Chapter 513 - 522: The Helplessness of Those at the Bottom

Chapter 513: Chapter 522: The Helplessness of Those at the Bottom

He smiled. "My apologies. I was really worried earlier, so I might have overstepped."

If it was really like Brother Xavier said, then Miss Sterling should be fine.

’Then my actions just now...’

As he thought of this, his gaze wavered, and he looked a bit embarrassed.

But Zane Xavier wasn’t bothered and patted the other man’s shoulder. "Don’t worry about it, Brother Night. I get it. You were worried about my boss. I’m grateful for that, so how could I possibly blame you?"

Hunter Night nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he said, "Oh, right, Brother Xavier. Tomorrow, the various factions of Veridia, big and small, are heading to Sanctyr Base for some business. If you’re free, why don’t you come with us?"

This entire region was under the jurisdiction of Sanctyr Base. Although the base allowed small factions like theirs to exist, still...

Sanctyr Base demanded absolute control. They required the leaders of these small factions to report to the base every month for a briefing and even turn over a certain amount of grain as tribute.

Ultimately, small factions like theirs were still under Sanctyr Base’s control. The base wouldn’t normally interfere with their day-to-day affairs. As long as they met once a month to prove their loyalty and hand over the required grain, they were left alone.

On hearing the name "Sanctyr Base," Zane Xavier’s jaw dropped, and the things in his hands fell to the ground.

’I just escaped from Sanctyr Base! As far as they’re concerned, I’m a traitor.’

’Right now, Sanctyr Base probably either thinks I’m dead or is out looking for me everywhere. I can barely find a place to hide, and he wants me to walk right up to them?’

He quickly snapped out of it, however, and picked up the items.

Hunter Night looked at him, puzzled.

’His reaction is a bit strange.’

’Could it be that he offended Sanctyr Base? That would explain such a strong reaction to hearing its name.’

But on second thought, he found it unlikely. ’If he had really offended Sanctyr Base, he would have found a way to leave their territory long ago. Why would he still be lingering here?’

’If someone were on Sanctyr Base’s bad side, they’d have been caught by now. But this guy seems perfectly fine. I must be overthinking it.’

"Alright. I happen to be free, so I’ll go with you and check it out. It won’t cause any trouble for you, will it?"

Zane Xavier agreed. He remembered his current appearance was different from before, so the people from Sanctyr Base wouldn’t be able to recognize him.

’This is a good chance to go back and see what the situation inside Sanctyr Base is like. I can gather some information and get a better sense of things.’

"Don’t worry, it won’t. Each of us can bring a few people in!"

Hunter Night shook his head. ’Looks like I really was overthinking it. If he’d actually offended Sanctyr Base, how would he dare go there?’

’Of course, even if he had, they’ve done me a great favor. I wouldn’t turn them in. Still, it’s better that there’s no issue.’

Just then, one of Hunter Night’s men walked over, his expression grim.

He approached Hunter Night and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, Hunter Night’s expression turned grim as well.

Seeing their reactions, Zane Xavier asked with some concern, "What’s wrong, Brother Night? Is something the matter? If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know. I’ll help if I can!"

Hearing this, Hunter Night’s expression softened slightly. He gave Zane Xavier a grateful smile, then shook his head helplessly. "Thank you, Brother Xavier, but I’m afraid you can’t help with this."

He then explained without holding anything back: "The factions here in Veridia are divided by territory. My Three Tigers Corps, along with Fat Snake’s group, Mutt’s group, and Ronan Rhodes’s group—we all belong to the same region. Every month, we have to turn over a certain amount of grain to Sanctyr Base. I just got news that Ronan Rhodes’s group has been wiped out. And now, Sanctyr Base has sent word that the grain tribute Ronan Rhodes owed will be split among the three of us remaining factions!"

As he said this, a flash of astonishment also crossed Hunter Night’s eyes.

"Just three days ago, Ronan Rhodes and his men were all fine. How could they suddenly be wiped out just like that? Not only were they annihilated, but all their grain was looted clean."

"Even Fat Snake’s faction, after Miss Sterling killed so many of their people and even their leader, wasn’t completely destroyed."

"But Ronan Rhodes’s group met such a sudden and terrible fate."

The problem is, their share of the grain tribute has now been forced onto the other three factions, which left Hunter Night feeling more than a little displeased.

’What does this have to do with us? If Ronan Rhodes’s faction was wiped out, then Sanctyr Base should just receive one less tribute. Why should it be divided among the three of us? This is just Sanctyr Base bullying people!’

But Sanctyr Base was powerful, and they were just small-timers trying to eke out a living under its thumb. They had no power to resist.

They could only be furious in their hearts, daring not to act. Even now, as he explained the situation to Zane Xavier, he didn’t dare show any real anger.

He was afraid that the wrong person might see and report it to Sanctyr Base. If that happened, everyone in his Tiger Corps would be finished.

So this time, after his anger subsided, he would have to obediently hand over the extra grain.

This was the helplessness of those at the bottom. Even when they knew the other party’s actions were completely unreasonable, there was nothing they could do.

Handing over an extra share of grain would be difficult, but at least they could continue to survive. But if they offended Sanctyr Base...

They would lose much more than just grain. In a best-case scenario, they would be forced to leave the area and find a new place to make a living. In a worst-case scenario, Sanctyr Base would likely wipe them out directly.

After all, the leader of Sanctyr Base was no saint. He was utterly ruthless toward anyone weaker than him.

Hearing this, Zane Xavier fell silent. As a former member of Sanctyr Base, he understood their methods all too well.

It was just that before, he had been one of them, so he’d never felt anything about it. But now, seeing the helplessness on Hunter Night’s face as he was forced to accept this reality...

...an inexplicable discomfort grew in his heart. In the end, though, he could only sigh helplessly. There was nothing he could do to help with this.