Chapter 149. Outsourcing District (4)

Rebellion.

I tilted my head silently. A familiar word, heard during the beast-kin village joint mission.

But April reacted differently.

“…Rebellion?”

Touching her lips, she looked troubled, asking softly.

“Is that okay? If rebellion rumors spread, the imperial court or Victoria Kazimieśi will intervene.”

“Just rumors, so I’m not sure. Politics aren’t my thing. But one thing’s clear.”

“What?”

April asked. Nano replied calmly.

“Scavengers in the 19th district are at the rumor’s core.”

April tapped her cheek, nodding.

“Oh, yeah. Scavengers spread like webs across districts. That’s why you said ‘districts.’”

“Right. Other districts’ Scavengers are gathering here. That’s all I know.”

I recalled residents whispering about Scavengers while buying sandwiches. I tilted my head slightly.

Scavengers.

19th district.

Tantalus’s bioengineered beasts.

Information was piecing together.

“Got it.”

“Haha, sorry I can’t help more.”

Nano scratched her head sheepishly.

Unlike her confident offer, she lacked the info we needed, looking apologetic.

Raising my head, I met her eyes, asking.

“That’s enough. But if Scavengers are rampant, isn’t it tough here?”

“Huh?”

Blinking, puzzled, April added lightly.

“Yeah, Scavengers send collectors to noticeable shops for protection fees.”

She tilted her head, concerned.

Collectors were tied to Scavenger higher-ups, often Rank 13 or above, holding key roles.

“With more around, fees must’ve spiked. Tough for your workshop, no?”

“No worries! We’re safe.”

Tapping her holster on her legging-clad thigh, Nano grinned.

“We set up in this rundown building to stay off their radar. Kept marketing low-key.”

She added brightly.

“So, we’ve run the workshop without Scavenger trouble!”

“…Never caught? Possible?”

April muttered coldly.

“Of course!”

Flipping her hair, hands on hips, Nano smiled confidently.

“Don’t wanna deal with bad guys like Scavengers.”

“Sis!”

Ronto shouted.

“W-What?”

Startled, she turned. He looked away, sheepish, as if regretting his outburst.

“…Stop talking about them.”

“Why?”

“Just… feels bad. They might hear…”

“Huh? Don’t you hate Scavengers?”

Nano tilted her head, confused.

I caught a flicker of despair in Ronto’s eyes, quickly masked.

“…Fine, sis. Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll set up the grill.”

“Oh, I’ll help!”

Nano scurried after him. Watching, April poked my side.

“Talk.”

Leading me to a large pillar, she leaned against it, glancing at Nano and Ronto.

“That was weird.”

She added coldly.

“I know Scavengers aren’t soft. They kill non-mages brutally for cash. We saw at the mill.”

“Connected to them?”

She nodded.

“Yup. They’re rabble, but know every district inside out. Born from local outcasts.”

I nodded silently. That’s why I targeted the mill’s Scavengers.

Scavengers knew their districts better than anyone.

“Get what I’m saying?”

Checking the siblings cooking, I asked quietly.

“Ronto’s lying?”

“Exactly.”

She nodded, opening her GPS.

“Even you, an outsider, knew this workshop. It’s on maps. Scavengers, who know this city’s bones, would’ve sniffed it out ages ago.”

“Fair.”

Closing her device, she crossed her arms.

“So, Scavengers’ obsessive collectors wouldn’t miss this juicy workshop.”

I nodded slowly. Logical. She added, eyes certain.

“That’s why Ronto’s story’s off.”

Her gaze landed on Ronto, expressionlessly setting out dishes.

“It’s already Scavenger turf. If not, something’s up.”

Obvious, in a way.

Nano was a skilled engineer but no combat mage. Scavengers had countless ways to intimidate her.

In the district’s dog-eat-dog world, I glimpsed its darkness, touching my mask.

April sighed lightly.

“Felt off from the start, but their talk confirmed it. Especially the sister.”

“About fees?”

“Yup. Thought they paid up, but no? Weird. Ronto’s reaction too—bad vibe.”

I agreed silently.

“Ronto’s hiding something from Nano?”

“Right. Not sure what, but… feels like he’s tied to Scavengers. Speculation, but that’s my read.”

“Impressive.”

She shot a sharp glance at the siblings, then at me coldly.

“Funny. I’m more shocked by you.”

“What?”

Tilting my head, she sighed, tapping my shin lightly.

“You’ve got a sly side.”

“Don’t follow.”

“I’m not clueless. You knew everything I said. Your ‘worth staying’ comment…”

“…”

I smiled faintly, hidden by my mask.

She glared, shaking her head, baffled.

“How’d you know all this… Never mind. What’s the point?”

Leaning against the wall, foot propped, she added.

“Fine. I get the gist.”

“Do you?”

“Yup. And your plan’s reckless. Who sane plans this? Unless you know the future.”

Kicking her case over, she unlocked one latch with her heel.

Her combat-ready stance impressed me.

“Ready. When’s go-time?”

“After dinner. Scavengers move around then.”

“Nice timing. Got it.”

Grinning, she adjusted her cap, brushing past me.

“Knew pairing with you was smart. Gonna get fun.”

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