Conquering OtherWorld Starts With a Game

As Young Master Parker was on the verge of crumbling, Yang Qiu teleported to Weisshem via teleportation points for the living under the two town halls.

Yang Qiu merely glanced at the convoy parked outside Weisshem Town Hall and paid no further heed… Matters that could be handled by the national team personnel and Rex wouldn't worry him.

In a large house north of the town's main street, Yang Qiu met ascetic Alfred Lowell, who hadn't been seen for quite a number of days.

"Um… Should I say congratulations, revered inspector?" Yang Qiu said while nodding as a thanks to Wagner who brought the tea. "Your mental domain has gotten quite the breakthrough."

Across the coffee table, in his own high-backed chair, Lowell eyed Yang Qiu with a complex look.

"Your gift deserves my gratitude," mused Lowell thoughtfully. "Even without magic, the fruits of a civilization born in a material world devoid of elder gods are in no way inferior to the operas and dramas of our world. I've benefited greatly from it."

Yang Qiu merely smiled.

Due to the relatively short lifespans of Earth's creatures and frequent wars, the transmission of history was rather diminished. Even among the four great ancient civilizations recognized on Earth, only the Chinese civilization had managed to survive through the changing regimes and tenaciously continued its legacy.

Yet, even the resilient Chinese civilization's verifiable history, traceable through archaeological means, spanned only five thousand years. A more detailed and specific historical outline begins from the pre-Qin period, with many historical facts from even the Spring and Autumn period remaining unclear.

This world, though, was different. Besides the two major races, humans and orcs, there were also rare long-lived races like elves and draconians.

Draconians, with their lifespans of thousands of years, had historical records dating back over ten thousand years. When humans needed to verify their own history, they could borrow the draconian annals from the libraries on Dragon Island for a substantial sum.

Of course, humans themselves did an admirable job of preserving history. Not to mention the royal and noble families whose lineage stretched back thousands of years, the legal organizations formed by spellcasters, like Mage Towers, possessed historical artifacts and texts dating back six thousand years.

Respect for history was an essential part of the growth and expansion of civilization. Using history as an anchor, it was natural for this world to develop a vast and glorious array of artistic achievements; other than the Church of Lady Gold Coins' territory being culturally barren, art in the form of opera and dramas flourished in other regions.

The only drawback was the limited means of cultural and artistic dissemination in this world, leading to a spiritual impoverishment among the lower classes.

"Magic, religion, professionals that transcend mortals, priests and acolytes exercising divine authority—we've grown quite accustomed to these," Yang Qiu said with a light chuckle. "I've often wondered, do spellcasters likeand priests like you really matter? Would the world change if we, with our extraordinary abilities, didn't exist?"

Brother Lowell, used to Yang Qiu's radical views, remained composed, unlike Wagner, who was cleaning the windows nearby and looked over in shock.

"But the fact remains—we do exist," Lowell said calmly. "I understand why you think this way. Bands of marauding mercenaries made up of disgraced professionals are a major security threat to all border cities. What appear to be legitimate mercenary groups often engage in looting activities. And it's not just them; spriests in various churches have lost themselves in the pursuit of power and influence, neglecting their vows in favor of securing and chasing greater authority."

"Yet, despite this, those who protect the cities and drive out darkness are also professionals, individuals with extraordinary abilities," Lowell continued, picking up his teacup. "On any material plane, the notion that 'eliminating a certain class of people would make the world better' is invariably based on deceit. Just like this long drama from another dimension; even without the extraordinary, people with higher power will still oppose those of lower status, creating tragedies."

"Yes, as long as people live together, opposition is inevitable." Yang Qiu nodded in agreement. "Even in a closed community formed solely of ordinary people, the stronger men will bully the weaker ones, men will oppress women, and dominant women will suppress the weaker ones. Intelligent beings naturally form a hierarchy within their groups, establishing a basic and primal 'order of superiority and inferiority.'"

Lowell, having engaged in many such debates with Yang Qiu, understood his point. "Hmm… you despise this order."

Leaning back in his high-backed chair, Yang Qiu set down his teacup and spread his hands, a cold smile on his face. "That's right. Just hearing the words 'superior and inferior' makesphysically ill. In my view, establishing order based on such a concept is the most primitive, barbaric, and disgusting act. It's a desecration of order itself."

Had this been the Lowell of three months earlier, he might have dismissed Yang Qiu's words as delusional.

The sorrow and pain of its characters were predestined, with no room for turning back, because… it was the monster of power that trampled on these lovable and pitiable girls, crushing their lives and dignity.

Lowell, a cultured and mature intellectual, was deeply tormented by the tragic fate of these girls. To say his belief in the necessity of power was unshaken would be letting down his long seclusion and countless viewings of the drama.

Listening intently to Yang Qiu's words, Lowell pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps you're right. I'm quite interested in observing and learning from your attempts to implement your theories in Taranthan and Weisshem."

Yang Qiu merely smiled.

Wagner eyed Lowell in utter confusion.

Lowell, as an elder, was keen to clarify things for the younger man, explaining, "Yang does not agree with the widely accepted social hierarchy based on superiority and inferiority. He wishes to establish a new order in the areas he can influence, one he believes is more civilized and aligns better with his ideals."

Wagner, still struggling to follow, seemed even more perplexed.

"In simple terms, it's about fairness," Yang Qiu said. "Haven't you seen how the undead mayor of Weisshem assisted Rex in establishing a new order there, Wagner? The core of this new order is fairness."

Wagner was stunned as if he had been suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning, frozen in place.

The policies in Weisshem were—

Equal employment and pay for all temporary workers, regardless of gender.

Town hall clerks and officers hired based on talent and ability, without regard to background.

Free literacy schools open to all.

Ordinary townspeople could start small businesses with materials provided by the town hall, without needing any connections or undergoing unnecessary procedures.

Wagner was aware of all these initiatives. He had often inquired about the hiring conditions at the town hall to find opportunities for his former men.

But he had never considered these actions as "establishing a new order," a notion that instinctively felt rebellious and shocking!

Wagner slowly raised his hands and clutched his head.

He regretted staying in the living room to clean the windows… He was now deeply regretting hearing these two discussing unrestrained radical ideas.

"Lieutenant Pitt, are you afraid?" Yang Qiu teased, amused by his reaction. "Think about it, young man. You're just a captive. Everything that happens in Weisshem doesn't concern you… Unless you return to Indahl, giving the city defense force a chance to officially dismiss and exile you."

Wagner, initially gripped with immense fear, found himself at a loss hearing Yang Qiu's blunt truth.

"Don't you like fairness?" Yang Qiu asked casually. "You aren't a Rhine person and have probably faced difficulties in Indahl because of your foreign status, right? Having to yield to Rhine-born colleagues, missing out on opportunities, and being blamed when things go awry… Don't you desire fairness?"

Wagner had been idle for a long time, and Yang Qiu saw potential in him—he was in need of people.

Wagner stood in silence for a long while. He knew better than anyone what he himself had gone through.

Right now, he hadn't yet been formally discharged by the City Defense Force. As Yang had said, as long as he was currently "in enemy hands after a failed mission." Without having gained his freedom, it wasn't convenient for the City Defense Force to kick him out.

After struggling internally for a bit, Wagner approached, placed the rag on the coffee table, and sat down, looking seriously into Yang Qiu's eyes. "Of course, I like fairness, Yang."

"Don't put the rag on the coffee table," Yang Qiu quipped.

Wagner: "…"

Even Lowell was at a loss for words. "Yang, be serious."

"Alright," Yang Qiu said, getting up, and straightening his clothes. Then, he extended his hand formally to Wagner. "Lieutenant Pitt, would you be interested in becoming a member of Taranthan?"

Wagner also stood up and shook Yang Qiu's hand. "I would be honored."

"Then stop wasting your talents here. Go to the town hall, register with Ji Tang, then visit the Undead Merchant Association, seek out a lady named Zhao Zhenzhen, and learn from her." Yang Qiu immediately gave instructions without any hesitation.

Wagner: "…"

"Go. Mayor Ji Tang and that undead lady are both very wise. Following them will do you no harm." Lowell, having witnessed the capabilities of these national team personnel, gave an assisting push.

Wagner, unable to fully respect Yang Qiu but had deep trust for Lowell with whom he had spent much twith, bowed gratefully. "Thank you for your care over this period, revered inspector."

"Don't act like you're parting ways with Lowell. You'll still be coming back here to sleep at night," Yang Qiu said casually as he sat back down.

Wagner, still speechless, glanced at him, then picked up his rag and bucket and left.

"Yang," Lowell expressed his discontent.

"It's better to send him off this way than to tell him later to avoid this house because he's not competent enough and might attract unwarranted disaster," Yang Qiu said, retrieving a palm-sized wooden box from his spatial ring.

Lowell instinctively surveyed the wooden box with his spiritual field, and his expression changed drastically. "Is that… a sealed artifact?"

"Yes, it's a wooden carving my undead inadvertently acquired in Indahl." Yang Qiu gravely placed the box in front of him. "If I'm not mistaken… this wooden carving seems to be a posthumous work left behind by Lady Marion."

"Lady Marion? The genius woodcarver from the Norsk Federation?!" Lowell was visibly shaken.

Yang Qiu nodded, extending his mental field to check the surroundings of the house, ensuring Wagner had left, before he opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was an exquisitely detailed and lifelike carving of a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket.

The baby, with clenched fists and a wrinkled crying face, still had an umbilical cord attached to its belly. On close inspection, it almost seemed like one could hear the first cry of this newly born infant.

Upon seeing the carving, Lowell felt a dangerous aura emanating from it, rushing toward him, accompanied by an illusionary sound like a baby's laughter in his ears.

For Lowell, an ascetic with powerful mental and spiritual abilities, to sense danger and hear phantom sounds from this carving was an undoubted testament to how lethal this artifact was for ordinary people—and it could instantly drive even the most skilled professionals to madness.