Chapter 413: Cyber-Larveya Wasteland City
Chapter 413: Cyber-Larveya Wasteland City
Boom!
The familiar thunderclap, roaring gale, and swirling ocean whirlpool accompanied the black ship, briefly illuminated by lightning flashes, as it navigated through the heavy rain.
Amidst the vast azure sea, a dark domain seemed to be carved out of the sky, constantly moving.
Just like in the legends, this terrifying vessel symbolized disaster.
Akin, holding an umbrella, ventured out into the pouring rain, avoiding the lightning strikes, and made his way to the ship's railing. He gazed down at the sea beasts suddenly drawn close, being swept away and even torn apart by the whirlpool. He then looked ahead and walked back, disappearing on the deserted deck.
On the second floor of the ship, a large building stood, its lights flickering, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere in stark contrast to the dark and empty deck outside.
Inside the captain's room on the second floor, Sage lit a cigar, leaning back comfortably against the chair, half of his body sinking into it. "Hey, this throne is quite cozy," he said.
The original throne had been replaced, and now a new one occupied the captain's room.
It was the 'Azure Sandwood Throne,' acquired in the Azure Nation, made from a special wood found in the surrounding areas. Despite being wooden, its texture was incredibly soft, making it suitable for both wooden chairs and sofas. This particular throne was the ultimate masterpiece.
Sage had found his previous throne in the captain's room too hard, so he replaced it.
Sage now possessed numerous thrones of various sizes, many of which adorned his palace.
However, in terms of quality, this one ranked as the fourth best.
The Jewel Throne and the Golden Throne, both from the East Sea, were considered fine pieces due to their valuable materials and historical significance.
The Velvet Lionhead Gold Throne, acquired on the Grand Line, was also decent, but the thrones acquired afterward were of average quality and were used by Sage in different parts of the palace.
Thrones that combined rarity and historical significance like these were indeed rare.
Bella, who was serving nearby, took the tea and snacks offered by Marika and brought them to Renitiah, who sat cross-legged on the sofa, occasionally scratching her head with her pen. Bella then walked to the window and handed a cup to Lily.
Lily took a sip of her tea and glanced out the window, saying, "Zouwu, which means 'elephant'—I've never seen an elephant that big. The wonders of the New World far surpass those of the Paradise. Sometimes I wonder if the Four Seas and this place truly belong to the same world."
Despite being separated only by the Calm Belt and the Red Line, the Four Seas were quite similar. However, the Grand Line was entirely different.
Sage exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "The Four Seas also have many wondrous places, some of which even the World Government hasn't discovered. Who knows how many islands exist in those vast seas beyond the Four Seas. But it's true that they aren't as extraordinary as the Grand Line."
Setting aside the notion of powerful individuals altering the environment and natural phenomena, the New World itself was already awe-inspiring. Sage had no idea how those wonders came to be, but he was content to use and produce them without concerning himself with their origins.
"Hey, Leticia, stop thinking and have something to eat," Sage said, addressing Renitiah.
"There's one more thing," Renitiah added, making a few more strokes on her blueprint and providing her own 'ding-ding-ding' sound effect. She then held it up for Sage to see, exclaiming, "Look! This is how Storm City will be designed from now on!"
The blueprint depicted a rough plan for Storm City's design.
The lines on the blueprint were distinctly post-modern abstract, creating a unique and eerie fusion of indescribable entities and futuristic technology, stirring Sage's distant memories of cyberpunk. It was like a cyber version of Larveya.
Although he had never seen it, Sage inexplicably thought of this term.
"Aren't you drawing technical blueprints?" Sage raised an eyebrow.
"What's the point of drawing something so simple? Just make a few changes and it'll be fine!"
Renitiah revealed her small fangs and said, "But this is more fun! Sage, let's build Storm City like this in the future!"
"I don't want to dream. I barely sleep, and now you want me to dream?"
He rolled his eyes, "Leave this to Old Ho; you don't need to worry about it."
Sage's idea of opening a gold exchange and engaging in infrastructure development was naturally known to those close to him, and the task of drawing technical blueprints was also left to Renitiah.
While she was skilled in technology, simplifying and creating low-cost versions was easy, but her aesthetic sense left much to be desired.
Wasteland-style machinery was one thing, as some of the technology was intended for bidding and sale, and the buyers could decide on the aesthetics. But now, the city planning had resulted in an indescribable version of the city.
Combined, it gave off a sense of madness and strangeness, like a Cyber-Larveya wasteland city.
Sage wanted prosperity, not a chaotic carnival.
It was best to leave aesthetics to Hawkins, who was in charge of city planning anyway.
Moreover, there was no need to rush.
The infrastructure development and gold exchange were still in the preparatory stages, and before that, Sage had to conquer Zou.
A few days ago, Buffalo, one of Doof's subordinates, had arrived by ship and delivered Zou's Life Card, after which Sage set off.
He brought only a small group: the standard three female executives, along with Akin, the combat team captain, and Paru, the vice-captain, and two thousand subordinates.
The rest were still consolidating the territories he had conquered and sailing within his sphere of influence to explore any undiscovered islands.
Marika gently rubbed Renitiah's slightly puffed-up head, took the cake from the table, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to her mouth with a smile.
"Why don't you eat first? It's delicious."
"Hmph! Sage, this is obviously so beautiful!" Renitiah rolled her eyes and turned her back to Sage, opening her mouth to eat the small cake Marika fed her.
If not for their different hair colors, they would have looked like a mother and daughter.
"Alright, alright. I'll assign you an area later, and you can do as you please."
Sage waved his hand, "Maybe we can even create a tourism zone."
"What? You know how amazing I am!"
Renitiah quickly turned around, her eyes shining, "Don't worry, Sage! I'll definitely create the best city!"
"I was talking about an oddity tourism zone."
Sage laughed, "Wait until your twelfth birthday, and I'll assign it to you. By then, it should be about right."
Compared to when they first set out to sea, everyone had aged a bit.
Sage was twenty-two when he set sail, and now he was almost twenty-four.
Lily was about to turn eighteen.
Marika was also nearing twenty-six.
Renitiah was approaching her twelfth birthday.
Last year, Sage had celebrated their birthdays, and this year, he planned to do it again, and on a grander scale.
Sage loved hosting banquets.
"Lord Sage."
Akin's voice and a knock came from outside the door.
As Lily called out, Akin entered, saying, "It seems we've found Zou."
(End of Chapter)
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