"Miss Navia..."
"Enough, Silver. Go gather everyone."
Navia refused Melus's offer to take the burden of conscience for her. As the leader of Spina di Rosula, she was ultimately responsible for the residents who trusted the organization.
Besides, her father was gone. She couldn't afford to act like a child anymore.
"...Very well, Miss Navia."
Silver nodded reluctantly and hurried away. Navia turned back to Melus.
"Melus, how much funding does Spina di Rosula have left?"
"Please wait a moment, Miss Navia."
Melus silently calculated, then quickly gave her a figure.
Hearing the amount, Navia's expression turned somber.
"That's all? It must be the lingering stigma from my father's unjust death."
"This isn't nearly enough to evacuate the residents of Fleuve Cendre to Poisson, not even the elderly and children."
"I remember Uncle Marcel is currently doing business in Poisson. I hope we can borrow some funds from him."
"That's all we can do for now, Miss Navia."
Melus watched Navia's distant expression and sighed inwardly. How much more misfortune must the heavens inflict upon Miss Navia before they are satisfied?!
The thought of Navia, barely recovered from her father's death, now burdened with the lives and futures of tens of thousands of Fleuve Cendre residents, pierced Melus's heart.
"Miss Navia, everyone has arrived and is waiting outside," Silver announced. Navia took a deep breath and left the room.
As soon as Navia stepped out, countless eyes fixed upon her. These gazes carried a complex mix of emotions, yet the crowd remained utterly silent, as if awaiting the verdict of an unknown fate.
The weight of their attention nearly shattered Navia's fragile courage. After several deep breaths, she finally found the strength to speak.
"Everyone, listen to me. Due to a decree from Fontaine's high command, we may have to temporarily leave Fleuve Cendre."
"But please rest assured, I will go to Poisson first to arrange housing and living arrangements for everyone. I will also ensure your safe transport there. So please pack your belongings within the next two days."
Only after Navia finished speaking in a voice that wasn't particularly loud did the surrounding residents finally begin to voice their concerns.
"Do we really have to leave Fleuve Cendre, Miss Navia?" A middle-aged woman holding her child's hand asked, her face filled with reluctance. Thanks to the Spina di Rosula's assistance, her life, though still modest, had improved significantly compared to before.
Fleuve Cendre was often described as a lawless land, a haven for criminals, and a breeding ground for vice. But after living here for so many years, many residents had come to regard it as their home.
"Um..." Navia nodded with great difficulty in response to the woman's question. At that moment, the woman's child began to sob.
"Mom, I don't want to leave here. I've never seen the outside world, but this place is wonderful. I love it here."
"And I've made so many good friends. I don't want to be separated from them."
"Sigh."
The woman crouched down, gently stroking her child's head as she spoke softly.
"Listen to me," she said softly. "Monsieur Callas was a great benefactor to your mother. He did so much for us. Miss Navia is his daughter, and we must trust her arrangements. Don't be stubborn..."
The conversation between mother and child pierced Navia's heart. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and she quickly turned her head away, unwilling to let the residents see her vulnerability.
Now more than ever, the residents needed a pillar of strength. If she showed weakness, it would only deepen their anxieties.
At that moment, the surrounding residents began whispering among themselves, creating a brief murmur before falling silent again.
"Miss Navia, I speak for everyone here."
A bartender stepped forward from the crowd.
"We all trust the Spina di Rosula and Miss Navia."
"We know Miss Navia wouldn't ask us to relocate unless it was absolutely necessary."
"So please rest assured, Miss Navia. We'll do our best to persuade those reluctant to leave Fleuve Cendre. Just let us know when we should depart."
"Th-thank you all..."
Navia could no longer hold back. Overwhelmed by their understanding, tears streamed down her face.
At the same time, she seethed with anger at fate's injustice. Why, after these people worked so hard to survive, did someone always try to steal their last shred of happiness?
Meanwhile, the scum walking among them in human skin lived lives of unimaginable luxury.
But Navia quickly abandoned such pointless resentment. Wiping her tears, she vowed to the crowd:
"Rest assured, everyone! Poisson is the headquarters of the Spina di Rosula. I will do everything in my power to ensure you are settled there comfortably!"
Feeling the weight of so many people's trust, Navia found the burden heavier than she could have imagined.
But reality struck with brutal suddenness. When Navia raced from the Fleuve Cendre area to Poisson, the mayor of Poisson delivered news that shattered her hopes.
"Only Fontaine citizens will be accepted..."
"I'm sorry, Navia. These are the new rules from above."
"It's not just Poisson. The same applies throughout Fontaine."
Hearing this, Navia's body swayed as if she might collapse at any moment.
"Miss Navia!"
Melus and Silver scrambled to steady her, their faces grim.
"This is outrageous!" Melus finally snapped. He felt a murderous rage, ready to fight those bastards to the death. Kill one and it's worth it, kill two and it's a bonus! To them, our lives are nothing but trash anyway!
"They're driving us into a corner, aiming to completely destroy both the Spina di Rosula and the residents of Fleuve Cendre."
The three immediately realized that the nobles weren't just targeting the Fleuve Cendre residents; they had no intention of sparing the Spina di Rosula either.
If the Spina di Rosula took responsibility for relocating the Fleuve Cendre residents, they would be financially crippled in no time, especially since they couldn't accommodate them in Poisson. Moreover, since these displaced people weren't citizens of Fontaine, they could easily be branded as rebels at any moment.
On the other hand, if the Spina di Rosula chose to stand by and do nothing, they would lose all credibility and support, ultimately leading to their own destruction.
What a vicious scheme!