Chapter 1 Karma's Secret

Karma had never revealed the Boyle family's inherited secret to outsiders for two reasons: firstly, she hadn't met a high-level Mechanical Alchemist she believed could solve the problem; and secondly, she feared attracting unwanted attention and malicious intent.

After all, their lineage had enjoyed a relatively comfortable life until five years ago.

They used to hold a hereditary baronet title and owned a large sugarcane plantation, enjoying wealth and stability.

But a pirate attack changed everything.

Her parents were killed by pirates, and the plantation's wealth was plundered.

Now, she wandered overseas, without a fixed home.

And Karma's Sixth Sense told her that the pirate attack was a meticulously planned conspiracy.

......

Karma retrieved an inconspicuous, unfinished Mechanical Alchemist from the corner.

The Mechanical Alchemist was just an uncarved wooden post, which was why it was so unremarkable.

If Suren didn't have soul perception, he would have overlooked that among the semi-finished products piled everywhere in the room, there was one so special.

Just then, a polite greeting came from his mind: "Hello, Mr. Suren, my name is Aberke Boyle. I apologize for meeting you in this way."

Having sensed the soul fluctuations in the Mechanical Alchemist beforehand, Suren wasn't too surprised and responded politely, "Hello."

Karma, standing beside him, sighed softly and introduced, "This is my younger brother. He's trapped inside this [Mechanism Core]."

As she spoke, she touched a hidden mechanism, opening the chest cavity of the Mechanical Alchemist.

Only then did Suren see a meticulously crafted Mechanism Core inside.

It was only the size of a fist, but its craftsmanship was extremely precise, like opening a complex mechanical watch. Before his eyes were densely packed small gears, springs, ratchets, and various brass-colored metal parts. The visible components exceeded a hundred. Not only was it complex in terms of technology, but the runes, enchantments, and materials were all top-notch. This item even used magical runes that were clearly of the necromantic school and some strange materials.

Its precision far surpassed any Mechanical Alchemist or mechanical product Suren had ever seen.

However, the energy crystal core at the very center was dim and lifeless, appearing to have exhausted all its energy.

"Dragon Crystal?"

Suren's eyes twitched inexplicably as he looked at it. The energy source in this core was actually an eighth-order green dragon's dragon crystal.

Dragons, these were creatures that only existed in legends.

But as soon as the All-Knowing Eye glanced at it, the introduction of this thing appeared.

[Boyle Mechanical Alchemist Core (Damaged)]

Details: This is an ancient core from a thousand years ago, its energy has been exhausted; an alchemical product personally made by Robert Boyle, representing the wisdom and pinnacle skills of that Mechanical Alchemist grandmaster, also hiding the complete inheritance of the Mechanical Alchemist lineage. This item has bloodline restrictions. Only those with the Boyle family bloodline, and those who have awakened the talent [B-060-Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart] can successfully fuse with it. It is damaged and must be repaired to be used and deciphered.

Suren's expression was subtle as he looked at the information.

Although he was a descendant of the Mechanical Alchemist lineage, he didn't understand most of the core's functions at all.

But undeniably, this thing was a treasure of immeasurable value.

Even though it was already damaged.

Suren stood there, stroking his chin and looking intently for a long time, his eyes thoughtful.

Thinking about it, he decided to first understand the cause, and asked, "Karma, how did your brother get in?"

Hearing this, Karma's expression was slightly complicated, and she said, "This has to start with the pirate attack on our family..."

......

"Our Boyle family had a plantation in the south of Luying... Five years ago, my father went out to sea to trade brown sugar. Coincidentally, that night, a pirate gang attacked the plantation. They burned, killed, and looted... The guards resisted desperately, but ultimately couldn't defeat the pirates. Mother told us to hide in the plantation's family vault, where there was a secret passage. Then Aberke and I hid inside... We entered the vault, and Aberke seemed to sense something calling to him. Then, we found a broken Mechanical Alchemist in the vault. And then, he was sucked in."

"I carried the Mechanical Alchemist from the secret passage, but unfortunately, it seemed the secret passage had been discovered long ago. The pirates used explosives to collapse the tunnel. I fainted."

"When I woke up, my grandfather's disciple, who is now the seventh squad captain of the North Sea Third Fleet, 'Thousand-Machine Puppet Hand' Vasily Tielmido, found me with injuries. He said that everyone in the plantation had been killed by the pirates, including my mother and my father at sea. He fought desperately to survive. Now, there are only a few survivors left..."

"I fell into despair, but some thoughts seemed to pop up in my head uncontrollably. I felt that the situation was wrong. The timing of the pirate attack was too good, and they seemed to know the plantation's defenses like the back of their hand, as if there was an inside collaborator. I vaguely sensed that Vasily's words were problematic... Later, I learned that it was because I had awakened the Sixth Sense talent's ability."

"I concealed my brother's situation. Maybe they thought I was young, and believed their words, so we've been safe and sound until now."

"..."

Suren listened to Karma recounting her experiences.

Only then did he understand what had happened.

No wonder he felt that Karma's demeanor wasn't like that of a commoner. She was indeed a young lady from a noble family.

Suren keenly captured some details in the description, pondered for a moment, and asked, "So, you suspect that the pirate attack back then was actually Vasily's conspiracy?"

"Yes!"

Karma nodded and said, "Vasily Tielmido was actually the son of our family's serf. Later, my grandfather saw that he had good talent and was diligent and eager to learn, so he took him as a disciple. But my grandfather once commented on him, saying that Vasily had talent, but was a dangerous wolf. So, when my grandfather taught him the puppet arts, he held back... Later, after our family was destroyed by pirates, the treasures in the family vault were looted, but I discovered that Vasily's puppet arts had advanced by leaps and bounds. He successfully advanced to the fifth rank and became the squad captain of the North Sea Fleet..."

After a pause, she added, "As for why they left me alive, it's probably because many of the mechanical puppet inheritance relics of our Boyle family lineage need bloodline activation. Some secrets, only direct descendants know. I am the only survivor of the family, they probably think I am useful to keep around."

"..."

Suren listened without expressing his opinion.

The Sixth Sense talent can indeed seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, and can feel things that ordinary people cannot feel.

Moreover, analyzing this matter from any aspect, that "Vasily" did have strong suspicions.

However,

He didn't ask about other people's family affairs in detail.

Karma was actually quite smart.

From the moment she came in, when she unhesitatingly took out that [Substitute Mechanical Alchemist], Suren knew that she had already thought about what would happen now.

However, it was normal for a girl who had gone through this to have such meticulous thoughts.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have survived until now.

Right now, Suren was more curious about her brother, who was trapped in the Mechanical Alchemist's heart.

He asked, "Aberke, the talent you awakened is [B-060-Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart]?"

As soon as these words came out, not only Aberke, but even Karma was full of doubts and asked in surprise, "Huh?"

Suren realized that they didn't know, and said directly, "This [Mechanism Core] was left behind by your Boyle family's ancestor, Mr. Robert. Only those with your family's bloodline and who have awakened the [Exquisite Heart] will be recognized and successfully fused."

Taking a breath, he added, "So... in a sense, Aberke being sucked in isn't a bad thing, but because he met the requirements, he obtained the qualifications for inheritance. It's just because this core is damaged that he's trapped inside."

Hearing this explanation, Karma's eyes were full of disbelief, and she asked expectantly, "Are you saying... my brother awakened the [Exquisite Heart] talent?"

Suren nodded, "Yes."

This was a talent that had a very high compatibility with the Mechanical Alchemist profession, similar to the ability of "multitasking."

Hearing this, Karma couldn't hide the joy in her heart, and exclaimed softly, "Oh, heavens! No wonder Grandpa once said that Aberke had amazing talent and might become the most outstanding Mechanical Alchemist of our Boyle family in recent centuries. So he awakened the same talent as our ancestor..."

Aberke in the Mechanical Alchemist was also excited, "No wonder I felt like my brain was getting better and better, so that's the reason."

Suren wasn't too optimistic, and said, "But the trouble now is that the Mechanical Alchemist core is damaged. If it isn't repaired, you might not be able to get out."

Hearing this, Karma looked over with her watery eyes and asked, "Sir, can you... solve it?"

"I don't know."

Suren wasn't sure either, and said directly, "This [Mechanism Core] is very complex, and I need a lot of time to analyze it. It doesn't necessarily mean that I can repair it. Of course, if there are any related books on 'Mechanical Alchemist,' perhaps the progress will be faster."

These words were very modest. His current knowledge reserves and attainments in the mechanical alchemist field were probably unmatched.

The structure of this [Boyle Mechanical Alchemist Core] was very complex. If even he said it couldn't be done, no other mechanical alchemist would be able to do it.

Karma obviously realized this.

Meeting this great-great-great grand uncle was also her only hope.

She quickly said, "I have some books!"

As soon as she said this, a look of apprehension appeared on her face, "But... not many. And they are all basic texts. In the last thousand years, our family has encountered several disasters and wars, migrated several times, and lost a lot of the inheritance. And most of the books were looted by the pirates that time."

"..."

Suren frowned slightly as he listened.

It wasn't unexpected, but it was a bit difficult.

Many of the advanced techniques in the design of this Mechanical Alchemist core required Robert's unique books to understand.

However, hearing "pirate looting," an idea immediately flashed through Suren's mind.

He suddenly thought of the "Thousand-Machine Puppet Hand" Vasily Tielmido that Karma mentioned.

If that guy was really the mastermind behind the pirate attack, then the books looted from the Boyle family would most likely be in his hands.

If he could get them, the problem might be solved.

And if he could strip Vasily of the knowledge he possessed...

As the thought flashed through his mind, Suren automatically filled in a series of subsequent scenarios.

He fell into thought.

......

Karma, standing next to him, looked at his serious expression, her expression dimmed, and she thought that the matter was making Suren very difficult.

This was the only hope, and she couldn't give up.

But the problem now was that Suren said he would be leaving soon.

Karma asked with some apprehension, "Then... sir, can you not leave for the time being?"

As she said this, she immediately realized that this request was a bit impolite, and quickly explained, "Oh, no, what I mean is... can I follow you? I can be your maid, servant... I can do a lot of things and won't cause you any trouble."

Intuition told her that the master uncle in front of her was someone trustworthy.

If she missed this opportunity, there wouldn't be another like it.

Only by following him would this master uncle have enough time to solve the problem of her brother, Aberke, being trapped.

Suren shook his head, indicating that she had misunderstood, and said, "You are descendants of the Mechanical Alchemist lineage, it is right for me to take care of you. However, you also saw earlier that I am in quite a bit of trouble right now. Following me might put your lives in danger at any time..."

But before he could finish speaking, a look of joy appeared in Karma's eyes, and she immediately expressed, "I won't cause you any trouble! Even if I really encounter danger, I have long had the resolution to face death!"

"..."

Suren wasn't surprised to hear this.

If it were him, he would never back down from such a great opportunity for a turning point in life.

Since the other party insisted, he didn't say anything more, and said, "We'll talk about it after dawn. If the situation allows, you can follow me."

Hearing these words, Karma's face was full of joy, and she nodded, "Yes!"

......

Originally, Suren had planned to find an opportunity to slip away, but now that he had something to do, he stayed in Karma's room.

The [Mechanism Core] was placed on the workbench. He wore a magnifying glass and carefully analyzed this extremely precise alchemical object layer by layer.

As the eight-armed spider spear unfolded, he observed and used paper money to draw everything he saw on the drawings. Not only was it helping, but analyzing this level of Mechanical Alchemist alchemical object also had a very great benefit for his own skill improvement.

Fortunately, Aberke, who was trapped inside, had already analyzed quite a bit. The previous drawings were made by him.

This little boy was indeed a natural mechanical alchemist.

The two coordinated, and the research progressed quickly.

Karma looked at the eight-armed spider spear. How could she not recognize the special alchemical equipment of the Mechanical Alchemist lineage?

She obediently stood aside, occasionally pouring a cup of tea, and couldn't get a word in.

After Suren entered a state of concentration, he rarely paid attention to others and didn't care that Karma stood next to him all night.

Unconsciously, the light from outside the window gradually brightened.

The horizon turned a dark blue, and dawn had arrived.

The city had been noisy all night, and the fighting gradually subsided in the second half of the night.

Listening to the sounds of battle, Suren heard that several groups of unidentified people had successfully broken out of the city, and the fighting was exceptionally fierce.

No matter which force those people who broke out of the city belonged to, the current situation was diverting the attention of the Agapannon Temple.

No one had come looking for him all night, which meant that his current situation was still relatively safe.

But if there was an opportunity, Suren would still choose to leave the city as soon as possible to avoid future trouble.

.......

On the workbench, dozens of drawings had been drawn, and the dense alchemical symbols and precise data made one's scalp tingle.

But this was far from enough.

This [Mechanism Core] didn't look big, but the technology that was analyzed was very difficult. Perhaps the runes and structural analysis of even a small part might require several drawings to be drawn.

Even if it was drawn, there was still a long way to go to understand the principle and its role in the whole.

The structure of this thing was too complex.

This was the biggest feeling Suren had in his heart after studying all night.

He hadn't experienced this kind of alchemy design that gave him a headache for a long time, but it also aroused his desire for knowledge even more.

Breaking the unknown knowledge can bring a very strong sense of pleasure.

It seemed like a long time had passed, and it seemed like just a moment.

The sun shone in from the window, and the scene in front of him was bright.

Suren's expression was agitated, and he let out a long breath: "Phew..."

The string of concentration in his mind relaxed, and he noticed the fragrance of bread floating in the air in the room.

Turning his head to look, a table full of rich breakfast had been placed on the table in the cabin.

Karma saw Suren looking over and said respectfully, "Sir, if you are hungry, you can have breakfast."

Suren shook his head with a smile: "There's no need to make it so rich."

Karma seemed very restrained and responded, "I don't know what you like to eat, so I made a little of everything."

"You have a good heart."

Suren smiled slightly and didn't say much.

His stomach was also hungry, so he didn't be polite and sat down at the table.

Although there was a big difference in seniority, the actual age difference was not that big.

Probably because he didn't explain the seniority clearly last night, Karma always looked at him like a thousand-year-old monster, and didn't dare to look directly at him.

Suren saw Karma standing aside and greeted, "Sit down and eat together."

Hearing the "order", Karma sat down like a puppet.

Suren thought the taste was good. The bread had a strong milky aroma and was a very thoughtful breakfast.

This big braid girl put her posture very low and really put herself in the position of a maid.

The golden morning light shone in from the window, passing through the white printed curtains like strands of gold thread.

No one spoke at the table, it was very quiet, and even the sound of bread crumbs falling on the ground could be heard.

Suren bit into the bread, but all he could think about was the [Mechanism Core].

He was a little fascinated for a while.

But as he ate, he suddenly glanced at the girl at the same table.

Thinking of something, he pondered for a moment and suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Karma, if you are willing, I would like to accept you and your brother as disciples."

The descendants of his senior brother's lineage naturally couldn't be maids, and Suren didn't have that hobby.

They had exchanged some information last night and had a certain understanding of each other.

The Mechanical Alchemist lineage was dying out, the siblings were both of good character and had a foundation, so it was good to keep them by his side as disciples.

"Ah...?"

Karma was eating with trepidation, and when she heard this, she was obviously stunned for a moment.

Then she suddenly looked up at Suren, reacted for two seconds, as if she understood something, and then a look of great joy appeared in her eyes.

She put down her knife and fork, and quickly knelt on one knee and performed a solemn master-disciple ceremony, "Teacher!"

Aberke's excited message came from the workbench: "Teacher!"

Suren smiled and signaled her to get up, and said, "Since you are willing to be my disciples, then you are also members of the 'Dawn Troupe'. It's not easy to explain some things now. When we go to sea, I will tell you in detail."

"Okay, teacher!"

Karma bit her lip, her eyes sparkling, it was the excitement of being overjoyed.

Now that she had been recognized as a disciple, the big stone in her heart had also fallen.

The siblings had been lonely for so long, and finally had someone to rely on.

......

After Suren had breakfast, he continued to work at the workbench.

Karma was also by his side, carving her Mechanical Alchemist.

Although she was only at the second level, she was actually very good at the mechanical alchemist arts for her age.

Suren would also occasionally give pointers.

The relationship between the master and the disciple gradually became familiar.

......

It was dawn, and Suren patiently did research at the workbench, but he wasn't in a hurry to find a way to leave the city.

Because someone was more anxious than him.

As the sky became brighter, the noise outside became louder.

"Why don't you let us out? You have no right to blockade the pier!"

"That's right, we are merchants of the Luying Empire, not Roman slaves, nor criminals. Your laws can't control us! Let us out!"

"Damn it, you lost your things, why should we all be locked in the city? I think you Romans clearly want to lock us up and then go find the treasure yourself!"

"Humph! It must be those despicable guys who want to swallow the treasure alone!"

"..."

Outside the window, the crowd was indignant.

Looking at it, if it wasn't handled well, there would be a major riot.

The Romans would unconditionally abide by the curfew and lockdown, but now there were a large number of foreigners in the Moros city-state.

They didn't care about the "thief" at all, but were more concerned about their own interests and treasures.

The boatload of treasure that the Flying Fish Troupe brought back last night stimulated everyone's nerves.

Many adventurers originally planned to set off after replenishing their supplies early in the morning, but they didn't expect to be locked in the city now, so naturally they wouldn't be quiet.

Suren, the "chief culprit", was doing well here, and the priests of the Agapannon Temple naturally didn't find anyone.

He thought that the search in the city would continue for some time.

But he didn't expect that before noon, the large-scale city lockdown was completely lifted.

The army withdrew to the barracks, and there was no blockade on the streets.

The temple priests brought the order of the high priest, and everyone was free to leave the port.

For a time, a large number of seaships at the pier set sail one after another, heading to Devil's Island to find treasure.

Even the North Sea Fleet sent several squads, which also looked like they had joined the treasure hunt.

The situation turned so drastically that it was hard to believe.

Suren felt very strange. Could it be that the external pressure was too great, and the "backstage man" in the temple gave up pursuing the [Golden Spear]?

......

Not long after, the room had been cleaned up.

Karma had cleaned up everything in the room and asked, "Teacher, it's all packed up. Are we leaving now?"

"Wait a minute."

Suren stood by the window, sharing the vision of the doom bird in his sight.

The city regained its former hustle and bustle, a large number of adventurers poured into the pier, and one sailboat after another left the port...

He was worried that it was a trick, so he didn't leave with the first wave.

But now it seemed that everything was extremely normal.

Suren always felt strange, but he didn't know where that strange feeling was.

Because he didn't have enough intelligence, he didn't know what had happened.

Thinking about it, he took out a scroll and shouted softly, "Unseal!"

This was an intelligence exchange method left by the Ten Great Bounty Hunters "God Painter" Van Gogh when they met before. That guy had a very reliable source of intelligence.

After unsealing it, a line of words suddenly appeared on the scroll: "A complex natural cave was discovered in the city's underground. People from the 'Holy Judgment Group' have safely escaped. Princess Frostmoon's batch of goods has been confirmed to leave the port today, Pier 3, 'White-Haired Old Man'. The princess's fleet also shows signs of sailing, and it is likely that they will also leave the port in the next day or two."

Sure enough, there was news!

Suren looked at the line of words, his eyes thoughtful.

There were many ships leaving the port right now, which was indeed the best opportunity to sneak out.

He guessed that the treasure attracted the attention of all forces, and it just so happened that Princess Frostmoon and his party could travel separately.

Either follow the goods, or follow the people.

One of two.

"Do you want to intercept that batch of goods?"

Suren was weighing the pros and cons in his heart.

A moment later, he decided to intercept the treasure.

He had already mastered enough intelligence about the Void Ruins. Even if he didn't keep an eye on Princess Frostmoon and his party, he could find another opportunity to follow them later.

But missing out on a legendary treasure like the [Chronos Void God's Hand] meant he might not encounter such a good one again.

While thinking, Suren sent a message to Chi Tiao.

At the same time, he confirmed that the submarine marked by Banks had also quietly moved.

Sure enough, that Princess Stika also planned to leave in the chaos.

......

The vast majority of foreigners in the Moros city-state were busy going to sea to find treasure.

At the same time, in the Agapannon Temple.

Having lost his most precious [Golden Spear], the handsome blond young man Onis Popov had been gloomy since last night.

Next to him, the temple high priest, shrouded in a veil, was still divining something.

"The cause and effect have been completely erased, and there is no trace of it that can be calculated. That person must have used some special treasure..."

"Mother, I don't care who that guy is, but how did he make my divine spear disappear?"

"It should be a very clever sealing ability. But this is also where I am puzzled. Even if it is a ninth-order sealing technique, and I use the power of faith to explore, I shouldn't be able to feel any connection with the divine spear..."

"Damn it! Then my divine spear will definitely not be recovered?"

"Well, the sacrifice is open, and no one can come back alive from Devil's Island. If that person is the 'prophet', he will definitely go."

"..."