Chapter 835, How's Gold-Silver Island?
After a long journey, the carriage finally returned to Serted Fortress.
On the towering city walls stood skeletons clad in blue armor, weapons in hand, with hollow eye sockets glowing with a ghostly blue soul-fire.
They lined the wall in a continuous formation.
As the escort moved with the carriage, their expressions began to darken.
"Why are there so many of them?"
"What kind of weapons are those undead holding?"
"The reports mentioned that Rentam City's skeletons have some sort of marble-shooting devices—probably those."
"You think the whole city's population got turned into skeletons?!"
The guards whispered among themselves as they advanced.
They were from the rear guard and hadn't participated in the war with Rentam City's undead. Though they'd heard rumors, they hadn't expected so many skeletons lining the walls.
Rows upon rows of undead manning the gates—was the whole city wiped out?
Inside the carriage, the murmuring of the guards could be faintly heard.
The Princess lifted the curtain, eyes filled with alarm as she gazed toward the walls.
She looked at Wu Heng in shock.
She wanted to ask but ultimately kept her mouth shut.
The worry on her face was hard to hide.
As the carriage moved forward, it neared the city gate.
After a brief negotiation and inspection, the gates opened and the convoy entered smoothly.
......
Once inside the city—
The scene was completely different from what they had imagined.
No piles of corpses, no deathly silence.
Shops along the way were all open, people could be seen out and about, some even glancing toward them and whispering in hushed tones.
Except for the skeleton patrols marching down the street, it looked little different from a normal human city.
"Your Highness, your residence has been arranged. It's in the manor opposite the Commander's Hall. Our City Lord has also prepared a banquet."
Hartel approached, keeping a respectful distance as he spoke.
Returning to Serted Fortress gave Wu Heng a sense of coming home. He stepped off the carriage and took a deep breath.
Then he said, "Vaughn, come with me to the banquet. Natalia, take the others to the residence."
"Yes, Your Highness," everyone replied, bowing.
The group split up on the spot.
The Guard Commander and Wu Heng followed Hartel to the Commander's Hall, while the Princess and the remaining escort headed to the prepared residence across the way.
At the Commander's Hall—
Wu Heng met Wen Mansa. The two exchanged a smile, then sat at the table after Hartel's introduction.
During the meal, they chatted about future arrangements.
Since the Guard Captain was present—
The act had to be kept up.
After discussing matters like joint defense and official appointments—
Wen Mansa's eyes flicked to the commander beside her. Then she said, "Your Highness, how do you plan to travel to Rentam City? We have a device that can teleport you back quickly, but it only works on one person. Otherwise, taking the train would take at least half a month."
Wu Heng feigned surprise. "Is that device safe?"
"I'll be using it too. I wouldn't joke with my own life," Wen Mansa replied.
"Alright. I'll go with you tomorrow then," Wu Heng said, then turned to the Guard Commander. "Vaughn, take your team and follow later by train."
"Your Highness, isn't that a bit..." Vaughn leaned closer, voice hesitant.
"It's fine. Nothing will go wrong. Just stick to the plan."
"Yes, Your Highness," Vaughn nodded without further question.
Wen Mansa kept smiling. "Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone pick you up."
"Good. Then I'll take my leave now." Wu Heng stood.
With Wen Mansa seeing him off, Wu Heng and the Guard Commander returned to their residence.
......
Once back—
Vaughn continued to voice his concerns.
Wu Heng maintained that the early departure with Wen Mansa was to build trust between the sides.
Vaughn still felt it was risky and unnecessary, but since the Prince insisted, he could only agree.
He had no better alternative.
Upon seeing the Princess, Wu Heng suddenly thought of her.
He couldn't just leave her behind. Since she was traveling to Rentam City with him, some future plans would require her involvement.
Tomorrow, he'd need to find a reason to bring her along.
As for her maid—she could travel with the main escort.
After a brief conversation with the Princess, Wu Heng returned to his room to rest.
Once night fully fell and no one came to disturb him—
Wu Heng cast [Teleportation Spell] and returned to the Commander's Hall.
......
The magic circle in the hall completed, and Wu Heng's figure emerged.
As his vision cleared, he saw two figures not far off.
Wen Mansa sitting in a chair, and Hartel standing beside her.
"Master, you're here!"
"Sir!"
Wu Heng smiled. "Yeah, I'm here."
"You played the role perfectly. If not for your familiar eyes, I'd have thought you really were the Second Prince," Wen Mansa said with a laugh, walking over.
"I mimicked his tone and movements—acting like someone else is exhausting," Wu Heng said, taking off his coat. Hartel took it and hung it to the side.
"You've worked hard, Master. It's my fault and Hartel's—we weren't capable enough to handle these matters," Wen Mansa said with frustration.
She had been entrusted with Rentam City's affairs.
But in the end, Wu Heng still had to return and handle several major events himself.
"It's fine. You both did well," Wu Heng replied with a smile.
If not for his otherworld knowledge and modern weaponry, no one could've handled this.
People like Wen Mansa, who came from a gang background, couldn't possibly take on the Second Prince without outside help.
"Thank you, Master," Wen Mansa said again, and Hartel bowed deeply beside her.
"Come on. Let's see our daughter," Wu Heng wrapped an arm around Wen Mansa's waist and headed upstairs.
Together, they entered the nursery.
A few ghost maids tidied up scattered toys.
"Shhh, she's asleep," Wen Mansa gestured for silence.
The three quietly watched.
Wu Heng whispered, "She seems to have grown a lot."
"Kids grow fast."
"True."
Wen Mansa added, "Do you think, once she's a bit older, we should check if she has any talent for magic?"
"I don't know how to do that. Better hire a tutor."
"Lazy."
"I'm serious. I really don't know how."
They continued chatting in hushed voices for a while, then tiptoed out of the room to avoid disturbing the child.
Back in the hallway, Wu Heng said, "I'm going to the radio room to ask about Gold-Silver Island. Hartel, get the bath ready."
"Yes, sir," Hartel replied, turning to leave.
Wen Mansa also returned to the bedroom.
......
In the radio room—
Wu Heng picked up the mic. "Connect me to Minnie."
After a moment, Minnie's voice came through. "This is Gold-Silver Island."
"Minnie, it's me!"
"Master!" Minnie exclaimed, filled with excitement.
Then the sound of hurried footsteps—Robe, Annette, and the other maids could be heard calling for him too.
"You all doing well?"
"All good! How's your side, Master?"
"Everything's mostly wrapped up here. I'll be back in a few days," Wu Heng said.
"Really? We've missed you so much," Minnie said sweetly.
Laughter and voices of "we missed you too" came from the others.
The maids seemed genuinely cheerful.
Among the many maids—
Those who had gone with him to Gold-Silver Island seemed to have the easiest time.
Andviel was assigned to the city hall. Minnie and Robe lived comfortably and had little to worry about.
Wen Mansa often expressed envy about their lifestyle.
Wu Heng asked, "How's Gold-Silver Island?"
The laughter stopped—back to business.
Minnie replied, "Everything's normal. Steward Sheila Grey came by twice. She had the Skeleton Prophet investigate two wanted criminals. Also, the island's church resumed operations. Several high-ranking clergy arrived."
The Church reopened?
Last time, Lilith beat up two Level 18 Professionals from the Church and had them sent back for punishment.
When Wu Heng left, the church was still shut—and now they'd added even higher-leveled ones?
They were really putting a lot of attention on Gold-Silver Island.
But with a Level 20 skeleton and several zombies being cultivated in the prison—
Wu Heng wasn't afraid.
"They didn't do anything suspicious, right?"
"No. They're just preaching. But the church itself is weird. Skeletons can't go near it, and the daily bell chimes cause instability in nearby skeletons. Steward Sheila Grey said the church must have some anti-undead relic inside."