"Yeah. If it weren't for Caesar and the others, I don't know how we'd have gotten through this stretch." Casa, the mayor of Blazewood, had appeared behind the three of them without anyone noticing.
The Sons of Calydon, one of the Motor League's member groups, was essentially a transport company connecting the Outer Ring with the city.
Most Outer Ring residents didn't have New Eridu citizen cards, so merchants in the city were reluctant to deal with them.
But people still needed everyday essentials. That meant the Sons of Calydon also had to build connections and call in favors.
Then there were wages, equipment repairs, keeping contacts happy, helping families in need...
Every one of those things cost money. They had once been able to scrape by, but then the Overlord's faction, The Victors, began targeting the Sons of Calydon.
Life had grown steadily harder. That was why Lucy had proposed joining forces with Phaethon to take the Overlord's seat.
"Aw, Casa, we're family. No need to say all that." Caesar scratched the back of her head with a sheepish grin.
"Um... Caesar, Casa, are you short on money?" Griseo suddenly asked.
"Little Griseo, that's a bit rude!" Billy, who had been quiet until now, hurried to stop her.
"It's all right, Billy. Children speak their minds." Casa came closer with a smile and shook her head. Neither she nor Caesar would hold a child's words against her.
"Things are only hard for now. Once Caesar becomes the Overlord, everything will get better."
"That's right, Casa! I'll become the Overlord. Then I can stop Lucius and make sure no one has to worry about getting by!" Fired up, Caesar pumped her fist.
"That's not what I meant. I believe in you, Caesar."
Griseo shook her head to make that clear.