Chapter 2829: The Holy Knight Order

Zu An was blinded by the sheer wealth laid before him. In his two lifetimes, he'd never seen so many gold coins before. It felt as if the Universal Conglomerate had gathered gold from all over the Myriad Worlds to construct this gleaming galaxy.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

As a behemoth that operated across many universes, the Universal Conglomerate had transcended the conventional notion of using gold and silver as currency. They had developed a new currency known as credit, and it was encrypted with state-of-the-art technology, ensuring that it couldn’t be forged.

Zu An could somewhat understand the concept thanks to the development of blockchain before he transmigrated to this world.

Even though gold wasn't the default currency used by the Universal Conglomerate, it remained a precious metal in many worlds. To think that the Universal Conglomerate would use it to make such an extravagant scene!

On one hand, it flaunted the Conglomerate’s prowess. On the other hand, it displayed the Conglomerate’s massive reserve, which encouraged trust in its distributed currency.

“What a bizarre galaxy. It’s nothing like the pitch-black space we traveled through along the way,” Chu Chuyan remarked. She had gained some knowledge of technological civilizations along the way.

Zu An looked at the vague runes visible in the galaxy and said, “Those must be the contracts the Universal Conglomerate sealed with the other worlds. These contracts bind and connect both parties.”

Chu Chuyan was awed. “No wonder it’s called the Contract Galaxy. I can also sense the countless contracts floating around us. How do they ensure that the contracts don't conflict with one another?”

“The Universal Conglomerate is predominantly a technological civilization, but their business spans countless worlds. They must have learned from the strengths of different civilizations to develop something like this. It’s incredible,” Zu An complimented them.

As the spaceship approached the interstellar river of gold coins, Chu Chuyan suddenly remarked with a frown, “Those gold coins might not appear to be moving quickly, but that’s only because we’re still a distance away from them. Won’t our spaceship be ruined if we crash into them like that?”

“Surely not...” Zu An figured that Isabella must have taken that into account when she set the coordinates in the spaceship’s flight computer.

He would step forward to block the gold coins if needed, but they were moving so quickly that they each harnessed destructive prowess comparable to a rocket. He wasn’t confident of blocking all of them.

“Please do not worry, esteemed guests. This interstellar golden river doubles as picturesque scenery and a protective measure for the Fortune Palace. Only those with the Conglomerate’s invitation letters or permission are allowed to pass through it. This spaceship belongs to Miss Isabella and has a high level of clearance, so you won’t be attacked,” Aphrodite explained.

Zu An and Chu Chuyan breathed a sigh of relief.

When the spaceship reached the golden river, the gold coins automatically parted to open a path for them.

Zu An and Chu Chuyan exchanged shocked looks.

The Universal Conglomerate was truly an unfathomable entity to them. Chu Chuyan sent a voice transmission over, “Ah Zu, I regret coming here with you.”

“Why?” Zu An asked.

“You’re here to ask for Isabella’s hand in marriage. My presence is bound to be jarring to the Conglomerate’s elders. I might bring trouble to you,” Chu Chuyan said worriedly.

Zu An held her hand and said, “Chuyan, you’re overthinking it. You’re my wife, and that’s a fact that will never change. If I conceal your existence just to marry another woman, that means that I might do the same to Isabella when I find someone more formidable in the future.”

Chu Chuyan shook her head. “I trust you, but the elders might not think the same. They might fly into a rage when they learn about my identity. Why don’t you tell them that I’m your little sister or maid instead?”

Zu An burst into laughter. “Don’t you think we’re too intimate to be siblings? Your disposition doesn’t suit that of a maid either. Don’t think too much about it. This journey is destined not to be smooth anyway. Soon, they might not have the energy to care about us.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you remember me telling you that something huge might happen at the Universal Conglomerate?”

“That only makes me more worried.”

...

While the two of them were chatting, the spaceship approached a port. Countless vessels zoomed to and from the docks. Some were parked there, unloading their goods. Aphrodite explained that those were commercial spaceships used for trading with different worlds.

Zu An had visited the biggest port in his previous world, and seeing the jungle of metal containers then had filled him with awe. But that was nothing compared to what he was witnessing right now.

A patrol ship approached, wary of their abrupt appearance.

Their spaceship flickered as Aphrodite communicated with the patrol ship. Soon, the latter escorted them forth.

Aphrodite explained, “We’re at the Conglomerate’s headquarters, after all. There have been attempts to hold staff members hostage to breach this place, and those attempts have resulted in massive losses. For that reason, security is tightened whenever there’s a major event.”

“That’s understandable.” Zu An’s curiosity was piqued. “What major event is there now?”

“It’s rumored that a captain of the Holy Knight Order has come to visit.” Aphrodite proceeded to explain what the Holy Knight Order was.

The Universal Conglomerate worshiped the Deity of Order, but it wasn't the only power to do so. The Holy Knight Order was another comparable power in that regard.

If the Universal Conglomerate was Order’s money tree, the Holy Knight Order was Order’s sword. Their job was to deal with heretics, traitors, and blasphemers.

And the greatest blasphemers of the Deity of Order were none other than the Deity of Annihilation’s worshipers. They brought death and destruction wherever they went, which was why the Holy Knight Order devoted most of its energy to battling them.

Hearing that, Zu An suddenly felt a surge of goodwill toward them. He was also on bad terms with Annihilation worshipers, and not too long ago, he had offended the Deity of Annihilation in the Deity of Death’s trial.

An enemy’s enemy was a friend.

He'd been left wondering why a small fry like him needed to deal with an entity as terrifying as Annihilation. It comforted him to know that rival powers existed as well, and the weight on his shoulders suddenly felt much lighter.

“Let the radiance of Order suffuse every corner!” Aphrodite devoutly exclaimed as the spaceship landed at the port.

Much to Zu An’s surprise, he was only welcomed by Alfred. Isabella was nowhere to be seen.