In Arica, there are only three countries: British North Arica, Texas, and xico.
On the border of the three nations, unlike in Europe, there are no fortresses, strongholds, or customs cities. Given the population density here, moving the boundary marker one kiloter forward every day may go unnoticed for years.
Such vast lands, even though Arica is only seen by the British as their own plantation, require substantial investnts to increase transport capacity. Still, there are always places the railway cannot reach or loss-making lines investors are unwilling to fund.
Thus, the spectacle of a dozen cowboys driving hundreds or thousands of cattle across Arica’s wilderness ca into existence.
Joseph used to be a cowboy; now he’s beco the arch-enemy of cowboys—a mid-level leader in the cattle thief gang.
The profession of cattle thief doesn’t sound as glamorous as other outlaws, but in reality, it’s quite a lucrative business. A long-horned cow can only sell for a quarter of a British Pound at the place of origin, but once transported to San Francisco, the price can directly multiply tenfold.
Cattle thieves may not use official sales channels, but their trade requires no capital. Disguised as cowboys, they can easily sell the stolen cattle to underground markets.
So large cattle thief gangs number up to hundreds or even thousands of people. In so gangs, dressed in uniform, they are state militia; undressed, holding guns, they beco cattle thieves.
Driving the cattle, Joseph hasn’t forgotten his old trade: "Boss, are we really going through Texas? Those Texas cowboys are not easy to deal with."
Texas was once seen as a forbidden zone for criminal gangs because those Wolf Race cowboys had extrely keen noses. One of the cowboys’ daily pastis is wilderness bounty hunting—taking criminal heads to British North Arica to exchange for bounties and then buying drinks for their colleagues.
"The buyers are urging, and the Brits’ shells are about to drop on their heads, so they have no ti to deal with us."
The cattle thieves’ leader, Mike, laughed heartily: "Also, who do you think our buyer for this deal is? Mississippi, almost ravaged into wasteland by those Black Demons, do you think any plantation owner or farm owner can consu the thousand long-horned cattle we bring this ti?"
"The military?"
Joseph was sowhat incredulous: "Boss, you have connections with the military?"
Mike smiled modestly but did not explain. In reality, he has no qualifications to cozy up to the local tycoons; it’s nothing more than opening the road with British Pounds, plus the quartermaster wanting to pocket so extras by purchasing "stolen cattle."
He raised his voice: "I know passing through Texas territory holds risks, but according to classified information, those Texans have completely abandoned the border towns and have retreated into their nest. To make big money, you have to take risks, right?"
The group of cattle thieves still held apprehensions, silently driving the cattle.
Mike’s face was a bit hard to maintain. He raised his gun and fired into the sky: "Listen to , once this job is done, besides the original promise, each of you will receive an additional British Pound bonus!"
"Hooray, Boss!"
Joseph also cheered. By this ti, it was almost impossible to see a British Pound note in vast rural areas, which had surpassed the scope of everyday usage, only used by rchants or large farm owners in transactions.
The cheers of the cattle thieves suddenly stopped as they passed by a canyon.
Outside the canyon, a line of cowboys wearing cowboy hats, revolvers at their waists, and long spears in their hands were smilingly watching them.
"Texans!"
So cattle thieves nearly popped their eyes.
"Quick, shoot, or it’s over if they catch us!"
Mike had just spoken halfway when two bullets respectively pierced through his forehead and chest.
Centurion Leon blew the wisps of white smoke off the gun’s muzzle, looking rather pleased at Baron Charlie beside him: "How about it?"
Baron Charlie snorted lightly, drawing the bow and setting the arrow, directly piercing a cattle thief hidden among the long-horned cattle along with the cow: "Let’s finish this quickly and deal with them straightforwardly."
Leon whistled, and the cowboys imdiately stord into the thief’s ranks like a gust of wind. So thieves tried to drive the cattle to attack the cowboys, but the cowboys in this battle were almost all pure-blooded Wolf Race. Once they exhibited their aura, they beca the most feared beasts in the wilderness, scaring the cattle to turn and flee.
Not long after, the gang of nearly a hundred cattle thieves was entirely cleaned out by a dozen cowboys.
...
"Is this what you call a Floating Airship? It sure is a big guy; can humans really build such a thing?"
"Every ti I see it, I feel amazed. Humans have conquered the sky, land, and sea. On the European Continent, Demons have nearly vanished, and the diterranean Sea Beasts are tethered by Iberian Lighthouse Guards. The diterranean Ghost Ship that road for a ti has also disappeared.
Decades from now, beings like us might find no place to reside anymore."
"Beings like you?"
"You didn’t know?"
Leon and Charlie exchanged a glance: "Do you think you still count as human now?"
Charlie shook his head but quickly added: "This is the Power bestowed upon by the lord; it cos from God. I’m also considered half a Saint."
Leon was accustod to this notion; there were many heretical sects in Arica, hardly restrained in this age. The Pope himself has no land to secure his livelihood.
On this New Continent, Leon has seen various types of Cross symbols, even the long-extinct Roman Labarum Cross, which is also known as the XP symbol.
"I saw you all using Latin Crosses and thought you were traditional Public Teaching adherents."
Is this what you call a Floating Airship? It sure is a big guy; can humans really build such a thing?"
"Every ti I see it, I feel amazed. Humans have conquered the sky, land, and sea. On the European Continent, Demons have nearly vanished, and the diterranean Sea Beasts are tethered by Iberian Lighthouse Guards. The diterranean Ghost Ship that road for a ti has also disappeared.
Decades from now, beings like us might find no place to reside anymore."
"Beings like you?"
"You didn’t know?"
Leon and Charlie exchanged a glance: "Do you think you still count as human now?"
Charlie shook his head but quickly added: "This is the Power bestowed upon by the lord; it cos from God. I’m also considered half a Saint."
Leon was accustod to this notion; there were many heretical sects in Arica, hardly restrained in this age. The Pope himself has no land to secure his livelihood.
On this New Continent, Leon has seen various types of Cross symbols, even the long-extinct Roman Labarum Cross, which is also known as the XP symbol.
"I saw you all using Latin Crosses and thought you were traditional Public Teaching adherents."
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