Chapter 170: Kergos Autonomous District (2)
sOz-What exactly happened?UUKE
v3vQs-The Gallian government, having made a fortune from the tourism industry, grew greedier. So they devised a new venture: human tourism.SywQ0
TGs9HOSilence filled the mental channel.p8nDyeL
0q5myQEveryone grasped the implications of “human tourism.”byvZ
sjjdMEspecially Tess, who had studied politics, understood the gravity of the situation between the Gallian government and the Kergonians.
-They made the worst choice imaginable.EDvacb
kat-Right. The Gallian government went beyond exploiting the Kergonian ruins and culture; they turned the Kergonians into tourist attractions. This became publicly known much later. Initially, they had the natives stand by the roadsides for tourists to observe. Then, their possessiveness took over, leading to human hunting. Mercenaries captured Kergonian boys and girls and sold them to nobles at high prices.iI28Pn
hai-It’s a wonder a war didn’t break out.y9qfRQR
rZOOgRB-It’s the fate of those left behind by civilization. The Kergonians’ military might wasn’t weak. In fact, they were not inferior to the Gallian government, but they couldn’t match them in political maneuvering. Children were being kidnapped, the culprit clearly the Gallian government, but there was no evidence. They must have spent a lot of money to erase that evidence, yet human hunting was so profitable that it still paid off. They were powerless. Without concrete proof, they couldn’t confront them without risking the livelihoods of the natives who relied on tourism revenue. So, they had no choice but to agree. They opened the ruins to tourism but closed off access to the autonomous district. That’s how they closed their doors and arrived at the present.1TV
QV4Amy could deeply empathize with the plight of the Kergonians, who had no choice but to open their ruins while knowing their children were being sold to nobles.sBetFD0
tyBDBut regardless of their circumstances, the situation had become dangerous. That was the crucial point.4TrYP
LaQnCanis had a similar reason for bringing it up.bUQ5Fmb
Ozd-But that’s not the main point. There are bad guys among the natives, which is why lupe is being smuggled. Regardless, the natives in the autonomous district won’t see us kindly. There may not be physical confrontations, but we must stay vigilant.um8
ykieu-Isn’t Shirone in danger too?KDWxG
fDQQ4VF-No, she won’t be. The first reason Kergonia opened the ruins was for money, but that’s not all. The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice holds special meaning for them. They’ve been waiting for someone for a long time.c4jh
V2D9TUE-Who are they waiting for?nTo0
TY6P-Perhaps… an angel?yfRxd
nZM-An angel?FwKz
TtcAmy asked, but Canis did not answer.iBpIk
ZRleCiArin announced over the mental channel.m8iWz
fu8qOZ-Sorry, but I need to conserve my mental strength, so I’ll close the channel. Don’t be alarmed if we reconnect later.25qPY
gpEu5gNTelepathy consumed mental energy, especially when exchanging real-time information, like a firewall constantly eating away at the mind.EyY9
VEjgmCAs the mental channel closed, Amy refocused on her surroundings. The sound of the tracks filled her ears as the mine cart disappeared into the darkness of the cave.vC6d9Eu
k1bUJ***IaZs01
ntqfDThey arrived at an underground city.KtsP
x6T6While lacking sophisticated aesthetics, the network of tunnels and expanded chambers at intersections, resembling an ant colony, was an impressive achievement of coexistence with nature.wYDvG0
arOQ5Amy looked around with the curiosity of a tourist, but her excitement quickly turned to dismay.WIuNBv6
NbA9utvThe Kergonians lived in stark contrast to the scenic surroundings. Everyone was starved and emaciated. Their hostility towards outsiders, which Canis had mentioned, was more than justified.hs5P
sU5xqgTElderly refugees shuffled along the tunnels, and those unable to walk leaned against the earthen walls, cradling their grandchildren and closing their eyes.bkplq
hIcThe desolate scene felt like a silent scream. This was an ant colony, and they were the ants.QIn80b
gRMElders carrying heavy loads staggered forward, while old women with bent backs wove baskets from tree bark in the corners.glk
C5M2“Is this really the Kergonian autonomous district?”0o8yA
tu0No one answered Amy’s question. The expectation of a tribe owning valuable real estate like the ruins was utterly shattered.JfEAeEl
vPdCanis felt a surge of unnamed anger as he held Arin’s trembling shoulders. She remembered their lives in the hellish city of Radum.tR5
bvxecnmThey both knew that starvation was the most excruciating suffering in the world. Thus, these people were the most tormented souls on earth.Pft
FW3“Hey, come this way.”JUC
0fCThe native who had driven the cart beckoned them. He clearly didn’t want outsiders seeing the current state of the Kergonians.0OjFm8
oBQ1MkbThey followed a winding path and arrived at a blocked tunnel. Only a single torch on the wall illuminated the area.MTVZ
ymMY0edAmy glanced back. They had taken a long detour, so any commotion here wouldn’t be noticed outside.QTmS
RvceThe native led them to a man.3IV7m
qGGuWith his arms crossed and mouth set in a hard line, he looked every bit the true Kergonian warrior, fitting the description perfectly.BcM9m5M
ttl3BU0His upper body muscles were more developed than Rian’s, and his face was marked with dark tattoos. He wore earrings made from predator fangs on both ears.WXYbFf
IqwXWWhen Zis spoke to him, he introduced himself as Mahatu.bYo34E9
uZViIntAmy recalled hearing about Mahatu as a warrior’s name.yQJ9
FiC3mfThe name Mahatu, the warrior, matched his appearance and demeanor.61LvhD
Pe4“So, his name is Mahatu. He raises the lupe and delivers it to the temple.”sDf
1w9Amy guessed that the black tattoos signified those who managed the lupe. If white was for those who performed rituals, then black must be for those who prepared them.IqH
spOHSince Arin hadn’t attempted telepathy, Amy’s group had to rely on Zis for translation.640E
adVSuTess thought it was a wise choice. Judging by Mahatu’s temperament, he was no ordinary strongman. If he had a sensory schema, he might detect telepathy.j6zWD
7MaKAs they pondered this, Mahatu’s words suddenly made sense.NgH1
hhCI4J6When Amy looked back, Arin smiled.mROZrv
DiOB70O-So, you tried after all? That guy seems pretty strong. You’re bolder than you look.rA9
eejihG-No. I didn’t use telepathy on Mahatu.s9D4
zav6-What? Then how are we understanding him?nU4mL
RbKEkYArin subtly pointed at Zis.Xnc
dBRAmy realized that Arin had used telepathy on Zis.2jO
7bnNIf she only needed to eavesdrop on the surface thoughts, there was no need to contact the speaker directly. Another strength of Arin’s ability.BYlKzSh
2yUo“Falcoa is dead?”qZuf3ID
8ceUrz“Yes. The Freeman organization won’t buy the lupe anymore. They plan to leave the island soon.”rpw3
bx8pdZis spoke honestly. Meeting the chief, there was no way to hide the truth.Dd9kyjF
5W7LjpAs expected, Mahatu’s expression darkened. He glared at Amy’s group before speaking.Srp
l4fq“Then who are they?”psopb
rLqFBZ“Oh, they’re not here to buy the lupe. They have business in the district.”5v9L
hXn66RY“Business? Besides lupe transactions, outsiders can’t enter here, don’t you know that?”SSqjeqB
3j1“Yes, but we had to inform you about the transaction cancellation. And we have a pass…! Whoa!”h4d9
EgOq8iMahatu shoved Zis aside and approached. His clenched jaw twitched, and his eyes blazed with anger.gyaPFk
0Ia2SMHe examined the group, focusing on Amy. Not because she seemed like the leader, but because she alone met his gaze defiantly.5f22
cej“Sent by the Freeman organization? So, are you a member?”Y1Kj4
m9PZis rushed to translate. His sense of duty was commendable even in this tense situation.9uL2zi7
8CmzOf course, Amy understood through Arin’s telepathy. But she couldn’t reveal this, so she answered a beat late.6bVsK
puwrhy“No. But we’re well acquainted with Freeman.”XDQ
OE9S“How well? Enough to risk your life?”ewnuND
uw7D“Of course. We’ve actually done so.”3SLDi6
mafLies came easily. They had indeed risked their lives fighting Freeman, so it wasn’t entirely false.UoQH
veOf“Then you can settle the outstanding payment.”tmzZ
D2T“Outstanding payment? For what?”D9kg09
WElRTb“Falcoa took 8 kilograms of the lupe recently, only paying a deposit. He couldn’t settle the balance.”0EFA
ToMXRuDAmy scoffed, picturing Falcoa’s boastful demeanor, only to find he was penny-pinching on credit.4McfESJ
BMVzOStill, if there was money owed, she had to ask.rhXczA
DdJ“We might not be close enough to lend money, but how much is the outstanding balance?”hSraDM
T0Our8V“10,000 gold.”kN3d
iHR“What? 10,000?”POdYAz
ADNjhVNAmy’s eyes widened. Zis also looked confused, unsure if he had heard correctly.PbF4PD
nbvoBut Amy knew through Arin’s telepathy that it was indeed 10,000 gold.LB8
XXdj0bShe had thought the 8 kilograms of lupe were worth a lot. But 10,000 gold? And that was just the remaining balance, meaning the total was even higher.EgIW
eRnVxA question popped into her mind.bl2D
cKHdFalcoa must have spent a fortune on the lupe over the past five years. How could the Kergonians’ living conditions be explained then?nX5IR86
1tNFnSelling just 8 kilograms of lupe could feed the people in the plaza for a year. It made no sense.by9
NMFWHZis tried to negotiate with Mahatu.noUDs
GtqeQ67“I’ll report the outstanding balance to the organization. They’ll decide whether to return the lupe or settle the payment.”5Q2Pe66
sq64Unsure, Zis looked to his friends for approval.1Di
wGYTess nodded. With Marsh and Freeman’s reputation, they would surely settle the balance.UzPUTP2
SKlEmboldened by Tess’s support, Zis spoke confidently.XJD
8IzDGTa“Alright then. We’ll pay the balance later, so let us stay here for now.”YOw
dbypIj“I don’t understand. What’s your purpose here?”BF1
tdVvAmy answered.eq56ZW5
TKCh“We’re waiting for a friend. He entered the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice. He should be here soon.”eoE0vg
dPo3OahHer tone was harsher than before. Seeing Mahatu and Falcoa neglect their starving people infuriated her.tUG
903Qf4a“The Room of Achievement and Sacrifice?”JP7Q0
yqoMahatu scrutinized them closely. Assessing not their appearance but their demeanor, he sneered.sIYi
EeMj“Such grand dreams. Give up and go back. Your friend is likely waiting for you outside.”MMbMW6
h4kj“Hmph! How can you be so sure?”ccF
kel3B7d“Isn’t it obvious? That altar isn’t for brats like you. Many pretenders come seeking the Kergos ruins, hoping to buy the lupe or find gold. If your friend is at the altar, go back and check.”22nZ
UdGdNt“You think you’re so great? Do you know how many people have suffered from the lupe sold outside?”vSBx
7dyR“The lupe is sacred. It’s you who abuse it as a drug. And I don’t care about foolish outsiders’ issues. You always judge and take what’s ours. But it won’t be so easy here.”JQL
wTyD“We’re not leaving until we confirm our friend’s success.”aEiFH
vLW“With your skills, it’s impossible to pass. Reveal your true purpose.”U9iz
FWCThe cart driver spoke.EQp1AN
Hdwayq“They might be thieves, looking to steal gold.”XWrLmA
ee8YFuThere was no longer a false smile on the native’s face. If it wasn’t about the lupe, then Amy’s group were the most hated outsiders, nobles.aULvpQq
FDJ69d“That’s possible. All the more reason not to let them in.”Owoa
ZsXmE“Should we search their bodies? If they brought weapons, they could harm our people.”C8Q87LG
JBuymEMahatu didn’t want to touch a woman’s body, considering it dishonorable as a warrior.oFvgH
XDRuMShBut he didn’t speak because he knew what his companion meant.BCSeJR
What did you think of this chapter?
Report comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment. False reports may result in account suspension.
0 Comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first!