Or, one could use Assassin and Scout Sequences to infuse the [Magical Castle], causing a directed mutation that would allow it to become stealthy like an Assassin, or even assassinate Explorers.

Of course, there was no shortage of those who sacrificed large numbers of Believers to the great "World Barrier Dominator," then installed thick "World Barrier Walls" on their Magical Castle, turning the [Magical Castle] into a mobile, defensive steel fortress!

When it came to the [Magical Castle], Players had come up with countless wild strategies.

Zorn’s own strategy wasn’t too outrageous either.

He simply wanted to transfer the power of the Divine Kingdom’s ruins into the Magical Castle, fuse them, and construct a perfectly ordinary "Steam Divine Kingdom: Magical Castle." That was all.

’A Divine Kingdom that grew legs and could move on its own—what was so wrong with that?’

It would still be a long time before he could build the Steam Magical Castle.

Zorn and Vanessa then sprang into action.

They began moving numerous items into the Magical Castle.

Things left in the manor’s basement could be discovered by sneaking enemies, and there was always a chance of theft.

But inside the Magical Castle, which had absorbed the Calamity Black Mist, it was absolutely impossible for enemies to get in.

Even if they did, it would only be to their deaths. The security would be on a whole new level. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

With the Magical Castle now in his possession, Zorn could practice his Skills and conduct his steam research inside, completely unnoticed by the outside world.

’If I want to have a deeper foundation and greater potential in the Extraordinary World, a safe haven for me to advance my Extraordinary Steam Technology is essential.’

Without them realizing it, several days flew by.

「Time passed, and it was now mid-September.」

One day, around three or four in the afternoon, after a full day of training and studying, Zorn was enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea while receiving a massage from Vanessa.

"BEEP BEEP..."

A series of urgent horn blasts shattered the silence.

A steam-powered car came speeding toward them before screeching to a halt on the road outside the manor.

The sequence of maneuvers caused many passersby to turn and stare.

The man who stepped out of the car was burly, with a bushy brown beard.

It was Madam Mable’s driver, Mr. Kane.

"I have to go out. If anyone invades the manor, just launch a surprise attack and fight. It doesn’t matter if you end up killing them!"

Zorn instructed as he stood up.

According to the Manor and Castle Act of Ogrande City, Zorn had the right to kill any and all intruders.

"Yes, Young Master Zorn!"

Vanessa nodded obediently.

Though Vanessa was always so docile in front of Zorn, she was a genuine BOSS Sequence with extremely high combat Talent.

She could quickly absorb and master many of the things Zorn taught her.

Her strength had soared during this period.

Just the day before yesterday, under Zorn’s guidance, she had successfully advanced to Level 2.

After leveling up, she stabilized her new power in just half a day.

The [Merciful Witch] Sequence seemed as if it had been tailor-made for her.

At Level 2, Vanessa was already incredibly powerful.

More than enough to handle the important task of guarding the manor.

Dressed in a black suit and a brown woven hat, Zorn boarded Madam Mable’s steam-powered car.

Madam Mable wasn’t in the car; only the driver was there.

From the car’s speed earlier, Zorn deduced that something must have happened.

Before Zorn could even ask, the driver, Mr. Kane, started the steam-powered car and quickly said in a low voice.

"After you gave Madam Mable that crucial piece of intelligence..."

"Madam Mable requested a half-month research period in Split Mist Town from Marquis Albert, and he approved it."

"The ritual you provided did indeed open the Gray Mist Rift perfectly. Better yet, it only requires a small number of offerings to keep it open for an extended period."

"This allowed our research and progress to proceed at an incredible pace."

"During that time, we first cleared the world of the Mirror Witch on the third level. But what surprised us was..."

Here, Mr. Kane paused, glancing at Zorn in the rearview mirror.

"The Mirror Witch was already dead, and everything valuable had been stolen."

"That damn thief couldn’t have been you, right, Mr. Zorn? After all, a noble gentleman like you would never do such a thing."

Zorn’s expression remained calm and composed upon hearing this.

’Even if they’ve already guessed, my play is to deny everything.’

’You have no proof, so you can’t just slander me.’

Without dwelling on these details, the driver, Kane, continued.

"Afterward, Madam Mable invited that reclusive Undead Assassin from the Fog Zone."

"Just as you said, the Undead gentleman single-handedly took the Undead Lich’s head with ease."

"After that, we entered the Mage’s projection world on the fifth level."

"The previous levels were all combat zones, but this one was for harvesting rewards."

"There was still some fighting, but the main focus was on the rewards."

"On that level, we acquired a great many important resources and a vast amount of Extraordinary Knowledge."

"I imagine you’d be very interested in that Extraordinary Knowledge."

Zorn gave a slight nod.

’That mysterious Ancient Mage had an extraordinary background.’

’The collection of Extraordinary Knowledge he amassed was immense.’

’Although I’ve read most of the books in there, further study of some of the more specialized texts would still be highly beneficial.’

’Furthermore, the Ancient Mage’s personal notes contain several special coordinates of extreme importance.’

’I have to get my hands on those.’

"According to our original plan, we were supposed to finish securing the resources of the fifth level."

"But we don’t know who leaked the intelligence about our progress in the deeper levels of Split Mist Town to Duke Mu Huo."

"Who would have thought that Duke Mu Huo would strike first, reporting to Marquis Albert that we were cooperating with an Evil God Organization to secretly seize important resources in Split Mist Town."

"Right now, Duke Mu Huo has already arrived at Split Mist Town with a team of Transcendents from Ogrande City and forces from the Church Knight Order."

"Duke Mu Huo, Madam Mable, and Marquis Albert are all in Split Mist Town right now."

"They’re currently in a standoff."

Zorn was slightly stunned to hear this.

’That damn Duke Mu Huo... how dare he play the victim and accuse us first?’

"Madam Mable’s reflection appeared on the window glass and told me to pick you up as soon as possible."

"To prevent Duke Mu Huo from trying any dirty tricks."

"So, that’s why I raced all the way here."

As he listened, Zorn’s eyes narrowed on the road ahead. He spoke in a low voice.

"The dirty trick... has already begun."

Sure enough, a contingent from the Holy Fierce Sun Church’s Knight Order was blockading the street up ahead.

The Church Knight Orders had stopped operating here back in early September.

Now it was already mid-September.

This Knight Order was clearly here with a specific mission.

Moreover, Zorn had already noticed several Level 3 and Level 4 Knights whose gazes were locked onto their steam-powered car.

"Floor it! Ram straight through them!"

Zorn ordered sharply.

"But they’re from the Church!"

The driver, Kane, hesitated, his brow furrowing.

"So what? It’s the Church’s men we’re ramming. Today, anyone who stands in our way dies!"

Zorn’s voice was brimming with killing intent.

"If we don’t break through, Madam Mable will be in trouble."

"Even worse, after they capture Madam Mable, they’ll come for us!"

"Understood. Hold on tight!"

The driver, Kane, slammed his foot down, flooring the steam-powered car’s throttle.

"WHIRRRR..."

The Steam Furnace roared like a Giant Beast.