I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

[After some consideration, those in power outside the city surprisingly decided that this was acceptable. Although they were wary of and restricted Twilight Street, they did not formally suppress it. Instead, they kept sending out requests for negotiation in an attempt to reach a consensus with these suddenly changing individuals.]

[Thus, inexplicably and subtly, Twilight Street became a force to be reckoned with.]

However, while the outside world has undergone tremendous changes, your surroundings, or rather, the interior of Twilight Street, have also experienced equally dramatic transformations.

Contrary to the external environment, the changes inside Twilight Street are positive.

Under your orders, Twilight Street is incredibly safe during the day. If outsiders were to come and investigate, they might even think it's some kind of city with an extremely high safety rating. Of course, given its current size, Twilight Street should be considered a town.

The streets, which were originally messy and littered with garbage, have been cleaned up, and even the alleys have been renovated. All things that were "unsightly" have been demolished, tidied up, and rebuilt. Homeless people have been arranged to rest in designated places and have been given jobs.

Residential buildings are being demolished and rebuilt to make them more livable, and the rents are quite cheap... or there are simply no buildings at all. Many people have started using their homes to open shops, relying on acquaintances in the neighborhood, so they don't have to worry about not having customers.

Those struggling financially need not worry, as the gang provides daily welfare payments, sufficient to ensure their survival. Of course, to truly "live" here, one must find work.

As for where the resources to maintain these "minimum living allowances" come from... after reading the above description, isn't the answer obvious?

As night falls, Twilight Street begins to quiet down, and almost everyone consciously abides by the "curfew" that isn't actually a curfew. After all... you said that "private areas are sacred," and one's own home is the safest place at night.

[Those who can be out at night... are probably only three types of people: playful children protected by the "rules," those who are hunting, and those who are being hunted.]

Of course, the "clergy," or rather you and Aponia, are exceptions. Although you don't usually go out at night, you will in certain situations—for example, Aponia comes out to find lost or playful children, and you, in your case, follow "His" will to arrest and judge those who try to disrupt the status quo of Twilight Street.

Everything seems to be in good order, doesn't it? Everything is progressing steadily, isn't it?

Twilight Street has undergone a complete transformation. The gangsters have gained more knowledge and experience, expanded their territory, and reaped greater profits.

The gangs outside were dealt with and taken over, then controlled by the gangs of Twilight Street, and later became more orderly and disciplined under your control.

People who become refugees due to disasters will also be absorbed by gangs, and other countries will no longer need to worry about the refugee problem, because Twilight Street will help solve it... Areas where social order has collapsed due to disasters will also not need to be dealt with by other countries, since they find it troublesome anyway, so let Twilight Street handle it. The gangs' methods are efficient and quick.

[Aside from the possibility that people's lives might be a little more difficult afterward, at least they will be stable, at least they will be able to eat and survive, right?]

However, naturally, under such circumstances, it's inevitable that some people... well, will have some other thoughts, or more accurately, some kind of "desire" will begin to swell.

This is human nature, an innate "sin" that people are born with, and like a boulder rolling down a mountain, it is difficult to stop.

--------

"Please forgive me, Father, forgive my sins."

The man trembled as he knelt before Xi Wang, his head buried deep in his chest, his forehead pressed against the cold floor, his voice filled with fear and resolve.

“I betrayed the people here, leaked the information, caused the supplies that should have been transported here to be looted, and caused my companions who were escorting the supplies to die or disappear, all for the money given by outsiders.”

“Father, I… am guilty.”

He finished recounting his "sins" with a trembling voice, but towards the end, his tone became resolute.

“I already know, and He already knows.”

Xi Wang sat upright in front of him, her golden pupils gleaming slightly as she looked at him, exuding an aura of unquestionability and irresistibility.

“It is understandable that the family is in financial difficulty, and it is only natural to hope that their children can receive medical treatment.”

Xi Wang softly mentioned something he hadn't said before, causing him to stiffen and instinctively raise his head, looking at him with expectant eyes.

"However, betrayal is a serious crime, therefore, a two-month penalty is required."

But Xi Wang's next words shattered his expectations... or rather, brought him back to reality from his unrealistic fantasies.

Then, a burning sensation came from his throat, causing him to clutch his neck and kneel on the ground, letting out an ambiguous groan of pain... He dared not cry out or speak, because that would likely worsen the pain in his throat.

Moreover, he knew that this "punishment" was already very light. Even if he had come to confess to reduce the "punishment," and even if the priest had taken his "difficult situation" into consideration and further reduced the "punishment," it was still very light.

After all, betrayal is a serious crime and should be subject to trial. What he is doing now is merely "punishment," which is enough to demonstrate the priest's mercy, so he has no complaints.

"Thank you for your kindness..."

He even endured the pain and thanked Xi Wang in slurred words, then slowly and firmly kowtowed to him. Only after he realized that Xi Wang's gaze had withdrawn and was no longer looking at him did he slowly get up, clutching his throat as he slowly left.

"........."

After leaving the church, he walked slowly and steadily. Even though the burning sensation in his throat was tormenting his spirit, he did not collapse from the pain. Many people greeted him warmly along the way. Seeing his pained appearance, they seemed to understand and showed him pity, asking him if he needed help.

But he refused them all. Alone, he slowly walked to a designated building and, under the guidance of the guards who had been waiting for a long time, entered the building and met someone.

"Hey, you're back alive."

The man who was clearly the leader looked at him, who was enduring the pain, and gave him a smile that seemed unsurprised. He spoke lightly.

"Look, you don't need to worry at all. That priest is exceptionally kind. Even if you did something so outrageous, as long as you have some reason for it, your punishment will be lessened. Hmm... although I know it will still be painful, at least you won't die directly, right?"

The man stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and then saw a look of slight disgust and urging in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that. This is your own choice, isn't it? You need money, and I happen to have it. Besides, your 'punishment' won't kill you directly. As long as your will to live is strong enough, you can hold on until the 'punishment' ends... Of course, all of this is on the premise that the priest will not judge you again."

After saying that, the man gestured to his subordinate to bring a bag, unzipped it, showed him the cash inside, and then handed the bag to him.

"So... you understand, right? Use this money to take the child wherever you want to go, find a good doctor, find a matching organ, and then... don't worry about anything, don't say anything, just live a good life, understand?"

"........."

He nodded silently, picked up his backpack, and left.

"...Pfft, look, isn't this a great success?"

The man watched him leave, and after the door was closed again, he laughed out loud once more.

"That priest isn't some kind of god, just someone with special powers... and he's also an excessively merciful one. If you arrange for some people with grievances to do certain things and then confess to him, his punishment will be extremely light. As long as you don't violate the rules he sets, he won't do anything."

The man's words carried a hint of smugness.

"Gentlemen, you see, that priest isn't so scary after all. As long as we continue in this way, we can become even stronger, until we swallow up the other gangs! We can do what the previous leader couldn't!"

"Let's continue. Go find those who have their own difficulties, recruit them, and let them contribute to our cause."

"Of course, if we can't find those [people with their own difficulties]... well... you know what to do."

The man gently supported his chin with his thumb, while his other four fingers were slightly bent to cover his upturned lips.

"Just create a predicament, hmm... just like this time."

"Alright everyone, let's set off for our future."

The man then instructed his men to get to work.

…………

………………

Inside the church, Xi Wang offered his prayers to "Him" as usual, and at the end, he held the slightly warm cross pendant tightly and slowly left a mark on the wall to signify that he had completed his prayers for the day.

The marks are arranged in groups of four vertical lines and one horizontal line, forming the shape of the Chinese character "卌". Each group represents Xiwang completing five days of prayer.

Normally, Xi Wang would return to the small house behind the church at this time to wash up and prepare for rest, but today, he went to the original warehouse location first.

However, the warehouse has now become a girl's residence.

dong dong——

"Meow!?"

Xi Wang knocked on the door politely, but the sudden noise seemed to startle the girl inside, causing her to let out a somewhat panicked and cute cry. This was followed by the sound of a bunch of things falling to the ground.

"...Paddo?"

"Haha... Oh... it's the boss. What can I do for you?"

The girl, whose full name was Padofilis, cautiously opened the door a crack and peeked out like a kitten to look at Xi Wang, her expression slightly embarrassed and guilty.

"Don't worry, I don't mean to punish you... as long as you don't steal again."

"I...I...I don't have any! Boss, I found all those things. I checked and they all said no one wanted them anymore. I didn't steal them!"

Padofelis seemed to be startled and immediately spoke, her speech so fast that there were no normal pauses or breaks.

“I know, and He knows too, so I’ve come here to ask you to do something.”

"Huh...scared me to death..."

Padoflis patted her chest, letting out a slight sigh of relief. Then, as if remembering that Xi Wang was still in front of her, she shrank her neck slightly and asked.

"Um... Boss, what's on your mind? Just say it!"

"Go and inform all the leaders to return within two days. They must be present in person; their confidants cannot substitute."

"Uh……"

These familiar words made Padoflis catch her breath, and her gaze involuntarily met Xi Wang's strange tricolor eyes that shone like starlight.

"Yes."

Seemingly noticing her confusion, Xi Wang nodded.

"The trial is imminent."

"........."

The somewhat heavy topic caused Padofelis to fall silent for a moment, but she quickly breathed a sigh of relief, because she knew that all the "trials" conducted by Xiwang were for a reason, and those who were "punished" deserved their punishment.

So now it's her turn to do her job as the "messenger".

"Oh, there's more."

Before Padofelis left, Xiwang called out to her softly again, and after sensing her presence for a moment, spoke again.

"...It will rain late tonight and will last until tomorrow morning. Please remember to bring in the laundry that has been drying and close the doors and windows."

"……learn."

To be honest, the topics before and after are quite different... but Padofelis is used to it. After confirming that Xiwang had nothing to give, she left as nimbly and quickly as a cat.

"........."

Xi Wang glanced at the door that Padofilis had forgotten to close, pushed it open slightly, surveyed the messy room piled with too many miscellaneous items, shook his head helplessly, and closed the door for her.

Although she did get rid of her thieving habit under his supervision, her "collecting" habit remained... she had become a "collector" who collected all sorts of strange and unusual trinkets.

And then there's her way of addressing her "boss"... Oh well, let her be. It's just a title, and she shows due respect to "He," so that's enough.

Immediately, Xi Wang turned around and went back to her room. After quickly washing herself up, she returned to the church to rest and wait for Padofelis to return.

The child is very fast; if you just let me know, he'll be back before it rains.

Chapter Ten: Padofelis's Ordinary Beautiful Day (4588)