by <unknown>
“My father operated a machine research company, which later went bankrupt. When I was six, they died in a riot caused by a political parade…”
Han Xiao was slightly moved. This was the first time that Reynold had talked about his own story. Usually, he never even mentioned anything about it.
“I have a sister who’s nine years older than me. Her name is Rossellin. After my parents died, I lived together with her for three years. When I was nine, she sent me on a long-distance galactic flight off Ceciris and abandoned me.
“When I left home, I was still a child that knew nothing. No one took care of me. I drifted in the galaxy and got through my tough childhood. I then finally had the strength to protect myself. After that, I once went back trying to find Rossellin. Then I discovered what she did.”
Reynold shook his head and said, “After I left, her Esper ability awakened. The official saying is that she can manipulate people’s minds, subtly rewriting people’s perspective on the world. At the start, people did not know about her ability. She used this ability to gather countless believers and built a new religion. New ideology and culture were born in her hands.
“With her ability, in just a few years, she completed the missionary process that would take normal religions decades. More and more people became her followers. She became the pope of the new religion in the Ceciris civilization, loved and worshiped by countless people. Even many high-level officials across the various governments were her believers. She controlled half of the Ceciris civilization with religious methods. Her position was above countless people.
“However, those governments felt that she would threaten their reign, so they kept searching for clues. In the end, her ability was discovered. She became the most dangerous careerist to those governments. She was captured, and the religion that she had created was destroyed.
“Although her Esper ability can modify people’s subconscious mindset over a large area, she can’t brainwash anyone, can’t make anyone a fanatical, and can’t control the minds of the others. Therefore, although the society was shocked, no one spoke up for her. Nobody would like having their mind twisted. Her reputation went right down the drain, and she became a sinner spurned by countless people.
“Those governments tried Rossellin. She was convicted of high treason and given life in prison. However, they showed their true intentions very soon. In their eyes, Rossellin’s ability was an outstanding tool to assist their ruling. Hence, whoever was going to imprison Rossellin became a problem. Every government wanted to have her, to use her ability to consolidate their rule and damage their opponents. They did not want anyone else to have this tool.”
Reynold closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed. “On paper, she was locked in prison, but actually, she disappeared from the eye of the public after the public trial. These governments sent spies and special agents to get to her secretly. Even some rebel forces with ulterior motives joined the battle. She became a tool that kept changing owners.”
Han Xiao could not help but ask, “So, you want me to save her from the Ceciris civilization? You’re already a Calamity Grade-won’t you be able to do that yourself?”
“No, she’s not on Ceciris anymore.” Reynold shook his head. “The Hutt Civilization took an interest in her ability and took her away. She’s now a prisoner of a Star System civilization.”
Han Xiao understood. No wonder Reynold asked for his help. It turned out that Rossellin had become an important prisoner of a Star System civilization, so getting her would be rather difficult.
To a Star System civilization, they had no obligation to give face to a Calamity Grade. Given how important Rossellin was, the Hutt Civilization would not give her away so easily. Even if Reynold was to attack the prison, he would not be able to fight against the entire Star System civilization alone. He could not save his sister by himself.
I see, so he’s asking for my help because of my influence… Han Xiao thought.
“I know that this is very sudden, but there’s nothing I can do to the situation Rossellin is in. I hope you can save her.” Reynold bowed deeply.
“Hmm…” Han Xiao caressed his chin. “Your sister really seems to be a careerist. I feel that she did this to herself.”
Psychics could change others’ minds to a certain extent, but the range and efficiency was clearly far inferior compared to Rossellin’s Esper ability. It was perfect for spreading religion, exactly what the Arcane Church loved the most.
“Maybe she really is an ambitious careerist; I’m not defending her actions. Although she abandoned me and I don’t have much emotions for her anymore, she’s still my family. She has already paid the price for what she did; I don’t want to see her keep suffering.”
Han Xiao was quite surprised. He had always thought that Reynold’s heart was mechanical; this was a very rare occasion where Reynold showed any emotion.
After pondering for a while, Han Xiao slowly said, “I can help, but it won’t be easy. Even I might not be able to make the Hutt Civilization give her to me just by asking. Rossellin broke the law after all. This isn’t a really reasonable request, so they can totally not give me face at all…”
Reynold nodded then said with a solemn expression, “I understand. You don’t owe me anything. I will continue to work for you and pay my debts for this.”
That’s what I’m talking about, brother… Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled. He smiled and said, “I’ll try my best.”
This time, a notification popped up on the interface.
You have triggered the mission (Reformer)!
Mission Introduction: You accepted Reynold’s request and decided to save Rossellin from the Hutt Civilization.
Mission Requirements: Save Rossellin.
Reward: 18,000,000 Experience, +30 Reynold Favorability, +80 Rossellin Favorability, (Blank Character Summon Card-Reynold) x 1
Han Xiao glanced at it and was surprised.
The mission itself did not seem too difficult, but the prerequisite to trigger it was. It seemed its requirement was to have quite a close relationship with Reynold while having very high influence, only then would Reynold ask for his help.
The Experience reward was ordinary. The Favorability was common as well. What was most surprising was Reynold’s Character Summon Card.
The Blank Character Summon Card of a certain character meant that he could choose any one of Reynold’s abilities.
Among all the abilities Reynold had, the most valuable was undoubtedly the Mechanic class Molding Talent (Perfect Mechanical Sense).
Although Character Summon Cards had limited uses, it was better than nothing.
Most of the time, only random draw reward in combat missions had a possibility of giving someone else’s Molding Talent. Other than Character Summon Cards, the players had absolutely no way of acquiring any Molding Talents. He had the NPC status, so his drawing range included the Molding Talents, but that was not the case for players.
Han Xiao was not disappointed. In order to get the true (Perfect Mechanical Sense) talent, he had to think of other ways.
A Character Summon Card is fine. I happen to have a use for it too.
The Class Advancement mission required him to build a piece of orange level 180 legacy equipment. It would probably not be possible to build orange equipment with his current Machinery Affinity, so he would have to look for ways to improve his building abilities. However, with the [Perfect Mechanical Sense) effects, he would be able to do it right away, saving him tons of trouble.
Pausing the flow of thoughts, Han Xiao returned to the topic.
“I’ll leave in two days and visit the Hutt Civilization. Tell me everything you know. By the way, what does your sister look like?”
“I haven’t seen her in many years, but when she was still the pope, I saved quite a few pictures of her. Here, look.” Reynold took out his communicator and projected a few pictures.
This was a woman in a gorgeous red and white robe. Her hair was ti
ed into a knot at the back of her head, decorated with a beautiful ornament. Her eyes were bright, and her teeth were pure white. Her face was gentle and beautiful, a little bit similar to Reynold’s. Her skin was snow white, and she gave off a very noble vibe. In the picture, she seemed to be making a religious speech. There were many faithful believers below her listening with their heads lowered.
Han Xiao glanced at it, frowned, and glanced at it again. Then, he stared at the face of the woman in the picture and could not take his eyes off her.
Noticing that Han Xiao was staring, Reynold was a little confused. “What is it?”
Han Xiao regained focus and moved his eyes away. He covered his mouth with his fist and coughed twice. “Nothing, your sister is quite pretty.”
Reynold gave Han Xiao a strange look.
Actually, when Han Xiao saw Rossellin’s face, he was dumbfounded.
Vilna, whom he had met earlier, was someone he knew from his previous life, but he did not expect to see another familiar face on the same day!
Plus, this woman was on a completely different level from Vilna!
Chapter 698. Rejected |
The Hutt Civilization was located in the Skywalker Star System, and the Black Star Army had one subdivision set up there. The Hutt Civilization had formed a diplomat team dedicated for the Black Star Army three years ago. The head of this team was an elite from their Foreign Affairs Department, Wolman.
The Black Star Army had set up an office for the Hutt Civilization’s diplomatic team in the satellite subdivision near the resource planet. Wolman and his team were usually there to monitor the harvesting of the resource planet as well as communicate with the Black Star Army’s subdivision.
This day was quiet as usual. Wolman arrived at the office early, gracefully greeted his team members, and sat at his desk. He appreciated the countless stars outside his window before taking out a book from his bag and opening it on the table. This was a book written in the Hutt language. He decided to finish chapter eight to chapter eleven that day, which would take him the entire morning.
Very quickly, he decided on his reading plan. If he was in a good mood later, he would consider reading one more chapter.
In the interstellar era, most of the entertainment and art books were electronic to save on unnecessary production and transportation costs. Physical books had become collectors’ items that only a very small number of people who sought elegance and refinement in life would purchase.
As an elite of the Hutt Foreign Affairs Department, a member of upper society, Wolman strictly required himself to live delicately. He took out a crafted can with green powder, scooped out precisely two spoons, and poured them into a crystal cup. As he poured cold water into the cup, the green powder inside dissolved and turned into a luminous turquoise dense liquid like stars were swimming within. It was beautiful.
This was a type of refreshing drink, a special drink loved by the Huttians. Of course, Wolman’s powder was not factory-made cheap stuff but the premium hand-ground type.
Wolman held the crystal cup in his hand and returned to his seat, sipped it, and picked up the book from the table. He adjusted his seat to lean on the window at forty-five degrees. As if he had completed some kind of ceremony, he finally started reading the book with satisfaction.
He did not hate being deployed to this quiet position, but he was not satisfied with his job either.
Wolman hoped he could be active on the diplomatic political stage between civilizations and display his abilities elegantly; that was how an elite like him should live. To him, dealing with the Black Star Army was a waste of his talent. After all, in his eyes, although the Black Star Army was a very strong armed force, it was just made up of rude, uneducated mercenaries.
This time, a team member hastily walked into the room and said loudly, “Sir, the Black Star Army just sent us a notice. Their leader Black Star will be arriving in the Skywalker Star System in seven days to visit our Hutt Civilization. The details are in this file.”
Black Star visiting personally, what could his goal be? Wolman was shocked. Ever since he took on this position, the things that he had been dealing with were all trivial and unimportant. This was the first time that something rather important had happened.
Wolman took the file and read through it carefully. Then he said with surprise, “He wants to see Rossellin? Who’s Rossellin?”
Han Xiao had written his goal to notify the Hutt Civilization in advance. If it was just meeting her, given his position, the Hutt Civilization should not reject him.
Wolman immediately contacted the superiors. After a long call that lasted more than ten minutes, he exhaled deeply. The people above were not planning to settle this personally. They made him responsible for the welcoming and hosting of Black Star.
Seven days later, Han Xiao arrived in the Skywalker Star System in his spaceship, landing at the military port of one of their governance planets. The Hutt Civilization had received the notice long ago and basically cleared out the entire port. Wolman and others were waiting
The hatch opened, and Han Xiao and Reynold walked out. Wolman adjusted his clothes, approached with an elegant smile and reached out for a handshake.
“Your Excellency Black Star, I’m Wolman of the diplomatic team. On behalf of the Hutt Civilization, welcome.”
“Yo, hello.” Han Xiao shook his hand.
“Upon gaining knowledge of your arrival, my superiors were eager to welcome you personally. Unfortunately, your arrival is too sudden, and they just could not squeeze out the time during their hectic schedule. Therefore, I’m responsible for hosting you. Please understand,” Wolman said with a very graceful tone.
Actually, this was just an excuse. The upper echelons of the Hutt Civilization did not want to meet Black Star. This was because when DarkStar was stirring chaos, the Hutt Civilization had secretly worked together with the DarkStar once. Once they heard that Black Star was visiting them personally, they felt somewhat guilty. Thus, they decided to let a unimportant official take care of Black Star in their place, while at the same time observing Black Star’s attitude, as well as why he wanted to see Rossellin.
However, of course, Wolman knew nothing about that. The way he saw it, this represented the Hutt Civilization’s attitude toward Black Star. Although they had followed the others and invited Black Star to build a sub-base there three years ago, they did not really take this nouveau riche too seriously. They kept their pride as a Star System civilization. Wolman was very satisfied with this attitude of theirs.
To Wolman, Black Star was just a nouveau riche.
Black Star was strong for sure, but he was not Beyond Grade A yet. He had just made use of the heated discussion three years ago and made the Black Star Army’s development grow rapidly. To him, this was exactly what a nouveau riche was. Technically, Black Star was just a native from a planet that lagged behind in all respects. Wolman, however, was an elite from a Star System civilization. With his sense of superiority, he did not think highly of the Black Star Army.
However, as a well-trained diplomat, this tiny belittling he had was perfectly hidden, and he maintained the basic respects.
“Don’t have to be so polite.” Han Xiao waved his hand.
Wolman nodded. “We have received your notice. Rossellin is now locked up in the secret prison on this planet and can meet you anytime. Would you like to rest or see her first?”
“See her first.”
“Okay, please follow me.”
A hovering car with a government license was parked outside the dock. Han Xiao and Reynold followed Wolman in and headed to the prison Rossellin was in.
The inside of the car was stable and completely free of turbulence. Han Xiao chatted with Wolman on and off, while Reynold sat straight at the side.
Ralph had given him a super long holiday, so Han Xiao had more than enough time to settle his personal matters. Seven days ago, when he got Reynold’s mission and realized that Rossellin was someone he knew, he
had immediately dropped all other arrangements and placed saving Rossellin at the top of his priority list.
Considering Rossellin’s identity, Han Xiao brought Reynold along as well. On the surface, it was so that the two of them could reunite, but it was actually to make Rossellin lower her guard.
Initially, although Reynold was rather important, Han Xiao did not see him as someone with any kind of extraordinary background. However, after seeing Reynold’s older sister, he knew immediately that he was going to treat Reynold like his brother!
“You’re about to see your long separated sister, nervous?” Han Xiao did not hide anything and spoke to Reynold with a voice that everyone in the car could hear.
“No.” Reynold shook his head. “The impression I have of her is already very faint Even if we meet, there isn’t much to say between the two of us. Even after we save her, we will still just walk different paths.”
“You want me to help you save Rossellin, but you’re not going to ask her to pay you back? It seems that your emotions for Rossellin are not as little as you say.” Han Xiao smirked.
“Families should take care of each other. Even though she once abandoned me, when she’s in trouble, I should still help her,” Reynold said with a serious face.
Ralph listened from aside and secretly memorized the information. Rossellin seems to be a family member of an important person under Black Star’s command. Maybe this is why Black Star’s here. I’ve got to report this to the superiors later.
After more than two hours, the hovering car entered a military base leading into an underground tunnel and stopped at the gate of an underground prison. The thick, bulky alloy gate was now open. The warden and the guards had been waiting there since long ago.