Cyberzaun, Machinarium

Jie was silent for a while, waved his hand as if to clear away the noisy thoughts in his head, and slowly told a story that seemed not to belong to him.

Ionia is the land of the firstborn. This island continent is filled with natural beauty and native magic. Its inhabitants are scattered across the provinces, advocating spirituality and pursuing a harmonious way of life.

The search for balance in all things has long been a cultural tenor here, so the boundaries between the material and spiritual realms are often blurred here, especially in the wild forests and mountains.

Everyone is carefully maintaining this balance, because everyone should remember that when one area is out of balance, the damage it brings will affect both worlds - both the material and spiritual worlds will be disturbed.

The people of Ionia are part of the natural world, and they choose to live in harmony with the amazing flora and fauna around them, rather than plundering them.

This is how the Order of the Kinkou maintains balance, and I can sacrifice my feelings for it.

"It's a great speech. I respect your living habits, so can you tell me how the locals plan to deal with the invasion of Noxus? Because you neither surrender nor resist."

"This spiritual land will punish disrespectful invaders." After saying this, as if he had finally released the depression in his heart, Jie meditated like a stone and no longer paid any attention to Enoch and the other man opposite him.

"I have to say that, to some extent, the Ionians are much more ruthless than the Noxians." Enoch whispered in admiration of this tenacious spirit

"I agree" is really rare, Jinx rarely sings the opposite tune.

PS:

Thanks to Okada Nekotaro for the blade reward

Thanks to Shuke37806227897 for the monthly ticket

Chapter 55: Balance

The meeting place was beyond Enoch's expectation. It was not the lord's reception room, nor a temple, but a place like a dojo.

It is hard to tell whether these people lived in houses wrapped in lush vegetation or carved out of suitable large trees.

Many people here know a thing or two about magic, or in other words, they know how to communicate with the spirit world to pray for miracles.

In other words, the Tinkers and Treeweavers here are more like Druids who can't shapeshift.

"So, can you tell me which decision maker I'm going to negotiate with?" Looking at the scenery in the distance, Enoch suddenly felt sorry for the destruction of this beautiful scenery.

"There are no decision makers. What we believe in is the balance between man and nature, not foolish dictatorship, nor a willful tyrant." The slightly bumpy carriage did not seem to disturb Jie's meditation. His tone, as always, was like an echo floating in a pool of stagnant water.

"I will remember what you said. Really, I will write it down in my notebook now as a piece of wisdom from Ionia." Enoch tried hard to control himself from laughing.

"Then you'd better remember and abide by the balance, and think carefully about your next words. The imbalance caused by lies will not be hidden from the eyes of the elders."

"Thank you for your advice, Brother."

..............................

Meeting the elders of the Balance Sect was relatively simple, and there was no etiquette. It seemed that someone had informed them early on. Ring led Enoch straight into the hall.

It could be called a dojo, after all, there were no other decorations around except for the cushions used for meditation. Apart from the two couches placed in front and back, the other seats were already filled with waiting people - there were elders from the Order of the Balance, monks from the sanctuary, and elders from several nearby villages. Enoch also saw a few wounded people wrapped in bandages standing not far away.

"Good day, elders. I hope I can provide you with some help so that we can overcome the difficulties together." Enoch was stared at in silence by the group of people in front of him for a while, so he could only bite the bullet and speak.

"Thank you, young man," a middle-aged man with a stern face said. Enoch remembered that he should be Master Ku Shuo. "Thank you for bringing some hemostatic drugs. This is something that is easy to carry and store for the injured in the village."

Everyone in the hall lowered their heads and remained silent, like stone statues. Enoch pulled his collar nervously, listening to the master's voice as hard as stone.

"A small number of Ionian people have also suffered a great blow. I hope that when you leave, you can take them to the monastery in Larin - I will give you enough rewards."

"That's no problem. I'm just stopping by. However, I'm here more to help fight the Noxians. I heard that many people have begun to spontaneously organize resistance. I want to talk to the commander. I brought a lot of good things..."

"We don't need worldly interference." Before Enoch could finish his words, the entire hall seemed to be activated by some mechanism, and the statue-like people all came to life, showing a series of wonderful pictures.

There were Master Ku Shuo who refuted Enoch with righteous words, and some elders who were responsible to each other. Some villages were too close to Noxus, and the scouts had disturbed their lives too many times.

"I don't expect outsiders to understand the principles we uphold - balance needs to be extra maintained in this land, so we don't mind you saying such disrespectful words. We won't feel offended, but we don't have to accept what you bring." A middle-aged man at the side of the hall shouted in agreement, causing a group of voices of agreement.

What particularly caught Enoch's attention was that the middle-aged man was wrapped in thick bandages. Obviously, he was a lucky guy who escaped from the knife. To be honest, he really overturned Enoch's long-held views.

After all, not everyone can maintain their own ideas calmly after being almost hacked to death, especially not trying to trip up the person who hacked them.

"I actually learned some information on the way." Enoch tried hard to be careful with his wording, hoping not to make this place look like a downtown vegetable market again.

"In general, the division between the spiritual world and the material world in this land is not clear. Human intervention will lead to bad consequences. So all these things that happened are destined. It is best not to change them. The land will punish those who destroy the balance and eventually restore stability?"

"Not entirely right, but not entirely wrong either," a furry little guy suddenly spoke up. Judging from his position, he was probably an elder of the Order of the Balance. He must be Kennen the Yodel.

Yordle? Enoch prayed that Jinx behind him wouldn't get too excited.

Enoch coughed lightly, and withdrew his thoughts. Facing everyone's strange gazes, he spoke tentatively.

This is my personal guess, maybe it is far from accurate, but you see, can you understand it as

Will this land devour the lives destroyed by Noxus, and then transform into spirits or natural disasters to punish the invaders until a balance is reached between the two sides?

"You are right. It seems that you have a high level of understanding. This is what we insist on - even if your summary is too general and brief." A man who looked like a monk nodded with satisfaction. So far, Enoch had not offended them.

Enoch ignored the man's nonsense and just stared at Master Kushuo and the faint curtain behind him. "Is there such a hypothesis or possibility?"

He paused carefully and said, "Since this land will accept lives and then fight back, then perhaps what we need to pay is not the lives of the many federations of Ionia, but the lives of Noxus instead. I think the First Land will not care about this minor difference."

Staring at the increasingly noisy scolding around him, Enoch spoke quickly and hastily, "From the results, we only helped the land speed up the absorption of life. However, this time the price we paid was not the lives of the Ionians, but the lives of Noxus."

You see, this is a delicate balance. The Noxians killed some Ionians, and then a group of Noxian soldiers were stationed there. The Ionians helped the Noxians to accelerate their reincarnation. Some Ionians survived...

In terms of quantity, we can maintain it very balanced.

The people in the dojo began to whisper to each other. The whispers were low and noisy. Until a certain moment, the dojo returned to a deathly silence.

"That's enough, stranger. I'm disappointed with your remarks. This is not the meaning of balance. Thank you for the medicine you brought. Now, go and have a rest. I will arrange for someone to take you on a tour. Let's leave it at that."

A figure dressed as a ninja came out from the back, gestured for him to come in, and led Enoch out of the hall.

Overall, this was not a bad development. Enoch walked out of the hall and heard the quarrel breaking out behind him. He took Jinx in his arms in good spirits, and then it was sightseeing time.

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Chapter 56: Market

"Do you have any recommendations for a place to rest? My friends and I haven't had a moment's rest."

"Can you tell me where I should go tonight? You can't let me find a bridge tunnel by myself."

"Did you take a vow of silence? It's okay, I'll get you some paper and pen."

"Maybe he's a mute. Oh, how pitiful! A little mute doing odd jobs in the temple."

"Don't say that, Jinx, that's too harsh. Not everyone wants to choose such a miserable life."

"Yeah, by the way, I guess he is deaf, otherwise he would have reacted a long time ago."

The ninja from the temple led the way silently. Perhaps it was because of Enoch's inappropriate words just now, or his own teachings were maliciously misinterpreted. The ninja pretended that he heard nothing and walked forward, not caring whether Enoch behind him could keep up.

As it should be, Enoch and Jinx looked at each other and started to tease the ninja in front of them tacitly. After all, they were guests now, and no one would do anything no matter how happily they danced.

"Maybe I just hate your endless noise and I don't want to stay with you, so please, leave here quickly so that I can be alone." The clear female voice suddenly stopped and turned to yell at the two people behind her.

"So you are a girl?" Jinx excitedly came forward and looked her up and down, causing the female ninja to unconsciously tense her body.

Tsk tsk tsk, Jinx shook her head deliberately and made a harsh sound, "I really didn't realize that. I thought you were just a shorty, but you're actually a girl."

Enoch glanced at Jinx beside him subtly, wondering how could you say such a thing.

"Why are you looking at me?" Jinx seemed to be aware of Enoch's gaze and was slightly dissatisfied.

"nothing"

With a snort, Jinx turned to the kunoichi who was clearly in an even worse mood "So, where are you taking us now?"

"First of all, my name is Akali, and I'm not dumb. Secondly, I'll take you to the nearby market. Thirdly, I think you should have basic manners, 'Shorty'"

"You made her angry. Why do we always run into trouble when looking for a guide?" Enoch took Jinx by the hand and followed Akali, sighing unconsciously.

"Are you blaming me? I didn't do anything, why are you so biased towards her? Are you attracted to her?" Jinx's tone was urgent and fast, and she raised the topic to an inappropriate level in just a few words.

Enoch had summed up his own experience in dealing with jealous people like her - he turned around and hugged the girl, "No, I just want to see you being jealous. I think it's quite interesting."

"Are you coming yet?" Akali shouted from the front

"Right away" Enoch rubbed his ribs that were hurt by Jinx's punch, carried the girl lying behind him on his back and hurried over.

The venue in Ionia is more like a morning market. A few sticks prop up an orange mat, which not only provides shelter from wind and rain but also facilitates passage. In this orange-red market, you can easily move from one store to another without noticing any difference.

Most of them are fruits, spices, and a few shops have specially hung blankets outside - these are homemade fabrics made by the shop owners, and they can be displayed, often with fine stitching, bright and beautiful.

To be honest, Enoch really liked this place; it was a relaxing place.

When passing by a candy store, Enoch bought a lot of soft candies made from local fruits. After Jinx took most of them, Enoch handed the rest to the ninja standing beside him.

"I'll treat you. Next, I'd like to ask you to recommend some local specialties."

After hesitating for a while, Akali picked up a small portion of the syrup fruit. "Thank you." Akali's attitude softened a lot. After all, she was a young child and not as conservative as other members of the Order of the Balance. "This is enough. I don't need too much."

"Do you have any recommendations?" Enoch tried his best to hold Jinx back. There were a lot of people here, and if they ran away, it would be hard to find them in a short time.

"If you want fruits, you can go to Ibe's house. They have the largest variety. If you want spices, just go to Mona's house. They are the Vastaya over there." Akali introduced this familiar land like a treasure trove.

Enoch picked up the feather decoration on the grocer's stall and gestured on Jinx's head, trying to find a suitable angle. He looked at the girl's interesting new look with satisfaction and said casually, "This is good. You are really familiar with this. But if the Noxians come here, I guess the market here will not be able to open."

Obviously, this was inappropriate. Akali ate the last bit of candy in a few bites and did not take the snacks that Enoch handed to her. Instead, she turned around and silently began to lead the way again. After a long time, she heard a slight voice coming from the front.

"The land of Ionia is full of the influence of magic. We should not make inferences about things we do not understand, and it is best not to speculate without authorization. This land has its own operating rules. Only a few people can intercept the power, spy a little, and make predictions."

Unconsciously, Enoch and the others came to a secluded corner of the market, which was filled with incense, and sparks flickered in the vast smoke.

An old woman who appeared out of nowhere blocked the way. She smelled strongly of spices, with necklaces that looked like animal bones hanging around her neck and metal plates engraved with runes wrapped around her body, which jingled with her movements.

The surrounding vines seemed to follow the woman's movements, constantly climbing and twisting, eventually forming the shape of a small room.

"Ah, I see you" It was like several people singing together, some ethereal, some hoarse, like an old man, or a child.

I see your future, and the mountains will collapse because of your violence.

Half-dead machines will march across the land, and people will kneel before the shrine of the skull.

Your flag will bring war and death.

You will step onto the throne of bones with madness

"What?" Enoch was shocked and couldn't help but want to stay away from this guy who looked like a witch.

"Where is his wife?" the female ninja asked.

"Oh, wife, your wife will give you five children who will devour your flesh and blood and drain your wealth."

“And the rash”

"Yeah, I'll break out in a rash all over my body, oh, it's horrible"

Enoch sighed and glanced at the female ninja who was chatting with him. "Are you serious? This is not funny."

"Who told you to keep talking so much? It seems you are afraid of something too." Akali laughed, and she vented her anger. "Thank you, Granny Yan."

The old woman smiled and saluted, not looking like a witch at all. She handed a beautiful hollow bell to Jinx, who hadn't reacted yet, and helped her hang it on the belt around her waist.

“May balance be with you”

PS:

Thanks to Shuke21628904656 for the monthly ticket

Chapter 57: Conflict of Presidium

"Who is she?" Enoch looked at the woman going away. "Is she some kind of psychic here? Or a witch who can predict the future?"

"No one can predict the future. Everything in the world is constantly changing. That's why we have to constantly maintain balance. If we could really predict, we wouldn't have to work so hard." Akali leaned against the wall and looked at the bell on Jinx's waist with interest. "I didn't expect you to believe in these things."

Enoch defended himself very seriously, "I am now in a place full of magic, and suddenly someone ran up to me and said a bunch of incomprehensible words - do you think I should believe it or not?"

"You are not as good as your companion in this respect. She doesn't believe it very much."

Jinx on the side was concentrating on fiddling with the bell, making it ring non-stop. If Enoch hadn't noticed that the electromagnetic pistol tied to his leg had shown signs of movement, he would have really believed that the girl didn't care about such things at all.

"Granny Yan is the best repairer. She has helped many poor people who were affected by the war." Akali stood up and continued to move forward with the two people. "We should go. There are other places to go."

"Maybe not." A familiar voice sounded, and Jie came out from a shop on the side. "The elders have made a decision. You can continue to tour here, but the Order of Balance does not need your help. You can put the things you took off the ship back."