Nothing Happened in East Borough Today

The East Borough, the area effectively controlled by the Lyman Gang.

It was a peaceful day, as usual, with everyone contentedly going about their own business.

"Your Excellency Missionary..."

Good Your Excellency, Your Excellency!

"Sir Missionary, what you said yesterday was truly excellent!"

When people saw Luther, they greeted him warmly, their expressions filled with gratitude and reliance. They followed Luther unconsciously, like Lamb following a shepherd, waiting for him to guide the Flock.

"Hello."

Luther responded with a smile.

His connection with the "Lamb" grew ever stronger, resonating on a spiritual level. Just as a shepherd knows his Lamb intimately, he could clearly remember each person's name and experiences, and sense their joys, sorrows, physical condition, and exact location.

For example, he could sense that most of the "Lamb" had gone to work in textile factories, and the rest were mostly concentrated on the nearby streets. There were many children gathered at the school in front, presumably attending class.

As their lives gradually stabilized and as Luther's teachings spread, the "Lamb" became increasingly devoted to him, following his guidance and accepting his protection.

--The "Flock" has basically taken shape.

In contrast, the "Shepherd's" Potion had been mostly digested, with only some particularly stubborn parts remaining that were slow to integrate into his body.

"The Acting is fine so far, it seems there's still some element I haven't figured out."

Luther pondered to himself.

He walked forward as if deep in thought, when suddenly he felt more and more footsteps behind him. Turning around, he found a large crowd following him. When their eyes met, the Lamb all showed joyful expressions.

"Everyone, you don't need to follow me. Just keep doing your own things."

Luther smiled and waved to them.

The crowd obediently dispersed, as if his hands had parted the Sea, instantly emptying the road behind them.

They're really working together, one or two at a time.

Luther felt a surge of emotion.

When he first started organizing the Flock, people were both afraid of and skeptical of him, and they rarely responded to his words. It was through his daily efforts—providing food and lodging, treating the sick, improving the environment, offering education and jobs—that he gradually gained their trust, and that's how he is today.

This is a group of weak humans. Killing them would only take Luther a few seconds, but maintaining them and helping them slowly live a human life would require a hundred times more effort.

Just as building a structure takes months, but blowing it up only takes an instant, raising a baby to adulthood requires more than a decade of effort, but killing him can be easily done with just a weapon.

Destruction is easier than creation.

Love has always been a luxury.

With these thoughts in mind, he entered the headquarters of the "Lyman Gang".

There were quite a few gang members inside the building, but none of them noticed his presence. He walked up to the second floor, arrived at the office of the gang leader, Ciel, and pushed open the door.

"Your Excellency!"

Ciel practically sprang from his chair, straightened his back, and spoke to him with utmost respect.

There was no way around it; Luther was just too important to him.

From a status perspective, the other party supported his position in the gang and prevented other nearby gangs from encroaching on his territory; from a profit perspective, the other party had the foresight to create a safe environment in the area, allowing him to double his previous earnings just by collecting commercial taxes.

"Um."

Luther nodded nonchalantly, "Sit down."

After the other person sat down again, he asked, "How have things been going with the factory and the streets these past few months?"

"Everything is fine."

Ciel quickly replied, taking out an account book from the safe behind him. He originally intended to show it to Luther, but seeing Luther wave his hand and not take it, he temporarily placed it on the table. "Thanks to the investment from Miss Hall Family and the factory's original sales channels, all the textiles have been sold. As for this part of the district, new businesses are constantly moving in, which has also caused our property prices to rise considerably."

He gave a detailed explanation, looking somewhat excited, his eyes sparkling.

The feeling of manipulating cash and directing people is wonderful, far better than commanding a bunch of unruly thugs.

"Your Excellency!"

After explaining the situation, Ciel couldn't help but say, "I think we can expand our territory further. If we bring the surrounding blocks under our jurisdiction, our workforce can double, and the quantity of goods produced can increase significantly."

After expanding their sphere of influence, their ever-growing desires can be further satisfied: money, population, and land.

He felt that with the abilities of the person in front of him, it was entirely possible!

However, to Ciel's disappointment, Luther, sitting opposite him, calmly shook his head and said, "I have no intention of continuing to expand my territory."

". Why?"

Why?

I'm not here to play a management game, nor do I want to become a gangster emperor in the underworld. My intention is just to Acting! Expanding my territory too much won't do me any special good; on the contrary, it will make me more conspicuous and easier to be discovered!

"This is not something you should know."

Of course, Luther wouldn't tell Ciel of this, nor was there any need to. That guy had gotten a bit too cocky lately and needed a good talking-to.

"Yes!"

Ciel immediately became obedient after being glared at. He had almost forgotten that the man in front of him was not a good-tempered extraordinary being, but a Lunatic who would kill at the slightest provocation.

His request to expand his territory was rejected, and he wisely refrained from raising his second issue—he had originally intended to ask Luther to reduce the workers' wages, but judging from Luther's attitude, it was clear that he would not agree.

Has anything unusual happened on the streets recently?

Luther continued to ask questions.

"Nothing unusual, at most we caught a few petty thieves."

"That's what Ciel replied."

"Has anyone been secretly investigating?"

Luther continued to ask.

For example, the Three Great Churches, MI9, and so on.

He added in his mind.

"?"

Ciel shook his head in confusion.

Indeed, it would be too much to ask them to notice these things.

Thinking this through, Luther asked about the recent situation and then left headquarters, appearing on the street.

"It's Your Excellency Missionary!"

"It really is!"

Just then, a group of lively children ran out of the building ahead. They looked very energetic, their eyes sparkling, jumping and hopping around in the cold winter, their breath steaming in the air.

They seemed to have just finished school. One child noticed Luther and called out, and the rest of the children immediately spotted him, cheering and running over to surround him.

"Your Excellency Missionary, I ate a lot of bread this morning!"

Tom didn't do his homework again and got scolded by the Teacher.

I met a really pretty older sister yesterday.

The children chattered excitedly, sharing their recent lives with him with excessive energy.

"Okay, okay, okay"

Luther was momentarily at a loss, and could only smile and casually reply, "How beautiful?"