Chapter 247

Talulah knew that if things were left unchecked, she would gradually lose control of her power. This would be extremely detrimental to the future development of the infected.

But her execution of a faction leader immediately sparked strong protests from nearly 10,000 infected people.

They joined the Rhodes Island hoping for a better future. But these people didn't die at the hands of the enemy; they died at the hands of their leader.

It wasn't until then that Talulah truly understood. The slogan "Creating a Better Tomorrow for the Infected" was a double-edged sword that hurt both the enemy and oneself.

She used this call to action to ensure that infected individuals could not be arbitrarily executed unless they had committed serious offenses. Those who enjoy the benefits must be prepared to face the backlash.

They want to control it but can't, they want to kill it but can't.

The complex internal factional struggles and conflicts became Talulah's first insurmountable problem.

The second problem concerns the city's security.

During the two weeks that infected people drove out uninfected people, many violent clashes broke out.

Although these events weren't reported in the news, Talulah, as the leader of the Rhodes Island, was well aware of them. Using violence to stop violence would only incite a mutiny.

Even after the non-infected people left, violent incidents of all sizes continued to occur.

Talulah's third unsolvable problem was the issue of finance and resource allocation.

The Rhodes Island's expulsion of non-infected individuals from the city was indeed gratifying and exhilarating. Their assets were also distributed to the oppressed infected.

But.

No matter how much gold and silver you have, if you can't trade it, it's just a pile of scrap metal.

Mobile Cities within hundreds of kilometers of Schuratzburg City are unwilling to do business with the Rhodes Island.

Some daring merchants were willing to secretly sell goods and supplies to them. However, the prices were ten times or even dozens of times higher than the market price.

If you rob them, the merchants, having learned their lesson the hard way, will refuse to sell and will even urge their fellow merchants not to sell. If you do trade, you must pay a high fee in exchange for the goods.

This has led to money becoming increasingly worthless.

There are tens of thousands of mouths to feed in the city. At this rate, we won't last more than a few months before we run out of food and supplies.

As the leader of the Rhodes Island, Talulah finally understood why Ursus had not taken any action.

They had no need to attack; it would only increase their losses. Simply maintaining strict control over the surrounding cities and preventing the infected from infiltrating would be enough to make the Rhodes Island's progress extremely difficult.

This blatant and aboveboard scheme infuriated Talulah, yet she was powerless to stop it.

It's summer now, and some suitable land can be found in the city to cultivate. However, the city's food reserves may not last until the harvest season.

Internal factions, a poor security environment, scarce resources, and a lack of management talent—all these problems plagued Talulah, making her increasingly confused.

It is easy to conquer a city, but difficult to defend it.

She took a deep breath and looked at the vast Shirayuki- covered city, unsure of where the road ahead lay.

"Da da da".

Hearing footsteps, Talulah turned around.

Alina, now the Logistics Minister of the Rhodes Island, emerged from the stairwell. She saw Talulah, still standing strong in the snowstorm, and grinned.

"I knew you'd be here."

Alina climbed the ladder to the top of the city wall and looked at Talulah was a head taller than her:

Have you been under a lot of stress lately?

Talulah wanted to say yes, but couldn't bring herself to say it.

What good would it do to say anything? Do you expect Alina to solve your problems? She can't help at all.

Seeing that the leader remained silent, Alina changed the subject and revealed the purpose of her visit:

"Talulah, a small Sarkaz mercenary group from Kazdel wants to join you. They hijacked a caravan on the way and want to give you thirty carts of crops as a gift. As you know, food is scarce right now. If you have time, you'd better go there yourself."

"Good."

Talulah cast aside her complicated thoughts and followed Alina down the city wall.

Schuratzburg City, a street near the North Gate.

This place is very close to the city gate, and it's a wide road paved with pebbles. The iron sign that should have had the street name printed on it is broken in half, making it impossible to determine the street's name.

"Heredrey, what are you writing?"

A Sarkaz with white hair and red eyes suddenly peeked out from behind. She was curious to know what this companion, who always carried a pen and paper, was writing.

"W, I already told you not to peek."

Using his body as cover, Heredrey quickly slipped the pen into the manuscript and closed it.

W has two red, upturned tendrils in her silver hair; it's unclear if they function as radar. She was rejected by her companions and spoke somewhat sarcastically.

"Tch, fine, I won't read it then. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were writing some kind of world classic."

Heredrey's lips twitched, and he quickly changed the subject:

"Instead of wasting your time coming to see me, you should be checking whether there are any Originium bomb hidden in those agricultural products. If something goes wrong after you hand them in, we'll be held responsible for it all."

W waved a short dagger back and forth, then glanced at Heredrey twice before running off to check it.

A month ago, they received a message from the Rhodes Island at the Kazdel border.

The three of them discussed it and decided it was worth going, so they set off together. After all, even if Schuratzburg City, it was still better than the war-torn Kazdel.

Deep into Ursus, they encountered a transport convoy escorted by regular troops. Without hesitation, they seized the convoy and carried it to Schuratzburg City.

The three of them had already checked the carriages ahead.

W went straight to the last row and found Ines, also a mercenary, inspecting the area near the carriage.

Seeing how serious the other person was, W decided to slack off. She took a potato out of the carriage and used the dagger in her hand to peel and carve it.

Hmm, what should I carve?

Let's sculpt an Ines then.

Potato, potato, is Ines's head.

Ines was checking for contraband when she turned around and saw W peeling potatoes. She immediately became sarcastic:

"What? You've changed careers and become a chef?"

W smiled wryly; she usually bickered with the other person.

"What's wrong with being a chef? I suggest you learn more about it. You might find it useful when you retire."

"What were you thinking about when you were peeling potatoes? You seemed so happy."

Upon hearing this, W instantly lost her smile.

She immediately stopped what she was doing, quickly took several steps back, and showed a wary expression:

"Tsk, you have time to use Originium Arts on your companions while you're checking the goods?"

Ines's Originium Arts are very special; it is said that she can see through the other person's mind.

This greatly annoyed W, who would often forcibly withdraw from the area whenever he sensed that Ines was trying to spy on him.

"Why are you so agitated? I just want to know why peeling a potato could make you laugh like that?"

"I was just thinking about things I disliked."

"Oh? This is the first time I've heard that you have something you openly dislike?"

Seeing Ines take a step forward, W takes two steps back:

"If you were willing to look in the mirror, you would know what I openly dislike. That would deepen our friendship."

Just as the argument between the two sides was escalating, Heredrey came running from the front:

"Stop arguing, you two! Come here quickly, the leader of the Rhodes Island is here."

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312 Geo Archon has arrived! 3K

Heredrey came over and scolded them. W and Ines knew that important matters were at hand, so they immediately stopped fooling around.

The three arrived at the front of the pack animals and soon spotted a tall, Dolak woman in her early twenties with silver hair and gray eyes, leading a group of people to her side.

This woman is about 1.8 meters tall. Wearing high boots, she's a head or two taller than everyone around her. Judging from her aristocratic attire and domineering aura, this Dolak should be Talulah, the leader of the Rhodes Island.

To ensure the safety of these agricultural products, Alina led the infected guards to inspect them.

Only Talulah remained, sizing up the three Sarkaz before her, and said in a calm tone:

"Welcome to Shulatsburg. I am Talulah, the leader of the Rhodes Island. Also, thank you again for the food; it's very helpful for us right now."

With so much food available, if we eat it sparingly, the Rhodes Island can last longer.

W placed her hands behind her head, striking a relaxed and leisurely pose. However, she gripped a dagger in her hand, ready to engage in combat at any moment.

"No, we just met a grain transport team on the road and 'borrowed' some grain along the way."

Talulah, having learned the truth, glanced at the three. These were extraordinary times, after all; the possibility of an undercover agent or other special circumstances couldn't be ruled out, and caution was necessary.

"Just the three of you?"

"Yeah, what else did you think?"

W has been a mercenary since childhood, and only becomes so nervous in front of Empress Theresia that he dares not speak. At other times, he is a rude person with a rather aggressive tone.

Talulah wasn't too bothered by this. If she were to break down because of a few words from others, how could Commander the Rhodes Island, a group of infected individuals?

"Perfect timing. A lot of Sarkaz have arrived recently, forming a Sarkaz squad. To be honest, I'm skeptical about the feat of the three of you defeating an entire Ursus escort force. If it's convenient now, you'd better demonstrate it to me in person."

"If you can defeat these Sarkaz, this squad can be handed over to you to manage. I, Talulah, have never been stingy when it comes to outstanding officers."

W smiled, letting her hands hang down, but still behind her back. At her waist, there was a grenade with the pin still attached.

"What if I wanted to challenge you?"

Talulah remained calm upon hearing this, and swung her longsword diagonally. Instantly, blazing flames appeared on the blade, making it look exceptionally cool.

"If you're not convinced, then come and try. If you can defeat me in a one-on-one fight, you can take the leader's position."

The moment W saw the flaming sword, she knew Talulah was a formidable opponent. She had little chance of defeating her on her own. It was better to maintain her smile and quickly brush it off.

"Haha, just kidding. Let's call out all those Sarkaz. Maybe I can find some old friends who have been missing for a long time."

They came to the Rhodes Island to find a way out, not to die. Talulah's willingness to accept this challenge earned her the unanimous approval of the three.

This leader is not a coward.

Alina quickly finished her verification and came to report the situation to Talulah. She and the logistics staff led the pack animals back with dozens of cartloads of agricultural products.

This batch of supplies is undoubtedly a timely help for the Rhodes Island. Grinding potatoes into powder is too labor-intensive, but slicing them and cooking them into a thin porridge can last for a considerable period of time.

Talulah sent someone to summon the Sarkaz squad, and soon a team of nearly a hundred people arrived.

These Sarkaz mercenaries mostly come from Kazdel. They are diverse in type, including swordsmen, greatsword users, snipers, sorcerers, and piercing soldiers.

Once everyone was present, Talulah walked to the front of the Sarkaz squad and announced the rules in front of everyone:

"There are three Sarkaz here, bringing plenty of food to seek refuge. I am very grateful, but I doubt their ability to wipe out an entire Ursus Guard. If they can defeat all of you in turn, they will become your captains. If they are unfortunately defeated by you, they will all become members of the Sarkaz squad."

A Sarkaz swordsman raised his hand to ask a question.

"Chief, I have a question."

"You say."

"I know the three of them. Can I abstain from the election and become their subordinate?"

They were all mercenaries in Kazdel, constantly running into each other. They knew better than anyone which guys were tough and which ones to run from.

Hearing such a request, Talulah had no reason to refuse. Ultimately, this was a contest to demonstrate strength and gain acceptance. The fact that the Sarkaz knew them indirectly ruled out the possibility that they were Ursus spies.

"Okay, is there anyone else who wants to surrender?"

"I."

"And me..."