Chapter 1328: Chapter 55: Survivor
There’s a familiar feeling… seeing this enormous textbook.
This child seems to be around ten years old, yet wearing an unusually large white robe—the kind with sleeves hanging far beyond their normal length, hair almost covering his eyes, acpanied by heavy reading glasses.
Looks like a special character outfit—in fact, the children playing nearby, can be found wearing various distinctive outfits… even the older teenagers, sixteen or seventeen years old, in the [Town].
It’s like stepping into a magical carnival.
Although Boss Luo and the Maid have been standing beside him all along, and are not deliberately reducing their presence, this child engrossed in his book remains unmoved, flipping through this physics book page by page with serious concentration.
Boss Luo’s patience is always mendable; he simply observes casually.
Finally, this child, book in hand, began to mumble to himself; though the sound was slight, it was clear he was reciting the book’s content, occasionally letting out murmurs like “So, that’s it”, “In that case, now I understand”.
He even stopped reciting in the end, starting to squint his eyes, presumably to swiftly recall the content of the book again?
“Who are you people? Why have I never seen you before?” Suddenly, the child lifts his head, looking curiously at the two individuals who had already been standing there for a while.
Luo Qiu smiled and said, “Do you recognize everyone here?”
“Of course.” The child nodded, “In the preschool section, there are thirty-seven; in the primary section, there are two hundred forty-nine; the middle school section has one hundred sixty-seven, plus twenty-nine supervisors, seventeen cooks, and…”
“I believe you could recognize them all.” Boss Luo laughed, “I came from outside, not from this [Town].”
“Outside?” The boy frowned, then nodded, “You returned from [outside]… a new supervisor or some other position?”
Luo Qiu asked curiously, “Besides these, are there no other outsiders?”
The boy instinctively responded, “There’s also those ‘infected’ individuals who would flee back here… Infected ones are dangerous, you don’t look like them.”
“What are infected ones?” Luo Qiu followed up with the question.
The boy became wary, “Who exactly are you, where did you e from?”
Boss Luo, somewhat cunningly, said, “We… just came from the castle over there.”
“Castle…” The boy immediately seemed lost, afterward, his entire being became tense… suddenly standing up rigidly, speaking with nervousness, “It’s… it’s [Breeder] si, sir! Hel, hello! I, I am Harry number 721823! Growth stage nine years, seven months, and nineteen days… current intelligence assessment is 137, physical value 23.5, height…”
There’s no sense of fear… but rather a bizarre sort of interview-like nervousness in self-introduction—from this child proclaiming to be Harry.
From his so-called number, yet his detailed metrics… even his hobbies and such—until young Harry finally ceased talking, then looked at Boss Luo and the Maid with a hint of trepidation.
But he seemed not to see the colors he anticipated on Luo Qiu and You Ye’s faces, a sense of disappointment gradually appeared… but soon it was suppressed.
“Harry number 721823 introduction pleted, failed to satisfy both [Breeder] si, sir… I am very sorry. Given the nature of my character setting, it’s not very popular… but it’s alright, I will continue to strive and await the appearance of the [Breeder] sir who needs me.”
Luo Qiu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “You… are looking forward to a [Breeder] who satisfies you?”
Harry’s eyes glimmered, “From the day I was born, I’ve awaited my own [Breeder] sir, that is the meaning of my existence.”
“Always waiting, huh?”
“Isn’t it a matter of course?” Little Harry was incredulous, then looked puzzled again, brow furrowing, “Who exactly are you…”
“Harry, it’s time to go back.”
A voice as gentle as a spring breeze suddenly came.
…
If Ms. Maria were here, she would perhaps roar in her heart… Yet another healing-type youth, or something.
The approaching young man, around twenty years old, still wearing a pink apron, round glasses, a friendly smile gracing his face… looked like a young male nursery school teacher.
“Supervisor Aegis!” Little Harry immediately dashed to this man… Supervisor Aegis’s side, hesitated, and said, “They seem…”
“Harry, shouldn’t be impolite to [Breeder] sir, time to salute.” Supervisor Aegis gently tousled Harry’s somewhat disheveled hair, before glancing at Boss Luo and the Maid, “Both of you, Harry is only a juvenile yet, not yet at the age of [selection].”
Turns out it really was [Breeder]… Listening to Supervisor Aegis, Harry’s gaze changed again—transitioned to frustration, then, under Supervisor Aegis’s watchful eye, he behaved quite obediently, saying some apology words.
“Go, take them back to the dormitory, I have a few matters to discuss with the [Breeder] sir.” Supervisor Aegis gently prompted again.
Until watching Harry lead a group of children not far away, lined up in pairs, then orderly walking back into the [Town], the young Supervisor Aegis looked at Luo Qiu, smiled, and said, “The child has always been the most record-keeping, the most earnest learner. Though still juvenile, he’s pleted advanced courses of middle and primary school… Although, the nature of his character is such, he hasn’t spared any effort in trying. Truly earnest, awaiting his [Breeder] to appear.”
Boss Luo said, “I heard him say, this nature of character isn’t very popular.”
Supervisor Aegis casually laughed, “There will always be a need. Those mid-to-high level aristocrats in the castle, who knows what they think… Maybe, one day, suddenly there’ll be someone who likes it?”
“Would that include you?” Luo Qiu casually queried.
“Me?” Aegis shook his head, “Let’s not talk about that. Besides, pared to that, I’m more curious about both of you ing here… If I remember correctly, besides the arrival of two young ladies recently, there seems to be no other guests at the castle?”
Luo Qiu said, “Because some mistakes occurred, we intruded upon your territory… Then developed some interest in this Farm, so we plan to take a look.”
“Although it’s clear these words have a somewhat superficial taste…” Warden Aegis narrowed his eyes, the gentle big brother-like demeanor seemed to vanish abruptly, replaced by a lurking serpent-like look, “But why do I feel convinced? On reflection, it’s truly terrifying.”
Luo Qiu smiled lightly and said, “If conflicts could disappear through words, wouldn’t that be good?”
“Agreed.” Warden Aegis nodded, then returned to his young kindergarten teacher-like appearance, and smiled, “If you want to tour around, I wouldn’t mind acting as a temporary guide for you both.”
“That would be wonderful.” Luo Qiu smiled.
Warden Aegis then smiled and said, “In that case, could you please have the lady beside you ease up a bit?”
Behind seemingly calm dialogue, there lurked extreme danger… At this moment, beside Warden Aegis, the instant his eyes exuded that serpent-like gaze, four black flames formed barriers, shooting out from all directions to pletely encircle him.
If he moved even slightly, these black flames would directly sear him… The feeling was sensed, even though the flames had yet to truly burn, a trembling of the soul.
“I’m sorry,” Luo Qiu apologized, “She’s more concerned with some matters than me. But she means no harm.”
“Such a warning is already sufficient,” Warden Aegis chuckled wryly, “Then, this way, please.”
…
…
Almost all the known architecture styles have been harmoniously blended… When creating, there appears to have been thorough planning of the entire Town’s layout, so despite the numerous styles, they strangely connect together naturally.
Maria introduced that Torrido is a Clan that strives for aesthetics, which seems accurate.
On a section of the main stone road, Warden Aegis introduced these buildings with different period styles one by one, much like a knowledgeable Aristocratic young gentleman—though still dressed like a young kindergarten teacher.
“To what age can they grow at most?” Luo Qiu looked at the occasionally passing youth on the street with curiosity.
“Typically, the final harvest occurs on their 18th birthday. The first harvest begins at age 12,” Warden Aegis smiled, “They believe that youths in this range possess the most beautiful state of human life. Whether in physical maturity or purity of mind… They can even freely shatter or mend their minds.”
“After 18?”
Warden Aegis paused, then slowly said, “After the final harvest, from 18 to 25, routine collection takes place. According to the quality, the Product bees supply for mid to low-tier Aristocrats and circulates as modities for moners. Beyond 25, based on individual quality, continue or extend collection time might be decided… Even if extended, it typically lasts only a year or two. Afterward, there is a year of rest where the Crops undergo bodily conditioning, then they begin Cultivation to produce new juveniles… Once this process finishes, the Crops’ value is practically exhausted, then follows subsequent treatment, such as selling to lower-tier Aristocrats or moners, to be raised as low-tier Blood Slaves or servants. Of course, in the Non-Human Domain, some would purchase these Crops, especially Secret Medicine Practitioners or Wizards, who enjoy using them for drug experiments.”
“What a plete industry chain.” Luo Qiu nodded, “It perfectly matches the name Crops.”
“After all, it’s the production mode that’s constantly explored and reconstructed,” Warden Aegis smiled, “We cannot be like madmen who start eating when catching food on the street… This self-sufficient mode caters to the interests of most Non-Humans… Even The Holy See tacitly approves this approach, and only then has peaceful coexistence persisted these hundreds of years. For the Non-Human Domain is only so large, a war outbreak wouldn’t be good. Everyone is merely cautiously protecting the land they survive on.”
“Do they know their future destinies?”
Another batch of youths passed by, while doing so, they warmly greeted Warden Aegis… Though feeling curious about the strangers beside him, they inquired nothing—and some even politely greeted them.
“They don’t know, and we won’t let them know. At least before the final harvest, they won’t know the future… To them, growing to 18 means they have to leave and means growing up, able to live alone in the outside world full of danger.”
“Danger?” Luo Qiu caught the keyword.
Warden Aegis casually spoke, “It’s probably describing the outside world as drastically damaged, entirely collapsed… Mature individuals must leave to create space for the new generation, fulfilling their duty. Of course, there are those who long for it, but also those who feel bewildered or fearful. Yet precisely because of this, they cherish the time before leaving even more.”
Watching those gradually departing, laughing and freshly out of school youths, Warden Aegis’ gaze softened more and more, “Because, everyone can live together here, happily… Carefree.”
The Maid at that moment suddenly remarked, “Fake happiness?”
Warden Aegis turned back, expressionless, and said, “As long as everyone acts a bit better, even if it’s fake, what’s wrong with that? The line between truth and falsehood doesn’t need to be so clear.”
“I like that statement,” Luo Qiu smiled slightly, then glanced at his Maid.
The Maid prehensively understood her master’s meaning, advancing gently. A black card emerged in her palm, extending toward Warden Aegis.
Warden Aegis reached out to take it, pondering, when he heard Boss Luo’s soft voice, “Consider it a return gift for the guidance… This is your discount card.”
Discount… what?
He glanced at the black card in his hand… Like a vortex, the more he observed, the more he felt drawn in.
But his core consciousness was very strong, quickly struggling free from this vortex… Though seeming like there was more, waiting for him to Read.
He couldn’t help but frown… Yet, before him, the mysterious duo had vanished.
Warden Aegis muttered at that moment, “Actually… it appeared again…”
…
At this moment, a figure rushed towards Warden Aegis… A youth in a blue military uniform, exceptionally handsome: Bazby.
Upon reaching Warden Aegis, a hint of dissatisfaction evident on his face, he coldly said, “Bylegang, can I say the substitute you used this time truly lacks any sincerity?”
“Hmm… Was a bit rushed, so I casually made one,” Warden Aegis… Bylegang chuckled brightly, “Apologies.”
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