Chapter 427: 425 Chaos (Part 1)_1
The night sky over Alfalfa City was very dim, without a trace of moonlight.
On the Angry River, it was also pitch ck, with only specks of light emanating from the warships of the Pegasus Navy.
However, Alfalfa City was brightly lit, bustling with activity, especially the Eastern District where the Pegasus Navy had docked. Tens of thousands of navy soldiers poured into the city, spending freely, eating, drinking, and reveling, a grand celebration of indulgence.
Count Evan, however, did not partake in the revelry. He politely refused thepany of two beauties sent by the Alfalfa Brotherhood, and was engrossed in writing something in his quiet study.
After a while, his attendant Adam walked in quietly, handed a piece of parchment to Count Evan, and reported:
“Sir, this is the list of personnel for the mission assigned by Count Howell, for your review.”
Count Evan took the list, gave it a cursory nce, then set it aside, asking, “What is Count Howell doing now?”
“Count Howell is currently gathering the officers on the list, presumably to discuss their uing mission to Silver Moon City.”
“I see.” Count Evan nodded, and added, “After their discussion, have Count Howelle see me.”
“Yes, Sir!”
Just as Count Evan was about to return to his writing, he noticed Adam had not left and asked, “Is there anything else?”
The attendant swiftly reported: “Sir, Ondo has also summoned the leaders of the Alfalfa Brotherhood for a meeting, though it’s unclear what he’s up to.”
Count Evan frowned slightly but didn’t seem too concerned, nonchntly instructing, “Go find out what they’re doing, and ask Ondo toe see me as well.”
“Yes, Sir!”
With that, Adam bowed and retreated.
——————————
In an abandoned church not far from the Alfalfa City harbor, more than a hundred leaders of the Alfalfa Brotherhood had gathered.
Once he saw that most of them had arrived, Ondo cleared his throat to attract everyone’s attention.
The ce gradually fell silent.
In reality,pared to his predecessor Capen, Ondo didn’t have much prestige within the Alfalfa Brotherhood. After all, he did not possess the formidable martial skills that could suppress the unruly smaller factions like Capen did.
Fortunately, Ondo had the support of Count Evan, so even though many did not respect the new leader, they wouldn’t openly challenge his authority, particrly when the eastern navy’s fleet was stationed at Alfalfa City.
“I know you all have been ufortabletely.”
The first words out of Ondo’s mouth earned a secret nod from many of the gang leaders.
Since Count Evan began treating Alfalfa City as his own, he nned to control the city’s underground forces and restore order. However, this clearly made the gang members ustomed to deceit, robbery, and theft ufortable, and even resentful.
But under the intimidation of the eastern army, they could only suppress their dissatisfaction.
Now that Ondo had brought this up, the crowd immediately started whispering among themselves.
Ondo raised his hand and spoke again: “To be honest with you, I’m not used to this life of being controlled.”
These words earned Ondo a considerable approval, even some simple-minded fools pped their hands.
Ondo gave a faint smile, raised his voice, and continued: “We came to Alfalfa City because we didn’t want to pay taxes, didn’t want to be controlled, and didn’t want the nobles to boss us around!
Whether it’s the East Territory, the North Territory, or the Half-Elf Kingdom, none of them can truly upy this city!
This is our city!
No matter how poor and chaotic, it remains our paradise!”
“Good!”
“Well said!”
“Nobles, get out of Alfalfa City!”
…
A few instigated fools immediately started making a racket.
But most people just watched coldly.
The fools, seeing no one responding, were suddenly embarrassed. Then, they btedly realized the consequences of what Ondo just said could be.
The Eastern District’s fleet is still in Alfalfa City’s harbor!
If Count Evan heard these words, a bloodbath would surely erupt in Alfalfa City again, and the newly-appointed head of Alfalfa Brotherhood would undoubtedly meet a tragic end.
And so, the room fell silent once again.
Ondo seemed unperturbed, as if unaware of the potential consequences of his words.
Some gang leaders who had never respected Ondo began to smirk in the shadows, nning to ry this news to Count Evan when they left.
Heh, the Alfalfa Brotherhood would then have to rece its leader again after some time.
If they could earn Count Evan’s favor, the position of the new leader might even fall to them!
“Many of you are probably preparing to inform on me, aren’t you?” Ondo saw through their intentions and straightforwardly unmasked them.
However, his words did not stir up any sizable wave, the majority of the gang leaders just looked at Ondo as if he was already a corpse.
Although they also didn’t want to see Alfalfa City regain its normal order, they wouldn’t provoke the Eastern District at this time.
To them, Ondo’s actions were simply foolish.
“I am not afraid of you reporting me,” Ondo said with a calm smile, “because Count Evan is already in a precarious position.”
Seeing the confident Ondo, the faces of the gang leaders finally showed some changes.
Someone couldn’t help but question aloud, “Lord Ondo, what news have you received?”
Before Ondo could reply, someone appeared at the entrance of the room. Ondo frowned, preparing to reprimand the guards for allowing someone in so casually. But, as soon as he recognized the man, he quickly put on a smile, saying:
“Mr. Adam, why have youe?”
As Count Evan’s personal attendant, Adam was naturally a person that no one in the Alfalfa Brotherhood wanted to offend. They quickly stood up and greeted Adam with a bow.
“It’s quite lively here, so the Count asked me to check what’s going on,” Adam greeted everyone with a chuckle.
The gang leaders’ faces were full of delight yet also contempt. They were deciding whether to reveal Ondo’s disloyalty to Adam when they heard Ondo speak first:
“Mr. Adam, we were discussing a problem.”
“Oh? What problem?”
Ondo walked up to Adam with a ttery smile and said, “We were discussing who is the master of Alfalfa City?”
“Have youe to a conclusion?” Adam thought Ondo was going to stroke Count Evan’s ego once more. His heart overflowed withcency and contempt.
“Of course.” Ondo stepped closer and said, “Alfalfa City belongs to no one!”
Whoosh!
A sh of silver light.
Adam was still shocked by what Ondo had uttered when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his throat.
“Ah!”
Only then did the crowd realize the seriousness of the issue as they saw Adam clutching his throat and copsing.
“Ondo, have you gone mad!”
Ondo nonchntly wiped the dagger on his clothes and said indifferently, “I’ve told you, it’s not up to Count Evan to give orders in Alfalfa City.”
Just when everyone thought that Ondo must have gone mad, a loud noise came from outside.
Boom!
The shockwave made the chandelier on the ceiling shake violently, and ash began to sprinkle down.
“Is… is it an earthquake?”
Someone asked uncertainly.
Ondo pointed to the mes soaring from the port outside the window andughed, “Gentlemen, chaos has begun. This is the battlefield you are most familiar with. The Pegasus Navy’s military payments, weapons, armor and treasures are all calling out to you. What are you waiting for?”
Having said that, he walked awayughing, leaving the gang leaders looking at each other in confusion.