Novel Full Chapter 594 In Marlina's Eyes - I
For most people, the experience of a job is often determined not by their own abilities, but by the competence and mindset of their superior.
Working under a good boss, even with limited skills, the job experience will hardly be poor; conversely, under a dreadful superior, even the most capable individuals will find the experience… indescribable. Your journey continues with empire
In fact, the more skilled one is, the more despairing it becomes to work for an utterly incompetent boss.
In the tavern, thick with various odors, Marlina watched the clumsy, berated waiter and sighed, rubbing her temples:
“Two batches left… where should they be placed?”
The slaves rescued by Seraphina and Ravenna, some of whom were residents of Dispute Fortress, could be sent back on their original paths.
However, many others had been captured from elsewhere by the Speckled Snake, intended for sale in Dispute Fortress. These individuals lacked the means to return home, so Marlina was seeking opportunities for them to… survive, if not thrive.
But it wouldn’t be so simple. Only a few had skills to secure a decent job, while most lacked any notable abilities. Some slaves had been so broken in spirit that they could only perform tasks of “servitude”.
Marlina could only place them temporarily in the service industry or low-threshold labor sectors. Whether they were willing or able to work was one issue; finding employers willing to take them in was another.
Moreover…
Marlina sighed silently as she looked at the boss chastising the waiter.
Moreover, after learning of this matter, Seraphina insisted that Marlina find reliable and benevolent employers for these slaves. They must not be subjected to harsh treatment under cruel masters. The reason was simple: she did not want to see these innocently abducted slaves suffer a second wave of harm.
Although Seraphina’s standpoint was noble and just, in practice… what use was this righteousness?
Could her integrity and kindness change the chaotic, dark reality of Dispute Fortress’s lower districts?
Finding employers willing to take in these slaves was already challenging enough; to add the condition of being reliable and kind?
“If Seri knew I lowered the standards privately, she would be furious.”
The slender adventurer with a beret navigated through the tavern crowd, pushed open the door, and stood on the oil-stained and grimy ground ubiquitous in the lower district.
Walking to the edge of the street, Marlina leaned on the railing, her expression complex as she gazed at the projections cast into the central hollow passage of the lower district.
She wasn’t irritated or angered by Seraphina’s overly rigid sense of justice. On the contrary, she felt fortunate that her sister was an extraordinary being of such rare and unique character.
Marlina understood well that Seraphina’s “justice” was not mere rhetoric; she truly acted upon her convictions—dealing with oppressors where they existed and now learning to ensure that those she liberated could stand on their own after she had moved on.
Yet, this only proved that Seraphina possessed a pure will and an incredible capacity for action. It never validated that what she did was the right course.
— Morally, it might be absolutely correct, but the influence of morality in this world was, quite frankly, limited.
Continuing down this path, Seri would only find herself increasingly entangled.
From the day Marlina took over the affairs of the lower district, she had grasped the situation thoroughly.
Rampant crime, chaotic order, a haven for filth and villainy… Dispute Fortress had no intention of governing this area. To the extraordinary beings, it was a dark playground. Changing this place under such constraints seemed a fanciful dream.
But… there was still a chance.
Marlina gripped the railing, exhaling slowly.
“Milo is no longer Milo. If handled properly… it might be possible to have Seri leave contentedly before Mr. Ansel departs from Dispute Fortress.”
Back when Ansel effortlessly took Milo’s head, a thought suddenly crystallized in Marlina’s mind.
If she could control the Queen Bee under Faust’s name, why not attempt to control the Whistling Legion directly in Faust’s name?
With Bryce Palmer Leo leading a significant portion of the Whistling Legion’s elite to transform into warhounds, wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to exploit?
Thus, in Ansel’s presence, Marlina earnestly persuaded the well-informed secretary of Milo. In simple terms, it was: if you comply, you might die someday; if you don’t, Inothea will discover, and you will die immediately.
Of course, there were also temptations involved. The secretary, disguised as Milo, would naturally enjoy all the privileges Milo had… but this secretary clearly valued his life more.
As for Inothea, the situation was even simpler.
Marlina’s idea wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment inspiration; she never entertained notions without a solid basis—that was Seraphina’s style.
The information provided by the Queen Bee mentioned that Inothea was… another restless and ruthless character.
She had joined the Whistling Legion, becoming Bryce Palmer Leo’s consort, and had steadily risen to the position of deputy, driven by a thirst for greater power and authority. She epitomized the traditional extraordinary being, constantly seeking ascension.
Therefore, Marlina was confident she could persuade Inothea. The process… well, was quite similar to controlling the Queen Bee, except Inothea, unlike the immediate surrender of the Queen Bee, harbored doubts about Ansel, or rather, “Faust’s” capabilities.
She agreed to cooperate for the moment but was keen on finding opportunities to gauge Ansel’s true strength.
The only major issue was the Duke of Azuregold. This old fox was highly likely to uncover the truth about Milo, and if exposed, handling the fallout would be challenging. Although Marlina had preparations in place, they were far from foolproof.
Moreover, Inothea herself… was an unstable factor. While Milo managed the administration, the adventurers paid little heed to such matters, and the Whistling Legion still answered to Inothea.
Convincing her of Ansel’s superiority was essential for gaining complete control over Dispute Fortress. But how…?
Leaning on the railing, Marlina pondered this as she absentmindedly watched the enormous projection screen.
Even the residents of the lower distrcts had the right to watch the selection tournament. Places like bars, which naturally gathered crowds, and the central hollow cylinder of the lower district, broadcasted the matches, instilling awe and reverence… for the extraordinary beings among the common folk.
Milo had a knack for this—despite their dire circumstances, the lower district inhabitants never considered leaving Dispute Fortress. They despised living in the lower district but were reluctant to leave. If harnessed correctly, this contradiction could be quite powerful…huh?!
As Marlina mused over Milo’s strategies, the scene on the massive screen suddenly shifted. Her expression of contemplation morphed into shock and then into a stunned daze.
Faust, who beheaded someone in public, casually tossed the head to two individuals, dismembered Inothea without lifting a finger, and even… dared to challenge the Duke of Azuregold and left unscathed.
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