Mechanical Alchemist

[The Four-Color Elemental Heart]should be a well-known term for any puppet master alchemist.

This treasure is said to be a product of goblin civilization, symbolizing the pinnacle of puppet energy core craftsmanship.

Even now.

One of the three mainstream puppet energy core design systems on the market, the "Elemental Core," is derived from this set of goblin technology.

It is the same for the Puppeteer lineage of Su Lun!

His current rune puppets and the energy cores of the alchemical gargoyles all use various functionalized Elemental Hearts.

But these are in fact incomplete versions.

Goblin civilization has vanished for countless years, and ancient magicians only found some fragmentary design diagrams in old texts and documents. As a result, today's "Elemental Hearts" usually possess just a single element.

The puppets created with this type of core typically only have one ability. Designing one with multiple abilities would geometrically increase the design difficulty and the physical size of the puppet.

However, the legendary goblin civilization's [Four-Color Elemental Heart]perfectly solved this problem. It is an energy core that simultaneously possesses the elements of earth, wind, water, and fire.

Not just the four basic elements, it also can efficiently convert between various elements, instantly supplying the puppet with the energy it needs, such as lightning, light, darkness, wood, metal... any required energy source.

Moreover, the most important point is that it can "automatically store energy."

This Elemental Core can automatically absorb elemental power from its surroundings to recharge when not in use. In other words, it's a theoretical "unlimited energy core"!

This can be considered the ultimate treasure that every Puppet Master dreams of.

It is also why Su Lun was so astonished upon hearing this term.
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Utilizing his alchemical gargoyles in battle, indeed, proves very strong.

But the consumption is excessively high.

Each action requires consuming a great amount of Crystal Core energy, all of which is single-use. The more intense the battle, the more must be consumed... it's purely burning through money.

To put it in another way,

The current method Su Lun uses to supply energy to his puppets is like inserting "dry batteries."

And if he could acquire that [Four-Color Elemental Heart], it would be as if the puppets had their own "nuclear power station"!

This thing, even in the notes of his teacher Celerea, has recorded countless attempts trying to restore this wondrous goblin technology through continuous efforts.

....

Su Lun inquired further, "Are you saying... about half a year ago, someone found a goblin civilization's [Four-Color Elemental Heart]on 'Mist Barrier Hell Island'?"

"Yes."

The young girl vendor seemed to think this news was common knowledge and had nothing to hide, saying, "The priests of the Temple of Aghaparnon have also confirmed this news. That's why so many Puppet Masters have come here from all places after hearing about it. But 'Hell Island' is very dangerous, other than the person who initially survived by luck, so far no one has been heard from after going up there. However, some ancient relics and shipwrecks have been found around the island's periphery. It's not just the Elemental Heart, many other ancient treasures as well, attracting many adventurers to take risks..."

"I see."

Su Lun listened and his thoughts quickly organized the cause and effect of the matter.

He then asked, "Who was the person who survived?"

The young stall owner replied, "The current 'Lionheart' Baron Opatra, King of Gladiators at the Central Arena. After achieving a hundred victories, he participated in the 'Hero's Trial,' intending to kill a high-ranking deep-sea monster by himself. Then, he accidentally entered the 'Mist Barrier Sea Area' and discovered the treasure-filled island. Some speculate that it might be the ruins of a lost ancient city that recently rose from the seabed..."

Hearing this, Su Lun realized that it wasn't just one treasure, but many treasures on that "Devil's Island."

He had even instinctively felt it might be targeted at him. After all, being a Puppeteer was a niche profession, and the sudden emergence of such an enticing puppet treasure seemed all too coincidental.

Only then did his doubts nearly completely dissipate.

Such sudden discoveries of treasure were all too common in this sea filled with countless treasures.

Especially since the news had come out six months ago.

...

After all, it was a flea market, and it wasn't good to chat idly with people he wasn't familiar with.

Su Lun didn't continue to inquire; he planned to visit an information dealer later to buy more detailed information with some money.

The young stall owner didn't seem interested in continuing either, and started to pitch her own rune dolls again, saying, "Sir, I see you must be a Puppeteer, and these 'Rune Dolls' couldn't be more perfect for you. I can guarantee that they are absolutely the best choice among dolls of the same class. And the price is very cheap as well."

She paused, probably worried about losing this hard-earned customer, and directly blurted out the price, "If you're interested, the 'Giggling Doll' is just fifty thousand risso, and the 'Wailing Doll' is a bit more expensive, just another eight thousand risso."

The brunette girl was right; rune dolls were indeed the best in utility among dolls of the same class.

Su Lun glanced over them and saw that the materials for these dolls alone should cost over thirty thousand. Including labor and technical fees, the price was already quite reasonable.

Normally, Puppet Masters wouldn't sell their combat dolls.

Unless they were really in need of money.

Although he hadn't spoken much with her, Su Lun had a good impression of the girl and smiled, "How did you figure out that I'm a Puppeteer?"

The young stall owner pointed at his fingers, saying, "Your fingers are slender and long, and your flexor and extensor muscles are well-developed. I saw you buying some puppet materials at another stall. So, you must be a Puppeteer, not a musician."

With that, as if explaining her unsolicited and impolite observation, she gave a cute smile and added, "In this flea market, after all, peers do care about each other's business."

She seemed well-raised and likely came from a good background.

After all, Puppeteering wasn't something a common professional could afford to play with.

The girl's words couldn't spark any dislike, and Su Lun looked at his own palm and smiled, "Good observation. I do know a bit about puppetry technique."

He took out a small bag of gold coins, saying, "I'll take all four dolls."

The young girl's face immediately brightened with happiness, "Thank you!"

Su Lun didn't mind and casually asked, "If I may be so bold to ask, do you have an inheritance of puppetry technique?"

It was not shameful to talk about one's school's inheritance, especially for professionals; a long and venerable tradition made their knowledge seem more orthodox and worthy of respect.

Upon hearing this question, the girl proudly replied, "Have you heard of the Alchemical Demigod, Sir Isaac, from a thousand years ago?"

Su Lun nodded, "Of course."

The girl added, "The wife of that Demigod is our 'Puppeteer' lineage's founder. The lineage I inherit is the 'Master Robert Boyle' lineage."

Hearing this, a flash of unusual color crossed the depths of Su Lun's eyes, and he asked, "Robert Boyle?"

"Yes! Have you heard of him?"

Excitement was unmistakable on the girl's face.

Puppet Masters were a niche profession, and Puppeteers were even more obscure within that niche; it was rare for anyone to know about them.

She thought that no one would recognize the name, yet the person before her did know, and had even pronounced the name correctly.

She went on quite proudly, "He is an ancestor of my Boyle family!"

Upon hearing this, Su Lun sighed slightly in his heart, not expecting that they actually belonged to the same school. He murmured to himself, "Mr. Boyle is a master in the field of puppetry who deserves our respect."

His teacher Seraya had taken three disciples during her life, and Robert Boyle had been one of them.

By seniority, he would be considered an elder disciple of his own.

This young woman was a descendant of his elder disciple...

Su Lun, too, felt somewhat nostalgic.

At that moment, he noticed the ring in the girl's hand, which bore the family crest of the Isaac family.

Su Lun found it very familiar and inquired, "That... Could I take a look at the ring on your hand?"

Upon hearing this, the girl reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, quickly guarding the ring while saying with a suspicious face, "This is not for sale!"

She seemed to realize that her reactive defense might appear impolite to a stranger, and she explained, "This is just an ordinary ring. It's a legacy item of our family, nothing special."

Su Lun naturally knew, since it had been identified as a [broken Alchemy Ring], without any special function.

He said, "I was just curious and wanted to take a look. If it's not convenient, then forget about it."

The girl, seeing Su Lun's genuinely kind smile, found no reason to refuse. She took off the ring from her slender finger and handed it over carefully, "If you want to have a look, it's okay."

Su Lun took it and saw the engraving on the inner wall that read "Given to my disciple Robert Boyle."

He had been poring over huge amounts of Seraya's notes recently and recognized the handwriting; it definitely belonged to his deceased teacher.

Looking at it, Su Lun let out a long sigh.

This truly was a ring left behind by his teacher a thousand years ago—what a fate.

After just a glance, he handed the ring back, "Thank you. This is a very precious artifact; take good care of it."

The girl stall owner looked on, somewhat perplexed.

Su Lun didn't elaborate further and at this point, he took out a tome, saying, "This contains some puppet designs I came across before."

After a moment's hesitation, he gestured toward the puppet materials on the stall, "If possible... I'd like to exchange them for these materials."

"Designs?"

The girl looked slightly confounded, as puppet designs could be quite valuable.

She felt that the trade was blatantly unfair.

Could there be something wrong with the designs?

That shouldn't be the case... such a generous customer wouldn't covet these materials for nothing.

Without even checking the content, she promptly agreed, "Okay!"

Su Lun smiled, nodded, gathered the materials, and left the stall.

He didn't linger long in the trade market, gradually disappearing into the crowd.

It was only when he was gone that the girl, Kama, snapped out of her daze, staring at the tome in her hands in a trance.

Just then, an eager voice popped up in her mind: "Sister, hurry up and look, what kind of puppet designs are those!"

Kama glanced toward the basket on her side where there was no one, only a pile of half-finished puppets.

Frowning prettily, she murmured softly, "Abel, I've told you not to use psychic communication carelessly, have you forgotten when our family was raided by pirates? I suspect it was the Tirmdo family behind it, and if you were still alive, it would be bad if they discovered you. If you don't listen, I won't bring you out to the stall next time."

That voice rang again in her mind, "Got it, sister. But, please check the designs!"

Kama didn't say more and opened the tome left behind by the mysterious customer.

Having exchanged it for just those materials, she assumed it couldn't be any valuable basic puppet design.

But to her astonishment, once she started to look, her gaze froze there.

Seeing the dense runes recorded, as the heir of the "Puppeteer" lineage, she understood all too well—these were the original designs for "Rune Puppets"!

How could this be...

Weren't they lost?

How could there exist such meticulous designs?

"This..."

Kama was struck as if by lightning, her mind going blank in an instant.

After a brief moment of disbelief, she finally realized what she had seen, and quickly turned to look into the crowd, wanting to find something.

Unfortunately, she could no longer see that customer's figure.

...

Su Lun strolled along the streets.

He had naturally also noticed that those partially finished puppets the young stall owner had brought with her emanated soul fluctuations.

A puppet with a soul?

This is rather interesting.

Indeed, it's a lineage worthy of my teacher, seems like they've crafted some intriguing puppets.

Su Lun had no intention of probing further.

After all, his current situation wasn't that great, and fierce battles could arise at any moment.

Since "Robert Boyle's" lineage had been passed down for a thousand years, then let it continue down its path.

He had given them some basic rune puppet design diagrams; this was his way of looking after his fellow sect members.

Su Lun thought about it and made another trip to several information brokers in the city.

He inquired from various sources about the puppet treasure known as "Heart of the Four Elements," and almost all confirmed that the rumors were true.

Indeed, a new archipelago named "Devil's Island" had been discovered, and it was said to hold numerous treasures.

As for dangers, it was said that the sea area had many powerful sea beasts, especially near "Devil's Island," where it was rumored the sea harbored Sirens, Harpies, Sea Ghosts... and all kinds of strange and unusual sea monsters. There were also all sorts of huge and ferocious magical beasts like hundred-meter-long tentacled octopuses, mountain-sized gorillas, deep-sea giant crocodiles, lantern fish, and enormous flying creatures...

Monsters in the sea, that was normal.

But when Su Lun heard someone speak of sightings of a hundred-meter-long giant octopus monster, his heart was filled with anticipation.

After all, mechanical octopus construction required the use of biological nervous systems and some body tissue as materials. He needed a sufficiently large biological specimen to create a larger mechanical octopus.

What was most critical was that the direction of "Devil's Island" was not much different from the route to the Void Relics.

In any case, he would have to go there.

If possible, he would like to get his hands on the "Heart of the Four Elements."

For Su Lun, acquiring it would not be inferior to having several additional completed gargoyle statues. And if he could also obtain the original design diagrams from the age of the goblin civilization, it would truly be a priceless treasure, even able to rewrite the future development of puppet energy cores of the present age.

To say he was not tempted would be a lie.

The information gathered from the intelligence merchants was varied, and after listening and analyzing, Su Lun had a rough impression.

Essentially, that sea area was riddled with many unknown dangers.

Ultimately, after considering, he decided he wanted to meet the one person who had landed on "Devil's Island" and then survived—the "Lionheart" Baron Opatra.

Moreover, Su Lun developed a profound interest in the concept of "Hero's Trial."

In Roman, there is a special system of inheritance where gladiators, after achieving a hundred consecutive victories in the arena (a figurative number, meaning they have no more challengers), can choose to undergo the "Hero's Trial."

They need to set sail alone and then slay a sufficiently powerful sea monster.

When they return with the head of the sea beast as an offering, they can receive the blessing of the "War God Tyr" and gain some special inheritance.

Usually, those qualified for the "Hero's Trial" are around the sixth rank.

After returning, they are blessed, and their chances of breaking through to the seventh rank are very high.

...

Su Lun walked the streets.

The streets of the Moros city-state were very spacious and meticulously planned with aesthetics in mind.

A road that could accommodate eight side-by-side horse carriages ran north to south through the city, splitting the urban landscape in half.

Standing on the main street, one could see the great fountain square in the city center at a glance.

In the center of the square stood a nearly hundred-meter tall colossal statue.

The statue depicted a one-armed warrior, grasping a long sword, exuding a domineering and majestic presence.

This was the "Statue of War God Tyr," the god of worship for the Roman people.

The statue wore no clothes, its muscular lines twisted and beautiful, reflecting the Roman's primal worship of strength and body.

Roman gladiators had an extremely high death rate, but most of them volunteered for it.

The reason they relished fighting was that inherently, from birth, they were unafraid of death; instead, they feared an ordinary death.

Natural deaths, dying of illness, were referred to as "straw deaths," akin to dying as ordinary as dry straw.

This was not the ideal ending for a Roman, who would prefer dying valiantly on the battlefield.

Because in Roman legends, valiant warriors after death would go to heaven. Valkyries would kiss them in death, and then escort them to Valhalla Palace. In that heavenly palace, they would enjoy all the best treatments of the earthly realm.

(PS: The Valkyries are very beautiful women, with lovely white arms, soft bosoms, and golden flowing hair. They wear golden helmets, don blood-red tight-fitting war dresses, hold glowing spears and shields, and ride pure white horses...)

Put simply, they would enjoy heavenly bliss, with wine, meat, and fairy companions, enjoying the utmost ecstasy of the mortal world.

...

Su Lun walked past the central square, where he could see muscular Romans praying to the statue.

He learned that the "Lionheart" Baron Opatra was currently in the city's largest brothel.

Such strong men were very popular with women; sleeping with him was the dream of all Roman women, even the noble ladies longed to bear his offspring.

In Roman legends, the descendants of heroes were more likely to become heroes themselves.

Su Lun understood it to be a bit like... a stud.

Good seed, good offspring.

But just after passing the central square, suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

Su Lun looked at the painter, dressed in local Roman attire, painting portraits for passersby to earn money.

Looking at the messy-haired painter, who although appeared unfamiliar, the essence within the flame of his soul was very familiar.

He recognized at a glance that this fellow was one of the "Top Ten Legendary Bounty Hunters," known as "God's Hand Painter" Vincent F. Van Gogh!

A Legendary Bounty Hunter, actually selling paintings here?

"Did this guy not succeed in his assassination before, and now he has followed me here?"

Su Lun thought of something.

...

The painter was working his brush on the linen canvas, and just as Su Lun watched him, the man seemed to notice something and turned his head to look over.

Su Lun, seeing the smile curling at the corner of the man's mouth, also knew that he had been recognized.

From the other party's demeanor, it seemed he was also inclined to have a chat.

Su Lun felt no urgency to leave.

After waiting for a few minutes, the lady who had bought the self-portrait also took her leave.

Su Lun then walked over.

Van Gogh, one of the top ten legendary bounty hunters, was without an air of superiority and took the initiative to greet him with a cheerful, "Hey, long time no see."

Although Su Lun felt he was not familiar with the man, he detected no malice and responded out of courtesy, "Mr. Van Gogh, it has indeed been a long time."

Van Gogh didn't seem to care about his fame; he changed his canvas and began to capture the scenery of the city. While painting, he said, "I must say, the Romans truly understand art. The architecture here is simply beautiful... Speaking of which, I was once a fresco restorer here for ten years."

Su Lun listened with a hint of surprise.

Are all top-notch masters so unpretentious, even having been a fresco restorer, and seemingly fond of that profession?

Su Lun had no interest in talking about art; he went straight to the point and asked, "Who do you serve?"

Van Gogh spoke with a relaxed tone, "I'm a bounty hunter... I, of course, serve money. Last time, it was because I took on a bounty from the Luying royal family and had to repay a favor I couldn't refuse that I made a move. This time... it's hard to say."

Su Lun was also curious about how much it would cost to hire such a legendary bounty hunter and asked, "What price would it take for your services?"

If he could really hire Van Gogh with money, it would be a significant obstacle should a fight break out.

Van Gogh smiled slightly and said, "It depends on my mood."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Su Lun knew that hiring him was out of the question.

Such top-tier powerhouses, especially those involved in the arts, tend to have odd ideas.

Su Lun casually asked, "Are you here for 'Princess Frostmoon' Stika?"

Van Gogh didn't hide his purpose at all, "Yes. But she's been out of sight, hard to kill... However, I've heard that there are many who have their sights set on her. Perhaps there won't be a need for me to make a move."

Despite the North Sea being pirate territory, both Luying and Duke Raphael's nobility have their own comprehensive intelligence networks.

This guy must have some relevant information to have followed the trail here.

Encountering him twice, Su Lun didn't think it was a coincidence; he always felt that the man seemed to recognize him.

But if he didn't speak up voluntarily, asking was certainly not going to yield any results.

Thinking it over, he probed, "If possible, I would like to buy some information."

Van Gogh said, "Oh?"

Su Lun stated, "I want to get my hands on a treasure that is in Princess Frostmoon's possession. It should be a gift exchanged between Oleg and Mafa."

"I do happen to know about that."

Van Gogh continued, "Princess 'Frostmoon' Stika will likely be secretly escorting a shipment back to Mafa in the next few days, at Dock Seven. The ship hasn't been determined yet, but it's expected to be a pirate ship. The exact timing of the shipment is yet to be confirmed. But there are already quite a few eyes on it."

Su Lun felt he had asked the right person, "You're not going?"

This was information he hadn't found even after inquiring with the information brokers.

Van Gogh shook his head and said, "No, I won't go. I'm only interested in people. Whoever wants to bother with that shipment can go ahead."

After a pause, he said, "Besides, someone intercepted a secret intel stating, 'When the awaited currents and winds arrive, we must set sail immediately.' I suspect there must be something very valuable in the shipment, but Princess Stika's true intention might be to use it as bait to set sail and draw attention."

Su Lun's gaze narrowed slightly as his thoughts raced.

The guy had actually shared such top-secret intel?

Others might not understand the meaning of that intel, but Su Lun knew. To reach the area with the spatial relics, one needed to wait for specific currents and wind directions.

By this time, Van Gogh had completed his painting.

"This is my new work, 'The Potato Eaters'..."

He gestured for Su Lun to look at his canvas, his eyes brimming with confidence, seemingly quite satisfied with his work.

It was a rather odd painting.

On the canvas were several abstract figures, seated around a dining table, holding forks and knives.

On the table was a dish of potatoes, and they seemed to be negotiating how to divide them for eating.

A dim oil lamp illuminated a corner, and the overall tone of the painting was dark.

Van Gogh looked at his painting with a profound gaze, frowning as if there were something he couldn't quite understand.

After pondering for a moment, he murmured uncertainly, "Does darkness contain a monstrous creature?"

It was as if he saw some sort of "hint" in the painting.

Divination ability?

Su Lun faintly understood something.

So the focus of the painting wasn't the people holding cutlery, but the background?

He felt that the man's abilities were truly unique.

But what did this cryptic statement mean?

(Ambiguous divination, avoiding backlash as much as possible)