Chapter 444: The Troublemakers Have Arrived

The Magician's Ladder resembled a giant umbrella stretched outside Northwind City, three concentric rings descending from small to large, forming a latticed "umbrella" surface.

Nagelis's consciousness projected onto Ang, exclaiming in surprise: "There's a barrier? That's not just for show—it's a magical shield? Brilliant design."

Protected by the magical shield, the vast space beneath the "umbrella" stays dry and clean… Northwind City doesn't rain much anyway, but having something overhead is always better.

Beneath the Magician's Ladder, a large marketplace rapidly formed, dominated by major shops of the Magician's Alliance—among them, one offering free food, currently with a long queue.

Though the line was long, everyone in it looked energetic, none appearing hungry, leaving the goblin distributing food puzzled: "Aren't you hungry?"

"Not very. We had a small piece of cabbage cake this morning."

"Then why are you here for handouts?" the goblin asked, baffled.

"Huh? Isn't it free? Do I have to pay? If it costs money, I don't want it!" the resident hurriedly said.

"... It's free. Has Northwind City been hit by disaster?" The goblin distributing food clearly hadn't received the latest updates, so he was confused—wasn't he supposed to distribute food for relief? Why didn't this look like a disaster zone?

"Of course it has! Food prices have skyrocketed—bread went up twenty percent, and sometimes they pay with vegetables instead. If vegetables weren't even pricier, I'd refuse outright." The resident complained.

But to the goblin, this complaint sounded like boasting; hearing the word "vegetables," his saliva involuntarily increased.

With no order to halt relief efforts, the goblin glared angrily, slapping a brown gelatinous lump into the man's hand.

"Eww—what is this? Slimy, like snot." The resident recoiled.

"Heh, good stuff. Eat it. One piece lasts a whole day—eat one, you won't need to eat again." The goblin grinned maliciously.

"One piece for a whole day? Like cabbage cakes?" The resident grumbled, then cautiously licked it—no strange taste. He took a small bite—taste was fine, no discomfort. He finished it in a few bites.

"Not bad. Tastes good. What's this called?" the resident asked.

The goblin smirked: "Didn't you just say? Snot Cake. That's what we all call it."

Another goblin lunged over, slapped him across the head, and scolded: "Snot your head! Snot your head! Don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense!"

After beating his companion, the new goblin smiled: "Ignore him. This is Convenience Rice Cake—nutritious, tasty, long-lasting. We all eat this."

The new goblin smiled as he picked up a piece and ate it himself.

Since it was edible and decent-tasting, the queuing residents didn't mind—they each took one and left.

The new goblin shot a furious glare at his earlier-speaking companion, then stepped aside to let him take his place again.

The beaten goblin muttered resentfully: "You only talk about nutrition and taste—what about constipation from eating too much? We eat it, but you never mention we eat this crap every single day of the year!"

Besides this long food line, another queue stretched out, with a dozen human women in white priestly robes bustling about.

Seeing them, Andong and Du Luo exchanged glances, their expressions odd.

"Classical Light Priests. Their robes are very archaic," Andong whispered.

These Light Priests hurriedly examined patients—asking questions, inspecting, then handing out vials: red, green, yellow, each about the size of a finger.

Patients immediately opened the vials and drank the liquid; soon after, their complexion improved.

Andong watched closely, whispering: "Just minor ailments—diarrhea, colds, skin sores."

The priests never used divine magic. Then a man on a stretcher was carried over—he was emaciated, barely alive, and in agony.

He couldn't even lift his hands, yet every few moments he suddenly clutched his abdomen, convulsing violently, emitting a "Huh… huh… huh…" sound, too pained even to scream.

Andong shook his head softly: "Late-stage liver tumor. No cure. Better to die now—otherwise he'll suffer himself to death."

The female priest glanced at him, reacted the same way as Andong—shook her head, then summoned holy light and pressed it to his abdomen.

His convulsions eased, his pain lessened, and unconsciously, a smile appeared on his face.

Another female priest approached, pulled the patient's family aside, whispered something, and the family couldn't help but sob—but finally nodded through tears.

The priest turned and nodded to her companion; then holy light flared brightly, and the patient breathed his last, smiling.

Du Luo asked quietly: "Can't this be cured? Can you cure it?"

Andong pursed his lips: "Complicated. You'd have to cut out the diseased tissue, use essence fluid to stimulate regrowth of the organ."

"But healthy flesh grows too—and diseased flesh grows too. If too much of the body is diseased, what grows back might be diseased tissue. Unless you can do what the Master does—use a healthy limb to trigger regrowth, like I did."

Nagelis gasped: "Like you? Your body used dozens of liters of essence fluid!"

At such a cost, few patients could afford it. A peaceful, smiling death was his best option.

The deceased was carried away by family; the queue resumed. No one blamed the priests for failing to save him—instead, they were grateful he died painlessly, and unconsciously began murmuring: "Light be with you."

Andong whispered: "Medicine and food—two most practical weapons for competing for faith."

Du Luo asked: "You mean these magicians are competing for faith? Aren't they atheists?"

"I don't know. But they're clearly winning public favor—faith is just a side effect. Look over there." Andong gestured subtly.

Centered on the "umbrella ribs," one line was for medicine, one for food, but a third stall stood in another direction—hidden from those exiting Northwind City, easily overlooked.

So the third stall had no long queue—only a few scattered people, dressed as magicians, nobles, wealthy merchants.

Nagelis trembled, for he saw his own statue—or rather, the Statue of the God of Knowledge: a lecherous giant dragon hugging a book.

Jili had said the Hall of Knowledge was the world's largest religion—magicians worship knowledge, and mortals, influenced by magicians, deify knowledge, worshipping the God of Knowledge.

But in truth, Nagelis could not convert these beliefs into power. Aside from the street child in the Desert Town, he had never seen another soul-flame offered to him.

But that child from the Desert Town received spirit beans from Ang—whether he truly believed in the God of Knowledge was uncertain.

Who would have thought he'd see his own statue here? Clearly a secondhand adaptation—now a dragon hugging a book—but that lecherous, smug smile? Exactly like his own.

So medicine, food, and knowledge—are these the three weapons the Magician's Alliance uses to compete for public favor?

But no time for deep analysis—they had pushed their cart to the innermost row, where supplies piled like mountains, stretching endlessly. They found a goblin worker and explained their purpose.

The goblin's eyes lit up at the word "vegetables" from Silver Coin, and he immediately said politely: "Wait a moment—I'll get the supervisor."

Soon, a human was led over, giving Silver Coin a meaningful look: "Hello, I'm Deputy Supervisor Rafit of Supply Team Two. What exactly have you brought? Vegetables? Who placed the order?"

"Oh, Deputy Supervisor Wrench·Bash? Wrench is impressive—found vegetable sources so fast. We should learn from him. Still, routine inspection is required."

"You know, the Magician's Ladder is fully sealed—no plagues, pests, or filth allowed inside. So—are your vegetables clean?" Rafit smiled at Silver Coin.

Silver Coin smiled instantly: "Supervisor Rafit, what's your standard for 'clean'? We've never delivered here before—could you explain? Perhaps I could treat you to a drink?"

As he spoke, one hand moved behind his back, making a silent gesture to Ang and the others.

This was the prearranged signal between Silver Coin and Andong—they recognized it at once. Andong smiled softly: "He's looking for trouble. Silver Coin's probing—he wants us ready."

"Trouble? We're just selling vegetables. What trouble could they find? Trying to lowball us? Refuse payment?" Nagelis was confused.

Andong coughed twice, explaining reluctantly: "If vegetables are vital to them, finding a source is a major achievement. If your colleague finds a fast, good source, the credit goes to him. But if you can find even a small flaw in it, the credit might shift to you—and his becomes only failure. Right?"

Nagelis understood, then immediately reacted: "Wait—you two are sharp. You must know this trick. The one who ordered from you—Wrench·Bash? Such a nice name. Didn't he leave contact info?"

Andong awkwardly rubbed his nose. Nagelis didn't grasp workplace games, but she understood Andong and Silver Coin perfectly—she saw right through them.

"Isn't this good news? Their internal structure isn't unified—we can exploit divisions. This kind of intel? Just delivering the wrong vegetables uncovers it. Worth it." Andong said.

While they talked, Silver Coin finished his conversation. Though Rafit came to cause trouble, somehow they ended up chatting amicably—he was smiling broadly as Silver Coin returned.

"What did you talk about? Why is he so happy?" Nagelis asked curiously.

"Oh? Just pleasantries—I told him he's young and talented, handsome, hardworking, capable, perceptive, well-connected, admired by all, and destined for promotion." Silver Coin replied casually.

Nagelis couldn't help but praise: "Silver Coin, you're a master of words. Say more."

"No no no—Master Nagelis is the true master of speech—so knowledgeable, speaks every language. I must learn from you." Silver Coin said sincerely.

Luckily, Nagelis was projected onto Ang—otherwise he'd have floated away.

Silver Coin turned to Ang: "Rafit says the Magician's Ladder is sealed—vegetables must be inspected for live creatures, pests, or plant diseases. Otherwise, they'll be rejected."

"He also hinted he knows someone who can remove these things, make vegetables clean. If all else fails, I can go to him—clean vegetables fetch a higher price."

Andong's eyes flickered: "Bribery? Stealing credit?"

Silver Coin said: "Both, probably. He implied a higher purchase price—that's a sweetener. But the sweeteners must be shared with his contact."

Nagelis asked: "So what do we do?"

Silver Coin put on a innocent, clueless face: "I didn't understand his meaning—I just went along with the inspection. Heh, our vegetables are too clean—no pests, no bacteria at all."

"Pfft—" Checking for pests and diseases? The vegetables from Ang's divine realm were clean enough to eat raw.

Silver Coin slowly played dumb, cooperating with Rafit's inspection.

Minutes passed. Silver Coin chose this time—only slightly earlier than his agreed time with Deputy Supervisor Wrench.

Just as Rafit finished, a goblin carrying a giant wrench stormed over: "Rafit, what are you doing to my supplier?!"

Rafit's face darkened. How could the vegetables be this clean? Not a single pest, no rot, no blemish? He'd raised the inspection standard to maximum—and still found nothing?

Too bad he didn't know these vegetables were grown by Ang inside a sealed cultivation sphere, using soilless methods, water controlled by Tom the Water God, and transported via divine realm.

These vegetables were cleaner than washed ones—cut and eaten immediately.

Rafit found no fault, and had no moral ground—he couldn't blame Silver Coin, who was so cooperative. After being yelled at by Wrench, he stormed off, face black.

Wrench scolded Silver Coin for arriving early without warning.

Silver Coin looked innocent and confused, wearing a "I didn't know what happened" expression—Wrench couldn't stay angry.

But when he saw the quantity of vegetables, he complained again: "This little? Any more? Only five hundred kilos? Not nearly enough!"

"Uh… not enough? How much do you need?" Silver Coin asked.

"Any amount. We'll take all you bring. Money's no problem—we have no space to grow vegetables here. Getting them is hard." Wrench said.

"No space to grow vegetables?" Andong and Du Luo heard this and simultaneously brightened.