Therefore, even when Duke Belfana, one of the four great dukes of the empire who ruled the neighboring territories, took over this territory, most of the people were still unwilling to stay in this ominous place and left one after another. In their place, unscrupulous elements began to gather here, which was an inevitable result.

Duke Belfana himself was too busy managing his vast domain to bother managing the area, often sending deputies and then leaving it alone.

Therefore, it would not be difficult to secretly establish a base for the "Liberators" here.

What's more, this place also operates as a casino and a brothel.

Even nobles of high status would be unable to resist neglecting confidentiality and leaking secrets after entering a casino or brothel. As a stronghold, it can indeed play a huge role.

In reality, all kinds of people gathered here, including those born in a magical country but lacking magical talent, and nobles who occasionally wanted to indulge themselves would visit incognito.

In the conversation room of the Mordo branch of the Liberator, a roar rang out.

"Enough of that! Stop rambling! I told you I don't want to work there!"

A young woman with a gray, wolf-tail hairstyle, ears and tail fur erect, roared furiously. Her aura was so murderous that a normal man would cower in fear. She was a former member of the Leysen branch.

The fierce gaze, like that of a ferocious beast, was fixed on a young woman dressed in provocative clothes.

The woman, wearing a sexy ultramarine dress, had a slender figure and exuded a rebellious and alluring aura. Her plump, glossy lips slowly replied:

"That being said, take a break~ You don't have any missions lately. Do you think you can just eat and drink for free?"

"This...is all because of Margaret and the others causing trouble everywhere. They've already done enough!"

"Just because of this, you think you have no job? Don't be silly. You have to find a job on your own."

"We are the guards here!"

"Calling yourself a family guard? Doesn't that mean you're just a shut-in?"

"Don't, don't say that to me! I don't quite understand what you mean, but it's really hurtful!"

Of course, after all, this is a casino and brothel, and fighting, swordplay and saber-rattling are commonplace, so skilled bodyguards are indeed indispensable.

Considering Xiu Xiu's abilities, he's done a very good job in this regard. But...

"If you need security, our children are more than enough."

Of course, the Mordo branch also had its own enforcement forces, and there were also skilled martial artists among the casino dealers and prostitutes.

The women currently watching the show in the interview room, the male guards taking a break, and this alluring woman—Madame Jaclyn—are also masters. She is the head of the Mordo branch, the owner of a casino and brothel, and her mastery of wind magic has reached the pinnacle.

She was originally a slave secretly kept by corrupt priests and divinities of the church, but was later rescued by a man. Because he later joined the liberators, she and her fellow slaves followed suit - this was her past.

As for that man,

"What are you guys arguing about?"

A man with one eye, one arm, and three scars on his cheek—Hauser Almeida. He was the former head of the Angulev branch. "Hauser—look at her—" The moment he saw him, his wife immediately started to cry out in a sweet voice, startling even Xiu Xiu.

Furthermore, Hauser had come with two other men. Like Hugh, they were members of the former Leysen branch's execution team—Tony and Ivy. They were also frightened.

"Xiu Xiu, what did you do again?"

"Please be kind. You've been in a bad mood lately."

"Stop rambling, Tony, Ivy! Don't insist it's all my fault!"

Xiu Xiu roared fiercely and threatened. Hauser sighed and said:

"I guess she said since there are no missions, she wants you to take care of customers, right? You two, stop arguing over such nonsense."

Xiu Xiu did not mean to look down on the lady and the prostitutes, and the lady did not feel inferior about such work.

The base wasn't being forced into operating this way by the Liberator faction. The Madam believed this method would allow for more efficient intelligence gathering than using regular supporters, so she took the initiative to plan, propose, and implement it.

In other words, the two were just bickering. The Madam loved Xiu Xiu so much that she was teasing her like this on purpose.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry~" So, the lady simply admitted her mistake with a smile. And because Xiu Xiu understood what she meant, she became even more unhappy.

"Xiu Xiu, stop throwing a tantrum. I know you hate the Republic, but you're not a childish brat anymore."

"I know that without you telling me! Didn't I do everything I was told to do? Even if it would help the guys in the Sea of ​​Trees, I still did it!"

Xiu Xiu glared at her fiercely. Tony and Ivy both looked at her, at a loss for words. They understood Xiu Xiu's feelings.

Although Xiu Xiu is a citizen of the Republic, she was abducted by the church, her family was killed, and she was brainwashed into becoming a vanguard invading her motherland. She always thought that her motherland would come to save her, but the reality was cruel.

That's the law of the forest. To prevent further harm, any fellow resident who leaves the forest is considered dead. Even if they're still alive, they're not allowed to reenter the forest. There's no way to tell if they've been tampered with by outsiders, so don't let the wolf in.

Xiu Xiu certainly understood that this was necessary.

This is a reasonable commandment in order to protect the orcs' only sanctuary.

Even so, emotionally she still hopes that her motherland can save her.

Every day was arduous, painful, and sad. My body was controlled by a will that was not my own, and my mind felt like it could be torn apart at any moment.

In such a situation, Xiu Xiu could not help but look forward to the rescue of his motherland.

Therefore, even though her head understood, her heart still couldn't accept it. She couldn't accept the fact that her beloved Meredith was actually joining the war to save the Republic, and that the "Liberators" were joining forces with her.

After learning that the Queen of the Sea of ​​Trees is a God-era magician on par with Meredith, it became even more unacceptable.

She couldn't help but wonder, since they had equal power, and Meredith was willing to save her, why wouldn't the queen of her country be willing to do the same?

Why didn't the Queen come to save her and her family?

"It's because simply doing what you're told is bothering people, so I have to say this."

The growling muttering made Xiuxiu's whole body tremble with nervousness. His mind, trapped by dull thoughts, suddenly became clear as if he had been slapped in the face.

Despite his fierce appearance, Hauser usually had a caring side. However, his demeanor was completely different now. He glared at Hush as if scolding a raging child. Even his own people couldn't help but flinch at the stern gaze.

"Headquarters sent a message."

Hauser held the letter high, his mouth curled up, his expression like a carnivorous beast facing its prey.

"The final plan, 'The Bell of Change,' is about to begin."

There was a whoosh, and it seemed as if someone took a breath.

"The period of dormancy is over. It's time to go all out! Act now!"

A powerful, air-shaking roar enveloped this brothel and casino, completely different from its usual image.

──Xandora, the capital of the Shardo Territory, leader of the Shardo United Nations

This capital is located in the largest oasis in the Red Desert, a land of rusty red sand and scorching heat.

"Alright, alright, if you have time to breathe, you might as well get to work!"

A woman said, though she had a gentle and refined demeanor, her words were quite vicious.

She is the head of the Shandora branch - Nadia Biscott.

With her tanned complexion, she wore a loose, all-white dress. A beautifully embroidered veil concealed the lower half of her face, but it couldn't hide her beauty. Her ageless features only added to her alluring charm.

"Ah, Dean. Are you going on another business trip to see patients?"

A passing male businessman asked this question. As he said, Nadia is a doctor by profession.

She was also the director of Bishop's Hospital, a fairly large hospital with a large staff. Not only was she attractive, but she also had a surprisingly sharp tongue, which captivated many patients. She was a well-known figure in the area.

"That's right, that's right. There are so many people who didn't die. It really keeps me busy."

"Haha, excellent healers are highly valued wherever they go. A talent like you would normally be hired as a physician for a high-ranking official."

"If that happens, won't the poor just be left to die on the streets?"

"Among those who possess the natural ability of a healer, you are the only one with such ambition. Thank goodness for that."

"Donations are always welcome. You can see my smile."

Nadia's smile sounded very alluring. However, the male businessman silently averted his gaze. This dean was very good at pinching oil, and he was ruthless. This was a fact known to everyone in the area.

"By the way, your business trip is quite a big deal."

The male businessman changed the subject very forcefully, but this was indeed something that puzzled him.

Director Nadia often goes out to see patients.

Because there are secret bases of "Liberators" everywhere in this [Red Desert], she often goes there under the guise of medical consultations, which is less likely to arouse suspicion.

However, usually there weren't many people going there. Sometimes she would even go alone, hiring only adventurers with whom she had signed exclusive contracts as escorts.

However, this time, there seemed to be a lot of people traveling with them. Almost half of the hospital staff were dressed as travelers, busy loading goods onto wagons or the backs of iraqs (pack animals used in the desert instead of horses).

To be honest, it is so unusual that one can't help but worry whether there is something wrong with the hospital's operations.

"Yes, yes. This is due to a request from an important person. That person needs my strength right now."

"Oh?" The male businessman couldn't help but be a little surprised.

Because the smile on Nadia's face was much softer than usual, as if she was thinking of her beloved.

Could it be that the many single nobles nearby who were interested in Nadia were threatened? Out of such curiosity, he couldn't help but ask:

"Could it be the dean's 'sweetheart'?"

"That's right, absolutely right."

I didn't expect her to actually admit it. "This is going to cause quite a stir!" the male businessman thought. Just as he was about to continue extracting information,

"Dean! We've already contacted all the towns!"

A thin man with short, spiky brown hair interrupted the conversation loudly.

"Too slow, Solas. That's why you have a hedgehog-like head."

"Dean, this is ridiculous! Stop joking and get going!"

Solas Benji, 29, is Nadia's exceptionally talented apprentice.

"Hey, the cargo here is all loaded, let's go!"

"I'm the one giving the orders, idiot. You really are what your name implies, a fool."

"You're just trying to tease me, Dean Evil. And I don't call you by that name. It's not funny at all. Forget it."

Bakara Barto, the captain of the adventurer team that exclusively protects Biscott Hospital.

He, like Nadia, had a bad mouth. Strangely enough, it seemed that anyone who came into contact with Nadia, the branch chief, would become a bad mouth.

At that moment, nearly ten birds took off simultaneously from the hospital roof. They were the Ionian messenger birds, widely kept on the mainland.

"That is……"

The businessman completely lost interest in gossip after two people interrupted him. He stared in amazement as the messenger birds flew away simultaneously, his mouth agape.

"That's for contacting my companions."

"Companions? Do you want to seek help from healers in other towns?"

Could it be that a large-scale disaster has occurred somewhere? Knowing that the male businessman was asking this, Nadia deliberately did not answer.

It was a well-known fact that Biscot Hospital had collaborated with doctors from other towns in the territory to establish a medical network. However, this message was for another matter, and of course, the truth could not be told.

After all, it was true that she wanted to contact her companions. However, they were companions with whom she would fight against the world from now on.

That's right, the people she contacted were branches and secret bases in other territories.

Nadia didn't reveal a single thing about her hidden thoughts as she nimbly mounted her Iraku.

"Don't worry. If you have any problems, you can still come to the hospital. The vice president will handle it."

"Uh, ah, yes. Uh... Well, please be careful on the road, Dean."

"Thank you. And thank you for your donation. I'll thank you properly when I get back."

“Eh!?”

The male merchant screamed anxiously, but Nadia ignored him and ordered them to set off.

Then──

"I wonder if my sweetheart, Meredith, has been a good girl?"

She whispered softly, giving the answer that the male businessman wanted to know.

──Rust Rock Zone·Secret Base

The residents who originally lived in the lawless city of Antika are now hiding here. The organization secretly calls this place "Plenty Town."

Located at the northwest end of the continent, this place is a barren wasteland, with only sea breezes and rusty red rocks. However, thanks to Mei'er's ability, she can cultivate the soil from the seabed, ensuring a bountiful harvest. Hence, it's called "Plentiful Land."

However, if you look down at the land from the air, you can't see any farmland.

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