Successors of all mankind

This important person is most likely from another faction... Now it's my turn to "throw the guillotine."

They want me to turn against them, and then point out who's behind me?

But is someone like me really worth a nobleman personally going through all this trouble for?

The tax collector glanced around—this place was so shabby that it was not a place that nobles would want to set foot in.

There are indeed people who would spend a fortune to buy a horse's bones, but he clearly doesn't have that kind of money.

So... could it really be an accident? This nobleman was just an accident here, intending to use this group of third-class people to contact the slaves and return to Nor?

But that damned bastard unexpectedly discovered the problem with the divine machine, as well as my little tricks.

If that's all there is to it, why did you specifically want to see me?

The most troublesome thing is when you know nothing.

Yu Le felt it was a tough nut to crack.

The same goes for the unfortunate end of the tax season.

He could only wipe away the cold sweat and continue with his previous strategy:

"Sir, may I ask your name and family background?"

The slave Nor was so great that he did not know any of the nobles.

The slave Nor was also very young, so young that one could determine a slave's affiliation simply by knowing his name.

Damn it, why are they still fixated on the name?

Yu Le muttered a curse under his breath, looking down at him from his elevated position:

"Now doesn't seem like the time to talk about this, does it?"

The problems with the machine at settlement 386 were most likely orchestrated by them. Such elaborate schemes are clearly shady.

Since there's something fishy going on inside, and you're clinging to my name, I'll cling to this too.

The tax collector shuddered and lowered his head.

Oh no, they won't even tell me their name... Am I supposed to figure this out myself?

Do I really have to spill everything I know?

No way! I'm just a nobody; I can't afford to offend anyone. If I rashly jump in, I'll probably drown right away.

Especially if I turn against them now, they'll probably look down on me and just throw me away after they've used me.

But if I don't speak up, how can I get over this hurdle?

After much hesitation, he carefully considered his words before speaking:

"Sir, I believe that our handling of this matter was entirely reasonable and in accordance with regulations. All the reports are consistent. I think my superiors share the same view on this point."

What does this mean?

Speaking in official jargon? This kind of talk is common in this godforsaken place too?

Or will this thing never go out of style?

Yu Le is somewhat helpless.

But he didn't say anything, he just stared at the other person silently.

As the tax collector spoke, he cautiously observed Yu Le, then lowered his head again:

"Of course, no one wants to see this happen. After all... this should just be an unavoidable accident, not a problem in any part of our system. What do you think?"

He was testing the waters.

If I define it as "accident," would you accept it?

Accept it, as if nothing happened. The questions of identity and which side to take will then be answered.

If you don't accept it, then you need to tell me—where's the problem? Is it my problem, or is it a specific benefactor you need...?

Issues involving divine calculations can be big or small, depending entirely on whether anyone wants to step on the scale!

Thinking of this, the tax collector swallowed hard.

Yule remained unresponsive for a long time.

I just looked at him like that.

The tax season is coming to a close and we are feeling unprecedented pressure.

Did my way of testing him displease him? Does he think someone like me is worthy of testing his attitude?

He nearly scared himself to death.

But that's not the case.

Yu Le had never encountered this kind of thing before and didn't understand what he meant at all. He only sensed the hidden meaning in his words, so he remained silent and pondered.

Yu Le's essence is nothing more than an ordinary person who has been transported to this world in a daze.

Just like you, just like me.

They're all the same.

Why does a wasteland world have to use bureaucratic language and beat 'em ups?

So this is indeed not a wasteland, it's just that this place is too desolate and remote.

Otherwise, how come you have such elaborate plans?

The problem is, I can't understand it at all!

Thinking of this, Yu Le smiled unconsciously.

What a lousy place, what a piece of junk.

That smile made everyone's hearts tighten.

Essentially, Yu Le is the least threatening person here.

Interestingly, in the eyes of everyone here, his words and actions could determine the life or death of all of them.

Including that so-called aristocrat—Trumpen Buckley.

Chapter 25 From out of town?

What Yu Le didn't know was that his helpless, self-deprecating smile was interpreted completely differently by Truman.

It wasn't out of helplessness, nor was it self-deprecation.

It is unfathomable. It is unattainable.

It was a composure and disdain belonging to the true superiors that he, a nobody, could never understand.

Truman felt as if his heart was being squeezed shut by something.

What is he laughing at? What did I say wrong? Or does he think I'm too ridiculous to even be tested?

He recalled what he had just said.

In any situation, it's flawless. It can be used for both offense and defense, and no one can find fault with it.

But the nobleman smiled.

He couldn't understand what kind of laugh it was. It was just... just a slight smile.

Ah! I understand now. This means that in his eyes, my calculations and ideas don't even deserve to be taken seriously!

Truman's mind exploded.

A moment later, in immense terror, he gritted his teeth, hurriedly crawled forward a few steps, and the burly man with the steamed bun was remarkably decisive:

"My lord, I know I am nothing. But since you are here and sent me here, I will explain."

"That means I'm useful in at least some way. Otherwise, you wouldn't have sent me here, and I wouldn't be here!"

"Then, esteemed sir, I beg you to tell me! Besides seeing me in person, what else are you willing to do!"

He finished speaking in one breath.

Since you don't think I'm qualified to test you, then I'll do as you wish and be direct.

I can turn against them. Anyway, I'm the kind of person who can't afford to offend anyone.

But precisely because I am nothing, I can risk anything.

So, are you willing to protect me?

Watching the sudden surge in tax revenue, Yu Le felt increasingly lost.

What the hell is going on here?

Slowly, he finally realized what was happening, and his eyes lit up.

Ah...they're up to something. In this hierarchical place, to appear "legal and compliant" on the surface—that means this matter can't be brought to light. They have something they can't let them see!

Now, this guy thinks I'm one of them?

Moreover, I even came to see him in person about this matter.

After figuring it out, Yu Le looked down at Shen Ji beside him.

No wonder that guy was terrified when he saw me standing here.

His origins are unknown, his identity is a mystery, and he just happened to be on the wrong track. He specifically asked to see him, and when he arrived, he not only gave him a hard time but also happened to be standing next to Shenji, whom he knew was up to something.

From any perspective, this looks like another faction is forcing the emperor to resign.

But I'm not. Even this noble status of mine is fake.

How could I possibly get involved in this?

It's already a struggle on a tightrope; to try and dance on it now would be too foolish.

Then Yu Le laughed again.

Firstly, it's necessary for the performance.

Secondly, I truly felt relieved.

I never understood it before, but now I do, and I realize I've completely taken control. How can I not be happy?

This laughter sent chills down Truman's spine, and slowly a hint of malice began to sprout in his heart.

Anyway, I'm already half dead once I'm dragged into this. I'm already like this, and you still want this? Fine, I'll go crazy too.

Unless there is absolutely no way to resist, a cornered dog will always do something desperate.

But just as he began to show any signs of it, he heard Yu Le say with a smile:

"People from this place!"

Yu Le stopped there.

The moment the tax was finalized, ears perked up.

What does "people from our place" mean? Isn't he a nobleman from Numenor?

Did I get it wrong from the very beginning?

Yule, who said this, was also observing the other party.

His thinking was clear: under the current circumstances, he had to be "aristocratic." He had no other choice but to go all the way down this path. Unless he truly had no other option, he absolutely could not venture into the Gobi Desert alone.

However, to avoid being exposed, he must not be a nobleman from the slave community of Norne. He must be an outsider.

But all of this is based on the premise that the concept of "outside the local area" actually exists.

This place is indeed just an overly desolate and remote area, rather than a complete wasteland.

Furthermore, this "outside territory" must be another area under the jurisdiction of a major power, rather than simply another power.

Otherwise, the phrase "outsider aristocracy" would be exposed as soon as it is uttered, and the person might be suspected of being a hostile force, getting into even bigger trouble.

According to observations, this world should have a powerful civilization with a complete system of operations. Slaver Nor should only be a part of a certain country or a large power, rather than a wasteland with numerous hills.

"What do you mean? Aren't you one of us slaves, Nor? Then where are you from, noble sir? Are you... a noble sir of Shaga? Or from Castel?"

One of these places is a royal domain like theirs, and the other is a domain under the actual control of a noble count.