Chapter 85
There are two types of people who display generosity towards others.
One is the superior, who holds a high position and looks down on those beneath them. Those below pose no threat to the one above, so the superior person will often show generosity out of goodwill.
The other is the kind of generosity like that of Saint Donquixote Homing. Acting magnanimous because they're too blind to see their own failures or because their 'generosity' doesn't cost them anything (T/n he is a One Piece character, the father Don Quixote Doflamingo)
But this isn't real generosity; it's simply ignorance.
The Zoldyck family is of the former type.
The gates opened, and the driver drove the car inside.
Ron saw that many people were queuing at the entrance to Elder City.
On the other side, some people had been caught and thrown out of the city.
They cried bitterly outside, pleading desperately.
But it was all in vain.
Noticing Ron's gaze, the driver quickly explained.
"Entering Elder City requires qualification. If everyone were allowed in, it would be chaotic. So, the Elder set up rules."
"To live in Elder City, one must contribute to the city."
"By submitting contributions, you gain the qualification to enter."
"When your contributions run out, you must leave."
The driver spoke of contributions, but what he really meant were resources and money.
Ron understood this well.
"Lord, are we going directly to the Elder's estate?"
Before arriving at Elder City, the Elder had already given instructions to the driver. However, the driver still wanted to check with Zeno and Ron for their opinion.
Ron looked at the driver.
"I'd like to take a look around Elder City first. Is that alright?"
---
After the two got out of the car, the driver parked the vehicle in a distant spot and followed them from behind.
Ron looked around.
Once inside Elder City, the progress of the crystal ball increased a bit more.
As they were walking, Zeno seemed lost in thought. He began to feel a little distinct.
Walking around with his grandson, just as any normal grandfather would do.
Normal...
He remembered, as a child, imagining what it would be like if he were an ordinary person, living a simpler life. He wondered what his life would have been like.
But Zeno never had the chance to experience that.
And when Silva was born, Zeno never got to experience it either.
From Illumi to Milluki...
Until now.
Zeno suddenly felt a bit of what an ordinary person's life might feel like.
"An ordinary life doesn't seem so bad after all."
Zeno's gaze fell on Ron.
At that moment, they resembled a typical grandfather and grandson, casually walking down a normal street.
For a moment, Zeno drifted into thought.
As the streets became more crowded, the driver came closer.
Zeno snapped back to reality.
"But I am a Zoldyck."
"Being a killer is my destiny."
"An ordinary life? It's just something to look at."
Zeno's aura returned to its previous state.
However, Zeno felt like he had touched upon something. He felt that his Nen was slightly different. This brought him some excitement.
Nen users are rare.
The public Nen users are mostly the ones from the Hunter Association.
In actuality, the number of Nen users roaming about is far greater than the number of those in the Hunter Association.
The contestants above the 200th floor in the Sky Arena are all Nen users.
Also, many Nen users are cultivated by world criminal organizations.
There are many Nen users in Meteor City as well.
Not to mention other major powers.
The Kakin Empire, V5... these true top-tier forces in the world, have many more Nen users than the Hunter Association.
The Hunter Association is ultimately just an organization run by a single man, Netero.
It has a certain cooperative relationship with V5.
But it is not directly under V5.
Therefore, V5 doesn't completely trust the Hunter Association.
The Twelve Zodiacs under the chairman mostly joined because of Netero's personal charm and even changed their appearance and attire to suit his preferences.
Ron had some doubts about this.
Ron felt that the appearance issue of the Twelve Zodiacs wasn't just because of Netero's personal preferences.
There must be other reasons behind it.
However, even if all the public and secret Nen users joined in, they would still be an extremely small number compared to the general population of the human continent.
When you simply calculate by numbers, it's still a lot fewer than expected.
Different Nen users have varying limits.
Classifying them with letters is a broad concept.
From E-level to S-level.
Most Nen users stay at the E-level or D-level.
Only a very few Nen users reach the C-level.
A-level, on the other hand, is the limit for those with exceptional talent.
Just like Zeno, just like Silva...
Both are heirs of the Zoldyck family.
In this world, few people have talent as great as theirs.
A long time ago, Zeno had already reached A-level. After all these years, due to aging, his physical energy had decreased somewhat.
However, his mental energy had only grown stronger.
Right now, Zeno was in his best state.
It could be said that there were few in this world who were stronger than Zeno.
Among those of the same level, Zeno didn't think anyone could rival him.
However, Zeno still had one regret.
That was not reaching the level of Maha Zoldyck.
That was what Zeno longed for.
Soon, a figure ran toward them.
"Honorable Lords."
The young man introduced himself.
"I am one of the butlers of Elder Nine. Upon learning that you two Lords had arrived, the Elder has prepared a banquet and would like to invite you both inside."
Zeno glanced at Ron.
Ron nodded.
Zeno then turned to the young man. "Lead the way."
"Yes, my Lord, this way please!"
Three cars stopped nearby.
One in front to lead the way.
Ron and Zeno got into the middle car.
One followed behind.
As for the previous driver, he received no new orders. After watching the car with Ron and others leave, he stood still for a moment...
After hesitating for a while, he returned to his own car.
---
A magnificent and luxurious manor came into Ron's view.
It could be said like this:
Inside Elder City and outside Elder City were two different worlds.
And inside the manor and outside were two completely different worlds as well.
The gates opened, and the car drove directly inside.
"Lord, welcome. Please!"
A young man energetically opened the car doors for Ron and Zeno.
The level of ceremony was quite high, like some aristocratic tradition.
Ron neither liked nor disliked it.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. As some would say.
In terms of area, value, and power, the Zoldyck Manor was far superior to this so-called Elder's Manor.
But the Zoldyck Manor didn't have so many rules.
An elderly man walked over with a sincere smile.
"Lord Zeno."
"And this must be little Ron, right?"
The Elder had met Zeno before, but not Ron.
"Hello, Elder. I'm Ron."
"Please, come in."
The Elder personally led Zeno and Ron into the banquet hall.
It was a small gathering.
Only three people could sit at the table.
The Elder, Zeno, and Ron.
The maids stood by, offering formal smiles.
The Elder rang a bell on the table, and soon orders were given.
Figures appeared, and the dishes began to be served.