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"See, Lucy, this is what I call straightforward. You could learn a thing or two from this."
Caesar smiled. She knew the person Billy recommended was reliable. No need for underhanded tricks—being open and honest could get the desired results just as well.
She felt extremely proud of her own wisdom.
"Cough, cough, thanks, Phaethon. Your willingness to assist has been a huge help."
Lucy hadn't really known what kind of people Phaethon were before. Her plan had actually been correct, but now, seeing things go this way, she was happy to let it unfold.
…
"What exactly do you need the proxies for? Is it the Tour de Inferno you mentioned earlier? What's that?"
Yiji asked curiously.
She knew this was her chance to perform well in front of Arden and showcase what she had learned recently, but first she needed to figure out what her role would be.
"Actually, the Tour de Inferno is a traditional Outer Ring ritual."
"A competition to select the new Overlord…"
Caesar and Lucy explained in turn.
In short, the Tour de Inferno is a contest where participants ride motorcycles through the Hollows. The first to reach the finish line becomes the next Overlord.
Though it looks like a race, it actually determines the leadership of the entire Motor League.
The oil industry in the Old Oilfield District relies heavily on the support of the Motor League in many ways.
And who does the Motor League listen to? Of course, the Overlord of the alliance!
The winner of the Tour de Inferno gains control of the Outer Ring's oil resources and transport routes.
For the Outer Ring, oil is the lifeblood. To put it in perspective: oil is to the major landowners like a dog is to… well, without oil, you're just a 'dog,' and the landowners disappear.
"I see now!"
At this point, Yiji finally understood why so many people survived in such a remote, desolate place—it was all thanks to the oil!
Creak~
Arden pushed open the wooden door and stepped out.
"Good thing this is the Outer Ring. Where there's oil, the motor clans thrive. In another world… it'd probably just be mold growing."
He had overheard their conversation.
He found it strange that the oil fields had so casually fallen under Outer Ring control. New Eridu hadn't sent any troops to seize them, nor did it seem to have any desire to assert indirect control.
But then again, New Eridu was most famous for ether technology. With a bug-level energy source like Ether Power, oil wasn't as crucial. Compared to energy, oil's main use was as a chemical raw material.
"How's Perlman?"
"Is he still going to be okay?"
Seeing Arden come out, Yiji and Belle quickly asked.
"Of course! I can even bring the dead back to life—let alone someone who fell from a few thousand meters."
Arden proudly bragged about his medical skills… no, this was beyond medicine—it was practically cultivation.
"…"
The scene fell silent for a moment. Everyone knew Arden's healing abilities, but falling from thousands of meters… it still sounded strange.
"However…"
After his moment of pride, Arden's tone shifted. "Perlman's brain has been scrambled like a sack of tofu. For his memory to recover, he cannot endure even the slightest jolt."
In other words: Perlman must stay immobile in the cabin until he fully wakes.
"Don't worry. I'll have someone guard the place. No one will get near him."
Caesar pounded her chest in assurance.
"…"
Arden's gaze was immediately drawn to Caesar's… overwhelming presence.
Does the Outer Ring have meals this good? She's basically on par with Nicole, right?
Look at that! Caesar and Burnice were born and raised in the Outer Ring—their physiques were excellent. Lucy had only recently come to the Outer Ring, so she hadn't fully developed yet.
Arden thought that beyond meals, genetics and natural factors mattered more. The Outer Ring also had negative examples like Piper, while Yixuan, Sweety, and Nico—city-born—were equally "well-endowed"! And Ju Fufu was one of those who, no matter how much development you tried, couldn't be improved.
Suddenly, Arden began worrying about his unborn son.
Won't… he only be drinking formula?
Maybe I should… let Yixuan Shifu and Sweety also…
In Arden's mind, with Yixuan Shifu and Sweety's milk supply, feeding a few extra children would be fine—he could even cover Yiji's portion.
Cough! Let's get back to the Tour de Inferno.
The current Overlord group is called the Vanquishers.
Caesar aimed to challenge the Vanquishers' Overlord position, hence her participation in the Tour de Inferno.
If she succeeded, the Sons of Calydon would replace the Vanquishers, shaping the Outer Ring's future.
Not to mention, aligning with Arden could open possibilities for Yunkui Summit's investments in the Outer Ring.
The Tour de Inferno requires navigating through the Hollows, naturally needing proxy assistance.
The Hollows are full of spatial distortions and cracks. If used wisely, they allow riders to reach the finish line faster.
Only proxies can calculate these paths—essentially like buying a cheat code.
With that clarified, Arden and the others had no objections—they treated it as a commissioned task.
…
"Come on!"
"Who's afraid of whom!?"
Caesar and Lucy went off to duel on the side. Their mutual bickering made conflict inevitable—it could only be resolved violently.
"Three of you, it's getting late. Let's rest in the town tonight."
Piper approached, speaking to Arden, Yiji, and Belle in an old-man-like tone.
Billy, having completed his task, had already returned to Cunning Hares.
"Alright."
Arden looked at the darkening sky and nodded.
"I'll let my brother know."
Belle didn't object.
"..."
Yiji held Arden's arm, her cheeks faintly pink.
Staying in the desolate Outer Ring overnight was, to say the least, exciting.
"There are plenty of vacant houses here…"
Piper asked, looking at the three, "Are two rooms enough?"
Her plan was simple: one for Arden, one shared by Yiji and Belle. Keeping males and females separate—very reasonable.
"Fine."
Arden agreed immediately. One room for him and Yiji, one for Belle—a practical arrangement.
…
Though Blazewood had a post-apocalyptic charm, its nights were lively.
In the distant past, it had been a gas station. Now, backed by oil fields, petroleum powered motorcycles and trucks, now it could even be used to fuel fires for parties.
Arden got a glimpse of the world's primitive side, like a modern Earthling visiting Africa to see the natives.
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