Chapter 439
After leaving the Self-Rescue Army's Temporary Camp, they were the first to return to the Old Site to help the nearby neighbors.
Unfortunately, Vigna and the others didn't have enough food and water. With so many mouths to feed in the area, what they had was just a drop in the ocean.
The supplies promised by the Grey Hat need to be picked up tonight at a luxury hotel in the Norbert District. He's currently short of money and simply can't afford anything.
Shi Lei generously provided food and water, since the people in this neighborhood also needed help. He maintained his previous stance, claiming that the supplies came from Rhodes Island.
Amiya wanted to explain the truth, but after seeing him shake his head, she could only remain silent in despair.
As Shi Lei and the others traveled with Vigna, they headed towards the Slums of Norbert District. The scenery along the way was many times worse than the neighborhoods they had just passed.
In the collapsed ruins, one can occasionally find a foul-smelling corpse that attracts flies and mosquitoes.
If he is infected, the Originium Dust produced after his death will infect all mortals who try to approach him.
As the war between the Sarkaz and the various Duke officially begins, the plight of these poor people will only become more difficult.
They were as if they had been suddenly thrown into the vortex of war, completely unaware of the cruel situation they found themselves in.
Before long, the torment of disease, the damage of war, and the loss of humanity will engulf this place.
You don't even need to wait until then to imagine what it will be like.
The various Duke will send large numbers of troops to cut off all supply lines into Londinium.
Once the amount of food and water in the city drops below a certain level, something terrible will happen.
Morgan and Indra shouted at the top of their lungs, calling to the residents hiding in the shadows:
"Hey everyone, come out here, we're handing out food!"
At first, these people didn't believe it, thinking that distributing supplies during wartime was most likely a scam to rob and kill.
Only after someone recognized Crownslayer and members of the Glass Gang did he cautiously reveal himself and receive about two days' worth of food and water.
This made those who had been secretly observing extremely envious, and they all stepped out into the sunlight. Some of them had been starving for days, and they were willing to eat anything as long as it was edible.
Seeing a large number of residents pouring out, creating an atmosphere of looting, Shi Lei suggested to the Crownslayer:
"Miss Vigna, go and maintain order. Even distributing supplies requires establishing rules."
Why... why are you telling me all this?
Shi Lei grinned and said bluntly:
"Because you're more like a commander than a leader right now. Given your special status, if you don't grow stronger quickly, you'll likely suffer greatly in the future."
The war has begun, and all the crown princes with the right to the throne are eager to make their move. If Vigna continues with her small-group, workshop-like mentality, there's no guarantee she won't run into trouble.
"Crownslayer, please give me some more food, please! My child has been starving for days and has been eating tree leaves."
"You gave him extra food, but only gave me two days' worth? Do you think playing the victim will get you more? My eighty-year-old mother hasn't had a drop of water for two days."
"I need three days' worth too, yours isn't enough."
"Brothers, there are still some in the van. Grab as much as you can, or there won't be any left!"
The situation on the ground was almost exactly as Shi Lei had predicted. Once the number of people collecting supplies increased, it turned into a scramble. Everyone wanted to get more than others, not less.
"Stop! Don't grab! Everyone gets some! Line up and collect your supplies in turn!"
Vigna shouted loudly, but no one listened.
The residents, who were familiar with the van, were about to queue up when they saw others crowding in front of it. Worried that there wouldn't be any supplies left when it was their turn, they joined the throng.
Please give me some more, I beg you!
"Indra, do you remember me? I'm your second uncle. Give me some good stuff to take to your aunt."
"I have parents who are seventy years old and a three-year-old daughter. Please, have mercy and give me more."
Some people beg with their mouths, but their eyes gleam with greed, and their hands and feet gradually become dishonest.
They would take advantage of the distributors' inattention to steal supplies near the vehicle doors and hide them in their pockets.
Shi Lei never underestimated the ugliness of human nature, as if he had known all along that these things would happen. So he sent Vigna out in advance to see what she could learn from it.
"Stop! Everyone stop!"
Vigna shouted repeatedly, but to no avail. The people continued to do as they pleased, looting supplies.
Dagda and others shouted in support of their leader, but to little avail. This ignited an uncontrollable rage within the Crownslayer. Staring at the increasingly chaotic scene, she ran straight over, opened the car door, and started the van.
"They're trying to escape! Damn it, stop them!"
"Supplies! Get the supplies first!"
Upon hearing this, Vigna steeled herself, drove the van several hundred meters away, and then closed the back and side doors.
Only then did he drive back to the scene, get out of the car, close the front door, and sternly reprimand the crowd:
"Only those who queue can receive supplies! Those who have already received theirs, get out of here now! Anyone who dares to cut in line or cause a ruckus, don't blame me for being ruthless with this hammer!"
The Crownslayer is finally showing some leadership qualities; he was far too timid and submissive before.
Seeing the hammer in Vigna's hand, the residents who had already received their supplies left reluctantly. Those who hadn't received anything lined up in order, and finally, order was restored to the scene.
The scene before her filled her with mixed emotions.
June 24, 9:30 am
Londinium Mid-level District, Norbert District.
Even in Slums with terrible living conditions, there are distinctions between 'very bad' and 'worst'.
The streets where infected people live are undoubtedly absolute no-go zones that ordinary people would avoid at all costs.
Surrounded by garbage dumps on two sides, one dares not open the windows for ventilation when the east wind blows. In such a barren place, violence and hatred grow like weeds.
A Hungry Infected violently smashed open the wooden door of a house with an iron bar. He pinned the infected person living there to the ground and demanded an answer in a harsh voice:
"I'm starving! Hand over the food!"
"Let go, let go, I have no food..."
The Hungry Infected didn't believe it; their eyes widened like saucers, directly exposing the other person's lie:
"Damn it, stop playing dumb! I saw everything clearly from outside. You used the stove. You didn't leave this place at all. Where did you get the food from?"
The homeowner was somewhat intimidated and dared not meet his gaze.
"I... just happened to find it..."
"Pick it up? My ass, you try picking one up for me right now! Hand over the food obediently and you'll get a better beating, otherwise don't blame me for being impolite!"
Faced with the threat of an iron bar hitting his face, the homeowner's momentum waned. He spoke haltingly and incoherently:
"Really, really... I really found it. Someone left the can on my windowsill."
The Hungry Infected laughed in anger upon hearing this.
"Damn it, who are you trying to fool? Even if some lord were truly benevolent, he would give food to outsiders first. Do you really believe that he would bypass them and specially deliver food to you? Looks like you won't tell the truth until I give you a good beating."
Just as he was about to swing the iron bar, an unfamiliar voice came from behind him:
Why won't you believe him?
The Hungry Infected's hair stood on end instantly, and he quickly distanced himself from the other person. Perhaps he was too engrossed in the attack to notice anyone approaching.
"Who the hell are you? Are you here to steal food too?"
The newcomer, carrying a knife, stepped into the open.
"Hello, my name is Red. Comrades in the Rhodes Island usually call me 'Red Blade'."
"The Rhodes Island?!"
The Hungry Infected was incredulous, his gaze sweeping over Red. He quickly noticed the Rhodes Island symbol on his clothes, and his eyes lit up.
"Holy crap, you guys are really Rhodes Island? I mean, I heard you guys did something pretty amazing in Ursus. There are also a lot of stories about your heroic deeds in Victoria!"
Last time I heard from Sheila, you captured a Mobile Cities. It was a city that belonged only to the infected, and it sounded so alluring. My friend, does your Mobile Cities still exist? Did you come to Londinium from Ursus to rescue us?"
Red had no idea who was spreading such an outrageous story. In reality, they not only failed to capture Chernobyl, but also suffered heavy losses. Their leader was captured, their cadres were killed, and the Rhodes Island was on the verge of disintegration.
"..."
Seeing that Red Blade remained silent, the Hungry Infected thought he had said something wrong and quickly tried to make amends:
"Got it, these are classified information and can't be discussed here? Then let's talk about something else. The situation in Londinium is complicated, no easier than in Ursus. Those guys who aren't infected with Originium-related illness have been lording it over us."
Now that you're here, they'll definitely be terrified of being punished! Hahahaha, just thinking about their pitiful struggles and begging for mercy makes me tremble with excitement.
Friends, I and most of the infected people in this neighborhood have complete faith in you. After all, you are the invincible Rhodes Island! Only you can lead us to a better future!
This left Red speechless, because the Rhodes Island wasn't nearly as powerful as he claimed.
Just as he was about to explain, Talulah, Alina, and Jiu entered through the broken wooden door.
The Hungry Infected's eyes turned fervent when they saw the Draco tail beneath her robes:
"You... you are Talulah? We, the infected of Londinium, have been waiting for you."
Talulah remained calm and explained to the other party:
"Sir, I overheard your comments about the Rhodes Island outside. While I wish it were like that, the truth is we're not that good."
Our purpose in coming to Victoria is to unite the local people suffering from COVID-19 and to send them a message that the Rhodes Island is here to help them."
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Chapter 516 Shi Lei and Failure Both Due to Shi Lei (Bonus Chapter)
After hearing this, the Hungry Infected rubbed his hands together and grinned with a fawning smile.
The Rhodes Island has arrived, and the infected will be saved!
The Rhodes Island is here! Good days are coming!
He suddenly realized he had gotten a little carried away, and quickly composed himself, forcing himself to remain calm as he said:
"Ah, that's so true! You must be Talulah, the Miss of the Rhodes Island?"
Seeing the infected person's unusual excitement, Talulah immediately dampened their enthusiasm with her words:
"I am Talulah, but not the leader of Rhodes Island. Currently, I am merely a member of the organization."
The Old Rhodes Island is dead.
Now, it's New Rhodes Island led by Jiu. Her former subordinates are all willing to obey her orders.
Since escaping from Lungmen, Talulah has spent more than half a year with the other party.
Through daily observation and in-depth discussions about the future of those infected, she felt that Jiu was more suitable than herself to be the leader of the Rhodes Island in every aspect.
The previous Rhodes Island was undisciplined, directionless, and without a program; it was just a group of reckless and disorganized Scaramouche.
Perhaps because Jiu had previously served as a high-ranking official in Lungmen, her arrival resolved these issues. The infected now had a goal, and their hearts were no longer filled with confusion.
Knowing what to do and knowing how to do it.
These ten simple words reveal something Talulah lacked before. She made major decisions based entirely on intuition, often taking things one step at a time without long-term planning.
"Huh? Not the leader? Has someone else been replaced?"
The Hungry Infected were seeing the real Rhodes Island for the first time, unaware of their internal workings.
"Then... could you tell me about that Mobile Cities that belongs to the infected migrants?"
Talulah stared into the expectant eyes of the infected, unwilling to weave an unrealistic dream:
"Sir, we did indeed capture Schuratzburg City before. But we were forced to withdraw for various reasons. I tried my best to build a home for all the infected. This ideal almost came true, but unfortunately, it ultimately fell short."
"What do you mean?"
The Hungry Infected looked astonished upon hearing this; he was somewhat unable to accept the cruel truth.
"If you don't have Mobile Cities, what are you doing in Londinium?"
"We came here to save those infected who have nowhere else to turn. Perhaps we will have our own home in the future, but for now, it's still a distant dream."
The Hungry Infected were completely stunned, experiencing a sudden drop from heaven to hell.
Didn't they say the Rhodes Island had Mobile Cities?