Mage Joan

Qiao An scratched his head, and was stunned by the sudden change of attitude of the jewellery shop owner.

"Dr. Vader, I just listened to you chatting with Xiao Miao. It seems to be investigating the root cause of the rot fever outbreak in the city. I admire your courage, and I can't help you. These silver alchemy ointments are given to you to chat. Sincerely, I hope you can find out the truth as soon as possible, so that the residents of the city can get rid of the threat of the virus." Julia put a smile away and looked sincerely, "Of course, more importantly, pay attention to safety!"

"Sister Julia..." Xiao Miao picked up the medicine box, both surprised and moved, "Sorry, I thought you were a profiteer, but I didn't expect you to be a good-hearted person!"

"The "profiteers" and the "good guys" are not in conflict. Sister Meow, like black agate, is just a mid-range gem in my eyes, but in Dr. Vader's eyes it is the material for the use of necromantic magic."

The lady boss smiled slightly and waved goodbye to Qiao An and Xiao Miao.

...

"Queens", the location of the largest slum in Leiden, an inconspicuous corner suddenly rose to transmit light, and seven figures appeared from it.

Qiao An was the first to walk out of the teleportation formation, and the soles of his boots stepped on the snow, making a creaking sound, and dispelled a group of wild cats on the side of the road that were churning up the garbage dump.

Qiao An looked around and saw the dark alleys with twists and turns like a maze, tattered, self-built houses full of graffiti, muddy streets with sewage and garbage dumps everywhere.

The iconic landscape of these slums, under the snow-covered makeup, seemed like a face with scars and wrinkles concealed by foundation, which was not as unsightly as he expected.

Two girls wrapped in white and green cloaks, Rebecca and Conti, hurried to Joan's side. They all set foot on this notorious neighbourhood for the first time, looking around, intertwined with vigilance and curiosity.

Xiao Meow followed Thomas, Edward and Allen, and whispered to her companions, "I will take you to the stronghold of the Kolob family. Don't be nosy on the way, and don't speak loudly."

"If someone strikes up a conversation, let me negotiate. The street gangsters in Queens have a set of gangsters. If they don't understand what they are talking about, they will be regarded as a'fat sheep' for blackmail, although it is not a big threat. , After all, it is a trouble."

Everyone took down Catwoman's instructions and followed her silently.

A pungent burnt smoke rose from the iron barrel on the side of the road, and four or five men in peaked caps and ragged jackets surrounded the iron barrels and roasted them. A bottle of wine passed in their hands, and those who had their turn took a sip.

The barbed wire on the iron barrels burned red, the meat pieces were roasted squeaky and greasy, and the scent drifted in the wind, smelling very attractive. However, thinking that these pieces of meat might come from dead cats or mice, Qiao Ann felt that he really shouldn’t have that barbecue at noon today.

The homeless people turned their heads to look at Qiao An and his party, their eyes showed that they were not locals, but fortunately they did not show hostility, and some smiled and took off their hats and nodded in greeting.

"Good afternoon, lucky friend."

"Good afternoon." Xiao Miao nodded in return.

"Don't worry, they are poor, but they are not bad people." Catwoman whispered to her companion.

The sky gradually darkened, and the setting sun was about to sink to the horizon.

A woman's sobbing came from a wooden house on the roadside, which caught Qiao'an's attention. There was no glass in the windows, thin wooden strips were nailed on, and a layer of newspaper was pasted to block the wind and snow on the inside.

"It seems someone is crying." Allen looked at the wooden house and said in a low voice, with a trace of sympathy in his eyes.

Xiao Miao turned her head and glanced at the blond boy, and smiled weirdly.

"Little guy, are you a virgin?"

"Huh?! This...I..."

Allen blushed and didn't know how to answer this question properly.

"The women who live in this kind of ruined house on the street are almost all in the flesh business. Whether they are willing or forced to do this business, most of them have a tragic past and owe a large amount of debt."

"Each of them has good reasons to cry from morning to night, but if there is business to do and wine to drink, they don't mind selling cheap flesh and smiles, and having fun."

"Boy, if you sympathize with them, have money in your pocket, and are interested, you might as well take care of their business. Remember to pay attention to hygiene. It is not fun to get syphilis."

Hearing Xiao Miao's words, the young warlock seemed to be greatly shocked by the spirit, and he lowered his head and said nothing.

In fact, it is not only Alan, who is older than him, and has seen more of Qiao An and others in the world, and his mood is also particularly low.

At this moment, the door of the room suddenly opened, and a barefooted blond girl walked out carrying a wooden bucket with difficulty, as if she wanted to get water from a nearby well. Seeing Qiao Ann and the others, he quickly retracted, his blue eyes peering out through the crack of the door, like a frightened deer.

Xiao Miao stopped and touched her pocket.

"I'll do it!" Thomas took out his purse.

Catwoman waved her hand and whispered, "Don't give her money, you can give her some food or sugar."

Qiao Ann always took a bag of candies with him and handed it to Xiao Miao. Children in slums may not trust outsiders. Xiao Miao who was born here is more suitable for dealing with each other than him.

Xiao Miao walked to the door, squatted down and touched the little girl's hair, whispered a few words, and stuffed a bag of candy into her hand.

The little girl bowed gratefully and ran back to the house holding the candy.

Xiao Miao returned to her friends and said flatly: "Her mother is sick."

"Rot fever?" Rebecca asked.

"It would be fine if it was just rot fever, and the more important thing was'poor disease.' This is the most terrible terminal illness, and there is no cure." Xiao Miao sighed.

Qiao An suddenly thought of the little girl who seemed to be only seven or eight years old and was forced to do housework and take care of her sick mother. There was little hope in her life. If she can be lucky-or unfortunately-grow up, she will have a high probability of repeating her mother's tragedy and be forced to sell her flesh to earn a living. Her innocent and clear blue eyes will eventually be soaked in tears.

Thinking of this, he felt short of breath, as if he was strangling his throat by an invisible hand.

Can "magic" eliminate such human tragedies?

As far as an individual is concerned, it may be possible, but as far as the bottom group of society living in slums is concerned, magic cannot change the fate of this class as a whole.

It is difficult to change the "slums", and even more difficult is to eliminate poverty. Qiao An can't help but doubt that the legendary magic and even the power of the true gods may not be able to achieve this great cause.

"Beware, everyone, the kobold camp is ahead."

Xiao Miao's warning came in his ear, prompting Qiao An to put aside his chaotic thoughts for the time being.

At the end of the muddy street, there is a big house with a hotel sign.

Six or seven short men in short cloaks were gathered around the hotel porch to play cards.