Danmaku, my skills refresh weekly.

"Businessmen? Are there many businessmen investing in the secret faction?" Chanis was somewhat ignorant.

Charles looked around to make sure no one was watching, then lowered his voice and said, "I heard that some remnants of Zeus's and Hera's former Familia have joined their side. Their strength is level 7!"

"hiss------"

After a long while, when Chanis recovered from the shock of the news, he sighed:

"My brother is truly farsighted!"

Charles smiled and continued, "By sheer chance, we're destined to make a fortune. As for Finn, it's all about risking our lives for money, but for the sake of Lord Chanis's glorious image, I suggest we just reluctantly accept three times the cost price."

What a powerful display of resilience! You know me, brother!

Chanis gave a thumbs up: "As expected of Brother Charles, you're so meticulous! With you here, I can really rest easy!"

Chapter 88 Please Call Me Xia, Green Tea

After dismissing Chanis, Sharl did not leave the distillery. Most factories in the industrial zone had shut down, and the workers dared not continue working, including the Palu of the Soma Familia.

If it were yesterday, they would indeed be willing to risk their lives for the divine wine, but today, Loki has stolen all the divine wine stored by their clan.

"As you can see, Loki was willing to pay 1500 million Faris for a jar, which shows how good we usually are to everyone."

"No matter how you look at it now, it's all Loki's fault. Not only did he break off his engagement with the leader, but he also stole our spiritual nourishment."

Ciel sighed with regret, "Even though I argued with him, I couldn't get Loki to stop. Sigh... What are we going to do without the Divine Wine?"

The Palu members of the Soma Familia exchanged bewildered glances, then instantly turned their anger towards Loki:

"Such a large clan dares to bully a small faction like us! How hateful!"

“She’s more terrifying than those Dark Factions. At least they can kill us directly, but Loki is going to torture us to death!”

Charles empathized: "Yes, yes, but what can we do? We are so weak."

The group collapsed to the ground, utterly dejected. Without the divine wine to drink, how were they supposed to get by?

Charles also lay sprawled on the ground, and said quietly, "Actually, I have a way, but... well, never mind, I won't say it."

"What method?" The Palus sat up. "Can you get the divine wine back?"

"It can be possible."

A scarred adventurer urged, "Then tell us quickly! What's the plan? Why are you hesitating like this? We'll do anything to get the divine wine back!"

That's exactly what I've been waiting for.

Charles sat up again, chewing on a blade of grass, and said, "The reason I dare to say something like 'thirty years east of the river' is because I have something to rely on. I bet that in less than two months, the Loki Familia will be begging us to sell them this batch of goods."

"However... with the current quantity of goods, it's probably not enough to attract their attention, let alone agree to exchange them for divine wine."

Another drinking buddy patted Charles on the shoulder: "I got it, bro, I'm off to work right now! I still have a small glass of the divine wine I got from the work, enough to last me until then!"

"That's right, let's get to work! Fortune changes every thirty years, so never underestimate a young man's potential! We must teach Loki this lesson!"

A large group of people returned to the workshop and continued "working" like crazy.

But a few people were still lying lazily on the ground, clearly intending to give up.

Charles didn't care.

I don't need Palu who lacks initiative. A mature Palu has already learned to make empty promises for himself, drink energy potions, and work overtime to produce results.

So, you're no longer useful.

Write down the faces and names of the people, and that night Lily will throw them into the river to calm them down.

……

Leave the workshop.

Charles walked along the street, searching for the rabbit. The entire East Street was deserted until he approached the center of the Tower of Babel, where the crowds began to increase.

Countless homeless residents sought refuge here. Xia Er saw Mia cooking porridge in front of a large pot. Clearly, the tavern was temporarily closed and had been converted into charity work.

Mia also noticed Charles and asked, "Is my daughter alright?"

Charles made an OK sign: "Watching the house."

"Home...?" Mia smiled and continued cooking. "Be good to them."

Ciel searched through the various shelters but couldn't find Bell. As he passed by, a slender hand pressed down on his shoulder: "Hey, are you Mr. Ciel?"

Ok?

Charles turned around and saw a slender finger wrapped in a long brown glove resting on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw a veiled female elf. Even her emerald green cloak could not conceal her beautiful, waist-length golden hair.

Concern flickered in her innocent and pure blue eyes.

"You are... a member of the Astrea Familia...?"

"You can just call me Leon." The elf withdrew his hand and gave a brief introduction.

Shardo glanced at it: "I remember elves aren't..."

It's no wonder Ciel was so surprised; the spirits in the DanMachi world are known for their fastidiousness and are likely to get angry if touched by a stranger.

Liu looked at her hands, her ears turning slightly red: "I'm wearing gloves."

"Oh." Charles understood, and then asked, "Is there something you need? You must be very busy today."

"No, we just happened to run into each other." Ryu put her hands behind her back; she wasn't very good at doing things like this. "Excuse me, is your injury any better?"

She lowered her head: "After all, Leila made a very serious mistake back then. I'm sorry... I've been busy eliminating the Dark Faction lately and haven't even had time to sleep, let alone visit you. I've also heard that you didn't offer any compensation... I... feel deeply guilty."

Charles thought to himself that he would be a "partner of justice" this week, and so he flashed a sweet, manipulative smile:

"It's alright. You're all working hard to restore peace to the city as soon as possible. Don't worry about a nobody like me. Besides, look! I have an amazing ability to take a beating; I'm almost fully recovered. Please don't take those injuries to heart..."

As he spoke, Ciel rolled up his sleeves, showing off the muscles in his arms. His smile immediately vanished, replaced by a hollow, lifeless grin.

"After all, I'm just a supporter, and I'm used to being beaten. That level is nothing."

Ryu felt a chill run down her spine when she saw Ciel's expression.

A skill that makes you incredibly resilient... what is this? How many times must you be bullied before this curse takes hold?

It wasn't that the Astrea Familia was unaware of the city's current situation; countless unemployed adult thugs gathered together to rob and bully lone passersby in the alleyways...

But compared to these petty thieves, their numbers are far too few to do anything about it. This is the tragedy of our times.

"Now, is there anything I can do to help you? You seem confused too..." Ryu seemed to remember something, her eyes revealing a hint of pity: "Yes, another new companion..."

Charles smiled and said, "No, we just got separated. I'll find him soon."

We got separated?!

The girl's gaze deepened with grief. She dared not speak. Such a massive attack had just occurred, the entire city was ablaze, and if they had gotten separated under these conditions and sought refuge in several places without any news, they would most likely never be found again.

"I... I'll search with you. The dark faction is probably still hiding in some corner of the city. It's too dangerous to act alone," the girl said firmly.

"No, I became much stronger after I got my revenge last time..."

"Please let me come with you!" Liu declared loudly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

"Fine... alright," Charles said helplessly.

……

The two walked through countless streets. Ciel pretended to rummage through the trash cans and then lifted up the collapsed rubble and beams on the ground to check them. Ryu stood by and watched silently.

He also went back to the church's basement to check, but found no trace of Bell.

"Those are……"

Seeing the timid looks in Lily and Cassandra's eyes, Ryu asked curiously.

“They are all my new family members. The ground is too dangerous, so I’ll let them hide in the basement for now.”

An orphan? Ryu quickly came up with the answer based on Ciel's information.

Indeed, in this chaos, orphans in the slums are among the most deprived of their human rights. No one cares whether they live or die…

“Mr. Ciel,” Ryu called out to Ciel, who was continuing on his way.

"Ok?"

"Please don't underestimate yourself; you are a respectable human being."

"Huh? Huh?!"

Chapter 89 Ryu: I won't allow you to say that about Mr. Charles.

"I'm just an ordinary person."

No, you useless elf... what's wrong with you? Something's not right!

I didn't do anything, so why did they suddenly become so respectful?

Ciel admitted that he initially had some malicious intentions, putting on a show to try and provoke this innocent girl who was as pure as a blank sheet of paper, but he didn't expect...

What exactly are you imagining?

Three question marks floated above Charles's head.

"I won't allow you to talk about yourself like that! Mr. Ciel!" Ryu placed her hands on Ciel's shoulders: "Dumb tape, I'll stay with you today until you find your companions."

Only then did he realize that the elves of the same age were actually quite a bit taller than Sharl...

Those hateful long legs...

Before Xia Er could refuse, Liu changed the subject: "However, the prerequisite for finding someone is your health. Your injuries have just recovered, so you can't do it on an empty stomach. That would be inefficient and also harm yourself."

Ciel's gaze unconsciously shifted to the girl's lower abdomen.

“Gurgle~~~~”

An unusual noise filled the space between the two.

"This……"