Capítulo 23: Give Up Your Seat
"Yes, Commander," responded Garrett and Magat in unison. They had been following the Will family for the past few days, and now they promptly relayed the orders.
Alchemical technology was essential to the legion, as communication devices similar to walkie-talkies swiftly set half of Dongwu City into motion.
On a larger scale, the Apocalypse Legion, composed entirely of extraordinary individuals, surrounded the entire East City District.
The Wucheng Army, though more numerous, quickly deployed in all directions, forming the city's primary defense line. While the weakest of the three legions, they numbered around 200,000.
The East City Gate led to the undeveloped outskirts, and this gate alone was guarded by 80,000 soldiers. At the command of the Apocalypse Legion's leader, half of these forces began clearing civilians from the area.
Soldiers of all races carried flasks of cold holy water, which could reveal followers of the ancient gods and the abyss. Those cleansed without harm were temporarily expelled from Dongcheng District.
The ratio of soldiers to civilians in Tobu City was an intimidating 1:5.
Many soldiers had ties to the local residents; if they weren't family, they were comrades' families. Even those who resisted were forcibly removed.
However, gamblers and drunkards stumbling out of bars and casinos resisted violently, leading to bloody confrontations. The spreading blood quickened the evacuation, and most civilians cooperated, gathering their belongings and fleeing.
After all, family wouldn't harm family—right?
"This guy is getting on my nerves," muttered Seth, annoyed. Since arriving in this border town, the Will family had faced nothing but obstacles. It was becoming unbearable.
"Silence," Ernado snapped, then turned to Cami and said quietly, "A level 50 magic swordsman is likely using the Scarlet Sect to push his limits."
Cami remained silent but quickly followed Mossen. With their objectives aligned, the legion commander wouldn't mind her using him as a pathfinder.
Ernado gestured, and the Will family's elite troops advanced as one, staying close behind Legion Commander Mossen in a steady march.
"This city has great potential. The legions here could easily march to the capital. The Scarlet Sect won't pose much trouble," Cami remarked. Although she didn't speak loudly, the wind and snow muffled her voice, keeping it close.
"All border cities are like this; it's why the council's first decree restricts councilors' families from doing business here." Ernado glanced back, observing their five hundred men joined by a thousand Apocalypse Legion soldiers, nearly all above level fifteen.
Their positioning was clever—two warriors and one assassin in most groups, with a shield-bearing warrior and an ax-wielder, each with a clear role: defense, offense, and assassination. The formation protected the assassin in the center, and shield warriors carried many of Barrett's team. On the battlefield, survival was paramount.
Although magic users were few, a magic division of nearly a hundred added a sense of intimidation. Positioned at the core of the thousand soldiers, they felt secure from surprise attacks.
This kind of formation was beyond what most councilors' families could assemble, showcasing the formidable strength of border cities.
In times of crisis, a councilor's family allied with the city lord could alter the nation's fate.
"When the fighting begins, we'll head to the Scarlet Cult's lair first. We can't afford to lose that relic. The rest doesn't matter," Cami said calmly. "Seth will remain here to command. Avoid unnecessary conflict with them."
Seth nodded respectfully, his gaze serious as he watched the rapid movements around him. "Understood."
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.*
The late-December snowstorm intensified, leaving only the two peak silver-level warriors unaffected. Soldiers brushed off the accumulating snow as they advanced, expelling civilians amid the biting cold.
"Damn it, you know people could freeze out here," grumbled one voice. "Stop complaining and finish up. If they arrive, we'll be out of time."
From the wooden houses came murmured conversations. Though grander than the inner city, the outer city forced civilians to endure wooden homes even at minus ten degrees—a result of rigid laws.
In this era, only geniuses could rise. Ordinary folk remained ordinary all their lives.
Bai Yi, wearing sunglasses, turned a corner and moved toward the city's core.
Although alchemists were also civilians, with little combat prowess by other professions' standards, Bai Yi had accepted a massive order worth three hundred thousand—proof of his confidence.
Through observation, Bai Yi had yet to detect gold-tier threats. Even if they emerged, his trump card made him certain of victory. Besides, his targets weren't those elite bosses.
He needed to wait for the right moment.
"Next is the entertainment area, the Golden Glory Casino's basement," he murmured, glancing ahead. "It's hard to believe they hollowed out such a large space."
A faint buzzing came through his earpiece, and Bai Yi responded softly, "Got it. I'll stay in touch."
He tapped his earphone, disconnecting from Sabo.
With snow falling heavily, Bai Yi pulled his coat tighter and approached the back entrance of the five-story casino.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
He rapped lightly on the iron door, and a grumbling voice from inside responded, "Who's knocking at this hour? Use the main entrance, for crying out loud!"
Grumbling, several orcs opened the door, prepared to berate the intruder.
Yet, as the door swung open, their eyes glazed over in confusion. Bai Yi slipped inside calmly. Once the wind and snow pushed the door shut, the orcs shivered, reopened the door, and looked outside.
Slam! The door shut again, and one of the orcs cursed.
"Damn pranksters! They're just begging for a beatdown."
"Just let me catch them, and they'll find out how strong these fists really are."
Ignoring the grumbling behind him and the din of the casino, Bai Yi quietly headed for a corner booth.
Casinos in the outer city were outdated, using copper coins for gambling—a trifling matter to the wealthy inner-city residents.
Still, even small profits mattered, so these places were funded by the inner-city elite. For extraordinary people, commoners were mere resources.
Bai Yi pulled up his hood and pushed open the booth door. Inside, gamblers turned to him with hostile looks. One orc, bloodshot eyes glaring, snapped, "Who let you in? Get lost!"
Unfazed, Bai Yi took out ten gold coins and let them glint in his hand.
"Mind if I join? It's my first time outside the inner city, and I'd like to have some fun."
As soon as he spoke, the dozen gamblers' expressions changed, eyes fixated greedily on the gold.
The same orc who'd scolded him just moments earlier adopted a fawning tone: "Oh, our distinguished young master, please take a seat. You're most welcome here!"
He kicked a man laden with copper coins out of his seat.
"Move over! Let the young master sit!"
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder