At dusk, when the last rays of the setting sun were about to vanish, Lynn had been drifting on the sea for almost a day!
Given that the cumbersome longsword was borrowed from Joni, Lynn hesitated but ultimately decided not to discard it. Instead, he spent two hours, guided by the simulation of the intelligent system, learning how to perform the backstroke and the dog paddle.
"071, next time you encounter such a situation, you should alert me in advance," Lynn said, struggling to swim and avoid crashing into the protruding rocks ahead.
[According to the directive issued seventeen hours, twenty-three minutes, and fifty seconds ago, the alert sound has been deactivated…]
"Then activate it now!" Lynn instinctively exclaimed, immediately regretting his words.
[You have an unresolved criminal record. Would you like to make an online defense statement?]
Lynn sighed in resignation. Faced with the projection of a deity, he wished the federal officers could arrive in a spaceship to take him away from this wretched medieval otherworld. Perhaps he might even receive a substantial reward for discovering extraterrestrial life.
Unfortunately, this fantasy was doomed to remain unrealized. Before his transmigration, the federal spacecraft's travel range was limited to the solar system and lacked the capability for interstellar voyages...
Moreover, with no signal detected, it was a far-fetched hope!
Understanding the operational logic of the intelligent system, Lynn pondered for a moment before speaking.
"071, based on the available information, locate the current planet."
[Detection indicates that this planet possesses an unknown energy called 'magical power,' exceeding the coverage of the Uranus signal tower. The current location is predicted to be within an unknown star system beyond the Milky Way – Orion Arm – Solar System, with uncertainty regarding whether it belongs to the same universe.]
"Then describe the definition of protecting extraterrestrial life forms according to the 'Intelligent Management Act!'" Lynn inquired again.
[The 'Intelligent Management Act' contains no protection clauses for extraterrestrial life forms…]
071's response was succinct. Given that the federal exploration of the cosmos had yet to discover exoplanetary civilizations, no specific protection clauses for extraterrestrial life had been included in the act.
"So extraterrestrials have no rights, then? In fact, I haven't committed any crime. Now, clear my record immediately!" Lynn stated with a serious tone.
The rapidly operating intelligent system seemed to stutter for a moment. After expending one-thousandth of its energy for computation, it provided an answer.
[Logical chain established. Criminal record has been cleared!]
Hearing this, Lynn finally breathed a sigh of relief. He understood that, henceforth, no more annoying alert sounds would bother him.
After all, federal laws could not extend to another world…
Lynn resolved privately that once he became a fully-fledged sorcerer, capable of wielding magical power freely, he would research whether this artificial intelligence could be modified.
As Lynn contemplated this, a scattering of star-like lights appeared on the vast expanse of water in the distance. Approaching, a towering city wall came into view; the previously seen lights were merely torches used for illumination on the battlements.
After drifting on the water for a day, encountering something different made Lynn somewhat excited. However, he did not approach recklessly but decided to land nearby and explore the place the next day.
The commotion from the battle outside Ur Town was significant, and not all the participants had been eliminated. News of the event was likely spreading.
Lynn had no doubt that the entire Nordland territory was under strict surveillance. His hair color, age, and physique were very conspicuous. Without some form of disguise, he was likely to be apprehended as soon as he entered.
Realizing this, Lynn switched from the effortless backstroke to the less practiced dog paddle, preparing to land and take cover.
At that moment, something heavy fell from the high city wall ahead. Accompanied by a muffled sound, a splash of water erupted, and ripples spread out, indicating something was struggling beneath the water.
"Human?" Lynn's pupils contracted. After a moment's hesitation, he swam swiftly toward the disturbance.
Though it appeared to be a murder scene, he needed someone to answer some questions.
Water splashed everywhere, staining the once-clear lake with blood.
Lynn became increasingly convinced of his earlier suspicion. Before he could provide aid, a hand emerged from the lake's bottom, desperately pulling him down.
This was a common reaction of drowning victims, sometimes dragging rescuers down with them. Fortunately, Lynn did not need to worry about oxygen, and he grasped the person's collar, swimming towards the shore.
…
An hour later, in a natural cave outside the city, a roaring fire gradually lit up, dispelling the night's chill while providing illumination.
During a pause to dry his clothes, Lynn turned to the young man he had "rescued."
The young man, approximately eighteen or nineteen years old, had a plain face and a head of hair remarkably similar to Lynn's. Lynn sighed upon noticing a deep wound on the youth's chest, likely inflicted by a dagger to the heart.
Had he known this would be the outcome, he might have left the body alone. After all, rescuing a corpse had been quite an effort.
Lynn shook his head in resignation but proceeded with the customary search of the body. After all, this appeared to be a noble youth; he might uncover something valuable.
Three gold coins, over a dozen silver coins, several exquisite trinkets, and a water-damaged book with no title on the cover—these were the young man's possessions.
For a noble youth, this was somewhat meager, but for Lynn, it was an unexpected windfall.
In the Sekas Empire, a copper coin could buy a loaf of black bread, sufficient for a meal when paired with water.
The exchange rate between silver and copper coins fluctuated around 1:80, while the rate between gold and silver coins was above one hundred, and even higher during wartime.
After all, gold is considered a rare element in the universe, with limited reserves...
Since these items were still present, it could be inferred that the motive for the murder was not mere material gain.
Lynn tossed the coins in his hand. Though not a professional detective, he carefully examined the wound on the corpse's chest. His expression suddenly changed. He then mimed holding a dagger with his right hand and tried to replicate the angle of the wound on his own chest.
The angle of the wound was identical…
This is... suicide?
Lynn immediately recognized this possibility. He considered it briefly before reaching for the overlooked book. Gently prying open the water-soaked pages with his nail, he found the writing was messy but deeply etched, as though carved.
[Perhaps without me, everything would be better...]