Chapter 1017 - Lost (End) (1/2)

The parliament took actions quicker than she had imagined.

Sonia clenched her fists when she saw the soldiers donned in the same robe and standing around the platform of floating boats. In fact, she swore that she didn’t know where these strange soldiers came from. She lived in Casabianca for years, and as a parliament member, she knew every unit stationed. And yet, she had never met these people before. She thought that they were Nakvard’s private soldiers when she first met them in the tomb. But after seeing them filling the streets, she overthrew this thought immediately. The soldiers were controlling the entire city and their numbers were sufficient to accomplish this mission. This left Sonia feeling dubious because it required a high amount of money to support the soldiers. Even if it were the five largest financial groups, it was impossible for them to provide the private soldiers to control the entire city. How did the parliament manage to do it without being discovered by the military, city guards, five largest financial groups, and archangels?

No matter how they did it, this meant that there was only one thing that Sonia and Lilian had to do—leave Casabianca immediately. As long as they leave this place, it would temporarily guarantee their safety.

Sonia thought of seeking assistance from the church and Mage Tower, but she wasn’t sure if they were willing to help them. Civilian associations were always neutral in their stand and were rarely willing to be involved in political conflicts. If it were for the sake of the Light Dragon… But Sonia quickly gave up this thought after seeing the heavy-armored soldiers guarding the main roads. It was apparent that the parliament had also realized this possibility. The soldiers were neither obstructing traffic nor searching the pedestrians. They stood quietly in the corner like ordinary guards. Even though some civilians shot curious looks at them, there weren’t any clashes between them.

“They sure are attentive to details…”

Sonia said softly, gnashing her teeth. The idea of escaping via the floating boat was no longer doable and they also couldn’t seek help from the church and Mage Tower. Judging from this, they would most likely face the same consequences if they went to the Mercenary Association. In this case, if they were to seek assistance without being detected by the parliament, their only hope left was to look for the rumored guild of thieves. But the problem was that…

Sonia was a young lady and politician. She was neither a thief nor a mercenary, so how was it possible for her to have dealings with the villains! Even though she could also seek help from random thieves on the street, who knew what the thieves would do to them? Taking a step back, even if the thieves didn’t hand them over to the parliament, they would most likely not end up safely in the thieves’ hands. With Sonia’s and Lilian’s current strength, they couldn’t kill anyone effortlessly as they pleased…

Almost all escape routes were blocked. In this case, perhaps the situation was harder than Sonia imagined. Not only that, but also from the fact that the soldiers took actions so swiftly, perhaps the parliament was entirely in the hands of Nakvard now.

Sonia turned around and gazed at Lilian behind her who had already taken off the hindering skirt and put on a more comfortable, traveling robe. The same went for Sonia. With their identities, it would be too striking for them to don the luxurious dresses. Besides, Sonia didn’t dare to sell or give away the dresses. Before joining the parliament, Sonia was the third executive officer of Lockos financial group and wasn’t only serving as a vase to put up a front. She was aware of how simple it was for a powerful organization to search for someone. Although it was possible for her to give away the dresses or sell them for money, this would leave traces to their location. But fortunately, her spatial bracelet could still be filled up with a pair of dresses.

It seems like this is the only choice.

“Lily.”

Sonia looked at Lilian and called softly. In her mind, there was a route that could safely bring them out of Casabianca. But… if it weren’t for the critical situation, Sonia wouldn’t resort to it.

“Yes? What’s wrong, Sonia?”

Lilian turned around and gazed curiously at the young lady. Sonia hesitated, before continuing to speak.

“Are you afraid of… stench?”

As the biggest city in the Light Mainland, Casabianca had an advanced underground water system. The water system existed longer than the parliament. It was built by dwarves and was currently resting in perfect condition under the city. In the pitch-black and tall water tunnels, one could see the natural stone walls by looking up as though it were the existence of a miracle. But constantly flowing in the water tunnel was turbid, foul sewage.

These two contradicting presences presented themselves before Sonia and Lilian.

Lilian gazed at the turbid sewage flowing by her feet with an unbearable expression. If she didn’t cover her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Oerhaps she would have fainted, rolling her eyes. She couldn’t be blamed because this so-called underwater facility didn’t exist only for show. On the other hand, not only were there chunks of filth in the revolting, murky water, but there were also limbs and corpses of humans and animals. The messy, scattered skeletons of poultry were also equally disgusting.

Sonia was nauseated by the rotten path before her. In fact, if it wasn’t for the ‘work requirements’ that needed her to investigate this place, she wouldn’t step foot into this place in her whole life, not to mention coming here for the second time. Back then, even though she wasn’t willing to come to this reeking underground, she held on for loyalty. But it seemed like her faithfulness back then was the right choice.

“S-Sonia? Are we really going from here?”

Lilian gazed at the stomach-churning way before her and mumbled with covered mouth and nose. Sonia nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. This is the only safe. Our Lockos financial group is responsible for repairing and maintaining the water system of Casabianca. I came here for work and still remember the distributions of the water tunnels. We can leave the city through the tunnels. Even though I know this is uncomfortable, please bear with it for now.”

“Okay then…”