Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 272: Chapter 271: Ill-intentioned Approach, Well-intentioned Do Not

“So I have already said, our atelier is only responsible for research; if there’s an issue with the item, you should go to the Northern Trading Company!”

When Fang Zheng arrived outside the atelier with Tilia and Black Katie, he quickly heard a young girl’s voice coming from the crowd. Hearing this voice, Fang Zheng frowned and looked inside. Then he saw Kuliya with her hands on her hips, glaring confrontationally at a young man in front of her. This man had fiery red hair and wore a noble’s attire with a touch of exotic style. He was holding a bag, negotiating with Kuliya with a sullen look on his face.

“But this is something researched by you, and with such a big issue arising, don’t you think you should say something?”

“Our fertilizer has no issues at all!”

Upon hearing the man’s accusation, Kuliya snorted coldly, pointing at the man before her.

“The Northern Trading Company has sold so much fertilizer; how come only the one you bought has an issue? Even if there really is a problem, it’s not our fault. Why should we listen to you! This atelier is protected by the Alchemists’ Association; you aren’t allowed to cause trouble! Otherwise, I’m calling the guards!”

“Perhaps you are not aware of the severity of this matter, miss.”

As Kuliya retorted, the man’s expression grew even colder.

“This matter has had an extremely adverse impact on the lands of the Kingdom of Flame. The soil where the fertilizer was applied is now completely arid and unable to support the growth of any crops. We wish to invite the creator of the fertilizer to the Kingdom of Flame with us to attend the hearing and explain the intended effects of the fertilizer and assist us in investigating the true cause of the issue.”

“No way…”

Hearing this, Nanali, who was by Kuliya’s side, also started to panic.

“Is it really that serious? I think maybe I should go have a look…”

“No, Nanali, you need to listen to me!”

However, before Nanali could say further, Kuliya blocked her and again turned to the man in front of her.

“If you want us to inspect, then you have to go through official channels and make a formal request with the Alchemists’ Association! Otherwise, regardless of what you say, we won’t agree!”

“Hmph!”

Upon hearing Kuliya’s answer, the man harrumphed.

“You’re afraid to attend the hearing, making excuses here; I’m sure you are behind this. Guards, take them away!”

“Yes, sir!”

At the man’s command, the soldiers beside him immediately responded and moved briskly towards the two women. Seeing the soldiers’ actions, Kuliya turned pale and quickly pulled Nanali back into the atelier.

“What do you think you’re doing? This atelier is protected by the Alchemists’ Association; you may not behave recklessly!”

Although Kuliya warned loudly, the soldiers obviously had no intention of listening to her. Silently, they advanced, and the lead soldier reached out to grab the girl before him.

“Whoosh!!”

Just at that moment, suddenly, a burst of Sword Qi fiercely shot from the side, cutting a rift between Kuliya and the soldiers. Then Fang Zheng, with a grim expression, stepped forward.

“I want to see, who dares to snatch people here?”

“Mr. Ezio!”

Seeing Fang Zheng appear, Kuliya and Nanali could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. The young man’s expression furrowed as he looked at Fang Zheng.

“And you are?”

“I am the owner of this Alchemy Atelier.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng strolled over and gave the man a sweep with his gaze.

“And who might you be?”

“I am Luden, an envoy of Fanriel from the Kingdom of Flame.”

The man announced, lifting his head proudly, hands clasped behind his back as he faced Fang Zheng.

“We have received reports from home that citizens of the Kingdom of Flame purchased the fertilizer sold by the Northern Trading Company and, after using it, found their lands barren and unworkable. This has caused great loss to the Kingdom of Flame, and that’s why we have come, to ask you to go to the Kingdom of Flame’s parliament for questioning!”

“Questioning?”

Hearing the self-proclaimed Luden’s words, Fang Zheng snorted coldly.

“We have no relationship with the Kingdom of Flame and no interest in going there. Moreover, if there’s an issue with the fertilizer, you should be talking to the Northern Trading Company, not us. Lastly… if what you’re saying is true, then you should be able to produce evidence for us to see. Since you claim the land has been laid to waste, it shouldn’t be hard to bring some soil samples or the like.”

Hearing this, Lia also came to a realization. Yes, if they’re claiming there’s a problem with our fertilizer, why don’t they bring some soil samples for us to study and analyze? Why insist on taking us away directly?

“We hope to conduct the tests under strict and fair conditions. I’m sorry, but given your alchemy atelier’s relationship with the Northern Trading Company, I don’t believe bringing over the samples to you would yield any meaningful results.”

“Then there’s nothing more to say, get lost.”

No sooner had Luden finished speaking than Fang Zheng snorted coldly.

“This is the Kingdom of the Holy Church, not a place for you people from the Kingdom of Flame to run wild. Get out, or I won’t be polite!”

“I am a special envoy from the Kingdom of Flame; how dare you be rude to me?! Outrageous!!”

Facing the eviction order from Fang Zheng, Luden also shouted back in anger.

“Come, take him down!”

“Yes, Master!!”

Upon hearing Luden’s command, the soldiers around Fang Zheng immediately drew the weapons at their waists and pointed them at Fang Zheng. Seeing this, both Kuliya and Lia’s complexions turned deathly pale, while Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly and flexed his fingers.

But someone was faster.

“Sealing.”

Right at the moment when tensions escalated, Black Katie, who had remained quiet behind Fang Zheng, suddenly whispered a word. She then raised the triangle tin staff in her hand and gently thrust it towards the ground.

“Swish!!”

At that instant, a water-blue Sealing spell emerged, enveloping everyone within its bounds! Along with the appearance of the Sealing spell, those earlier ferocious soldiers froze, as if petrified, and even the leaves falling from the trees due to the wind became suspended in the air.

“What is this?!”

Contrary to Fang Zheng’s expectations, the man named Luden showed a look of terror on his face even though he too was immobilized by the Sealing spell. For Luden felt that the instant the water-blue radiance touched him, he lost contact with his own body, as if at this moment he was left with only a barely functional head while the rest of his body had utterly vanished!

Oh? This is rather interesting.

Watching the frightened Luden in front of him, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but be taken aback. In fact, the fact that Black Katie made a move wasn’t surprising to him; after all, for a Follower of the Crimson Realm, casting Sealing before a fight is considered a basic move. However, the reaction of the people from the Main World to the Sealing spell came as unexpected to Fang Zheng. He had just sensed that the man called Luden possessed Elite Level strength, about the same as Knight Conan, and the soldiers surrounding him also had the power of regular soldiers.

And Black Katie was at the Golden Grade as a Soul Summoning Stone, which in this world would make her a Legendary-Ranked existence, holding power at the same level as Knight Commander Brand Castina. This meant that the Sealing spell released by Black Katie was virtually equivalent to the domain of a Legendary Powerhouse. That is to say, anyone below Legendary Rank would almost have no power to fight back!

He just wondered what his own Sealing spell would look like in the Main World.

“You, you… how can you…”

While Fang Zheng’s thoughts were adrift, Luden’s face had already turned deathly pale. He stared at Black Katie behind Fang Zheng, unable to grasp how such a young girl could be a Legendary Powerhouse!

“Even if you are a Legendary Powerhouse, you cannot kill me. I am the special envoy from Fanriel. If you dare to kill me, it would provoke a dispute between two nations…”

Facing Luden’s roar, Black Katie silently lifted her triangle tin staff. She didn’t care about Fanriel or international relations. To Black Katie, anyone brave enough to act against her master was an enemy!

“Wait, Black Katie, don’t act hastily.”

Seeing that Black Katie was about to make a move, Fang Zheng quickly stopped her. He didn’t think that the man couldn’t be killed, but Fang Zheng hadn’t quite figured out what was going on. Besides, with Kuliya and Lia watching from behind, one couldn’t just kill someone like that…

Perfect, since Fang Zheng had now learned “Mind Exploration” after touching upon Six-Ring Spells and was looking for a test subject. And right now… mmm, this guy just served himself up on a silver platter.

With that thought, a smile appeared on Fang Zheng’s lips. He then walked steadily towards Luden and silently recited a few Spell Texts. Soon, a magical aura appeared in Fang Zheng’s palm, and Luden, witnessing everything, turned deathly pale.

“You can’t do this, searching someone’s thoughts without permission is illegal! I will sue you! You damned bastards…!!”

“I’m sorry about this, Mr. Luden.”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng placed his magic-imbued right hand on Luden’s forehead. Just then, the previously shouting Luden suddenly closed his mouth, and his eyes became vacant.

“Now then…”

Looking at the man in front of him, Fang Zheng calmly began to speak.

“Please kindly answer my questions.”