When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist-Chapter 742 - 698: Bleeding May and the Underground Giant Dragon

The "Celestial Maiden City May Special Operation" that frightened the wizards of Celestial Maiden City finally concluded in early June.

Compared to the strange name "May Special Operation," locals preferred to call it "Bloody May."

In these two weeks, while not every gang was cleared, at least 80% of the gang-related Secret Faction members within the city were caught for reformation through labor, or exiled to the Eastern County.

The actions of the Constitutional Army were certainly not procedurally just, with instances of torture, confining people in the West City Tavern's underground cellar with no food and added beatings, even forcing suspects to place their fingerprints on confession statements.

However, the results were largely just, thanks to Moliat's assistance in mind reading. Although there was no evidence, capturing you was certainly not a mistake.

These gang-type Secret Faction members, who among them doesn't have a few innocent lives on their back?

Many wizards suffered from some brutal law enforcement during this security movement, but they had to admit that after the cleanup, the atmosphere in Celestial Maiden City greatly improved.

Previously illegal toll stations blocking roads were removed, and street bullies extorting tribute and protection fees disappeared from the streets and the world.

A large number of rogues and thugs, those with lighter crimes, were required to engage in labor reform, either repairing roads and building bridges in the city or going to the plantations outside the city to cut sweet branches.

The South City's human trafficking and slave auction market were shut down, released slaves who lived nearby were given a small sum to leave freely, while those from further away temporarily took up roles in municipal services like mail delivery and street cleaning.

As for the now vacant building, it's said it will serve as the headquarters for the United Spice Company and future bulk commodity exchange.

But Horn also had to admit, despite the grand scale, it only cleaned up the gangs and Secret Faction members in Celestial Maiden City and its surroundings.

Beyond that, in the ordinary towns and rural areas, there are still plenty of gang-type Secret Faction members.

Ibe River needs the Divine Punishment Army to escort, ports and borders require the Divine Punishment Army to patrol, these gang-type Secret Faction members still cling like malignant tumors to the economic arteries of Black Snake Bay.

The Constitutional Army only fortified Celestial Maiden City as a stronghold, preparing for next year's security war.

But precisely because Horn limited this movement to the surrounding areas of Celestial Maiden City, it did not provoke opposition from gang-type Secret Faction members in other regions.

These people would rather rejoice in others' misfortune, claiming that the gangs of Celestial Maiden City were not raging about daily? Now they've stumbled for not seeing the situation clearly.

But they will soon stop smiling, because after the "Celestial Maiden City May Special Operation" comes the "Long Embankment City June Special Operation," "Solaburg July Special Operation," and "August Ibe River Joint Patrol Operation."

If these gang-type Secret Faction members don't transform, their territory will likely be confined to rural areas and smaller towns.

"But in that case, what about those unemployed gang combat wizards? We can't just drive them all to the Eastern County, can we? If we do, they'll turn into bandits, becoming wandering bandits in the forests, then they'll be hard to handle."

At the forefront, holding a torch, Ottatila guided the way while discussing governmental affairs with Horn.

Currently, the Wizard Federation of Black Snake Bay still had quite a loose system, with the southern, central, and northern counties each functioning independently. Ottatila, as the chairman, held the highest judicial review power and fiscal oversight.

But if this problem isn't handled well, it could likely trigger unrest and upheaval, because combat wizards have both violence and numbers.

Following Ottatila, Horn and Jeanne listened to the hissing of snake-men slithering along the walls, feeling a bit unnerved.

"Political struggle is sometimes similar to the military, just like besieging a city on three sides and leaving one open, we can't corner these Secret Faction members." Horn cautiously stepped on the slippery stairs, "Naturally, I will give them a place to go."

"Where?"

"It's simple, set heroes to investigate heroes and fine men to survey fine men..." Palms caressing the lush moss, Horn looked puzzled at the deep pit, as if he heard something howling.

Perhaps it was just the wind? Comforting himself, Horn continued, "…I plan to employ a batch of unemployed gang combat wizards as tax inspectors, affiliated with the Divine Axis Bridge and Road Bureau."

These combat wizards may not be adept at other things, but they are skilled at auditing, fighting, and collecting protection fees.

Aren't those Secret Faction members unwilling to pay taxes? Don't they love smuggling? Aren't they constantly armed to resist tax duties? Then it's perfect to have these combat wizard tax police, who originated from gangs, to handle them.

In fact, it's not only the Divine Axis customs port employing tax inspectors, even the county governments in Northern County and other places would hire combat wizards as tax inspectors.

Otherwise, with so many autonomous territories on the land of Black Snake Bay not paying taxes or tribute, isn't it wasteful?

After clearing these gang-type Secret Faction members, Horn's next target will be these autonomous villages and wild tribes.

"I see." Ottatila instantly understood, "Relying on these tax inspectors can not only dismantle grassroots gang organizations but also conveniently strengthen the power of the county government."

"Precisely."

Seeing Horn and Ottatila engage in detailed discussions filled with content she didn't quite understand, Jeanne couldn't help but interject, "Ms. Ottatila, there's something I've been unable to comprehend, could you explain it to me?"

"As long as I know, there is nothing unsaid."

"That member from Scales Hermitage, Akatean, said Master Cynthia was banished to the rainforest in the Eastern County, why does she appear here then? If she's awake, why stay locked away, unseen?"

"To be precise, Grandma Cynthia could never leave, there wasn't any real banishment; what was banished was her, um, physical form, she remained underground controlling it. That form normally couldn't even leave Celestial Maiden City."

Horn suddenly stopped, eyebrows knitted: "You mean to say Master Cynthia is a vampire?"

"Don't say that in front of her, she'll throw a huge fit. Grandma Cynthia will then nag endlessly about vampires being thieves and traitors for three to four hours..."

"Aren't there witches who know necromancy?"

"She's not a witch... well, once you reach the underground, you'll understand." Ottatila didn't know how to explain to Horn, so she quickened her pace.

Yet Jeanne remained persistent, "Then how did Master Serafe know Master Cynthia?"

"Grandma Cynthia's physical form seems to be from some transaction she made with the Blood and Flesh Royal Court, and Master Serafe apparently helped Grandma Cynthia repair her physical form, but failed." Ottatila recalled the elder's speeches within the faction.

"Given Master Cynthia's close relationship with Serafe, you are her successor, why are you unfamiliar with Serafe?" Looking at the recessive abyss in the pit, Horn vaguely saw something sparkling shifting, they were probably close to the bottom.

"Grandma Cynthia explained that Serafe was a significant figure but very dangerous, best not to get too close, I haven't even seen her personally."

Ottatila sighed: "Moreover, Serafe always appears in masks and under pseudonyms, with an elusive presence, not just among the Scales Hermitage, even... ah, we've arrived."

As the feet pressed into the soft sand, Horn just let his guard down, only to see Ottatila insert the torch into a groove.

In an instant, as the whales' oil and spices burned smoky tendrils, flames ignited in circles at the pit's bottom.

In the blazing light, Horn's pupils involuntarily constricted, Jeanne was even more frightened, sparks flying from her hand and hair.

Stretching its long neck, triangular head shaking off sand, dark red scales beneath a pair of golden eyes gazed at Horn and Jeanne with ancient indifference.

A giant dragon, right before him stood a dragon—a red giant dragon! 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Ho ho ho!" Extending its broken wings, an elderly hoarse woman's voice wafted from the dragon's throat, "Even when decapitated, you witches can live. So exaggerated!"