Chapter 69: An Encounter, a Confrontation, and a Journey to the Ancient Past

“E-Eden!”

Qing Yu shouted, his voice not only drawing the gazes of those nearby but also startling Eden.

With a surge of power, the Leaf Bear swiftly leaped from one branch to another.

Eden looked up, his gaze finding Qing Yu’s direction, and he waved at them with a smile.

“Good morning, my dear Qing Yu, my dear Aldoran.”

From beyond the barrier, Eden chuckled as he settled onto the tree trunk, seemingly unconcerned about the possibility of falling.

“Have you come to play as well?”

“Eden, how is it that you’re inside?”

Qing Yu pressed his face against the barrier, returning Eden’s wave.

“Recently, for reasons unknown, the animals and magical beasts have been rather restless.”

“As it happens, I’m quite skilled at calming animals, so the Director asked for my help.”

‘So that’s it.’

Qing Yu nodded, realizing that the gentle Sandstorm Beasts he had witnessed fighting earlier might have been agitated for this very reason.

“Well then, please continue your tour.”

“I still have work to do.”

With those words, Eden released his grip and dropped from the branch.

Before the onlookers could even react, a young woman with cherry-blossom hair below had already caught Eden steadily in a princess carry.

Eden hopped out of the young woman’s embrace.

After exchanging a few words with her, he looked up, flashing a playful smile as he waved goodbye to Qing Yu and Aldoran.

Meanwhile, the young woman crouched down, gently stroking the Leaf Bear that had approached them.

****

Upon exiting the enclosure, the sun now hung high in the sky.

Qing Yu and Aldoran had arrived at the zoo around seven in the morning, yet after exploring only a few areas, it was already nearing noon.

Curiously, while the nights in the Central Court were bone-chillingly cold, by midday, the sun’s heat became so intense it verged on dizzying, with even the ground appearing to shimmer with rising warmth.

This oppressive heat was a frequent occurrence, manifesting regardless of the season.

“Shall we get some ice cream?”

Aldoran suggested, then approached a small stall just outside the Leaf Bear enclosure and purchased two boxes of ice cream.

As they walked along the zoo’s path, towering White Feather trees lined both sides.

Wooden benches were filled with visitors, and even the branches of trees, inaccessible to humans, were occupied by members of other races.

Aldoran, unbothered by any potential dirt, simply pulled Qing Yu down to sit on the ground beside her.

The ice cream was encased in a small, ice-cube-shaped box, complete with a spoon carved from ice.

The box felt refreshingly cool in their hands and wouldn’t melt for a long time.

Once finished, it could be tossed directly onto the grass, where it would melt by evening, its water seeping into the earth to nourish the plants in the lawn.

The ice cream itself was a blue-white hue, resembling a wobbly, slippery pudding.

With a single bite, sweet, delicious juices burst forth in the mouth, the soft yet chewy outer layer constantly yielding, and a refreshing coolness permeated their entire being, dispelling the heat that had clung to them.

“This is made from Ice Slimes.”

“What do you think? Isn’t it delicious?”

Aldoran inquired, observing Qing Yu’s expression of pure contentment.

“I never expected Ice Slimes could be so amazing!”

Qing Yu exclaimed between bites.

It was then that he noticed almost everyone resting nearby held a box of ice cream, eating it with cheerful chatter.

“Inexpensive, refreshing, and thirst-quenching, this ice cream is a favorite among the people of the Central Court, selling incredibly well all year round.”

Qing Yu realized he, too, had fallen in love with this treat.

There was no denying it; the ice cream was simply too delicious.

Moreover, it was all-natural with no additives, cost only three copper coins a box, and could be eaten in any quantity without issue.

“Aldoran, would you like to try some of mine?”

Qing Yu’s ice cream was drizzled with strawberry syrup, while Aldoran’s had mango syrup.

Qing Yu carefully scooped a small piece of ice cream with his spoon and brought it to Aldoran’s lips.

“Ah—”

Like one feeding a baby, Qing Yu opened his mouth in an exaggerated gesture as he placed the spoon into Aldoran’s mouth.

“How is it?”

Qing Yu leaned in, his face alight with anticipation as he watched Aldoran thoughtfully savor the ice cream’s flavor.

“It’s good.”

Aldoran, in turn, scooped a spoonful of her ice cream and offered it to Qing Yu.

Unlike Aldoran’s reserved manner, Qing Yu gulped it down in one go, then chewed heartily, completely unconcerned with his image.

“Darling, that fellow is so crude.”

Hearing someone comment about him from behind, Qing Yu turned to see a man, roughly Aldoran’s height, tightly clutching the arm of a tall woman, his face contorted in disdain.

Noticing Qing Yu’s gaze, the woman defiantly raised her middle finger, her expression one of utter contempt.

Qing Yu, of course, wasn’t foolish enough to provoke such individuals.

He merely leaned gently onto Aldoran’s shoulder.

“Aldoran, someone over there seems to be insulting me.”

‘If someone provokes me, Aldoran can handle it.’

Qing Yu couldn’t afford to antagonize them, but Aldoran could.

Not only could she, but Aldoran could even lift both of them with a single hand.

Aldoran turned her head, and the woman’s smile grew even more brazen.

She gestured with her hand, first at her forehead, then at her chest.

Finally, with a smirk that practically begged for a punch, the woman flipped Aldoran the middle finger.

Clearly, the woman was mocking Aldoran’s height.

Aldoran, however, had no intention of engaging with them.

She simply placed the empty ice cream box on the ground and, taking Qing Yu’s hand, prepared to leave.

The other party, however, was not appeased; instead, they began to laugh loudly behind the pair.

“A midget and a fool! What a match made in heaven!”

They deliberately spoke in a loud voice, ending with several guffaws and a spit.

The surrounding crowd, seemingly annoyed by this person, quickly dispersed.

“Aldoran…”

Observing Aldoran’s silent demeanor, Qing Yu softly called her name once.

He had a distinct feeling that Aldoran was growing angry.

“See ya, shorty!”

Suddenly, Aldoran halted her steps.

“What’s wrong? Are you angry? Hurry, hurry! I’m so scared—”

“Enough! Stop arguing!”

Qing Yu turned back and flipped his middle finger at the two individuals.

Lacking a repertoire of insults, this was the only way he knew to retaliate.

The other party, however, clearly paid no mind to Qing Yu, even deliberately repeating their taunts several times.

“You! You two!” Qing Yu stammered, at a loss for words, and could only turn to comfort Aldoran.

“Aldoran, are you alright? Don’t be angry; anger is bad for your health.”

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry.”

Aldoran gently patted the back of Qing Yu’s hand, remaining silent.

She then turned and glared ferociously at the woman behind them.

Her gaze was akin to that of an enraged lion, brimming with such fury that it seemed she was poised to pounce on the woman at any moment, to tear her apart, heart and soul.

In that instant, even the wind seemed to still, and the entire world abruptly fell silent.

The formerly arrogant woman immediately fell silent after being subjected to Aldoran’s fierce glare.

Despite the considerable distance, Qing Yu could still sense the woman’s palpable fear; under Aldoran’s scrutiny, her body trembled slightly.

She continuously averted Aldoran’s gaze, doing everything possible to avoid eye contact, and Qing Yu observed her nervously wiping sweat from her forehead.

Even Qing Yu felt a distinct unease in his own body; the oppressive aura emanating from Aldoran nearly suffocated him.

Seeing this, the man quickly patted the woman’s back and, pulling her along, scurried away in disgrace.

As they left, the woman stumbled several times.

Only when the woman had completely vanished from Aldoran’s sight did the terrifying oppressive sensation gradually recede, and the once-silent world began to stir with noise once more.

At this point, Aldoran turned back, her demeanor once again calm and unruffled.

She gently tightened her grip on Qing Yu’s slightly trembling hand.

“My apologies, I frightened you.”

“I’ll be more restrained next time.”

“No, no, no, it’s fine, really.”

Qing Yu quickly denied it.

In his memory, Aldoran had never once been angry, so he had never imagined an enraged Aldoran could be so terrifying.

For a moment just now, Qing Yu had felt as though the sky itself was about to collapse.

“What’s wrong? Are you still feeling unwell?”

“Do you need to return to the inn to rest?”

“I will definitely be more careful in the future.”

Aldoran’s voice seemed to carry a hint of apology, even though her tone remained largely flat.

“No problem at all, no problem.”

Qing Yu hastily waved his hand.

“Oh, right, Aldoran, where’s the next area?”

“Instead of worrying about me, let’s hurry to the next exhibit hall!”

“Are you truly not scared?”

“If you are, just say so; I won’t blame you.”

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing!”

Qing Yu grabbed Aldoran’s hand and darted off.

****

Their next destination was rather unique.

It wasn’t merely an enclosure for magical beasts or animals; instead, it housed the skeletons of ancient creatures, much like a dinosaur museum on Earth.

Qing Yu found ancient creatures quite fascinating; he had always considered those colossal beings to be majestic and awe-inspiring.

Within that ancient creature hall, one could glimpse a mere sliver of the Central Court’s primeval era.

The entire hall was the largest building within the zoo, boasting approximately eight hundred thousand exhibits, all related to ancient organisms, making it the third-largest exhibition hall in the kingdom.

Stepping inside, a profound sense of grandeur immediately enveloped them.

Towering crystal chandeliers hung from the lofty ceiling, and pristine white stones, adorned with crystalline flowers, lined the walls.

These flowers continuously unfurled and closed with the flow of air inside the hall, releasing a faint fragrance.

The floor was paved with transparent crystal, beneath which clear, bottomless river water flowed, revealing every aquatic plant and stone with perfect clarity, and teeming with various fish Qing Yu had never before encountered.

Pillars, each intricately carved with ancient creature totems, rose majestically from the ground, supporting this magnificent edifice.

What magic had been cast upon those carved patterns, Qing Yu wondered, for the images on them actually moved as if in a film.

“Such an enormous exhibition hall, Aldoran! Just how vast is this zoo?”

“This city of Alastair is utterly incredible, isn’t it?”

Qing Yu exclaimed, utterly awestruck by the building; it was nothing short of a fairy-tale wonderland.

Up to this point, Alastair had completely overturned Qing Yu’s understanding of the world.

This magical world was truly a paradise on earth.

With its magnificent and beautiful architecture, its residents living lives of ease, and its vibrant culture, Qing Yu genuinely wished he could stay in Alastair with Aldoran forever, if only it were possible.

Once their journey concluded, he resolved to discuss this matter thoroughly with Aldoran.

By then, they absolutely had to have a few children with Aldoran, settle in the heart of Alastair, and stroll through its streets and alleys every day.

The mere thought of it filled him with overwhelming happiness.

“Alastair is the city Her Majesty the Queen values most, second only to the capital.”

“Its sprawling area rivals that of some smaller nations.”

“Being the national information hub and situated at the kingdom’s central transportation nexus, it also serves as the kingdom’s second economic center.”

“Therefore, in addition to ordering the construction of Nibelungen, Her Majesty also commanded the creation of numerous political, cultural, and entertainment venues.”

“Everything in this zoo was built to the standards of a royal park.”

“If converted to Earth’s units, its area would be—”

“Eight hundred hectares.”