The slums

The same air as the one Savine first inhaled in this world wafted through her nose again. In other words, air defiled with the scent of excrements. At least this one was only animal shit for some reason, so it wasn't as nauseating. There was also the smell of salt all around the air. She didn't even bother putting a cloth to her nose, only hoping she would get used to the smell quickly and won't have to think about it anymore.

Behind her, Wilfred walked with a perpetual frown, wondering why it was necessary for them to come here. Then with Zuri's warning, he looked down and with a jolt, barely avoided the pile of horseshit on the road. He then glared at the laughing onlookers one fierce time and hurried next to Savine.

He was someone that always maintained his dignified image till now, but there were always situations that could tilt someone off their best.

Zuri, though, was a lot better than him. She adeptly avoided all the unsavory objects on the ground despite her knee-length dress that was blocking her view, and she even had the leisure to look out for Wilfred. She was definitely someone who was familiar with the environment, so Savine could leave the two be.

She was more focused on the residents of the slums.

<Where'd such a kid came from, anyway?>

<What's with her white hair??< p>

<She looks kinda scary though.>

<More like mature. Men, I swear if fuck her it wouldn't feel a child at all. She'll probably be better than my wife…>

<Shut your mouth, you disgusting freak.>

<At least I fuck humans! You fucks your goats and sheep! saw kid fucking the chicken, too!>

Despite their language and them looking all dirty and tanned, their attire and possessions weren't as bad as Savine thought it would be. Their clothes were clean, their shoes looked new, and some even donned hats and canes of decent quality.

Though the place was called the slums, the residents looked nothing like slumdwellers.

In fact, aside from the smell, the whole of the slums looked no different from the other part of the city.

That might've seemed odd to some, but Savine could tell why. It was because the slums were inhabited by all sorts of craftsmen. And since there was no money, they could only barter their products in exchange for money. Thus, every farmer had decent clothes, and every craftsman had enough food for their family.

Normally, that would be enough to pique someone's curiosity, but Savine found something even more interesting.

Everyone was carrying around the same exact leather pouch accompanied by the same exact small spoon attached to the pouch's side.

Savine was confused at first, but she quickly realized it was salt. The people here were using salt instead of coins. And apparently, whoever was in charge did everything in their power to normalize this. Everyone received the same leather pouches and spoons, and most likely, the spoon was used as a form of measurement so that the exchange process was quicker and not as confusing.

'I really want to meet this Architect,' Savine sighed again.

The slums were much better off than she imagined. Though a rebellion against a tyrannical force was always seen as something grand and majestic, the real problems came when the rebel forces tried to run the city themselves.

Eight out of ten times, things went to shit real quick. There was no proper infrastructure, no one to organize the people, and no laws that people could follow. Under such circumstances, the situation often devolved into something worse than before the rebellion happened. Anarchy quickly followed.

But clearly, nothing of the sort happened here. Things were well organized and thanks to that, the people were better off.

'But the situation can't continue like this…'

Though the slums were still paying taxes to the Duke, what money was going to their actual ruler, the Architect who planned the rebellion, and the actions taken after it?

The Architect was the one who was currently managing the city, but that should require lots and lots of money. There was a reason why taxes existed.

'Maybe he's giving 40% to the duke and taking 10 or 20% for himself?'

That could work for some time, but it would never allow them a chance to rise up. Compared to them, the Duke's side would get stronger and stronger, before eventually, they would be strong enough to take back control over the slums again.

'They can't keep on going like this…' Savine sighed.

There was one big problem that the slums now faced. They weren't acknowledged by the world. They were struggling to even do trade with the other side of the city.

If they couldn't even do that, then it was a pipe dream to think that the rest of the Sovereignty would acknowledge them.

At best, they'll be regarded as an interesting phenomenon, but most likely, they were going to be killed at the Sovereignty's earliest convenience.

"Young Mistress?" Zuri spoke from her side.

"Hmm?"

"We've been standing here for a bit now."

She looked around herself and noticed the curious glances that were focused on her. Their whispers, as well, trickled into her mind.

Ignoring it all, Savine made a decision.

'I'll support this place and see how far it goes.'

Savine was at that time of her life when she tended to just do things and see what happened.

"Wilfred," he said. "From now on, whenever you need to buy something for me, you will buy it from the slums. There should also be people familiar with housework here. Try to hire my servants from here as well."

"Young Mistress?" the old man's expression crumbled.

"There's a very important reason for all this," Savine said. "You'll get the reason sometime later yourself."

Wilfred opened his mouth, but no retorts came out of it.

"I understand, Young Mistress."

"Try to keep your actions lowkey and tell the servants you hire to keep their mouths quiet as well. If anyone from here asks what you're trying to do, just tell them you're doing it under my orders. If they want to meet me, tell them to approach me secretly." Savine then gave him an encouraging smile and a bag of coins. "Good luck. Here's some money. Ask me if you need more."

"In that case, I shall get to work now," Wilfred said.

"Sure," Savine said and turned to Zuri. "Let's go back."

The two quickly reached the temple. There, they found Eliseline waiting for them at the temple's entrance.

"Savine," she said with some veiled excitement. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

Savine cocked her head.

"It's about the magic tool you prepared."

"Ah. Zuri, go wait in my room. Prepare some pens and papers as well."

"Yes, young mistress."

With that settled, Savine quietly followed behind Eliseline.