novelAlta Chapter 139 : Chapter 139
Chapter 139 : Chapter 139
Chapter 139. Dream Sea Anemone
That tone… that handwriting…
Phoenix abruptly lifted his head, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a radar.
Very quickly, he spotted him in a corner not far away—the man in a leather jacket and sunglasses, lazily making a “shh” gesture toward him.
Even without seeing his face, that arrogant, self-assured aura was unmistakable. Even if he were reduced to ashes, Phoenix would still recognize him!
Phoenix’s expression, which had been on the verge of exploding, suddenly froze. Then, a strange smile slowly crept across his face.
It was the kind of sinister grin one wore after finding backing—ready to sit back and enjoy the show.
He took a deep breath and straightened the collar that had been disheveled in his rage.
No more shouting. No more anger.
He even calmly dusted off his shoulders before finally handing a stack of gold notes to the tax officer.
The fat tax officer looked at the notes in his hand, his face splitting into a greasy grin.
“Young Master August is indeed a straightforward man. Since the fees have been paid in full, we will naturally release the shipments.”
He flicked the notes with his carrot-like finger, producing a crisp sound, then waved his hand with an oily smile. “Men, withdraw! Do not delay the young master’s business!”
“Let’s go.” Phoenix gestured to his old steward behind him, lowering his voice. “Do not return to the residence. Have the goods transported away. We are heading to Red Alley.”
The steward was startled. “Young Master, Red Alley is…”
“I know it is a place for entertainment.” Phoenix rolled his eyes, scanning his surroundings as he walked. “Since I have two old friends who traveled all this way to this godforsaken place for a ‘vacation,’ I should at least find somewhere without so many ears to catch up.”
…
Red Alley earned its name because the bricks of its walls were stained a dark red by some unknown dye. The air was perpetually filled with the mixed stench of cheap perfume and alcohol.
Phoenix deliberately had his carriage circle the main road twice before entering the winding alley on foot.
As he turned past a corner stacked with empty wine barrels, two figures seemed to grow directly out of the walls, blocking his path.
The man in the suede jacket and sunglasses leaned against the wall, casually playing with his exaggerated magitech revolver. Beside him, the “female bodyguard” in men’s clothing stood tall and sharp, her gaze curiously examining Phoenix’s flamboyant purple coat.
“Oh?” Phoenix halted, his signature smug grin appearing on his face. “Isn’t this the famous—”
The name “Logaris” was just about to leave his lips when he saw the man in sunglasses raise a finger and press it lightly against his lips.
“I am Leon.” Logaris adjusted his sunglasses, his tone calm. “This is my partner, Ada. We are bounty hunters from Meriga.”
The muscles on Phoenix’s face twitched.
Leon? Ada?
Had these two turned this place into some kind of role-playing stage?
But he was quick-witted enough to play along immediately. “Ah, yes, yes—Mr. Leon, Miss Ada. This is not a place for conversation. There is a tavern ahead called ‘Black Pearl.’ The owner owes me a favor. The private rooms there are absolutely secure.”
A few minutes later.
In a private room on the top floor of the “Black Pearl” tavern.
As Logaris casually cast a soundproof barrier, Phoenix—who had been sitting upright—instantly collapsed onto the sofa like a salted fish that had lost all will to live.
“If you had not shown up, I really would have fought that damn fat pig.”
Phoenix grabbed a bottle of rum from the table and took a large gulp, then slammed the academy emblem coin onto the table. “Look at this! Just look at this world! Even a gatekeeper dares to ride over the Golden Griffon family and trample all over us!”
Sylvia removed her sunglasses. There was no trace of amusement in her silver-gray eyes.
“The situation with the Tarassa Family is even worse than what the reports in Winter City suggested.” Her fingers lightly tapped the table. “How long has this so-called ‘regulation’ been enforced in White Harbor?”
“Only recently.” Phoenix sighed. “That old bastard Cassido seems to have gone mad, squeezing money like his life depends on it.”
“In the past, White Harbor was corrupt, sure—but at least they understood sustainability. Now? This is outright killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.” Phoenix counted on his fingers. “Entry taxes have tripled, commercial taxes are collected daily, and even dock laborers have to pay two copper coins a day as a ‘breathing tax.’”
“A breathing tax?” Logaris raised an eyebrow. “Creative. If that name made it into a textbook, it would definitely win ‘Most Shameless Invention of the Year.’”
“And that is not all.” Phoenix lowered his voice, his expression turning serious. “Recently, when my caravan was sourcing goods from the Tidelan Kingdom, we discovered something strange.”
He pulled out a wrinkled shipping list from his chest and pushed it toward them.
“The Tarassa Family is using various underground channels to frantically purchase a plant called ‘Dream Sea Anemone.’”
Sylvia glanced at the list, frowning. “Dream Sea Anemone? If I recall correctly, it is a magical plant from the deep sea. Its sap has strong hallucinogenic properties and is usually used to produce… less respectable narcotics.”
“Exactly—the kind that makes addicts see a gutter as a palace.” Phoenix nodded. “But it is extremely delicate and produced in very small quantities. On the black market, a single plant can sell for ten gold coins. But look at the quantity on this list—”
Logaris glanced at the number, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Five tons.
This is not for indulgence—this is enough to poison every fish in the harbor.
“And they are buying it at any cost,” Phoenix added. “As long as there is supply, they pay—even at double the price. My informant in the herbal trade says that every Dream Sea Anemone in the entire Falling Star Sea has been monopolized by the Tarassa Family.”
“A territorial lord ignoring governance and agriculture to spend a fortune on toxic plants—what for?” Logaris stroked his chin, his professional instincts kicking in as he analyzed the logic. “If it were for alchemy, Dream Sea Anemone can be used as a stabilizer in mental-type potions, but only in very small amounts. Unless…”
“Unless what?” Sylvia looked at him.
“Unless he is conducting some kind of large-scale ritual… or feeding something big.” Logaris folded the list and tucked it into his coat. “This is interesting. Dream Sea Anemone, hallucinations, the Tidelan Kingdom… put together, these keywords smell like rotting fish.”
He stood up and patted Phoenix on the shoulder.
“Thanks. This information is valuable. As for the money you were extorted…”
“No need for you to compensate me.” Phoenix waved his hand generously. “Just raid the Tarassa Family for me.”
“Deal.” Logaris grinned.