Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1516: Chapter 243: One Is One, Two Is Two, Three Is Not Three

The previous summoner of the Magic Lamp, with three wishes, established an empire overnight, later gaining long life, but even so, he could not resurrect his deceased lover, for all three of his wishes had been used.

To resurrect the Queen, the previous summoner secretly built the Underground Pyramid while brutally capturing people through the trial passages, hoping to find the next pure-minded summoner to help him fulfill the wish of resurrecting the deceased Queen.

This might be why The Seventh Dynasty collapsed so quickly… The King constantly caused his people to die miserably for the “fourth wish,” and over time, rebels likely emerged among the citizens.

Actually, the so-called states of that era weren’t very large. Rather than a nation, it was more like a modern city-state… Since it could be established in a desert overnight, naturally, it could also be destroyed overnight.

This means that if Otto was the previous summoner, he probably knew about the Underground Pyramid from the start, and even knew the location of the Magic Lamp.

…

Actually, the desert at night is not suitable for traveling, but having just escaped from the bandits’ camp, it was naturally also not suitable to linger near the exit.

Although Aria had completely fallen out with everyone over the road toll, the principle of delivering results after receiving payment left nothing to be said—despite being quite unpleasant, as a desert guide, his professional knowledge did come in handy.

After riding the camels for a good distance, Aria found a few dilapidated, deserted houses built with mudstone in the desert.

“It’s too cold now, and the visibility is poor, easy to retrace our steps. Let’s rest here and set out again at dawn.”

No objections.

Aria began to make a fire and then distributed drinking water and food to everyone. After this, he took his gun and all the supplies and then hid with his camel in the house next door.

“What a suspicious guy!” Claudia said resentfully, but she also knew that since relations had become so tense, Aria’s actions were understandable… To be honest, if she were in his shoes, she might do the same.

Claudia took half a bottle of water and a bag of dry food and also hid in the corner of the house, quietly eating—since they started on the road, Claudia had not proactively spoken to Boss Luo.

At this moment, something suddenly flashed out in the house, startling Claudia up, only to see that it was a pale yellow lizard with a lime-colored stripe.

Most women naturally carry some fear of these reptiles… Just as Claudia screamed, Mr. Otto suddenly flicked his hand, and a cold glint flashed by, it was indeed a small dagger.

Just like a clown in a circus performing a flying knife act, the bright dagger blade now directly pierced into the lizard’s head, pinning it to the ground.

Mr. Otto walked over, stepped on the lizard’s body, pulled out the dagger, and calmly said, “This kind is a King Lizard, a unique lizard species here. But this one hasn’t matured, not very dangerous.”

“Scared me to death.” Claudia slowly let out a breath, then glanced at Mr. Otto, suddenly feeling that this weathered-looking man seemed quite reliable—at least much better than someone from the east with a fair face.

“I often walk through the desert, so I’ve come across them, it’s nothing major.” Mr. Otto shook his head slightly.

Claudia said, “I didn’t expect your knife-throwing to be so impressive, an ordinary person couldn’t do that.”

Mr. Otto said calmly, “Just because I’ve practiced a lot, practice makes perfect… You could do it too if you spend the time.”

Claudia shook her head, if she had the time, she’d rather solve a few more math problems—of course, on the premise that she could safely leave the desert and return to civilized society.

“Where is Mr. Otto from?” Unconsciously, Claudia moved closer to Mr. Otto, starting to ask some questions out of curiosity.

She seemed to forget that inside the house, there was still Boss Luo, who was busy tending to the bonfire—Boss Luo was trying with interest to make the fire burn more vigorously using traditional methods.

He had learned some wilderness survival knowledge before, his father took him to a military camp to learn one summer during his childhood—only these skills generally weren’t needed.

“The fire is just right,” Mr. Otto suddenly said, “Perfect for roasting meat.”

Where could the meat come from here… The only meat source naturally was the King Lizard that was just pinned to the ground—the lizard meat can be eaten, as has been demonstrated by a man publicly claiming to be the strongest on the surface, and he even ate it raw.

Mr. Otto deftly skinned the King Lizard with his dagger, cut out strips of meat, skewered them on dry branches, and started roasting them.

“Its protein content is higher than this dry food, we need to replenish more energy,” Mr. Otto said as he roasted the lizard meat.

Claudia likely had difficulty accepting this type of meat, looking at it skeptically, but perhaps due to the sense of reliability Otto had provided during the journey, when the lizard meat was served after being roasted, she started eating it with reluctance.

No seasoning, no way to tenderize the meat, just simply roasting it, naturally, it didn’t taste great… Just in this difficult and dangerous environment, as she was eating, there was a unique, luscious aroma from the fats.

Boss Luo also tasted a bit, nodding, “The timing is really well-handled, does Mr. Otto also enjoy cooking?”

“When bored, it’s always good to find something to pass the time,” Mr. Otto said casually.

But Boss Luo said, “Mr. Otto often travels around the mainland to inspect artifacts and monuments… can you also find it boring?”

“It requires rest!” Claudia rolled her eyes looking at Boss Luo, “Who travels all over the mainland for no reason, naturally, one needs time to rest… Finding something else to do during rest to relax the body and mind, isn’t it normal?”

“True as well.” Boss Luo smiled slightly, then stood up, “I’ll go out to fetch some dry branches.”

“Suit yourself.” Claudia shrugged, quite casually.

Mr. Otto didn’t say much, only mentioned that it was cold outside, tossed an overcoat to Boss Luo for him to put on, and fearing he might encounter danger, handed him the dagger for self-defense.

…

“You don’t need to be so nice to that guy!” Claudia shook her head now, lowered her voice and said—after Boss Luo had stepped out.

“Are you two fighting?” Mr. Otto chuckled, “About what?”

Claudia replied indifferently, “I don’t like associating with selfish people… Mostly, I’m not very familiar with him.”

Mr. Otto naturally knew about Aria’s trouble-making when Luo Qiu refused to pay… He looked at Claudia and said, “Not familiar… If you aren’t familiar, why did you come to the desert with him?”

“Because of other reasons.” Claudia shook her head, sighed, “Now that I think about it, was I crazy to follow him to this ghostly place after knowing him for only a few days… I’m truly out of my mind!”

“Perhaps there was another reason he insisted on not paying Aria,” Mr. Otto thought aloud.

“What reason?” Claudia grumbled discontentedly.

“Perhaps… even without Aria’s supplies and guidance, he can find a way to take you out of the desert,” Mr. Otto said unexpectedly. “He has excellent physical abilities and seems to know outdoor survival skills.”

“That guy has good stamina? Such a frail person?” Claudia said incredulously, “He looks like a pampered young master who’s also stingy!”

“Life requires more observation,” Mr. Otto shook his head. “Your eyes can deceive your first impressions… There are people, there are things, only after spending enough time can you truly know their essence.”

Claudia was unconvinced and shook her head, “Maybe… When young people grow up, they will become mature, and experience will teach them many things—but that’s many years later… But maturity many years later can’t solve the present problems.”

“Patience isn’t a bad thing,” Mr. Otto smiled slightly.

Claudia snorted softly and seemed to open up, “If women give men patience… who gives women time? Women’s bodies, youth, and looks are ready-made… Men have always liked the ready-made, haven’t they?”

“Most of them do,” Mr. Otto did not deny it and said softly, “Giving women time… But even if women are given time, seemingly eternal companionship will still come to an end.”

The topic of discussion seemed to diverge… Claudia paused for a moment, feeling she had been led astray, and shook her head, “What’s the point in thinking so much? After decades, you and I will both turn to ashes.”

“True… ultimately, we will still face death,” Mr. Otto nodded, “No one is exempt.”

Claudia rubbed her forehead, likely due to the whole day’s worries and experiences, fatigue affecting her spirit, as she yawned, “This topic seems unsuitable for discussion in this environment… better to rest and replenish stamina!”

“Your friend hasn’t returned yet, I’ll wait for him,” Mr. Otto smiled and said, “If you’re tired, go to sleep first, I’ll watch the fire.”

Before falling asleep, Claudia thought of something, hesitated briefly, and then took out the bizarre oil lamp she had obtained from the pyramid from her backpack.

“What’s this?” Mr. Otto paused slightly.

Claudia casually said, “Found it in the pyramid, those thugs seemed to want this thing… probably a valuable item. I can’t let you guide me for free, but I don’t have enough money to repay you… Consider this a gift.”

Mr. Otto did not refuse, silently accepting it.

Claudia then said, “In advance, I don’t know if this thing is valuable, it might just be rubbish, worthless, but it could also be a precious relic, priceless treasure. I’ve given it to you; regardless of whether it’s valuable or not, my debt of a million is settled. As for his guide fee, ask him yourself if you want it!”

“You won’t regret it?” Mr. Otto suddenly asked, “It might be very valuable, even priceless, given so many died for it… Besides, I never said I necessarily needed you to repay this guide fee; you could pretend to be silent and settle it after leaving the desert.”

“One is one, two is two,” Claudia frowned, “I’m not used to owing things to others. I’ve said it, even if it’s a priceless treasure, after tonight neither side can regret it; people died for it, clearly it’s not a good thing, it might bring misfortune… Besides, just this thing, there are plenty in the city’s souvenir shops, can it really be wiped clean to summon a blue genie to grant you three wishes?”

Mr. Otto said indifferently, “Maybe it can.”

Claudia shook her head, “You can believe as you wish, anyway I’ve kept it for so long, not a genie, not even a mosquito has flown out… Whatever makes you happy.”

Mr. Otto was silent for a while, continually staring at the oil lamp in his hand, his thoughts uncertain… Meanwhile, in his quietness, Claudia fell asleep from exhaustion.

…

…

She woke up due to some noise… she’s particularly easy to awaken.

The sound came from the crackling of burning twigs.

Claudia opened her eyes and saw Luo Qiu adding twigs to the fire… But she didn’t see Mr. Otto.

She frowned, and for the first time, since setting out from the exit, spoke to Boss Luo, “Where’s Mr. Otto?”

“He’s gone,” Luo Qiu said casually, “When I returned, he was already gone.”

“Gone? Maybe he went to relieve himself…” Claudia frowned, then asked, “How long have you been back?”

“About half an hour,” Luo Qiu checked the time, “I saw you were asleep, so I didn’t wake you.”

“Half an hour?” Claudia quickly sat up and looked at Mr. Otto’s original position… there was nothing left, except the unfinished skewered lizard meat on some twigs.

“He couldn’t have just left for so long without reason, right?” Claudia looked at Luo Qiu vigilantly and quickly got up… and ran out.

Boss Luo was unconcerned, broke a twig, threw it in the fire, then took a book and read by the light of the flames—Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

This was actually Teacher Prin’s Grimm’s Fairy Tales, but Boss Luo had borrowed it from Teacher Prin, who gave it quite straightforwardly.

Soon, Claudia hurriedly returned, looking slightly panicked, “Aria is missing too! The camels, water, and food, all gone! He left us! But Mr. Otto…”

Mr. Otto is also missing!

Suddenly, Claudia thought of two possibilities—the first being, Luo Qiu took the opportunity to kill and hide Mr. Otto and Aria and hide the water and supplies… But clearly, he had no motive to do such a thing.

Then the second possibility.

Otto and Aria left together, taking all the water and food… But why would they do that?

“What… happened?” Claudia sat down powerlessly, feeling immense fear, even though the fire was blazing in front of her, she still felt cold, “It’s so late, and you… you’re in the mood to read a book? Uh… where did you get this book?”

Disregarding Claudia’s final question, Boss Luo closed the fairy tale book and said calmly, “Then Claudia, what do you think we should do next?”

“Of course we should catch up!” Claudia said angrily, “How can you act like this! You’ve returned early, discovered Otto was gone, and didn’t have any thoughts? Have you ever traveled far before?!”

With that, Claudia walked out directly, but outside was pitch dark, there’s no notion of a path in the desert… Who knows which direction Aria and Mr. Otto actually went.

“Otherwise, let’s go this way,” Boss Luo picked out a torch, pointing at the stars in the sky… Pole Star.