The dock area is located in the east of Carlo, along the Grand Canal, and is the operation area of the port of Carlo, the largest port in the province of Sabre, and is also the most prosperous business area in the city.

Due to Carlo's convenient shipping traffic and the pivotal position in the commercial network, over the years, the major chambers of commerce have successively built large docks along the port for the distribution of goods, and the prosperous commercial activities have made Carlo City leap into a commercial town that collects and distributes goods trade throughout the Saber Province, and there are many large and small wharves and warehouses along the Grand Canal, countless goods are unloaded from here every day, and the land transportation network of the Guò Empire is gradually maturing to all parts of the Saber Province, and there are countless goods from all over the Saber Province. Here you will be loaded onto the Grand Canal and head north into the heart of the empire.

Shipping loading, huge throughput determines the large demand for labor, so the dock area gathers a large number of port laborers. They either belong to some large chamber of commerce or a certain moving company, or they are just celibate day laborers, who gather in the tavern every day, waiting for news of temporary recruitment, and earn a day's wages. They usually earn a lot of money, but few of them can save money, and the day's wages are often spent on bad liquor and prostitutes at night, and a new day begins, repeating the cycle of drunken dreams and death - the docks are untouched wetlands, unsuitable for agricultural activities, and as the docklands gradually develop, pubs, casinos, brothels, shops and collective houses have sprung up with low-level port workers as the main service objects, chaotic personnel components, poor law and order, Make this a breeding ground for darkness.

But that's just the case in the eastern part of the docklands.

To the west of the docklands, it is bounded by Canary Street. Unlike the low, lively and dirty eastern part of the country, the buildings here are gorgeous and clean. Luxury cars, countless famous horses, well-dressed pedestrians, rich and expensive, across the street, like clouds and mud, in stark contrast to the dirty and messy eastern docklands - this is the world of the rich.

The water of the two wells does not interfere with the river water. Naturally, the wealthy people in the western district would not let their expensive shoes get a little dirt from the eastern district, and the most arrogant gang members in the eastern district did not dare to set foot in the western district.

Because that's where their top bosses, their bosses behind the scenes, their secret investors work, leisure and residential areas. It is also a place for celebrities and powerful people in Callow City to have fun, the most valuable prime location in the West District, and it is also located in the headquarters center of the big chamber of commerce and big families who control the dock area, and there are nursing home guards like wolves and tigers. There is also a powerful enshrinement in the center. It's really hard to mess with.

There are also some of the best plots of land in the prime area of the West End, one of which is the White Rose Crown Hotel, where you can enjoy the most wonderful services you can imagine, as long as you have enough status and gold coins, such as food, living, women, entertainment...... It's a great place for the dignitaries of the city to linger, but the sixth floor is never open to outsiders, as the top floor of the hotel is the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce's branch office in Carlo City. Only for the Chamber of Commerce insiders and closest partners.

And today, the sixth floor of the White Rose Crown Hotel welcomed two strange but extremely distinguished guests.

This is the Crystal Pavilion Dome Tea Room on the top floor of the hotel. The huge floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the faint light, rendering the light to a soft and non-dazzling light, from here you can see the magnificent and vast Grand Canal stretching out for thousands of miles, the ferry is like a shuttle, the people on both sides of the river are like a curtain, the sky is the same color, the scenery is beautiful, and it makes people broad-minded.

The table is made of vines, the intricate lines are chaotic but pleasing to the eye, and there are a line of green crawling through, and the vines that are still alive are blooming with small white flowers, the fragrance of the flowers is fresh and elegant, which is refreshing, and the smooth tabletop, the vines naturally form a mysterious pattern, which is the ancient vine sanctuary rune of the forest elves, which shows that the table is a top handicraft imported from the elven kingdom, not a shameless knockoff of the druids.

There are eight plates of snacks on the table, four kinds of pastries, four kinds of fruits and vegetables, the aroma is tangy, the color is attractive, you know that it is worth a lot at a glance, and there are two cups of milk tea, as long as you push gently, you can see the rich drink like silk smooth and swaying, this seemingly simple drink and snack, the stinky local tyrants are crazy about the extreme interpretation of luxury.

"The price of this table is enough for Alan and her to eat for a month." Ji Li is a paladin, and years of cultivation have suppressed the need for material desires to the extreme, or rather, this special paladin has paid more attention to a certain special need on the spiritual level from beginning to end...... Perhaps the girl's sweet tooth made her have an appetite for the eight plates of delicacies on the table, but when she thought of an ordinary family like Alain, she lost half of her appetite.

"A slut is hypocrisy." Sigma reached out and took the milk tea in front of her, raised her head and drank it all, smacked her mouth, and stuffed a small cake baked just right into her mouth, chewed it a few times and swallowed it, and then let out a long sigh, "Damn, this is what people eat, the pastries in the Atlas canteen are sold directly to the Dark Brotherhood as assassination props, they can be sold for a price, so can't a woman concentrate on showing her talents in the right direction?" ”

As usual, he complained about Atlas's poor food, but the necromancer didn't notice it, and the frequency of his mentions of Necronomicon Academy began to skyrocket in the past few days, but Gilly had already seen through this qiē: someone was obviously a little homesick.

But before the paladin could tease a few words, he heard the necromancer say, "Mr. Victor, please bring a glass of cold water, a plate of yogurt residue, and oh, cut two slices of papaya." ”

"Who's going to eat that kind of thing!"

The middle-aged man standing on the side bowed slightly, with a gentle smile that could not find any flaws, and said softly: "We have mountain springs drawn from the deep mountains outside the city, cheese made from milk from our own pastures, and fresh fruits that have just been picked, all of which are very common things, and the Chamber of Commerce will also send some to the cathedral every month, and the priests and knights like it very much, you might as well try it." ”

In front of outsiders, Ji Li was disciplined enough, chic and decisive, she nodded: "In this way, I will trouble you." ”

Between words. Sigma finished another plate and pointed to the three empty plates in front of him: "Another glass of juice, two more plates of each of these plates...... That's right. Let the chef make a few boxes of children's favorite snacks, and I'll pick them up in the evening. ”

When Ji Li heard this, she frowned and said, "You give Alan these to eat?" This is not appropriate, it is better for her not to touch these exquisite and expensive pastries, otherwise it will encourage unnecessary vanity, the child is mentally fragile, you give her a meal. She thinks in her heart that she will want to eat in the future, even if you let this hotel open its doors to her. What can it be? When she can eat delicious pastries, she will think about beautiful clothes, and when she has beautiful clothes, she wants a beautiful house. With a gorgeous house. She'll ask for more, and I'll admit that Alain is a good boy, but human desires never end, and there's no need to take that risk. Even if the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce's financial resources can fulfill her wishes, is this what you want? She will change from a little girl with aura to a rice worm that you raise, don't spoil her too much. ”

Sigma shook her head, "No, on the contrary, I believe Alain is a good boy. If she really yearns for the life of high society because of a few boxes of pastries, then I will give her a chance to use her efforts to win a life where she can eat delicious pastries every day. Whether it is a peaceful life or a more privileged life, it is up to her to decide, as she herself says, she has grown up. ”

Ji Li was speechless, and said stupidly: "You are so good to Alain, you have changed from the big brother next door to the crazy Loli control?" Changed too quickly—what did she say to you before leaving? You've been a little silent along the way. ”

Sigma propped his arms on the table, crossed his hands, assumed the classic posture of Commander Ikati, and said in a deep voice: "Alan said that when I grow up, I want to be my bride, and I will raise children and daughters-in-law." ”

"Phew." Ji Li pouted, "If that's the case, you'll not say a word all the way?" I've been jumping up and down happily for a long time, eager to let the world know that you're finally favored by a woman - albeit just an ignorant little Lori. ”

The middle-aged man standing on the side always listened to the interaction between Sigma and Ji Li with a smile on his face, and after confirming that the two had no other requirements, he retreated, Ji Li looked at his tall back, and sighed: "As a branch leader in such a bustling commercial metropolis, he must be very rich, talented, and very status, but in front of you, he is like an ordinary waiter, and willingly, honestly, is this the power of power?" ”

"Willingly? Who knows. Sigma shook his head and smiled, "Being able to give to the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is just stained with the light of my fiancée, there are people within the family and the empire who think that our marriage contract is not suitable, how can the eldest noble concubine get involved with the daughter of a merchant?" No matter how rich she is. This point of view has become more and more fierce after I went to the country of death to study, and sour people say that the eldest lady of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has hit a lot of luck and actually caught a legendary powerhouse in the future, and also said that this marriage contract is the most successful investment in her life...... But in the same way, in the eyes of this group of elites of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, why am I not worthy of the unparalleled eldest lady of their family? Not to mention the marriage when I was a child, it was the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce that took the lead, breaking the trade embargo with its huge connections and business power, and helping the Reaper through a lot of difficulties. ”

Ji Li laughed and said, "You mean, there are some elites of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce who are not convinced by you?" ”

"I don't know, and I don't want to know." Sigma said lightly, "Now I only need their obedience in action, and in the future, I need their spiritual fear, and after becoming a legend, I won't care about their thoughts." ”

In the middle of the chat, the branch president named Victor personally pushed the food cart in, and he brought the new food to the table, the clear and sweet spring water, the fragrant cheese that melted in the mouth, and the watery and dripping fruit bowl, Gilly only tasted a little and squinted her eyes, the cups and plates in front of her were all plain wood, and even the small details were very well done.

The paladin bowed his head and thanked: "Mr. President has a heart." ”

"You're a guest." Victor bowed calmly, "The duty lies." ”

After serving Sigma the same meal, he took out a plate of more than ten scrolls from the bottom of the plate, and said respectfully: "According to your instructions, the relevant information and information of the Marquis of Cambra and Albert Tesla have been sorted out here, and the Marquis of Cambra has a large number, with a total of nine volumes, divided into personal preferences, acting style, actions in recent years, business activities, industrial conditions, etc., a total of more than 110,000 words, and Albert Tesla's information is less. Because he was not a native and his reputation was not too prominent, the Marquis de Cambra sponsored more than 20 scholars. There are more than 50 artists, Albert Tesla is low-key and peaceful, and he is not outstanding in it, so he has not received the attention of the intelligence services. ”

Sigma stammered, "So many? ”

"The Marquis de Cambra was the richest man in Carlo, and had a considerable reputation in the rich clubs of the Sabre Province, and the Chamber of Commerce cooperated with him a lot, placing a large number of orders every year with his silversmiths and majolica. For this kind of local figure, the Chamber of Commerce will certainly pay attention to it. Victor didn't know what Sigma meant by "so much", so he simply explained it all. "As for the sponsorship of scholars and artists, it was a hobby of the Marquis de Cambra, and it was also a common problem among the traditional aristocracy, but the Marquis de Cambra was more structured than other vassal and elegant nobles. He doesn't just fund artists and academic academics. He would then use their works to spread his reputation, and he would also sponsor some magicians and alchemists to conduct research in specific areas and obtain patents for use in his own industry, such as the top-secret recipe of his winery, which not only removes the acidity of the wine, but also adds a fresh aroma. The recipe came from an alchemist he patronized, and the wines of Château Cambra were very popular among the high society of the Saber Province......"

"Smart people who know how to do business." Sigma nodded. Then he casually asked, "What was the research he commissioned Albert Tesla to do?" ”

Victor shook his head and said, "Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing that the Marquis of Cambra treats this kind of patent-oriented academic research as a top secret, and the content of the research will not be known to any third person except for the scholars who have made a contract with him." ”

Sigma nodded, reached out and took a scroll, unfolded it, and asked casually, "What do you think of the Marquis of Cambra being struck by lightning?" ”

"Uncle, there must be something strange about this matter." Victor said in a deep voice, "The incident happened suddenly, we are investigating, but now that this kind of thing has happened, it is easy to associate this lightning strike with last night's lightning strike, and now the mainstream view of public opinion is that a certain thunder powerhouse came to seek revenge, but there are many doubts, since it is to seek revenge, why do you want to start with Nina Vidora Manor first?" And since it can envelop the manor with a thundercloud storm, why only one Marquis of Cambra this time? ”

Sigma raised an eyebrow: "And what do you think?" ”

"Someone is causing chaos!" Victor said categorically, "Today rumors are spreading in the city that there are holy beasts, artifacts or magical relics hidden in Nina Vidora Manor, and the Marquis of Cambra commissioned Albert Tesla to conduct secret research, and the result is that the real Yàn failed, causing lightning to bombard the city, this news is intensifying and escalating, and the merchant ships and passengers coming and going through Guò spread to Carlo, and in a few days, it can attract a large number of explorers, treasure hunters and professionals, plus today the Marquis of Cambra was struck by lightning in the city, It can also cause everyone in Carlo's major forces to endanger themselves or use the topic to play, in the name of eliminating hidden dangers, to get a piece of the pie in the exploration of Nina Vidora's manor...... In this situation, it is unlikely that Her Royal Highness the Princess's Iron Bear Legion can suppress this surging crowd, and the chaotic situation is enough for people with ulterior motives to do a lot of things. ”

Sigma said succinctly, "Who is suspicious? ”

Victor replied, "A lot." Her Royal Highness the princess waved his army to blockade the manor, and the empire tried to monopolize the manor's secrets, and whoever hoped that this situation would change was suspected. Albert Tesla, who wants to monopolize secrets, Marquis de Cambra, who directs and acts in a play, a certain strong man who covets the secrets hidden in the manor, and the major forces and families in the city who are not angry about the strength of the empire and want a piece of the pie, the Mage Guild, the Mercenary Guild, the Holy See of Light, the Dark Brotherhood, the Van Dijk family, the Port Authority, ...... Anyone is suspicious, anyone is possible, we need to investigate one by one, this is the game of the whole city. ”

Sigma turned his head to look out, from the high crystal pavilion dome overlooking the earth at his feet, the Grand Canal runs through the north and south, Carlo is full of flowers, people come and go, bustling, endless, compared to the eternal and quiet silence of Atlas, this is the ideal world, a city, hundreds of thousands of living beings, constituting an independent pyramid world, the superior, the powerful, the ruled, the weak, they have their own desires, their own joys and sorrows, their own rules, their own persistence, their own lives, their own world, One qiē and one qiē seem to be running according to a real and ethereal law - Victor in front of him, Marquis of Cambra. The leaders of the various factions in the city, they manipulate the chess pieces in their hands to engage in a grand game around the lightning strike at Nina Vidora's Manor. However, they are also pawns, in the hands of the higher echelons of the larger structure, in order to start a higher-level game around the saber province, but they are also pawns, the bigger chessboard is the empire, the bigger chessboard is the human world, and the bigger chessboard is the whole of Noren. Lord of Darkness, Pope of Light, Sword God of the North...... These people are even in a game with the nine kingdoms of the entire solar system as a chessboard. He is also a top chess player, but in case ...... What if they, too, are just pawns on a larger chessboard? Can someone manipulate them? And who is manipulating them? God the Father? No...... Perhaps......

Strange feelings welled up in his heart, fear, resistance, and curiosity, perhaps it was his undead talent that shocked even the legendary powerhouse that caused his subconscious to detect the existence of something indescribable. But that feeling comes and goes quickly. Soon dissipated the invisible, Sigma cleaned up his mood, smiled slightly, the true meaning of travel is to enter the game in person, on the large and small chessboards, playing with all kinds of people, etc., and sharpening the pattern of being a top chess player.

The necromancer looked back. Nodding approvingly to Victor, he said, "As the president of the Carlo branch, she can be entrusted with important tasks." They are all top talents, indeed. ”

Victor was neither humble nor arrogant, bowed slightly, and chuckled: "It's an honor to be praised by my uncle." ”

Sigma smiled, "What role does the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce intend to play in this matter?" ”

Mr. President replied: "Working for the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, you must strive for its greatest interests, if you are not there, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce will definitely have a piece of the pie, but since you are here and have become interested in this matter, then we respectfully ask my uncle to place a bet." ”

The future uncle of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce blinked: "Aren't you afraid that I will treat you as day workers, turn around and leave after taking the benefits?" ”

Victor also blinked his eyes, and said seriously: "Don't be afraid, there will naturally be a big lady to reason with you at that time." ”

The two looked at each other for a moment and laughed in unison.

"Continue to gather intelligence, investigate possibilities, and inform the intelligence department of the headquarters to gather information about Albert Tesla, his family, his origins, his academic achievements, his research concepts, his personal history, his qiē, this matter is classified as top secret, that is, it will be submitted directly to your eldest lady with your authority, and then she will give orders. In addition, tell her that the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has cooperated with the Death Realm a lot in recent years, and this matter is special, and it can use the power of the necromancers to use it in my name. ”

Victor's expression became solemn, he straightened up, and said in a deep voice, "Yes." ”

"It's up to you." Sigma put down the scroll in her hand, took another one, and said to Victor, "Feel free to do so. ”

"There is a waiter on duty outside the door, please shake the bell if you have something." Victor saluted and slowly retreated.

Sigma and Kirie looked at the stack of scrolls, the scroll that the paladin took was the economic activities of the Marquis of Cambra in recent years, and after looking at it for a while, her expression was a little unpleasant: "Hmph, it's all about oppressing the people and stealing by tricks......"

Sigma reached out and took the scroll in her hand, looked at it twice, and said with a smile: "The Marquis of Cambra is not having a good time, he wants to buy land at a low price, and he doesn't dare to let the dog bite people directly, for fear of provoking you nosy priests to force his head, so he has to spend his spirit to save the country, coerce and lure, and achieve a contract that you are willing to do, so that you have nothing to say." Even reselling grain and purchasing raw materials has to spend a lot of energy to calculate and set prices, so that the mud-legged people will not starve to death, nor will they make less money, and he must have a lot of experience in economics and social psychology...... Hey, he's still a miser, you see that he makes so much money in a year, and the procurement expenditure on life is not too much, and the share of new business investment is not large, doesn't this guy know that money will only depreciate when put at home? ”

As soon as Ji Li wanted to answer, she heard a knock on the door, and President Victor went back and forth, bowed down and said, "Uncle, the matter you asked us to investigate before is already eyebrows. The identities of the four people who wanted to kidnap the little girl have been confirmed, and they are typical idlers in the eastern part of the docks, who go to bars to find jobs when they are short of money, go to the docks to help unload goods, and work part-time jobs, but more often than not, they do some unclean work......"

"Efficiency, good." Sigma nodded in approval, "So, are they being instigated, or do they want to make a cameo appearance as a trafficker, or do they just want to have fun?" ”

"I think there's a good chance of being instructed." Victor replied, "I've heard of warriors fighting spirits, mages proud of themselves, priests following the teachings of the Light, assassins abiding by the dark creed, and only the scum of officialdom and powerful mortals run rampant." The big people want to satisfy the dark desire of curiosity, but they don't want to attract the attention of professionals and the attack of political enemies, and often choose this kind of single-line contact layer by layer designation, so that the unwitting low-level little people can complete the task, in this way, even if something happens, there is such a huge network of cover and scapegoats, and it will not set themselves on fire, and those four little people are just tools and substitutes for a big man. ”

"For the dead?" Sigmark Road.

"That's right, our people were one step late, and only found their bodies, which were killed." (To be continued......)