Chapter 49: A Place for the Children
When Abyss and his companions arrived at the designated meeting spot, Lannis was already prepared to leave Lavoisier City, sitting on the curb, casually smoking a pipe.
Beside her sat another figure, also puffing away—Titus. They were enjoying each other’s company, their conversation punctuated by plumes of smoke. Lannis usually looked down on gangsters, but Titus seemed to have captured her interest. Their banter suggested a shared sense of humor, and the tobacco Titus was smoking seemed to be a gift from Lannis.
“Oh, look who’s here,” Titus said, spotting Abyss and his companions approaching. He stood up, his voice enthusiastic. “Mr. Abyss! My savior!”
“Hmph, you’re right on time,” Lannis said, standing up and joining Rebecca. “Rebecca, I’ve packed my belongings. The larger items have been sent ahead with a caravan. I’m ready for my new life in the Western Empire, dedicated to research, far away from these messy gang affairs.”
“You won’t need to worry about them anymore, Miss Lannis. Do you know why? Because peace and prosperity are coming to Lavoisier City! Haha!” Titus exclaimed, his laughter booming. The nearby pedestrians, recognizing him, quickly moved away.
“It sounds like Mr. Eugene had a rough night,” Abyss said, his voice laced with amusement.
“Not just rough, but utterly miserable,” Titus replied, grinning. “I didn’t kill him. He only suffered minor injuries. He’ll be back on his feet in a month or two. I simply took him on a tour of his factories, capturing them one by one, with him as my guest of honor. The Goat Eyes gang members are surprisingly loyal. With a knife to their leader’s throat, they were quite obedient. I took over all his potion factories with minimal effort. It was beautiful… Oh, by the way, I have a favor to ask, Mr. Abyss.”
Abyss considered his request, then replied, “Tell me what you need. I’ll help if I can.”
“I raided six factories yesterday. We rescued four hundred children. A few of the older ones are willing to work for me, earning a proper wage, but most of them want to leave Lavoisier City. It wouldn’t be right for a brutal gang like ours to raise them. Since you’re sending those children from the factory we raided to a safe place, could you perhaps… expand the scope and take these children as well?”
“I can take anyone who wants to leave… But if it’s a large group, I’ll need your gang to provide transportation, a caravan to take them to a designated location,” Abyss said, readily agreeing. “And don’t worry, I’m not a child trafficker. They’ll be going to a friend’s house. He’s wealthy and can provide them with a good life.”
“I would never suspect you of such a thing, Mr. Abyss. You’re joking, right?” Titus said, chuckling. “No problem, I’ll hire a professional caravan, send a few trustworthy men, and hire some skilled mercenaries to escort them.”
Abyss nodded. “I’ll give you the address later. I’ll also contact my friend. Your men just need to mention my name.”
“No problem, no problem,” Titus said, eager to please. “I’ll handle everything. I’m sure your friend will provide them with a bright future.”
Leona, overhearing their conversation, tugged at Abyss’s sleeve, her voice a whisper. “ABC, where are you sending those children? I didn’t know you had such a friend. Is he reliable? Is he even alive? You’re not sending them to a graveyard, are you?”
Abyss bent down, listened to her question, then patted her head reassuringly. “Of course not. I wouldn’t send them to a graveyard. This friend was originally my master’s friend, a kind and trustworthy old mage. I initially considered sending them back to orphanages, but then I realized that’s where they came from. It wouldn’t be fair to send them back. So I thought of my master’s friend.”
“What does he do? He’s not a necromancer, is he? You’re not turning those children into necromancers, are you?” Leona asked, her voice filled with concern.
“A good necromancer must be trained from a young age, their beliefs instilled from the start. Otherwise, the necromancer’s creed is just empty words. They’re too old for that. I won’t turn them into necromancers,” Abyss said, shaking his head. “This old mage is a scholar, not affiliated with any specific school of magic. And he’s always wanted to be a teacher. But he never had enough students. Most parents prefer their children to learn practical skills at home instead of attending school. But this is a good opportunity. These children need a good education, and my friend is willing and able to provide it.”
“I see… That’s a good place for them,” Leona said, nodding thoughtfully.
Flora, who had also overheard their conversation, smiled. Promoting education had been her lifelong goal. She was happy to hear that Abyss was giving these children, who would have become cheap laborers, a chance at a better future.
“And… My friend actually asked me to find him some students… He told me that if I sent a large group of children to his house to study, he would give me a surprise in a few years. I’m quite curious,” Abyss said, chuckling. “It sounds like something a sinister dark mage would say, right? But he’s trustworthy. My master always trusted him, and he never betrayed that trust.”
“That’s good. Although I haven’t met these children, as a knight, I feel a sense of responsibility towards them,” Leona said, puffing out her chest, enjoying the feeling of Abyss stroking her head.
“Lannis, before you leave Lavoisier City, there’s someone I want you to meet. Would you mind accompanying me?” Abyss asked Lannis. “It won’t take long. She has some questions for you.”
“I figured you had something to ask of me, boy,” Lannis said, chuckling, exhaling a plume of smoke. “Lead the way, Titus. I’m guessing the person Abyss wants me to meet is with you, right?”
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