The sun was setting in the afternoon, casting its light through the glass windows of the white-tiled hotel suite.
The three of them were still eating, though they were nearly full now.
Bisky brought up the earlier topic again.
She said, "To stay safe, we shouldn't mention certain important things in our group chats. Keep it vague."
"Any critical information should be on paper. The chat group is just for easy communication; no need to notify everyone individually."
"Let's create a group then," decided Germain.
Shizuku agreed without objection, so Bisky was tasked with creating the group.
After lunch, or maybe afternoon tea, Bisky spent half an hour creating an anonymous chat group and invited Germain and Shizuku to join.
Germain and Shizuku didn't need to share personal details, just register an account.
Upon joining the group named "Beautiful Girl Dream Factory," Germain noticed Bisky, as the group owner, had made him an administrator.
So, Germain renamed the group to "Stagecoach."
"Huh?" Bisky pouted cutely, "Germain, why change the name? The old one was so nice."
Shizuku was curious, "Why 'Stagecoach'?"
Germain explained, "We've gathered with the aim of exploring the Dark Continent and setting off through the teleportation lantern. It's fitting..."
Before he could finish, Shizuku chimed in, "'Stagecoach'. I get it; it's a metaphor."
"I still prefer 'Princess Factory'," Bisky said with a pout, but no one paid attention to her playfulness.
With two in favor and one against, the "Stagecoach Group" was established.
Since the anonymous chat group was only for communication, its interface was simple yet fully functional. It didn't take long for Germain to master its basic usage.
In contrast, Shizuku learned to use most functions methodically under the guidance of Bisky, who was over half a century old.
"The next 'adventure trip' isn't for over a month. I'll contact you then," Germain said. "What are your plans until then?" Bisky stroked her chin thoughtfully with her white-gloved fingers and replied first.
"In the coming days, 'Magical Beautician Miss Cookie' will treat all three of us to reduce our stress and fatigue."
"In my spare time, I'll record everything I've seen and heard. These experiences are valuable and might be useful in the future."
"We'll need to confirm the loot Shizuku's 'Blinky' swallowed in an open field... but be prepared mentally."
"We'll transfer this loot in batches over several months, settling our shares monthly."
"But regardless, we must have made a fortune this time." Bisky couldn't help but show joy on his face. "I'll try to cover our tracks a bit."
"I'll help too," Shizuku raised her hand. "I know a few channels. If I sell these as rare monsters, no one will question it."
"I once knew someone named Lily who sold rare creatures, even corpses. Sadly, she was arrested years ago and sentenced to over a century in prison..."
Realizing Shizuku was digressing, Bisky quickly redirected the conversation back to them.
"What will you do with the money?"
"I'll go first. I want to buy some gems I've admired for a long time, to add to my collection. How about you?"
She had several secret places where she kept her gem collections. With extra money, she didn't mind expanding her precious collections.
Bisky had a habit of guarding a cave full of gems like a dragon and swimming in a sparkling sea of gems.
"I'll return to Meteor City," Shizuku replied seriously. "I'll find the elders and priests and donate money through them to the children of Meteor City."
Her black sweater had been torn by a poisonous snake's fangs, so she changed into a new outfit, wearing a fitted white shirt. She looked like a confused but beautiful tourist.
Of course, Germain wouldn't stop Shizuku from donating to Meteor City. It was a different choice they made from their own viewpoints.
He didn't want to preach "love and peace" to Shizuku, trying to show how dangerous Meteor City and the Phantom Troupe were, and why they shouldn't be helped.
Such words couldn't be said.
He slowly realized the current situation of Meteor City.
Could Meteor City thrive? No.
Could Meteor City be wiped out? No.
No matter how united Meteor City's people were, or how strong the Phantom Troupe was, one region couldn't stand against the state machines of the six continents.
In simple terms, if V5 or another country felt threatened enough, they could drop bombs like "Poor Man's Rose," leaving no one alive in Meteor City.
The six continents didn't do this because they needed a place for their unwanted things and a place to raise talents, like with Gu.
Meteor City is situated within strict boundaries, resembling a twisted cage where no changes can freely occur.
The elders of Meteor City are acutely aware of this predicament. They advocate for acceptance of all, despite feeling powerless to change their circumstances.
In the Kakin Empire, there exists a class known as the "untouchables". They are destined to serve the empire indefinitely, with no hope of improvement. Sometimes, a prince might offer them better treatment, using them for their own purposes.
The residents of Meteor City share similarities with the untouchables of the Kakin Empire. They are a marginalized group without social recognition, almost invisible in society.
Outside of Meteor City, their only chance to change their fate is through gaining favor from influential figures.
Within Meteor City, survival hinges on embracing despair, self-neglect, and nurturing deep-seated anger.
No one chooses to be abandoned or born into Meteor City. Faced with harsh realities, they have divided into three main factions over time.
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