End of the tour

Meanwhile, in the mortal world, the Kings and Lords of each country and city who have been teleported inside Lucifer's new city and continent are having a good time.

Everyone, rich or poor, old or young, is treated equally while being guided by the Automata and served and treated like royals.

Everyone began to believe that this was a paradise after Li Jing decided to allow them to eat high-quality food rich in nutrients and spiritual essence.

However...

One kid in the city wearing rug clothes, tired, sick, hungry, and weak, has caught the attention of one of the automata, a girl wearing a butler suit; she has long black hair, black eyes, and smooth brown skin.

She crouches down and looks at the child, who is weak and hungry.

"What's wrong, little child."

A woman's soft and sweet voice caused the little boy to shiver in weakness, unable to speak or respond.

"Do you need help?"

The child couldn't talk or respond; instead, he slowly closed his eyes and opened them slowly.

The girl saw the eyelid open and close and responded with a nice smile.

"I understand..."

The girl put her arms around the child's back and legs, put him in her arms, and lifted him up from the ground.

"Close your eyes but remain awake... because today will be the luckiest day of your life."

The girl brought the boy to one of the hospitals and went to one of the rooms with glass tube caskets.

The girl walks towards one of the glass tube-type caskets, lays the boy down inside, and closes it.

From that moment on, the girl touches the glass casket, and weird patterns that operate the casket appear.

As the girl operated the casket, a round ring inside the casket went around the child's body, creating a small light as it passed.

From that moment on, the machine's glass casket speaks.

[Removing all possibilities of infection is complete!]

[All injuries have been healed!]

[Restoring the immune system is complete!]

The girl smiled as she pushed the button to open the glass casket.

As the casket was being opened, a small burst of air occurred.

"Wake up, kid. It's time for you to eat something."

"!" The child raised his body in surprise and turned his head to see the lovely lady in front of him.

"Let's go... It's time for you to indulge in gluttony."

The boy couldn't understand what the lady was saying to him because she spoke a foreign language, so he simply tilted his head, as if wondering what she was saying.

The lady didn't lose any time and helped the boy once again.

Even though the boy has been fixed and restored, his body is still weak due to hunger, so the lady decides to help him once again and puts him in her arms.

The boy flinched for a moment before he blushed and said thank you in a different language.

"Thank you." The boy said, shyly.

The lady paused for a moment and stared at him as she analyzed the boy's language until she responded.

"You're more than welcome." Using the language that the boy had used, the lady smiled earnestly.

She greeted and thanked her coworkers as they approached the door, then went outside to walk the streets.

They both went to a fancy restaurant, were greeted, tried to find an empty table, and sat down.

One of their fellow Automata, a restaurant worker, greeted them as they sat down.

"Welcome... Hi, how may I help you, My Lady and Young Master?"

The lady grabs the menu list and looks for an appropriate meal for the child she is with.

"I'd like a warm soup first."

The lady paused for a moment, making the worker reply gallantly as he bowed.

"-Understood, Milady..."

"...As for the rest, I want them all."

"Eh?" Her response puzzled the worker, who replied a bit confusedly.

"I am going to need everything on the menu, not for me, of course, but instead for this child."

The lady patted the kid's head, making the worker glance at the child, who looked weak and malnourished.

From that moment, the worker took the menu list that the lady was giving him and bowed, then left.

"Understood, madam; it may have taken some time, but please bear with me."

Then after that, they wait...

While they wait, the child invites the lady to accompany him.

He drew the lady's uniform in order to catch her attention.

"Umm... can I ask something? Why are you helping me?"

"Because... we've been ordered to guide and assist anyone who requires it. As a combat cipher, our master's order is a must."

"I see... thank you so much..."

"You're always welcome."

Then moments later...

An AI robot with a serving plate of soup has arrived.

[Here's your soup, our dear customer.]

Using a cloaked barrier and a laser, the AI robot put the soup on the table.

[Enjoy your stay and have a wonderful meal.]

Then the AI left them.

As the aide left, the lady looked at the child and told him to eat with a beautiful voice and smile.

"You should eat now."

The kid is hesitating, and look at her—embarrassed and confused.

Thus he asks.

"Please eat with me as well."

"Me?" Surprised a bit, the lady smiled awkwardly as she heard what the boy said.

So she explained.

"I am sorry, but I don't eat."

"Eh? Why?" Shockingly, the boy immediately asked her.

"Because I was made, not created."

"What do you mean?" The boy asked confusedly.

"What I mean is... I don't have a soul. I never feel tired. I never feel hungry. I don't feel anything. That's why I don't need to eat."

"but...!" The boy reacted in shock, then paused as he held his statement before saying anything.

"...Thank you so much." The boy looks away from the lady, disappointed and distressed, as the atmosphere suddenly becomes heavy.

He then pulled the soup toward himself, grabbed the spoon, dipped it in the soup, and took a taste of it.

"!" As soon as he took a taste, the boy flinched, then quivered as if an electric shock had shocked his whole body.

"It tastes delicious!" The boy's eyes gleamed in happiness...

And then, after that, he dips himself in as he drops the spoon, grabs the bowl, and gulps the soup in one go.

Although the soup looks hot because of the steam, it's actually the right temperature. It's neither cold nor hot; rather, it's in the perfect balance for a person able to gulp it down.

"so Good! This is the first time I've ever tasted a delicious soup in my entire life!" In joy, the boy gleamed with excitement.

thus making the lady beside him delighted.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes!" The boy nodded in happiness as if he wanted more.

But...

"I am glad you like it... However, the main course will come next, so it's best to refrain from getting addicted to soup. So hold it for a few minutes, and I'll let you eat everything."

"Yes! I will wait!"

The heavy atmosphere that surrounded the boy suddenly disappeared as he smiled and gleamed with joy when he looked at the lady who was talking to him.

few moments, the full course has finally come in.

Four AI robots came in carrying a dozen trays with plates on them, filled with food and everything else.

Because the table is small and there are only two of them, the lady touches the center of it.

From that moment on, a circle of space cut from the table floated at its center, covered with a light energy dome.

As the AI carefully places the food inside the circled space dome, the food instantly shrinks from its original size.

As everything has been placed carefully and neatly, the lady has spoken.

"Dig in."

"Thank you!"

The lady smiles at the child as he continues to eat every meal they ordered.

The lady became stiff all of a sudden. No, not just her; every single automata suddenly paused for a moment, leaving everyone bewildered and surprised.

[Attention everyone: This is Lucifer. The city tour will end in 2 hours. Do remind the person you're guiding. That's all.]

The connection was then severed after Lucifer spoke.

From that moment on, all the automata came back to normal.

However, just as Lucifer relied on them to deliver his message, every automaton must do the same.

Thus, the lady who was attending the kid has spoken.

"Child, the tour in this city will end in 2 hours." Her words were firm and serious, with no remorse.

"Eh?" The spoon and fork that the boy was holding fell to the floor in shock.

"So please hurry up and enjoy the rest of the hours left before we send you back."

"But, why?" His face became pale, and he had no energy left to eat the rest of the meal. It was as if the boy's world was instantly destroyed as it shattered out of nowhere.

"Our King's command is a must."

After hearing such a firm and outright response, the boy looks down, grips his fist tight, and bites his lips until they bleed.

"Just when I receive a calling... I will be immediately abandoned. Why, why is everyone abandoning me? Am I really that unworthy?"

His thoughts returned to his dreadful past. Hunger, abandonment, and the struggle to escape reality, where he and his mother are surviving on the streets.

After his mother left him to find food and never came back, he realized at such a young age that in order to survive, he had to stand up with his own two feet. However, reality is neither merciful nor easy, as he immediately finds out how cruel and hard it is.

bandits who kidnap innocent people and sell them as slaves; monsters lurking outside of the walls; adults taking advantage of kids; and theft.

He works harder than the horse in order to survive, but it's still not enough. He has nothing left until one week before the events of Empire begin.

left in the streets begging for food or anything else. His will is what made him survive, but his hunger and possible sickness are what made him weak.

He tried to live and wished to see his mother once again, but everything was for naught as his last bit of strength was leaving him due to hunger.

His eyes narrowed, as if he was waiting for death to come and save him from this miserable life.

But such an unexpected voice of salvation went through his ears—a soft and beautiful voice of a woman, calling him and asking him—that even though he had no strength to reply back, he tried to look at who the person was.

He opens his eyes, but his vision is blurred, so he closes them and then opens them again.

From that moment, he felt his body being lifted off the ground; he didn't know what was happening to his body, so he decided to close his eyes once again until his body regained its strength once again.

As he awoke from his glass casket, a beautiful lady assisted him, guided him, and treated him with the love and respect he had never known since his mother's disappearance.

All of the warm kindness and love he felt, as well as the treatment from the unknown lady, made him wish this dream could last forever.

But it won't...

Reality is often disappointing.

His eyes teared up, and his nose snotted; it was mixed with happiness and sadness.

He didn't look at the lady until he wiped his tears and snot on his nose.

Then he looked up at her and smiled at the lady with him.

"Thank you for this wonderful dream. I will surely remember it for the rest of my life!"

He can't help but cry and sneeze despite wiping away his tears and snot.

The lady automaton that is guiding him sighs and touches his cheeks gently.

"Everything has its end, but that doesn't mean you have to give up early."

The warm hands that touched his cheeks and the adoring smile that lady gave him—everything, up until this point—he resolved not to forget.

"Anyway, you have to finish the meal you ordered."

"Ah! Yes! I will!"

The boy ate every last meal and chowed down as fast as he could.

The lady smiled, laughed, and played with the boy until he was done eating everything.

Then, moments later, as the kid finished, he gave thanks for the meal.

"Thank you for the meal." The boy said.

"Now, then, you have 45 minutes left before I take you back. So what do you want to do after this?"

"I want to play with Big Sister!"

The Lady Automata tapped his head and smiled.

"Alright then, let's go!" As she stood up, she responded with delight.

From that moment on, the boy took the initiative and went beside the lady and held her right hand.

Like a child who loves her mother, The child giggled gleefully.

As they are outside, they walk all over the city, sightseeing and talking with each other, heading towards the park, amazed by the purity and peacefulness of the city.

"I wish this moment would last forever..." The boy mumbles as he looks at his surroundings.

And then...

A siren had been heard throughout the city.

"It's time..." The lady's voice was soft yet serious.

"I understand, Big Sister."

The boy tried to smile despite being dejected, but the atmosphere around him said otherwise.

As they walk towards the back, where they all have been summoned, other people who have been summoned in the city have also started to head out from the premises of the building they came from.

Guided by the automata, it only took several minutes until everyone came back.

gathered in place, surrounded by automata. The lady stops where the rest of Automata stands, and she leaves the boy to walk forward where all the people who have been summoned are.

The lady did not look at the boy or even cast a quick glance where the boy was crying as he bowed and said, "Thank you" to the automaton that cared for him.

The sadness of being apart made the boy tear up as he turned away and left, crying.

Meanwhile, while waiting for everyone to arrive, others who are waiting are starting to get irritated.

"Just how long do we have to wait?!"

"I haven't finished the 'Ice cream latte' I ordered in the restaurant!"

"I don't want to leave here! This place is filled with everything!"

"If we return to those messed-up events! Then I don't want to!"

"At least let me have the meal I ordered!"

It goes on... as the children, both boys and girls, start tantruming.

"I don't want to leave here, Mommy!"

"This place has toys better than I have in the mansion!"

"This place has a lot of dresses better than my wardrobe!"

"There are so many games I haven't tried yet! I don't want to leave yet, papa!"

"At least I have the dessert that I ordered!"

As the complaining, bickering, and tantruming continues, fewer people are also continuing to show up.

Until everyone has arrived...

As time passes, the waiting continues...

Both Li Jing and Lucifer finally decided to start the plan.

They didn't say anything until a giant hologram monitor appeared above the sky.

Both Li Jing and Lucifer are still staying at the tower, where they only feed themselves on the monitor.

"Welcome, Everyone! I'd like to introduce myself; I am Lucifer."

"!" People became anxious and curious after hearing a voice and seeing two people on a hologram monitor.

Then Lucifer continued to speak.

Calm and collected, Lucifer snaps his finger, and the giant holograms split into 12 holograms. Although it splits into 12, it's still big enough for the entire crowd to witness the screen.

"First, before I set you all back where you all came from, I considered the items you'd stolen in my city as gifts that I bestowed on you all. But I wanted you to know that the second time you come, it will not be free... Now that I've established my concerns with you all, I'd like to present to you my newly constructed paradise."

Then Lucifer claps.

From that moment on, the 12 holograms have appeared in a new image.

removing both Li Jing and Lucifer from the screens.

The images of the new continents and sky islands that Lucifer has created have appeared on the screens.

As the crowd has seen the image on the screens that have been presented to them, everyone starts to wonder, Where did these terrains and lands come from?

Then, with Li Jing seated beside him, Li Jing is the one who explains and continues the presentation.

"Everyone, May I have your attention, please? What you've seen on the monitor is the new land that my husband has created."

"Whaaattt?!" With the same reaction, everyone was startled and surprised.

The monitor presents the new continents, It is vast, beautiful, and yet unknowingly dangerous. Although the new continents have it all, it hasn't made the crowd afraid; rather, they're more curious and excited about what kind of treasure, items, and dungeons lurk in those places that have yet to be discovered.

"...Yes, these new terrains, new continents, and new lands haven't yet been touched. My husband and I wanted everyone to know that these lands and islands can only be reached by visiting our country or becoming a resident here in our newly created city."

Then Li Jing pauses, and Lucifer is the one who speaks.

"As a reminder to everyone, these new lands, terrains, and continents will not be accessible by simply flying or traveling towards them. These lands are covered with barriers that I created, known as the 'Multiversal Dimensional Isolation Space Barrier'. None of your magic, spells, or brute power can penetrate it. And so, after this, my new city is creating a new program. My city will open a gate in lower land in seven days, and the first 7,000 people to discover and enter my city's gate will receive a free binding entrance pass."

Then pass the talking to Li Jing.

"These 'free binding entrance passes' are a soul-binding magic spell. Once you have it, you can freely enter our city and the new continents and enjoy unlimited free charges to any food stall and restaurant, a free pass to all entertainment venues, free access and stay at any hotel, free citizenship, free education, free health care, and a retirement plan."

While Li Jing speaks the good words to attract their attention, the screen changes from continents to a city. Each time Li Jing speaks about the list of things the 'Free binding entrance pass' could do, the monitors change an image. Restaurant, movie theater, gaming place, amusement park, hospital, salon, hotel room, and many more.

From then on, everyone, including children, was in awe of the city's wonders.

Thus, everyone thinks that finding the gate to this city is a must. Poor or rich, you'll live lavishly in such a city just by being a simple citizen. You don't have to worry about working or anything. Job? Health? Entertainment? Food? Who would care about it? If almost everything is free.

That's what everyone thinks; however...

"...These privileges are only available to the first 7,000 people that are able to find the gate. As you can see, we never included the ability to buy clothes, dresses, beauty products, gaming consoles, electronic gadgets, or expensive jewelry. These items aren't included in 'Free binding entrance pass'."

Li Jing then looked at Lucifer, signaling that he now had the stage for her.

And so Lucifer speaks, collecting and entertaining himself.

"...Now, for the last reminder before I send you all back: To anyone who wants to become our citizen after the first 7,000 people, we charge you 1 gold coin per person. You will be able to travel to new continents, receive free education, pay a yearly 5% tax, receive free health care, and pay a lower hotel rate. However, for those who are only here to conduct business, we will charge 1 silver per person. That would be all..."

Nobles, commoners, mercenaries, adventurers, hunters, and ordinary people were starting to form an alternative opinion about what they would do.

The muttering, chattering, and silence from every person in the crowd talking about what they will do after this.

And then...

Li Jing speaks once again.

"We'll see you in seven days, everyone."

And thus, Lucifer clapped his hands and made everyone disappear in an instant...

Or does he?

As almost everyone vanished, many children remained, as did the people and their families with whom Li Jing had spoken the day before at her meeting, including her biological father, the elf—the one who grabbed her hands in the street—and his family.

The kids, along with the boy that one automata took care of, have stayed behind and seem to be orphans, slaves, or kids that have been abandoned in the streets. These kids are roughly around 15 years old and below. These children, whether boy or girl, demi-human, human, dwarf, beast folk, demon, or elf, are all left behind, along with the respected people and their families with whom Li Jing has spoken, as well as her father and his family.

Everyone who has been left behind is baffled, confused, and perplexed.

Until then, Li Jing has spoken.

"Hello, Everyone... May I have your attention, please." It was a softer yet more alluring voice that Li Jing used than before when she talked to the crowd.

"As for the elders and my grandparent's friends, just like I promised, we've built the city. I hope the promise and loyalty we agreed on yesterday will be held with honor and loyalty. And also, for the family members that participate in the Rift event today, I'd like to inform you all that every one of them is currently staying at our hotel. We took our chances and got them here. So be at ease... Every one of them was enjoying their time."

Then, with a smile on her face, Li Jing snapped her finger, causing the monitors to change their images.

As a result, each monitor feeds a video of young men and women, humans, demi-humans, beast folk, elves, and half-breed demons.

Some men are playing VRD games, while others are relaxing in a beauty salon, while others are in restaurants gulping down each meal, while others went for a walk and wondered around, and still others went to an entertainment or electronics store and tried each gadget and asked what it was used for.

And like the crowd, each of the young men and women is being guided and assisted by an Automata.

The parents and guardians of the young kids they are seeing on the screen have been perplexed and dumbfounded, as they never thought their children would act completely differently from what they have always seen.

At one point, one of the elderly, a grandma with tiger ears and a tail, got teary-eyed as she saw her granddaughter enjoying her life as a girl.

"Is that Lora? The serious and stiff girl who only wants to get stronger, but acts like a girl? This isn't a dream, is it?"

Then one couple, a father and mother, are embarrassed to see their young son alone in the room, jerking off while watching porn.

"No way that was my son! That child wasn't Lislet!" She was hiding her face from the crowd as she was embarrassed to witness any more of her child's disgusting situation.

"My eldest son, who was always quiet, nice, and humble, wasn't like that. There's no way." The father was also hiding his face from the crowd due to embarrassment.

The "Eye of Providence," also known as the "All-seeing Eye of God," was Lucifer's angelic power that put every child's image on the monitors. Although it's a breach of privacy, it's necessary to prove their kids are alive and healthy.

as a result of seeing and hearing the story behind each of their children's curtains.

Li Jing has spoken softly.

From the moment her voice came out, the screens changed and only focused on her, with her image being broadcast.

"Now, then... The important thing that I wanted to tell you all is to please stay here for the next 7 days."

"!" Everyone was perplexed by what Li Jing had said.

And so, Li Jing continues.

"...The reason why I wanted you all to stay is because I want you all to help me build a community and society. I have business, money, knowledge, laws, and power. What I don't have are people... A nation is neither its territory nor its system; it is its people. So please... I'd say this once again: Let's talk about the next phase I had in mind."

As Li Jing lowered her head after her last sentence, everyone went silent.

It took a moment for their confusion to fade, and they then began to smile.

"As the leader of the newly created city and continent, we pledge our loyalty and honor to you, Your Majesty!"

As the men and women, elder or young, put their right hand on their chests, they bowed down gallantly and spoke firmly at the same time.

As Li Jing saw their pledge, she gleamed with happiness and thanked them with such respect.

"I thank you all... Well, let me treat you all with the finest and highest quality of treatment."

Then Li Jing claps, and a few dozens of Automata who had been standing by for a moment began to move toward the people who had sworn allegiance to Li Jing.

"Assist them with respect; give them the best treatment you can... while others take the children to their respective rooms and return to your designated duties. That's all!"

"Yes, Madam!"

All of the automata respond.

Li Jing now speaks to his father.

"My father and his family... I hope you all can spare some time to talk with Mom. We'll see you for tonight's dinner. So good day to you all, and see you tomorrow, everyone!"

{Beep!} as the holographic screen disappeared.

As the monitor disappears, everyone looks at each other before they shout.

"Yes! We get to stay here!" An adult male human jumps off due to the excitement.

Others were just as excited as he was, so they went exploring the entire city.

While others who had problems with their child went and asked the attendant,

"Lead me to where my son is; his name is Lislet." The father was still embarrassed and also irritated.

"Understood...! Shall we leave right away, or do you prefer to take time?" said the male Automata.

"No, we need you to get us there immediately."

"In that case, please get close to us."

As the male automata replies, another female automata walks closely towards them.

From that moment on, the male automata pulled out a disk device.

using the same one of the Automata used with Buddha and Amihan to find the two kids that Leviathan is taking care of.

When the male activates it, an electric pulse burst wraps around four of them at once, swallowing them and causing them to vanish.

Meanwhile, the kids who were left behind are immediately taken care of by the same automata that went out to guide and assist them.

Each child's eyes twinkled with delight, as if their parents were waiting to pick them up from school.

Some children jumped into the arms of an automaton that cared for them; others embraced them normally; and still others held their hands with tears in their eyes.

The Automata respond with such tenderness and parental love that they hug back those kids who hug them; some tap the kids' heads that have jumped into their arms, while others squat down and wipe the kids' tearing eyes.

Even the boy who was scared of being abandoned again teared up as he looked at the Automata that saved him.

"Welcome Home..." Smiling warmly, the Lady Automata walks towards the boy as she softly pinches the boy's face, who was crying in front of her.

The boy responded by crying...

"Yes, I am home... Mother!" The boy responds, embarrassed but happy, as his eyes continue to overflow with tears of joy.

Addressing the Automata as his mother, he vaguely recalled his mother's image as it rose up from his vision while looking at that Automata, who treated him like her own child.