Chapter 7: Think Carefully About This Question
Although Joshua was eager to explore the space-time portal and embark on a proper adventure, it was clear that now was not the perfect time for exploration.
Currently, they were deep within the volcano, without carrying much in the way of supplies or equipment. They had only brought some tools helpful for exploration. In short, they had some preparations, but they were not suited for the task at hand.
Now, the high temperature that could have caused a person to spontaneously combust had gradually decreased to a barely tolerable level that could dry a person out. Meanwhile, Hei's massive body swam and cruised through the lava, the golden light flickering from the core in its chest as it absorbed the energy within the molten rock.
Its body rolled, stirring up scorching waves in the vast golden-red sea that splashed against the black volcanic rock where Joshua and the others stood.
The members of the exploration team had already pulled out a large amount of equipment, recording all the sights and environmental information of this place. However, they did not fully understand their leader's intentions. Amidst the whispers and low exclamations of the crowd, this exploration came to an end amidst shock and admiration. The mysterious region that had threatened the four northern territories and could potentially cause a volcanic eruption had been resolved by Joshua. Although the unexpected discovery of the space-time portal was made, their current preparations were insufficient, so they would wait for the next exploration.
Hei was simply left behind in the lava pool. According to the system's list for Hei, Joshua discovered that with a sufficient source of energy, this creature didn't even need to eat. Simply soaking in the high-temperature lava made this half-dragon full of energy, and it could even continuously draw power.
"Indeed, not bad. It's a good place." The warrior nodded, thinking with some relief.
The Refining Black Dragon was known as the dragon of destruction and creation, the true embodiment of the concept of "fire within water." Lava was its natural domain. Hei had inherited its bloodline, so it was no surprise that it had gained the ability to live within it.
After giving another order for Hei to guard the space-time portal strictly, not letting anything from the other side come through, and not letting anything from this side go in, Joshua led Ying, Lin, and the others back to the Black Forest Fortress.
"So, we didn't encounter any enemies this time."
Sitting in the meeting room of the central tower within the Black Forest Fortress, Ying said somewhat regretfully to the young man beside her. The silver-haired girl was wearing a rare long-sleeved shirt and trousers today, with her hair tied back in a ponytail, giving off a dashing and spirited aura. She half-leaned on the table, pressing her hands against the sides of her slender neck, and said helplessly, "There have been fewer and fewer chances to fight lately... it's so boring..."
"Compared to a year ago, things have been way too peaceful lately!!"
"That's only normal."
Before Joshua, who was standing by the window, could respond, Lin, who had been sitting to the side with his head propped up in a daze, blinked and quickly replied, "Fighting isn't something good to look forward to—even if we have to fight, it must be within our control, and we absolutely cannot suffer unexpected losses. As for last year... the academic term for that is 'an eventful autumn.' While it might have satisfied your wishes, it wasn't a good thing for the master's territory. You can't have thoughts like that."
"I was just saying..."
Blocked by her younger brother's reasoning and unable to argue, Ying secretly glanced up at the back of Joshua's head, who hadn't spoken at all. Finding that her master had no intention of joining the conversation, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At that moment, however, Joshua was thinking about a question completely unrelated to any previous topic.
"Lately, Ying and Lin have been becoming more and more human-like, more like humans and less like weapons, just like the old steward."
Although he was looking out the window, his mind was churning with thoughts: "It seems that Divine Mechanisms can also develop thought processes similar to humans through learning... This is progress."
He felt some relief, as if he were watching children grow.
The cultural lessons over the past few days had indeed been effective, and they would need to be continued and strengthened in the future.
He thought this, and then, for some reason, his mind kept drifting until it landed on another question he had never paid attention to before.
"Speaking of which... is Hei actually male or female?"
(To be continued.)