Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 553 - 378: Many Tales of the Small Town (2)_3

Chapter 553: Chapter 378: Many Tales of the Small Town (2)_3

"...I remember this place is the gateway from Naples to the North, right?"

"Yes, besides, if you go from the east side of Lexina, you have to take a big detour, and the road is not good; there’s no steam train either." The leader said, "Caravans will choose to pass through here because we have cavalry patrolling the road."

"So, it’s like this with people’s fate; you have to learn to grab it, not wait for it." After he sighed at the girls, Malin took out his wallet and gave them two one-hundred Mowish bills: "Starting this month, you are people with support; this is the deposit. Note down the daily traffic of the Pozzuoli caravans and any suspicious teams. I will have my people meet with you for the monthly payment later."

"Uh, your excellency..." The leader hesitated.

"Do you think I’ve given too little money, or do you think the sword in my lady’s hand is not sharp enough?" Malin’s face fell.

"No, not at all, it’s just that there’s someone else who’s taken on such a job, and our folks would get recognized if they went over there," the leader explained, piquing Malin’s curiosity: "Who is it?"

"It’s people from the Naples Brotherhood. We are just lonely ghosts they look down upon," the leader replied somewhat awkwardly.

"The young brother next to you doesn’t look like an unwanted lonely ghost; what’s his story?" Jessica’s hand moved to her holster.

Malin glanced at the middle-aged man, who gave an embarrassed smile, flashed his palm at Malin, then withdrew it.

Sonov Buff, a man of the white-haired elder.

Malin cursed under his breath, then put his hand on his holster, eyeing the leader as he considered how to help the middle-aged man bite the dust.

"I don’t know about you, but I know what I’m made of." As the leader spoke, he quickly made a sign with his hands across his chest, which Malin didn’t recognize. Clovis leaned in and spoke through a spell formation: "Goddess of the Night Church, it’s real; a pagan or imposter couldn’t make such a correct gesture."

Malin had a hundred completely different swear words he wanted to say.

Finally calming himself, Malin shook his head: "I give money, I give guns; how about you burn that team, kill them and toss them into the sea at night, be done with it." Malin thought that should be enough, considering these two were bottom feeders; of course, he trusted them.

After all, the other party was obviously not saints either; if killed, so be it.

"This..." The leader was still pondering when a half-human squeezed through the crowd nearby, raising his hands: "My God, Condom, I never knew we were colleagues."

"You are..." Malin looked at him.

"Good day, your excellency, I’m Condom’s colleague competing for business." The half-human smiled obsequiously at Malin: "I’m also an informant for the white-haired elder."

Then the guy took out what was said to be his identity proof given by the white-haired elder.

Looking at the badge in the man’s hand and the circle under his feet proving his claim to be true, Malin took a deep breath: "... Forget it, take this money for tea, and tell your people not to mess with my girls again; if anyone is blind, it’s not my business if they get killed."

The three quickly thanked him, assuring him that no one would steal the girls’ wallets; if it did happen, they would definitely give Malin an explanation.

Having dealt with this business, Malin took the girls back to the station—this city was truly no place to be; it was better to go back and rest.

Then, while passing through the station’s platform, Malin saw a begging child and gave the youngster a one-coin piece, scanning the surroundings: "Doesn’t look like there’s anyone controlling him."

"No one is watching us," Jessica said, also taking out her wallet and giving a coin.

"Hmm, looking at his clothes, he also doesn’t seem to be from here," Faye observed, giving a coin as well.

"Take this and buy something to fill your belly," Maya gave two coins.

Matilda took out her wallet and gave the child five coins: "Go to the Church of Justice; they will take you in."

Clovis gave two coins: "You’re lucky to meet us today, but remember, you won’t have a future if you don’t work for it."

Finally, it was Lillim’s turn; the young lamb fumbled through her small bag and came to a realization: "My wallet is gone."

Malin turned his head to look at Lillim: "Is your bag not torn?"

"It’s not torn." Jessica went to check and gave an answer.

"It was there when we were in the guild." Lillim frowned: "Right, just now on the way back, I fell behind a bit to tie my shoelaces; when I got up, I bumped into a kid about as tall as me, he apologized to me..."

Lillim thought for a moment: "It’s strange, I can’t remember his face."

"It must be a harmless illusion technique that erases the memory of facial features from those who see it," Clovis quickly assessed, and Faye added an explanation: "The thief’s words must have also carried an illusion technique; Lillim was influenced and forgot his appearance."

"It seems like this one is a real pro; cutting purses is the work of amateurs, but this method is the safest; he can even target noble ladies—a bold and meticulous fellow." Jessica judged, "Such a person could not be working alone; I think we should demand an explanation from that half-human."

"Exactly, it seems the local Brotherhood owes me an explanation," Malin said with a laugh of extreme irritation.

Some people really had their heads on their shoulders for too long.