Chapter 723 Leipzig, the City of Knowledge
As night falls, the city of Leipzig, the city of knowledge, is lit up with stars.
They were white illusory spheres suspended above the street, flashing bright but not dazzling light one after another.
“It’s quite beautiful.”
Aleister held up a black umbrella and strolled along the street on a rainless night.
She marveled at the sight before her and asked, "Is this the product of Star Antimony's alchemy?"
"Strictly speaking, it should actually be considered a by-product."
Honey badgers apparently know more about this.
There were no outsiders here, so she didn't need to pretend to be a follower, so she spoke directly: "A few years ago, the Xingti Royal Alchemy Association developed a technology that can crush the products of failure and turn them into a pure energy source.
"This energy source itself is quite unstable and highly complex, but through the separation and purification of alchemical arrays, it can be mixed in varying proportions to support the energy supply of an entire city... just like the blood of the giant tree in the Theocracy. Some goblin merchants have offered exorbitant prices to purchase this technology, but Count Leipzig refuses to sell it.
"It's even more energy efficient than electricity, which has been widely used in Star Antimony for decades—but Hawkeye believes there might be something wrong with the experimental data. After all, alchemists desperately need this recycling device to digest the vast amounts of alchemical waste they have accumulated, so the possibility of data falsification cannot be ruled out."
The honey badger was evaluated relatively objectively.
But judging from her reaction, she obviously did not believe that the Xingti people could invent this technology.
"This is the miracle of mortal wisdom."
Aleister, however, exclaimed in admiration, "What the elves can accomplish with the blood of their apostles, the Star Antimony can achieve with nothing more than scrap materials. While the lighting efficiency may not be high, the heating efficiency and safety are far superior to previous technologies."
"Not necessarily."
The honey badger shook his head. "From what I understand, this energy source can also be mixed to create dangerous explosives. From this perspective, isn't building this 'golden circuit' within the city the same as building the city on bombs?"
"If I'm guessing correctly, you're so adamant that there's something wrong with this technology..."
Aleister glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "Actually, it's because you don't want it to exist... Am I right?"
As an Iris person, the Honey Badger has a natural hostility and wariness towards Star Antimony. If this technology is completely flawless, then it would be a major event—it would mean that Star Antimony, which already relies heavily on energy imports, has completely solved its energy problems. Therefore, there must be something wrong with it.
The popularization of alchemy has brought more changes to the lives of Leipzig residents than just this.
At the port, a large rune-powered device was loading and unloading cargo with remarkable efficiency. Compared to Avalon's old fuel-powered cranes, its precision and efficiency were far superior, and no black smoke rose during the entire process. Instead, a clay giant, covered in glowing runes and with several precisely modified arms, could be seen spontaneously picking up and transferring the cargo.
There are "large TV screens" on the streets and alleys that are similar to the crystal screens on the elves' side.
Yes, although the image quality wasn't great—it looked like an early color film, with only a few colors and a low refresh rate. With Aleister's current transcendental vision, she could clearly see the refresh tape scanning down line by line... which made her eyes hurt if she watched for any longer.
But it was indeed the "television" that Aleister had imagined, and it was even in color.
The walls of buildings at least 20 to 30 meters high are made entirely of these "screens." Advertising signs, flashing in alternating colors, gradually light up.
Obviously, after this convenient energy source became popular, the Xingti people did not give up electricity directly.
"Wow!"
Suddenly, Aleister heard the surprised laughter of a group of children.
Under the black umbrella, she quietly turned her blushing eyes to the side.
There was a juggler on the corner.
He looked like a young man in his twenties or thirties, and seemed quite optimistic and cheerful.
As he waved his hands and moved his feet, flames were constantly restrained and formed, gathering into balls. He hit them like basketballs, and threw them out and back like boomerangs.
From time to time, a large number of golden flames with golden stars, like fireworks, would spurt out from his hands. His hands would constantly explode and extinguish in the air, causing the children to jump, applaud and scream enthusiastically.
Besides the children, there was a crowd of adults around. There were couples, elderly people, and passersby stopping to admire the magic show. Every now and then, someone would toss a coin into the hat at his feet.
"What is that?"
Selene, who was holding Aleister's arm, couldn't help but ask curiously, "A transcendent who performs on the streets?"
——She found it a little hard to understand. How could such a strange existence exist?
Selene's personality and knowledge were, after all, based on Lily's. In Lily's understanding, transcendents were either extremely dangerous criminals or government thugs. But regardless of their status, they were exceptional beings far superior to ordinary people... How could they possibly be performing on the streets?
"That's not a transcendent."
The honey badger took a look and said with little interest, "That's called 'Magician'."
"magic?"
Selene murmured.
Of course, she knew about magicians—even in Avalon, there were street magicians. However, they usually performed some insignificant tricks to pretend to be extraordinary people. Basically, this profession was equivalent to con men... and it only worked on ordinary people who knew nothing.
But...what was sprayed out from the magician's hands was real scorching flames!
The fireball that he controlled as freely as a frisbee was not a problem even against one or two second-level transcendents.
"Because magic is also an extension of alchemy."
Aleister chuckled and said, "It's also based on the 'disenchantment' technique... except that it uses the 'enchantment' technique in reverse.
"Magicians use various products and techniques developed through alchemy to achieve their goal of 'utilizing some of the abilities of extraordinary beings.' In a sense, 'firearms' are a replica of hunter marksmanship. However, normal alchemists are extremely resistant to, even disgusted by, this practice... They believe it goes against the very essence of alchemy, returning the mysteries they have deciphered."
"A normal...alchemist?"
"Indeed, the principles of Star Antimony alchemists differ from those of alchemists in other countries. They emphasize pragmatism and neglect philosophical pursuits. Faced with funding constraints, they need to accept financial support... This often gives their inventions a distinct 'practical purpose.'
"Among them, 'magic supplies' are the unique products of Star Antimony Alchemy."
Aleister looked at the brightly smiling magician, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. "But generally speaking... these magicians rarely perform on the streets. That's why the kids are so happy."
"He should be practicing."
The honey badger whispered, "That man's face is fake. He used another magic technique to disguise himself. The face underneath is called 'Handy Harry'. He's a very famous magician... He's the Iris Man."
"Isn't he a transcendent?"
Selene was a little puzzled. "Such outstanding and intelligent people should all become extraordinary beings, right?"
"He can become extraordinary at any time, because this is also the path of beauty."
The honey badger replied, "But he chose to 'first exhaust the possibilities as a mortal, and then allow himself to witness the truth' in order to preserve his 'naive imagination'."
"——This person will become a great man in the future."
Aleister said in a very affirmative tone.
It was as if he had seen through the future and witnessed the other person's ending.
It was as if I heard Aleister's voice, or as if I felt something.
Suddenly, "Handy Harry" turned around, smiled, and drew an arc in the air with his right hand burning with fire, then turned horizontally to the left with his palm facing up, and gracefully performed a unique etiquette of the Iris people to the three of them.
He then turned around and saluted his audience again with his left hand. He then put his hands together, and a ball of blazing fire burst out, again causing the audience to gasp in amazement.
When the flames died down, he and his big hat had disappeared from the spot.
Aleister and the others could clearly see him—after the flames erupted, he immediately lowered his head and bent over, pulling out a cloak from behind to cover himself. Maintaining a crouching position, he used all three limbs to quickly crawl to the corner of the wall. In his left hand, he held the hat filled with change, looking like a strange creature.
He stood up and gave Aleister a somewhat embarrassed smile. He then emptied the money from his hat into his pocket, swapped his coat with his hat, changed into a gentleman's outfit, and walked away slowly, leaning on his walking stick.
"Interesting."
Aleister smiled, giving him a soft smile.
What attracted her attention more was actually a parent behind the children.
One of them was enjoying the magic when she suddenly turned around and saw Aleister's red eyes under the black umbrella. The woman was startled and immediately took her child and left quietly.
The direction she left was the building at the end of the street, which was also Aleister's destination.
——White Dove Opera House.
Its decor resembles an amusement park more than an opera house. Like spotlights on a dance floor, colorful light poles reach skyward, intersecting and separating from one another. Through the open-air opera house, you can faintly hear melodious singing.
From a distance, you can see a huge, glowing symbol floating in the air. It's a cute-looking white dove logo, holding a microphone and singing with its eyes closed.
At the same time, there was a message that read "White Dove Opera House, your best friend in your leisure time! Leipzig's special guests in May: Alanis Purgar, Lutecia Norton and the Nightmare Theater. Perhaps this wonderful performance will only come once, so don't miss the opportunity!" A flashing and glowing super-long moving light strip circled the side of the opera house like a roller coaster, speeding along with sparks.
Only when you get closer can you see that it's actually a roller coaster—a driver is driving a row of dark trains with illuminated letters on them, running on equally dark tracks. The closest part is less than half a meter above the ground, while the highest part surrounds the "singing white dove."
It is so eye-catching that if someone accidentally sees part of it, they have to stop and read it in its entirety. Two of the letters seem to be damaged and no longer glow, but considering the context, it is possible to understand what they are trying to express.
As soon as Aleister walked into the White Dove Opera House, two bunny girls wearing high heels and black fishnet stockings, with hot bodies, came up to him with smiles on their faces.
"...Why are there bunny girls in the opera house?"
Selene made a puzzled sound.
What puzzled her even more was that the bunny girls didn't care about their gender at all and just stuck to her as usual.
"Sister, you are so beautiful!"
One of them, a little girl dressed as a bunny girl, looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, holding Aleister's other hand, her eyes full of longing. Only Selene was alone.
She looked at the girl with a hint of jealousy, baring her teeth like a dog guarding its food. But Aleister patted her head gently, and she fell silent again, feeling wronged.
"I'm looking for your manager."
Aleister gently touched the girl's head: "Take me there, okay?"
A 3,600-word chapter, updated. Consider it a half-day off!
Although I’m still 500 words away from a two-in-one, it’s better to end it here!
I've been on the bus for seven hours today, and my cat is exhausted. Should I take a break or...
Normal updates will resume tomorrow (cheers)
(End of this chapter)
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