Five hours ago.
Lorbec Deira was forty-three years old. He was a first-class police chief affiliated with the city defense team. He was in charge of the Western City Police Station, which was responsible for the safety of the west side of Eternal Star City.
Twenty patrol teams, a police officer of various sizes, and countless civil servants were all under his command.
More than a hundred police officers equipped with excellent suppressive equipment such as electric batons, mini crossbows, anti-charge shields, fog bombs, and thunderstorm bombs. Nearly three hundred high-quality soldiers equipped with anti-mystic equipment such as the Fallen Demon Sword, Arc Light Shield, Perpetual New Armor, and energy-breaking crossbows. Twenty Swordsmen of Eradication, who were the elite military force of patrol captains, were all under his command.
This was very rare for someone who was born into a low-level noble family. Lorbec's father was just a small lord in Keira County in the west of the kingdom.
If he had not climbed up the Covendier family's high branch, it would have been impossible for him to become the chief of the Western City Police Station of the capital, Eternal Star City, at this age. In this wonderful relationship where he showed sincerity to the Covendier family and received an official position in return, there was only a small fly in the ointment.
That was, he was responsible for a total of six districts in Eternal Star City. They were the three districts of the Western District and the three districts of the lower city.
Yes, it was the frontline of the bloody battle between the Blood Bottle Gang and the Black Street Brotherhood.
A small fly in the ointment.
A fly in the ointment?
Bah!
Oh, by the King's grace, this is simply a huge misfortune!
Oh, he was also responsible for the patrol of the Western City Gate and the safety of the streets.
This was what his white-haired predecessor had warned him when he handed over his position.
"You must instruct your subordinates that when they set off from the barracks and pass through the Western District and the lower city district to the Western City Gate (Yes, his predecessor believed that the Western City Gate was the only place for the patrol team to patrol. For the police, the Western City Gate was the only place where they needed to enforce the law) …
"For the sake of your money, when you pass through the three districts of the Western District, you must be polite and friendly.
For the sake of your life, when you pass through the three districts of the lower city, you must be on tenterhooks and advance cautiously.
For the sake of your position, when you reach the Western City Gate, you must be cautious and full of energy! "
Lorbec quickly figured out why.
The Blood Bottle Gang, which was rooted in the Third District of the Western Ring District, had a long history. They had an unclear relationship with many of the bigwigs in the imperial court, but they would regularly pay a lot of money to the city defense team. Therefore, for the sake of their wallets, when they passed through the Western Ring District, they had to be friendly with the police and the people.
The Black Street Brotherhood, which was entrenched in the lower city's three districts, was ruthless, crazy, and violent. Half of the unsolved criminal cases in the kingdom were related to them, and they showed no mercy to the officials. Therefore, for the sake of their lives, when passing through the lower city district, they had to keep their eyes and ears open. They had to jog along the way and not stop for too long if there was nothing important.
The Western City Gate was the face of Eternal Star City. It was the gate that many foreign dignitaries, nobles of all sizes, stewards of the Temple of Gods, and adventurers from all walks of life had to pass through when they visited Eternal Star City. Many diplomatic disputes, struggles between nobles, religious confrontations, and conflicts among the people occurred in this area. It was also the place that the bigwigs in the palace paid the most attention to. Therefore, for the sake of their positions, when they were on duty at the Western City Gate, they had to be fair, strict, diligent, dedicated, and selfless in serving the people.
In summary, in the three years that Director Lorbec had been in charge of the police station, half of his hair had turned white and he had three more wrinkles. Because he did not return home at a fixed time, his wife often protested against him in bed. This was understandable.
At this moment, Lorbec sat at his desk and looked at the moonlight outside the window with a worried expression.
He did not want to work overtime either. It was just that there was an important person who had called him tonight, so he had no choice but to work overtime.
Also.
He was not worried about his work, but about the rash young man in front of him who worked for him.
The twenty-five-year-old Kohen Karabeyan, who had just been promoted to patrol captain two months ago, relied on his superior skills even among the Swordsmen of Eradication (It would be even better if he could defeat that pervert Miranda — Kohen) and his good family background ("Sigh, old man, it would be even better if you were a king, then I could also be a prince — Ouch, why did you hit me!") ("Sigh, old man, it would be even better if you were a king, then I could also be a prince — Ouch, why did you hit me! — Cohen), as well as his military experience, which was rare among young nobles. After he was discharged from the army ("Damn old man! I didn't sign it, how did I get discharged? It must be because you shamelessly — Ouch, why did you hit me again! " — Cohen), he became the first trump card of the twenty patrol teams of the Western City Police Station ("They all say it's because I have a good father, but old man, you must know better than anyone that I don't have a good father — Ouch, old man, if you hit me again, I'll get angry!" — Cohen).
At this moment, Cohen was wearing a neat and dignified military cap, with a few strands of beautiful blonde hair peeking out from behind the brim of the cap. He was wearing a well-tailored blue Meteor Star uniform, which accentuated his strong and well-proportioned figure. On his feet was a pair of black military boots that did not reflect light. Coupled with his determined and heroic face, he was the undisputed "Lady Killer" in the capital.
'What a pity. If I were twenty years younger and transferred to Eternal Star City earlier, I would probably be an existence that would make all the noble ladies in the capital scream.' These were Chief Lorbec's daydreaming thoughts.
Because the young and heroic 'Maiden Killer', Cohen, was speaking righteously and resolutely explaining his point of view to Chief Lorbec. He patted his chest resolutely, as if to let his superior know of his determination.
"Sir, in summary, I think it is absolutely inappropriate to empty the garrison forces in Red Street Market! Especially tonight! There is a high possibility of a violent conflict between the Blood Bottle Gang and the Black Street Brotherhood! In addition, I have received information from my subordinates that the Black Street Brotherhood is in front of the headquarters — "
"You still have spies in Black Street?" Chief Lorbec yawned and interrupted him.
"Hah, it is indeed difficult to plant spies in the Brotherhood." Cohen scratched his head in embarrassment and curled up the corners of his mouth. "But under my astute and capable —"
"Idiot! I think you are tired of living! "
Chief Lorbec's roar was very sudden and caused a wave of commotion. The secretary, the beautiful red-haired Miss Jorah, who had just passed by the door with a document in her arms, was so shocked that she slipped.
"Do you think that the Brotherhood cannot touch you just because you are ranked third in the year-end assessment for a Level One Swordsman of Eradication? Do you think that the Blood Bottle Gang will not dare to touch you just because you are from the Karabeyan family? Most importantly! Do you think — "
The angry Chief Lorbec's voice became louder and louder. Cohen, who had been speaking incessantly, was stunned.
"You can command your immediate superior just because you are more handsome than me?"
Outside the door, Miss Jorah, who was picking up the documents on the floor, trembled. The documents that she had already picked up were scattered all over the floor.
"Err … Chief, I have gone off-topic. Although I am handsome, the Brotherhood —"
"Shut up! Idiot! "
The angry Lorbec suddenly felt that there was a reason why his old classmate's son was beaten up by his father every day.
Lorbec took a deep breath and said slowly, "I know how you feel. I've also been hot-blooded before. Three years ago, when I was transferred here, I also thought that one day, I would clean up all the evil and darkness in the Western District, so that the citizens could walk on the streets with peace of mind and not have to be on tenterhooks."
"But do you really think that the Blood Bottle Gang and the Black Street Brotherhood are just gangs that can't be shown in public? I sent out twenty Swordsmen of Eradication, who can fight against a hundred people, and four hundred guards and patrol soldiers, and you think that you can wipe them out in one fell swoop? The Blood Bottle Gang has two Mystics, eight Psionic Warriors, twelve Omnipotent Fighters, three or four Great Assassins, six Powerhouses, and thirteen Generals of the Brotherhood. Do you know how many of these people are supra class and even supreme class people? Also, they are spread all over the kingdom. Their influence extends to the Western Continent's thugs, bandits, rangers, and adventurers. They have a pervasive intelligence network, a deep-rooted network of relationships, a sizable business network, a network of interests that can affect one's life, and a network of secrets. Do you think they are all vegetarians? Do you think this is a war against the Barren Bone people and the Orcs on the Western Front? Do you think that my police officers and city defense soldiers have no families, children, social connections, or burdens? Do you think that they will be willing to die for you just because you yell? "
"Even if the two gangs are wiped out, what about the secret affairs of the nobles that are related to them? What about the oil and funding of the administrative departments that rely on their threats to survive? What about the annual offerings they give to the important people in the palace? What about the poor, rioters, and unemployed people who have lost their livelihood after losing the gangs' restraint and protection? What about the people who no longer pray and donate to the temple without the gangs' oppression? What about the rare medicines and strategic resources that can only be smuggled in through the gangs in the city's pharmaceutical, alchemy, and farming markets? What about the shortage of supplies? What about the adventurers, mercenaries, and Psionic Warriors who have lost their livelihood? What about the local gangs' overt and covert cooperation? What about the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department's inability to grasp the underground movements of foreign spies? "
"Have you thought about all these miscellaneous things that you can't not consider?"
"Why do you think I cleared out Red Street Market tonight? That's right. Let me tell you, because a certain important person told me that the place will become the bloodiest battlefield tonight! No matter who gets close, it will not end well! So, not only do I want to clear out the place, but I also want to put up a curfew notice and warn everyone not to get close! Why do you think we're working overtime today? It's so that in the morning, our people can work together with the City Hall's medical, fire, and land administration departments to collect the corpses of the losers of the war and clean up the ruins brought by the war! "
Lorbec stopped roaring and panted. He pulled open his collar that was making it hard for him to breathe.
Cohen was silent. His fists were clenched tightly by his sides.
"Now, Captain Cohen Karabeyan …" Lorbec slowed down and said in a normal tone, "You can go out now. Reflect on yourself and think about why your father sent you to the police station in Constellation, the most difficult place to stay in in the entire Western Peninsula. Also, remember to help Miss Jorah pick up the pile of documents outside the door. That's all your fault. "
The door opened and Cohen walked out slowly. However, his gaze was gloomy, lonely, and helpless.
Miss Jorah, who was picking up the documents at the side, felt her heart ache.
'All these … I know all these that Director Lorbec said.'
Cohen thought silently.
He extended his hand to the sword rack outside the director's office, wanting to retrieve his saber.
However, if even the youngest director of the police station was so shrewd and scheming, if even the blood-sucking gangs hidden in the underground world did not dare to face them head-on …
'Then how can this kingdom change?'
Cohen put his hand down slowly.
He walked towards Miss Jorah, who was squatting down to pick up the documents. The secretary felt Cohen's approach and blushed. She was thinking about what tone to use to thank him for his help.
'Hot-blooded?'
Cohen smiled bitterly in his heart.
'When I crawled out from the pile of corpses on the Western Front, this word no longer belongs to me.
'This is not hot-blooded.'
Cohen lowered his head and clenched his fists. His lonely eyes flashed with determination and anger.
'This is the right thing to do. It's what I have to do.'
Miss Jorah's face turned even redder. She suddenly realized that from Cohen's angle, he could see the proud view of her, which was comparable to Lonely Old Mountain Peak. 'And this is very important. I have to say it three times. He's handsome, he's handsome, he's really handsome!
'Red Street Market, huh.'
Cohen squinted his eyes.
The next moment, his expression turned cold. Without even looking, he suddenly flipped his right fist, and a gust of wind blew in front of the director's office!
* Whoosh! *
When the gust of wind dissipated, Cohen was gone.
Along with it, his sword on the sword rack also disappeared.
Only Miss Jorah, who was gnashing her teeth, was left, tearing at her long red hair that was messed up by the gust of wind.
Beside her, the messy pile of documents had been blown into a stack by the wind and stood neatly on the ground.
In the director's office, Lorbec closed his eyes helplessly and sighed.
Compared to Red Street Market …
That important person had a more troublesome request for him.
He wanted to find out why the Sunset Temple sealed the inner altar from the Sunset Temple believers who entered and left the Western City Gate.
'Those religious lunatics.' Lorbec shook his head. How could he dare to provoke anything related to the Oracle?
Especially that shrew Sunset Goddess.
'Bah bah bah!'
Lorbec shook his head and threw the thought out of his head.
If it was three hundred years ago, he would have been sent to the Inquisition by the temple priests of the Sunset Goddess just because he had this thought.
From the looks of it, although the two Magic Empresses were shrews with bad tempers, they still did some good deeds.
'Bah bah bah!'
Lorbec shook his head and threw the thought out of his head as well.
If it was a hundred years ago, he would have been sent to the Demonic Prison by the Empress' Kingdom's Demon Guards just because he had this thought.
—
Back to the present.
"You said you killed Quide?" Jala looked at Thales in shock, as if it was the first time she truly knew him.
"Yes, and," Thales was extremely calm. He gave this beautiful and dangerous young woman a seemingly outrageous suggestion.
"Please help the four of us escape from the third section of the lower city."
Thales was not just trying his luck.
During his four years of begging in the Abandoned Houses, his world was not just filled with darkness. Other than the few children who helped each other in the house, the helper in Grove Pharmacy, Yanni, and the seemingly unapproachable female bartender in front of him … Speaking of which, was she really just a bartender? These were the few warm colors that Thales found in this world.
Three years ago, if it were not for her, he would have been bitten to death by Morris' Angry Wolfhound while he was looking for food in the trash outside Sunset Pub.
After that, Morris grumbled for a long time. Why was it that the Angry Wolfhound that he had raised for six years could not be tamed? It actually ran away and disappeared on its own.
"Say that again?" Jala seemed to have heard the most unbelievable words, such as the devil from hell returning to the human world, or the gods descending upon the human world.
"I mean, I would like to ask you —"
But Jala interrupted him.
"You have just killed the most terrifying force in Constellation's underground world, Quide Roda, the only son of Black Street Brotherhood's leader in charge of the beggar business in Eternal Star City. He is also the boss of firearms, 'Iron Heart' Shanda Roda."
Jala finished speaking in one breath. With a steely expression, she extended her slender index finger and poked Thales' forehead.
"Then, you still want me to protect you, betray the 'most terrifying force in Constellation's underground world', and escape from the Black Street Brotherhood's hunt and pursuit?"
"Uh, not exactly." Thales rubbed the finger mark on his forehead. Under Jala's murderous gaze, he smiled sheepishly and said, "But, that's about it."
Jala digested this news for a long time. Although Thales was anxious, he still waited quietly.
Jala came back to her senses and sighed. However, her expression quickly returned to being cold and indifferent.
"Hmph, going against the entire Brotherhood for you? Do I look like such a good person to you? No, it should be, do you think I look like a good person to you? "
"You don't need to meet the people from the Brotherhood!" Thales said anxiously.
"We have our own escape plan. You only need to give us some food and supplies. You only need to help us hide from the Brotherhood's eyes and ears on the way from the Third District of the Lower City to Red Street Market! This is a piece of cake for you! "
"I beg you!" Thales said solemnly. "We only have you to rely on, Sister Jala!"
However, Jala did not seem to buy his words.
"Hmph, you are just a little beggar."
Jala laughed coldly. "No matter what, I am still a member of the Brotherhood. What makes you think that I will not immediately hand over you, the murderer of the Brotherhood's leader, and the accomplices?"
Thales was silent for a moment.
Jala tilted her head and waited for his answer with a faint smile.
"Because I believe in you."
Jala was stunned. She did not catch up to Thales' logic.
"What?"
Thales enunciated each word clearly and firmly said,
"Because I believe in you, and I want to be a good person!"
Jala was stunned.
'Did I get the wrong script?
So — er, to use his weird language, he could actually say such silly things?
'This brat, isn't he always quite mature?
'And he's a member of the Brotherhood, someone who grew up in a beggar's nest, right? Why is he suddenly … Did he watch too many dramas in Dark Night Temple recently? The story of the friendship between the hero Chara and the prophet Kaplan?
Or was his brain damaged by Quide? '
But Thales took a deep breath. What he said next made her speechless for a long time.
"I know that almost everyone in the Brotherhood is scum and scoundrel. They are all perverts with blood debts. They are mad wolves and demons in human skin. To them, sympathy, kindness, conscience, and compassion are not even as good as the mud in the sewers.
"They sell young girls whose families have been ruined to brothels. They beat desperate children until they are disabled. They sell drugs to teenage girls. They extort diligent merchants until they are penniless. They force farmers who sell their children to starve to death when they encounter natural disasters. They capture people who cannot pay their debts and sell them as slaves in the desert. They work together with degenerate nobles in the ugliest of secrets. “
"But I also know that many of them are forced to make a living. They are all forced. They are all influenced by what they see and see since they were young. They are all unable to extricate themselves from it. They all want to survive. They all have their own reasons of 'I can't not do this'. That is why they become the Brotherhood's most vicious pawns and ruthless thugs.
"But it is precisely because of this that I feel that in this kind of environment and situation, besides surviving, I can still persevere. I can hold on to a little sympathy, a little compassion, a little kindness, a little conscience. I can persist in doing good deeds. I can be a good person. I can give up the idea of earning dirty money with my knife skills. I can give even the most destitute drunkard a cup of free ale. I can give a cloak to a beaten woman. I can even kill the beloved dog of the Brotherhood's leader to save the life of a child I don't know in the cold, windy garbage dump. I can even help him, support him, and care for him …"
Jala furrowed her eyebrows tightly. She did not realize that she had started to bite her lower lip.
When he said this, Thales raised his head and looked at Jala. His gaze was sincere and hopeful.
"To be able to do all this, I feel that it is more difficult, more dangerous, and more comfortable than being a pure bad guy in the Brotherhood, a bad guy who abandons his beliefs and conscience, a bad guy who commits all sorts of crimes, and who is happy and comfortable every day —"
"Stop!" Jala raised her head with an indignant expression. Her eyes were red. "Brat, you are not related to me. How, how dare you —"
But her words were interrupted by Thales, who did not care.
"Jala Charleton!"
"I have seen your knife skills when you split a dog into three parts. I have also seen you chop off the finger of a troublemaker. I also know that the customers in Sunset Pub are very afraid of you. I know that even Quide, Rick, and even Chief Morris are polite to you. When they know that you lower the price of their goods, they dare not say anything even though they are angry. I do not know the meaning of the surname Charleton in the Brotherhood, but I think that your hands were once stained with blood, and you even killed a lot of people. Perhaps your family and the people around you are all members of the Brotherhood. Perhaps your father, brothers, and sisters are all people who have committed many crimes. "
Jala did not interrupt him. Instead, her expression was desolate. She sank into a deathly silence.
"So, actually, I do not know whether you are a good person or not, and whether you can be considered a good person."
Thales quietly took out a dagger.
"I stole this dagger from your pub. But I know that I only said to you that day, 'I don't have a knife, how can I chop firewood'. Then, that afternoon, this dagger appeared on the most obvious spot in the storeroom. I knew it all along.
"I always thought that this dagger was left behind by someone else, maybe Edmund. It was only today that the word 'JC' appeared on the side of this blood-stained dagger."
Thales raised his head and looked straight at Jala. The faint starlight in his eyes made her heart tremble.
"That is your initials, right, JC?
I just heard your full name from Quide's mouth. "
Jala clenched her teeth.
She did not even notice how a low-class child beggar, who never had the chance to read and write, could understand the letters on the dagger and even spell out her name.
"Jala Charleton, Miss JC, I want you to know, I must let you know that today, the dagger you gave me saved my life. It also saved the lives of the three children over there. The three children who think that even ordinary white bread is like a king's feast."
Jala clenched her fists, and her eyes gradually focused.
'This detestable brat.'
"So, even though I do not know what you were like in the past, and I do not know what you will be like in the future, I always feel that …
You want to be a good person! "
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