Golden Gallon Port.
A drizzling rain had washed the dust from the streets. Wisps of sparse mist rose from the dark-red square bricks, shrouding the harbor, which had yet to be fully bathed in sunlight, in a hazy veil.
On the cargo ships by the docks, sailors were cleaning the decks while merchants in silk robes checked the goods due to be transferred into the warehouses with port officials.
After a brief vacuum of order, the port's order had been restored—at least, order in the harbor district had mostly returned.
The Guard Bureau, fire stations, Port Authority, clinics, courts, and other institutions had all resumed their duties under the Iron Men's heavy-handed blend of threats and favors.
After all, having work to do and wages to collect was far more comfortable than squatting in a warehouse without even a bed.
The nuclear submarine Dolphin had docked at the pier once again. This time, it had brought not only supplies from Fries Port, but also researchers from the Scientific Expedition Corps.
The players of the Burning Legion had seized a huge number of relics from the Prosperity Era in the Governor's Mansion that needed appraisal. The Scientific Expedition Corps was the only organization interested in these "holy relics" and legally able to purchase them from the players.
Sometimes, Fang Chang could not help maliciously imagining whether those people would deliberately slash the prices by relying on their "exclusive franchise."
But even if they did, there was not much he could do.
These spoils were submitted as "quest items," not commodities for free trade.
No matter how little they offered, he could only accept it.
However, the price offered by this broad-minded female researcher did not disappoint him. It was even somewhat higher than he had expected.
"...A total of 9.17 million