Doctor, I'm really strong!

The effect was remarkable. Rockets flew directly past her towards the convoy in the distance, followed by a series of explosions and screams behind her.

Section 155: Lapland's Doubts

As a lone wolf, Lappland has its own glory.

But this honor is obviously not enough to withstand the shells of a land-based warship. Only those who survive are worthy of honor; the dead, regardless of gender, are all called corpses.

Those who didn't choose correctly are now flying behind her, still in their scattered state. Knowing the enemy is invincible, yet still thinking of fighting, that's not honor, that's idiocy.

After the guards came down, Lappland was captured by them without hesitation.

Hey, is it really okay to be so honest?

This shows you don't understand Lappland. Although she seems eccentric on the surface, as a lone wolf among mercenaries, she may lack many things, but her intelligence and intelligence must always be online. For example, before accepting the job, Lappland had already gathered intelligence about the Red Guards.

Are you sure? Normally, after learning how powerful the Red Guards are, shouldn't we just choose not to accept the mission?

So here's the same question for you: given the Red Guards' level of secrecy and intelligence system, are you sure that these poorly managed foreign intelligence personnel can gather much intelligence about them, especially reliable intelligence?

It's important to understand that, in the eyes of other countries, the Red Guards are at most a warlord within Ursus, the kind that only poses a threat to the Ursus Empire. Countries don't invest excessive intelligence resources in them; they usually gather information about the Red Guards incidentally while collecting intelligence on Ursus.

Of course, there are still many rumors and stories about the Red Guards, including some sensational ones, such as the claim that Kiev was destroyed by the current leader of the Red Guards.

Indeed, there are many powerful beings on the continent of Terra, and there are even land gods of the behemoth level. The problem is that after the civilization that developed the continent a thousand years ago, the people of Terra in this new era are no longer aware of the existence of behemoths. The behemoths they understand are just extremely powerful sorcerers, and the combat power of sorcerers is not enough to destroy a city.

If such information were to reach the ears of the highest-ranking immortals, they would certainly choose to believe it. The question is, between the two pieces of information, "a natural disaster destroyed Kiev" and "a newly born human god slashed Kiev to pieces," what do you think the people in charge below would choose?

In reality, let alone the decision-making level collecting such intelligence, even the intelligence personnel below might not believe it. They would filter out information that would obviously get them scolded if reported. Even if they had personally experienced such an event, everything happened too fast. It was more like a sudden natural disaster than someone cutting Kyiv into cakes with two slashes. Compared to the destruction caused by Liu Jiuli, his own size was insignificant.

Therefore, the Red Guards as described by other intelligence personnel and within their knowledge were actually products of secondary processing after combining their understanding. The organizational structure and action program of the Red Guards were difficult for them to understand and could not be understood. At most, they thought it was a "means of winning over the common people".

Surely no organization would actually want to defy the world and wage war against the privileged class of the entire world, right? No way, no way, there really can't be such a person, do you believe it?

The two sides were not on the same level in terms of beliefs, thinking, actions, and logic. It was like talking to a brick wall. The result was that you said, "Let's go to Qianmen Tower tonight," and he said, "Xunzong has a wart on his butt."

However, one thing did get out, or rather, because it might involve all those who dealt with the Red Guards, it got out: the Red Guards treated prisoners of war well.

This news was quite amazing. Lappland couldn't figure out why the Red Guards would treat prisoners of war so well. But many Syracuseans who had dealt with the Red Guards said the same thing. Other key words included "fair trade," "trustworthy," and "good security," which made people yearn for such a life.

Even if there's some water added to the price, a 50% discount is still believable, right?

Despite all that has been said, the fundamental reason for Lappland's surrender was... that they couldn't win.

This opponent's strength is ridiculously high. It's a land-based ship. Even if Lappland is crazy, she doesn't think she can compete with that iron lump with a bunch of big pipes. I'm surrendering.

Thus began Lapland's life as a prisoner.

At first, Lappland was wary. After all, the countries of Terra did not have a tradition of treating prisoners of war well. Turning prisoners into laborers or using them for experiments was the norm, and being deceived was also common. So no one could guarantee that the so-called good treatment of prisoners was not a case of one thing in public and another in private.

That evening, Lappland had a beef stew with potatoes, and it was absolutely delicious, with plenty of spices.

Really fragrant!

According to traditional logic, this meal was basically a last meal before death. However, after observing, Lappland discovered that the Red Guards actually ate better than them. The food they received was equivalent to the Red Guards only getting one dish and a bowl of rice. The Red Guards' standard meals were buffet style, and even the braised pork was caramelized. How could you not be envious?

Putting aside the question of whether I'm envious or not, being able to do this is already incredibly impressive, okay? Your chefs actually have the leisure to caramelize sugar. Is this due to exceptional skill, or are they just too idle?

And these spices! A bunch of ordinary soldiers are eating better than minor nobles. Do you think your supplies come from the wind? How much does it cost to support an army like this? Have the leaders of the Red Guards ever seriously considered this?

Oh well, whether he thought about it or not, I enjoyed my meal. I hope tomorrow's breakfast won't be too bad.

It wasn't bad at all, it's just that Lappland wasn't used to this kind of Chinese food.

Soy milk, fried dough sticks, eggs, and small pieces of steak—it was from this point that Lappland discovered a very real and troublesome problem.

I don't know how to use chopsticks.

Yesterday, she ate mostly with chopsticks, and if she couldn't use chopsticks well, she would use her hands. However, the guards in charge of the prisoners of war stopped anyone who wanted to eat with their hands and strictly supervised them to wash their hands before meals. She heard that they would also have to take a shower, disinfect, and have a basic physical examination after meals. Lappland seriously suspected that she was hospitalized, and in a VIP ward at that.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lappland stepped forward and asked, "Hey buddy, why are we going to take a bath?"

The soldier glanced at Lappland and asked, "Aren't you uncomfortable being so dirty?"

"That's it?"

"Another issue is preventing the spread of disease. The space for detaining prisoners of war is too small. Once an infectious disease breaks out, it will spread widely. We must be responsible for the lives of every individual."

"Um...we're prisoners of war, right?"

The soldier smiled slightly: "Treating prisoners of war well is our tradition. If you don't understand, you can remain skeptical for now."

Lappland frowned; this situation was truly unexpected.

Section 156: The Lady of Sicily

(Let's have some comments, comrades! (?ω?))

Syracuse, a city-state in Sicily

The cities in this country are all named after their rulers. Sicily represents the Sicilian family. Although it is nominally a country, there is basically no centralization of power. The government is a mere formality. Under these circumstances, local control quickly fell into the hands of various violent organizations. These organizations gradually developed into gangs and eventually became the Syracuse family we know today.

Gang culture has permeated every aspect of Syracuse. Traditional administrative institutions are subordinate to the gang system. Some say that Syracuse is a country made up of gangs. To be precise, it is the gangs that have solidified the grassroots organizations here, which has led to the formation of the country as it is today.

Syracuse originally had twelve families, but they had all been exiled by Lady Sicily of the Sicilian family. Now, the Sicilian family is the most powerful in Syracuse, wielding absolute power and having the air of commanding the world. However, when it comes to specific execution, Lady Sicily does not directly force the other Syracuse families to do anything. This lady prefers to use the method of interests to make her partners willingly offer everything, and then weave a deadly trap according to her needs.

Her enemies described her as "a seemingly harmless spider queen who is actually always on the hunt."

Today is the Sicilian family's semi-annual financial report, so Madam Sicily is here in person to see how much profit her subordinates have generated for the family in the past six months.

Amidst this positive atmosphere of growth, a strange comment emerged.

"Chieftain, due to the intervention of the Red Guards, our trade in the East has suffered heavy losses."

Seated in the main seat, the Sicilian lady, with the politeness of a veil and her entire being hidden in the shadows, slowly spoke after listening to her subordinate's report: "It should be the shady parts that suffered heavy losses, right?"

The man quickly said, "The value of our goods and meat accounts for more than 30% of our profits. Chieftain, the Red Guards' actions are uprooting us."

The Sicilian woman smiled and countered, "So what do you plan to do?"

The man hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "I suggest we teach our enemies a lesson!"

The Sicilian lady toyed with the jade hairpin she had bought from Yan, and said in a calm tone, "It seems you've already started taking action, Lucchese."

"Yes, Chieftain, if I have offended you, please punish me!"

As a sensible person, Lucches knew that his words and actions were within the bounds of propriety, but if the person at the top was unhappy, it meant that things were very serious. Even if he hadn't done anything wrong, he had to quickly bow his head and apologize. At this time, if he still acted stubbornly, he would definitely not have a good outcome.

The Sicilian lady chuckled. "You're a smart person, and you do things according to the rules, so I'm quite satisfied with your actions. Please sit down."

"Yes, my lord."

Everyone knew that this was just a mild warning from the Sicilian lady, letting her subordinates know who gave them their power and not to overstep their bounds. As long as you act as an obedient lackey, this ruthless Spider Queen is still quite kind to her own people, at least in terms of benefits.

Ms. Sicily was well aware of the impact this matter would have on Syracuse. The visible and invisible parts of East-West trade were all important components of Syracuse's trade. Now that the Red Guards could cut it off so easily, as the person in charge of Syracuse, she had to take action and make her attitude and position clear no matter what.

However, Ms. Sicily herself knew that Syracuse's shady businesses were huge profits, but that was also why Syracuse could not truly become the source of the country's evils.

No country can become rich through pure organized crime. What Syracuse needs is industry, agriculture, and a sound national governance system, not just more money on paper.

Some things are like poison; once you're hooked, it's hard to leave. You keep telling yourself to just take a little more, and then you continue to wallow in the sea of ​​quick money. Little do you know, these things are all illusory. The truly valuable things are in the hands of powerful nations. Once they block trade with you, Syracuse will regress to an agricultural era in a very short time, or even worse.

After all... due to the overpopulation of certain plants, the Syracuseans no longer know how to farm normally.

Lady Sicily wanted to change these things, but after she truly came to power, she realized how great the resistance was. Not to mention the deep-rooted connections of other families, even within her own Sicilian family, many people were engaged in these shady businesses. When it came to sharing profits with them, they were naturally very happy and willing to offer their loyalty, but if she really started to touch their rights, these people would unite to overthrow her.

Syracuse has a history of ruthless individuals who sought to overthrow the regime, but without exception, they all failed. Even those who achieved temporary success ultimately met with death and the end of their rule.

This land seems to be born with fertile soil of evil, nurturing dark magic.

So, personally, Ms. Sicily was very curious. She wanted to know how Kazdel had become what it was today, and how that country, which was also dominated by darkness, had gotten back on track. Even if they had a superhuman who appeared out of nowhere, that superhuman was just one person. But wasn't the speed and thoroughness of this change a bit too exaggerated?

All of this information can be obtained simply by going to Kazdel; there's no need to collect it specifically. It's all readily available, so it's perfectly normal for Lady Sicily to know it.

Thoughts aside, reality must be respected. The reality is that when their interests are thwarted, the underworld families in Syracuse begin to prepare for a counterattack. Since their previous low-cost, clandestine methods have failed, they will resort to real violence and war!

Syracuse is no stranger to war. The struggles between gangs, the conflicts between mobile cities, and various armed conflicts with neighboring countries have blurred the lines between gangs and the military. While both are gang thugs, the thugs here are more professional. The truly professional private armies of large families are the real military forces, and some even have modern military systems (modern by Terra standards).

There is a consensus throughout Syracuse that Kazdel is easy to bully.

This is not arrogance, but the result of a long history. Just like Turkey's reputation as the "sick man of East Asia" after its poverty and weakness, your decline inevitably leads to the swell of confidence in other countries around you. Kazdel did rise to power once, but it is certainly not the same now. In the eyes of the Syracuse family, they are just their vassals and roadside stalls. At most, there are a few shops on this road. With such little strength, they want to live the life of a big city? Bah, you country bumpkin.

What are your thoughts on Kazdel?

Section 157: The Sicilian Lady's Caution

(There's another chapter coming soon! Can you guys give me some rewards? (?ω?))

After some internal discussions, the Sicilian family unanimously adopted a tough policy toward Kazdel, which, to put it bluntly, meant to retaliate: if you cut off our source of income, we will cut off yours.

As for the Red Guards of Kazdel, that's not Ursus. Even if the Red Guards were a dragon, they would have to lie low there!

In short, the entire Sicilian family was filled with an inexplicable sense of confidence, as if victory was already within reach.

After the meeting, Ms. Sicily returned to her room, and then a dark shadow appeared out of nowhere behind her.

This is not an assassin, but Lady Sicily's exclusive intelligence agency—the Gloves.

"You saw what happened during the meeting, so please share your thoughts."

"My lord, I am your eyes and ears, and have no other function."

The Sicilian lady laughed and said, "Then let's develop some extra features today. Your people have been in Kazdel the whole time, and you brought back the intelligence from before. Tell me, what has Kazdel become?"

The dark figure remained silent for a moment before speaking, "If there is a heaven on earth, Kazdel is now the closest place to heaven."

The Sicilian lady paused for a moment: "You have a very high opinion of Kazdel now."

"Because I know very well what Kazdel was like in the past, the contrast is just too stark."

The Sicilian lady lit a cigarette, took a puff, and asked, "Were all these changes brought about by the Red Guards?"

"Yes, my lord."

“If I remember correctly, you also came from Chernobog in Ursus, now called Steelgrad, right? There was a similar situation there.”

"Yes, sir, I saw it with my own eyes."

"Interesting. So, based on your experience, who exactly is Liu Jiuli, the leader of the Red Guards? What does he want to do?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I really don't know."

"Even you can't figure it out?"