Beating Instances through Words Left by the Dead

With his intelligence, even if he can’t reach Wu Chang’s level in the New World, achieving half of it would be good enough.

Wu Chang shrugged, noncommittally saying:

"I’m looking forward to your adventures in the New World, but before that, you need to check the arrangements we’ve made."

Before the Great Stench occurred, Wu Chang and Raventon worried that the Steam Council’s major move was targeting key departments in Stilan, such as the Prime Minister’s Residence and Stilan Palace. On the way to Henry’s house, Raventon set up warning magic along the route.

If the Steam Council attacked several key locations, he could be notified immediately.

Raventon felt for a moment, then showed a puzzled expression, saying:

"None of the warning magic has been triggered. They seem to have just caused the stench without further action, so there’s no immediate concern."

Wu Chang slowly said:

"If I told you, the cause of the Great Stench is that the machine producing extraordinary steam explosives is operating at full capacity, leading to the large-scale production of steam explosives, would you still say there’s no immediate concern?"

Upon hearing this, Raventon’s heart skipped a beat, and he dropped the pipe from his mouth.

"How do you know this?"

Wu Chang calmly replied: "Of course, it was inspiration."

He knew because of the All-Knowing Crystal.

The crystal can’t predict with no information, but now it’s familiar with steam explosives, has insight from the King’s Badge, and knows the steam explosive formula inferred by Luca.

Under these circumstances, the crystal discovering the source of the stench is rather easy.

Raventon stood silent for a moment, then picked up his pipe from the ground, wiped off the dust with a handkerchief, and put it back in his mouth, saying:

"What exactly are they planning? That amount of steam explosives could blow Bai She Avenue into a deep pit."

Wu Chang said, "Not exactly."

Raventon asked suspiciously: "Just producing such a small amount of steam explosives can cause such a massive anomaly?"

Wu Chang explained: "I’m saying their produced steam explosives aren’t so weak. If they explode, rather than just a pit on Bai She Avenue, they could flatten a quarter of Grimland."

Raventon was temporarily speechless, his mouth twitched slightly, and he clapped a few times.

"That’s truly exhilarating news. Instead of catching the Steam Council, perhaps we should find a suitable graveyard."

Wu Chang said: "Or, we should find the factory producing the steam explosives before they complete their arrangements and thwart their plot."

Raventon’s eyes shone with hope, and he asked:

"Does your inspiration also show you the factory’s location?"

Wu Chang sneered, "Of course not, have you mistaken inspiration for something."

Raventon pursed his lips, showing a polite smile; if Wu Chang weren’t his boss, he’d curse at him.

In all of Grimland, or Stilan, Wu Chang is the last person qualified to say this.

Wu Chang looked at the items moved back from Henry’s house and said: "Perhaps there’s a clue to the explosive factory hidden in the ruined newspapers of Henry."

"What you need to do now is use your connections to gather the complete set of Hills Newspapers, then get Nestor to collaborate with you in identifying suspicious sections based on Henry’s activities."

"While I’m away, all Secret Magic Knights follow your directives, including Peace."

Raventon asked, puzzled: "Then what about you?"

Wu Chang pointed behind him, saying: "I have other matters to attend."

Raventon followed Wu Chang’s gaze and saw Julie appearing at the Secret Security Department’s entrance.

Julie appearing at this time undoubtedly means she represents Her Majesty Olivia.

Wu Chang nodded to Julie and, before approaching her, found the Divine Tongue and asked:

"Is the list ready?"

The Divine Tongue handed Wu Chang a list, whispering: "Some materials were used partially, two-thirds, can I report a bit extra?"

Wu Chang said: "Of course, can reimbursement be done partially?"

Half a minute later, Wu Chang approached Julie carrying the list given by Divine Tongue, having added "three sets" prefix to each material line, then walked to Julie.

Julie looked at the busy Secret Magic Knights and said: "Her Majesty wants to see you."

Wu Chang said: "The Secret Magic Knight Order at your disposal, always ready to serve Her Majesty."

Wu Chang got into Julie’s carriage, leaving Bai She Avenue No. 6, noticing the carriage was heading not to the Stilan Palace where the Queen resides, but to Saint George’s Cathedral.

On the way, Julie looked at Wu Chang and said:

"When Her Majesty sent me, she considered bringing you all to the cathedral, but seeing your state, it seems the Great Stench hasn’t affected you."

Wu Chang sighed, saying: "To counter the negative impacts of the Great Stench, prepared to serve Her Majesty anytime, we paid a great price configuring the extraordinary potion."

"This expenditure came from my Secret Magic Knights. I’ve promised that knight full compensation for his losses, so..."

Julie naturally said: "His contribution, Stilan will remember. You draft a list, I’ll gather the consumed extraordinary items for you."

Wu Chang took out the list prepared by the Divine Tongue, saying: "That’s great, I’ve had him prepare the list in advance."

The carriage quickly reached Saint George’s Cathedral, and just by looking at the cathedral, Wu Chang understood why Julie wasn’t affected.