Village Head's Debauchery
chapter-1020

"Given the nature of the Wandering Coalition, they can't simply accept the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City into their ranks without reason. They require substantial proof that the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway will add significant value to the alliance as a new member."

"That's why they're putting effort into acquiring the Divine Artifact. The Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City is even utilizing their remaining Vylkr alloys, sending them to various territories for information on other valuable items and Timeworn Ruins."

A look of realization crossed Orion's face as he nodded in understanding. Though he had grasped that the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City wanted to keep the existence of the Divine Artifact under wraps, he had been puzzled by their decision to send only one individual to retrieve such a valuable item, given its immense value.

It turns out they were sceptical about the artefact's authenticity but couldn't afford to let it slip away. As for their method of retrieval, it wasn't due to carelessness. They had dispatched the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City capable of overpowering two Grade One Runaway Cities and a god chosen with a 2,100 BEM, a level surpassing any gods' chosens in the three Runaway Cities.

Regarding the Journeying Jaguar Runaway City, it was clear they might be one of the Wandering Wolf Borough adversaries, possibly trying to hinder their progress. Their spies, who infiltrated the Sleeping Fox and Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway Cities, were tasked with retrieving the artefact, monitoring the situation, and reporting on developments.

Luckily, Orion had already arranged for the capture of any spies implanted within the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City.

"And where does the Trekking Flamingo Runaway City fit into all this?" Orion asked. "As a Runaway City on the brink of promotion to Grade Two, shouldn't you be interested in acquiring the Divine Artifact yourself and securing a place in the alliance?"

Greroth smiled wryly. "I've considered it. As a Grade One Runaway City on the verge of promotion to Grade Two, we face our share of adversaries scheming against us. Like the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City, we need protection until we're stable enough to confront them independently."

"However, unlike the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City, we have no ties to the Wandering Coalition. Betraying them to claim the Divine Artifact for ourselves would only escalate our enemies and attract unwanted attention. If word got out about the Divine Artefact, we'd be far from safe within our territory. The Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City has promised us promotion and protection through the alliance, a much safer and more strategic option. So, pursuing the artefact isn't worth the risk."

He continued, "In a way, we're in similar situations, making this a mutually beneficial deal. Unfortunately, we didn't anticipate the interference of such a powerful, mysterious force; otherwise, our plan might have succeeded."

"That's all the information I have on the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City," Greroth said. "Information about a Runaway City is scarce and highly confidential, often guarded closely to prevent it from being exploited by others."

He cast a doubtful glance at Orion, wondering if the Supreme Leader of Paradise would find his insights relevant, given the scale of the forces under his command.

Orion nodded, absorbing the details he had been given.

Even Seth appeared lost in thought.

After a few moments, Orion broke the silence. "Do you have any knowledge about Grade Three Runaway Cities?"

Greroth furrowed his brows and shook his head. "No. The gap between Grade One and Grade Two Runaway Cities is immense, and the disparity between Grade Two and Grade Three is even greater. Acquiring information on a Grade Three Runaway City would require extraordinary resources or something equally valuable. It's simply not worth the investment, so I don't possess any information about them."

Inwardly, Greroth couldn't help but speculate about Paradise's capabilities. The lack of information about Grade Three Runaway Cities made him wonder if his suspicions were correct that Paradise might be merely a stowaway or a mysterious force possessing only the strength of a Grade Two Runaway City.

That would certainly simplify matters!

"Is there anything known as a Grade Four Runaway City?" Orion asked. Although Patriarch Rylan had informed him that knowledge about Grade Four Cities was unlikely at best, Orion was eager to explore the possibility.

"I don't know if Grade Four Runaway Cities exist," Greroth explained, shaking his head. "But if they do, their existence is beyond anything I can fathom. Getting information about a Grade Three Runaway City is challenging enough; how could I possibly grasp the nature of a Grade Four Runaway City?"

If such information were available, Greroth mused, he would have shared it with a powerful Grade Two alliance for protection rather than making the long journey to fulfil the Wandering Wolf Borough Runaway City's request.

Orion nodded in understanding, then asked. "What about sanctuaries? Do you have any information on them?"

Greroth frowned, casting a sceptical look at the masked man before him. "Sanctuaries are the stuff of legends. If such a place existed, every Runaway City would sacrifice everything just to find it, hoping to escape the horrors of this ruined world. But as far as we know, no sanctuary exists. We must do our best to survive with what we have," he responded.

Orion nodded, disappointment etched on his face. "Do you have any information about gods, divine apostles, or demigods?" he asked.

Having seen the power of a divine being in the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City, he hoped to find some information.

"I'm afraid I don't possess any information about gods, apostles, demigods, or any divine beings," Greroth replied, shaking his head. "They are considered mere legends, much like the sanctuaries. One of the many legends is 'Runaway Cities are all wandering, searching endlessly, driven by the hope rather than concrete knowledge of finding a Sanctuary—a place hidden from mortal eyes, where the divine walk among mortals, where forgotten races seek refuge, and where salvation from our desolate reality might finally be found."

Greroth continued, "You might have better luck trading with various alliances or a Grade Three Runaway City for such information. However, I doubt you'll uncover anything substantial."

As Greroth finished speaking, he inwardly frowned, sensing that he was being toyed with.