight Order received notices of their victory in the side confrontation task, hence they couldn’t complain about the damage to the crime scene.

Time flew by, and the day of the World Industrial Exposition arrived.

Westminster District, Crystal Palace.

As the venue for the World Industrial Exposition, Crystal Palace occupies over twenty football fields, nearly fifty meters in height. The building utilizes steel as its skeleton, with glass as the other building material, rendering the entire structure a completely transparent, gigantic palace when viewed from the outside.

It is not only the largest building in the world at that time but also the most glamorous and dream-like construction.

Disregarding professional fields like steel framework structural mechanics and architectural functional design, just producing the massive glass covering the entire Crystal Palace requires powerful industrial capabilities and ample wealth.

Everyone seeing the Crystal Palace for the first time can’t help but cover their mouth, eyes wide open, gasping with astonishment.

Regardless of which country the visitors are from, no matter their confidence and pride in their own nation, upon seeing the Crystal Palace, their gaze becomes clear, and their demeanor becomes humble.

Especially when the gigantic Queen Olivia airship flies overhead, the shocked expressions in the visitors’ eyes turn directly into fear.

Aboard the airship, Wu Chang and Olivia stand on the observation deck, overlooking the Crystal Palace below.

Wu Chang holds a champagne glass, exchanging glances with the tourists below and asks:

"Your Majesty, is this the scene you’ve wanted to witness?"

Olivia makes no attempts at concealment, responding:

"This is the future scene I want the whole world to see."

Wu Chang gently swirls his glass, instinctively asking:

"Then, what is the cost?"

Nearby, Julie hears this question and her corner eye slightly twitches; Olivia catches this and smiles back at Wu Chang, replying:

"Everything has a cost."

"From birth, clothing, food, shelter, conversation and breathing—all require corresponding costs."