Chapter 559 Arrives
Conquer Sea, Moncala.
In the afternoon, on a busy street in Moncala, vehicles were passing by, and there was a bustling crowd. A long line of people slowly moved forward along the sidewalk, under the watchful eyes of countless observers.
Among this procession were many local guards of Moncala as well as some church soldiers in standard uniforms. At the front of the group, ahead of several church knights, Vania, dressed in white nun’s robes, walked slowly forward. Beside her was a handsome man in his twenties, with neatly combed golden hair, dressed in a suit. He accompanied Vania as they moved forward together.
At the forefront of the procession, the white-robed nun observed her surroundings with curiosity. On both sides of the bustling street were towering buildings and countless billboards hanging from them. These billboards were larger and more extravagant than those in other major cities on the Main Continent, with more eye-catching fonts and colors. The arrangement created an overwhelming visual effect.
Vania scanned the shops on both sides of the street and noticed that many of them were high-end luxury stores selling tobacco and alcohol. There were also taverns and hotels. In addition, she could see several casinos directly facing the main road, with advertisements for brothels openly displayed on the streets. Some large hotels boldly hung large-scale images of women at their entrances, clearly indicating the special services they offered.
During the procession, they occasionally encountered bold-dressed women smiling and approaching to sell something but were stopped by the guards. Some guards rushed to the hotels with large-scale promotional posters and asked them to temporarily remove the posters.
As Vania observed her surroundings, she couldn’t help but feel her heart race slightly when she saw the large-scale promotional posters she had never seen before. Her gaze drifted away, no longer looking directly. At this moment, the man beside her said apologetically:
“Sorry, Sister Vania. We conducted some city beautification activities throughout the city to welcome your arrival, but due to time constraints, we couldn’t cover everything. Please forgive us.”
Listening to the man’s words, Vania turned her head and responded with a smile:
“There’s no need to apologize, Mr. Roland. Regardless of what things look like, I believe in presenting them truthfully. I already knew about Moncala’s slight deviation from the values and customs of the Holy Church due to its unique historical reasons. Therefore, I have prepared accordingly. If my visit has caused you all trouble, I should be the one apologizing.”
With a humble attitude, Vania responded to the man called Roland. After hearing this, Roland continued with a smile:
“I’ve heard of your benevolence and kindness, Sister Vania. Today, I see it is true. With the light of the holy artifact you hold, I believe it can dispel the filth in Moncala.”
“You flatter me, Mr. Roland. The corruption in Moncala is due to deep historical factors, which cannot be solved by a simple visit from me. My purpose is merely to give those struggling on the brink of corruption a chance at redemption through the light of the holy artifact. I do not expect to completely change the overall appearance of Moncala in a short period. If my visit can even slightly improve the current situation in Moncala, making it better, I will be satisfied.”
In a gentle tone, Vania continued to humbly speak to Roland. Hearing her words, Roland felt a sense of relief. Through their interaction, he judged that this nun was not an extreme religious fanatic or a moral purist but someone with whom normal dialogue was possible. As long as normal dialogue was possible, he believed that during her pilgrimage visit to Moncala, no conflicts would escalate.
“When Moncala was first established, it was a pure city of sin. My father spent half his life gradually turning Moncala into what it is today. Although it cannot be considered a moral city, it is still a place of residence for hundreds of thousands of residents. Sister Vania, being able to understand our circumstances here is truly the best thing.”
Roland continued speaking to Vania, and Vania responded:
“Captain Edward is one of the most influential converts in recent centuries. His achievements…”
Vania continued responding to Roland when suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead in their procession. Hearing the commotion, Vania and Roland turned their heads to look towards its source. They saw several guards gathered ahead, restraining something. Vania could vaguely see the struggling arms extending beneath the gathered guards.
“What’s happening?”
Looking at the gathering crowd ahead, Vania couldn’t help but ask. Soon, a guard ran up to Vania and Roland and reported:
“Sir, a man in a deranged state ran towards us shouting for help. For safety reasons, we restrained him.”
Hearing the guard’s report, Roland’s brow furrowed slightly, then he said:
“Shouting for help? Humph… probably someone who took too much medicine and went mad in the streets. Take him to another place.”
“Hold on, Mr. Roland. Since he is calling for help, why don’t we listen to what he needs? What if he really needs help?”
After hearing Roland’s response, Vania also spoke out. After listening to Vania, Roland frowned slightly.
“Sister Vania, this might be dangerous. That person may not be genuinely seeking help but trying to use this as an excuse to get close to you… Don’t assume too highly of the character of people here…”
“I understand, but as long as there’s a possibility of genuine help, I must meet him. And regarding safety, please don’t worry, Mr. Roland. I have confidence in my knight guards, and I am not a weak person.”
Vania said to Roland beside her. Hearing Vania’s words, Roland paused briefly and did not object further. Instead, he ordered the guards to bring the restrained man over. Soon after, a middle-aged man in a panic appeared before Vania and Roland. Seeing Vania, the man froze momentarily and then shouted uncontrollably:
“Nun… white nun… you’re Sister Vania! Save me! Please save me! Someone is chasing me!”
The man named Dioro, struggling under the grip of two guards, shouted excitedly in front of Vania. Hearing Dioro’s words, Vania’s eyebrows slightly flashed with surprise. She then continued to ask calmly:
“Don’t panic. No one here can harm you. Can you describe in detail who is chasing you and why they want to hurt you?”
In a gentle tone, Vania comforted Dioro. After calming himself slightly, Dioro took a deep breath and continued nervously:
“It’s… a group of people similar to human traffickers. They lured us to Moncala and then… intended to sell us off and k*ll us!”
“Human traffickers… Do you know their specific names?”
“This… the leader of the traffickers calls himself Andre, and he wants to sell us to an organization called the Hook Shark Gang. Besides me, many others are being sold!”
Dioro said fearfully. Upon hearing the name Hook Shark Gang, Roland couldn’t help but frown. At this moment, Vania’s expression became serious as she continued to ask:
“Where? Where are these traffickers conducting their transactions? Please tell me immediately. Many people need saving!”
…
In Moncala, in a small alley far from the bustling area, in a poorly conditioned bar filled with cigarette smoke, intense discussions continued. The Intestine Cult and the Hook Shark Gang had been arguing over the price of bl**d livestock for nearly an hour, but they hadn’t reached a conclusion. From the current negotiation prospects, it seemed unlikely that they would reach an agreement.
Grass, the second-in-command of the Hook Shark Gang, was losing patience with the endless bargaining. Looking at Andre, who wouldn’t budge, Grass finally lost his temper and slammed the table, loudly scolding:
“Trash! Don’t be ungrateful! Don’t forget where you are! Are you refusing to give face?”
Following Grass’s rebuke, all the members of the Hook Shark Gang in the bar drew their weapons, pointing them at Andre. Andre’s expression changed, and his entire demeanor softened.
“Hey… hey, Grass, let’s talk rationally. No need for weapons. We don’t want to hurt each other…”
With a pleading expression, Andre tried to appease Grass. Seeing Andre’s submissive attitude, Grass couldn’t help but hum in satisfaction and continued arrogantly:
“Rational? Hmph, if you want everyone to have a peaceful resolution, Mr. Andre, stop causing trouble here. I’ll make one last offer. You have twelve bl**d livestock, and I’ll pay four thousand seven hundred thousand Lieres. Accept now, or we’ll continue negotiating in a way that might hurt our relationship. It’s your choice.”
Grass said, then he slammed a revolver onto the table. Seeing this, Andre nodded repeatedly.
“Fine, fine, four thousand seven hundred thousand Lieres. We won’t haggle anymore. This price is good.”
Andre agreed to Grass’s offer. Seeing Andre’s frightened appearance, Grass felt even more satisfied. He gave a signal to one of his subordinates, who quickly placed a handbag on the table and opened it to reveal bundles of cash.
Then, Grass’s subordinate took out part of the cash from the bag, counted it, closed the bag, and threw it in front of Andre. Andre quickly opened the bag and counted the money, confirming it contained exactly forty-seven thousand Lieres, equivalent to about two thousand two hundred pounds.
“Thank you, Second Boss Grass. The rest of the goods are on the carriage outside. They can be counted anytime.”
Holding the handbag full of cash, Andre said to Grass. Then, Grass lit a cigarette and looked at the pharmacist and other subordinates beside him.
“Follow him, inspect the goods.”
Hearing Grass’s command, the Hook Shark Gang members put away their weapons and followed Andre out of the bar under the lead of the pharmacist. Meanwhile, Grass continued smoking in the bar, waiting for news from outside. Soon after, one of his subordinates rushed in, covered in bl**d, and said:
“Second Boss, there’s a problem with the goods!”
“What kind of problem?”
“Of the seven goods outside, only six are alive. One is dead! They can’t be used for medicine now!”
The subordinate truthfully reported to Grass. Hearing this, Grass’s brow furrowed, and he extinguished his cigarette.
“Good… so they didn’t just lose one. Where’s Andre? Bring him in!”
“That Andre… he’s already run away! While we weren’t paying attention, he knocked out the guard watching him and fled with the money!”
The subordinate continued reporting. Hearing this, Grass raised his brows.
“Huh… daring to hit our people. Looks like we need to show them who runs Moncala! Hurry and go after him! Find him and bring him back!”
Grass ordered. He wasn’t worried about Andre’s escape. The Hook Shark Gang was the dominant force in Moncala, with influence everywhere in the city. In this island city, they could find anyone they wanted.
“Yes!”
Following Grass’s words, the subordinate immediately left to deliver the order. As Grass continued sitting in the bar, pondering what kind of local torture he should inflict on Andre once he was caught, a loud commotion suddenly came from outside the bar, mixed with screams and cries.
Hearing this sound, Grass furrowed his brows again and angrily shouted:
“What’s going on outside!”
In response to Grass’s shout, the door of the bar was forcibly opened, and the subordinate who had gone to deliver the order stumbled in, covered in bl**d and looking disoriented.
“Second Boss… Outside… someone is attacking!”
The bl**d-covered subordinate staggered to Grass and said incoherently. Hearing this, Grass shouted:
“Somebody is attacking? Who? Who? Is Andre bringing people back to settle scores?”
“No… not him… it’s the city guards…”
“City guards? Impossible! We paid Captain Kelly extra this month. How could there be city guards coming?”
Hearing the subordinate’s reply, Grass stood up abruptly. The subordinate continued hesitantly:
“Not… not Captain Kelly… it’s the Tenth Prince who led the city guards…”
“Tenth… Tenth Prince…”
Hearing the subordinate’s words, Grass’s originally red and angry face instantly turned pale. He sat back down, defeated.
…
At this moment, on a street in Moncala, the white-haired girl, while shopping, observed the chaos at the entrance of a bar with the bird’s-eye view provided by the zombie bird. Meanwhile, she controlled another zombie puppet on a carriage to pat the handbag filled with cash beside her. After licking the sweet ice pop in her hand, she smiled and said:
“This deal is quite profitable, not a loss at all.”
…
On the other side, at the port of Moncala, a new cruise ship was slowly sailing towards its berth. On the deck of the cruise ship, a teenage girl with gray, curly hair, wearing a bow tie and a plain dress, looked about thirteen or fourteen years old, was leaning against the railing, gazing at the city and saying:
“Oh… This is Moncala? It looks completely different from other bustling cities…”
The girl sighed. Beside her, a small black cat sat solemnly on the deck, staring intently at the approaching city.
