"This… Is there nothing we can do for these people?" Jihaad couldn't help but ask before frowning, "Just because we can't help these people, it doesn't mean we shouldn't at least try."
"If you can only help the people you come across and not every one of them, you are not helping them. You are only satisfying your self-righteous heart to not feel mentally burdened," Vaan nonchalantly stated.
"Just by looking at the signs, it's clear this water problem has been going on for a few years. And yet, the crops are still well, and the farmers are still around. In other words, the people here are at least drinking the minimum amount of water to survive. Exceeding that daily quantity is a luxury to them."
"And when some people acquire this luxury while others don't, what do you think happens? Others will become jealous, and the people will only suffer. Perhaps the next time they receive their daily water quota, they will have less because of their jealous superiors. And then, instead of blaming them, they will blame you instead."
"That would be ridiculous!" Jihaad uttered
"Ridiculous?" Vaan glanced at Jihaad and acknowledged, "Perhaps so. But that's human nature. They don't dare blame their superiors because they know they would only suffer more."
"But what about you? They don't know you and have nothing to do with you. Moreover, you were kind enough to help them. As such, they believe they wouldn't suffer any consequences even if they blame you."
Jihaad fell silent, feeling depressed at the fact that people could repay his kindness with ingratitude. Humans could be quite unsightly.
However, Jihaad's heart was suddenly at peace, as if he had just achieved enlightenment. He became quite accepting of the situation explained by Vaan.
In the face of life or death, right and wrong became irrelevant; only one's survival mattered.
When other races threatened humanity's existence, humans wouldn't hesitate to unite their strength to overcome the crisis. However, if humans were threatened by other humans, they also wouldn't hesitate to slaughter each other for a chance of survival.
Right and wrong was a luxury people could only discuss when they were alive. If they were going to die, why would right and wrong matter?
"If you want to help everyone, you have to solve the water problem at its root," Vaan calmly stated.
"And how do we do that, Sir Pendragon?" Jihaad sincerely asked with high expectations from Vaan.
Vaan's fight with Bakram had made Jihaad realize Vaan wasn't only peerlessly skilled in martial arts and cultivation but also exceptionally intelligent.
As such, Jihaad started worshipping Vaan as his idol.
"This isn't a problem for people of our status to solve. We are nobodies in this country," Vaan clearly stated. But after a short pause, he continued, "However, if you really want to know, you have to enter the city and observe the situation first."
"I understand, Sir Pendragon," Jihaad replied with some disappointment. He wasn't satisfied with Vaan's vague answer since he didn't provide a solution.
However, it was the only answer Vaan could give at the time. He wasn't omniscient. Without relevant information regarding the root problem, how could he determine a solution?
For that matter, Vaan had already secretly instructed his dragon subordinates to investigate the situation in the Dukedom of Dragonmoor.
After crossing eighty kilometers of farmland, Vaan's group eventually reached Dragonmoor City, the city of stone.
Unlike Sunrock Bazaar, Dragonmoor City did not build their homes around or on top of rock pillars. Instead, all the rock pillars that once existed in the region had been completely cut up into stone slabs of varying sizes and used as building blocks for the city.
As such, Dragonmoor City looked like one enormous yet complicated stone puzzled that had been fitted together perfectly.
Just by looking at the stone, one could see how stone slabs of different shapes and sizes fit together perfectly without a single gap in between.
It was nothing short of impressive craftsmanship.
Dragonmoor City was twice as populated as Blackthorn City but not as large. In fact, Dragonmoor City was not even a third of Blackthorn City. However, this wasn't surprising and was considered normal in most countries outside the Seven Witch Kingdoms.
Most residents lived in close communities and didn't own any large private land like the witch matriarchs from the Seven Witch Kingdoms. After all, they didn't build any magic towers, let alone need room for their magic towers to breathe in the world's mana.
Nevertheless, such a heavily populated city would have been unthinkable in the distant past. It was only made possible due to the promotion of strength and the convenience of magic.
Vaan and the others didn't encounter any issues entering the city. They only needed to show their identity cards to the guards to pass. As such, it could be said that the city had rather lax security.
Dahr, Dink, and Dunny bid farewell to Vaan and Jihaad before going their separate way. They had other plans, so they did not need to stick together.
Nevertheless, Vaan knew the three brothers intended to sell off their share of the Steel-Beaked Eagles and earn some mana stones. After that, they would most likely look into the price of water and procure as much as possible before continuing eastward.
The Great Ratholos Empire's eastern region was much more prosperous and wealthy. As such, the living conditions there were also much better than in the western regions.
It was common for visiting warriors to travel to the empire's eastern regions sooner rather than later.
"I guess it's back to us two…" Jihaad commented with some disappointment.
Jihaad thought it was unfortunate to part ways with the three brothers when they had grown somewhat close traveling together. In truth, Jihaad simply missed the three brothers' cooking.
"Where are we headed now, Sir Pendragon?"
"Let's find a bar and collect some information."
Jihaad did not even ask if it was okay for him to keep following Vaan. In his mind, he was already part of Vaan's group.
As such, why would he need to ask if it was okay?
Nevertheless, the streets of Dragonmoor City were incredibly crowded and busy. People frequently bumped shoulders as they tried passing each other. Since traffic was heavily congested, reaching their destination took longer.
Originally, Jihaad suggested visiting Dragonmoor City's most popular bar, Rowdy Seals Pub. However, Vaan quickly denied it without a second thought.
There was no doubt the most popular bar in Dragonmoor City would have the best information. But no matter how good the information was there, it only remained good if they could get their hands on it.
Given the traffic congestion throughout the city, the most popular bar would be overcrowded with a long queue outside, especially during peak hours.
Vaan didn't want to be delayed by hours in getting information he could acquire elsewhere.
"The city's condition is worse than I thought. The people here are all parched and dressed in dirty rags. It's hard to tell when they last washed. Furthermore, there are even more beggars and people pickpocketing going around."
"You should be care—"
Jihaad intended to remind Vaan to watch his wealth, but he quickly recalled the fate that awaited everyone who had ever tried to steal from him.
This young man wasn't willing to suffer losses in silence.
"Do you think the wealthy and poor would live in the same area and use the same streets?" Vaan said to Jihaad with a speechless look.
Jihaad opened his mouth, but no words came out. He could only chuckle awkwardly. He had spoken without thinking.
"Kind Sir, can you spare me a few coins or stones?"
"Hello, Sir. Do you have too many coins or stones? Hehe, I can take some off to lighten your load…"
"How are you doing, handsome? Did you arrive today? Do you need a woman to help you destress from your long trip?"
As Vaan and Jihaad made their way through the crowded street, they encountered all types of people begging or offering their services. Some were desperate, and others were simply shameless.
However, Vaan ignored them all; he didn't even spare them a glance.
The best way to reject these people was to pretend they didn't even exist. After all, the moment he gave them some attention, they would not stop harassing him for his money.
He didn't need the delay nor the inconvenience.
Unfortunately, Vaan didn't travel alone. He had a being of lesser intelligence beside him – Jihaad. As such, they ended up getting harassed by a group of prostitutes after Jihaad tried to reject one of them while blushing.
No doubt, these experienced women could practically smell the virgin in Jihaad.
Nevertheless, Vaan got impatient and exerted his oppressive pressure with a harrumph, causing everyone to run away in fear and no longer bug them.
Even a small path was cleared for them with incredible efficiency and order.
Evidently, the people in the slums were used to taking advantage of kind travelers and fleeing the moment they annoyed them. It was fine to be desperate, but some of them were even greedy, trying to charge more than their services were worth.
Even beggars asked for mana stones – a higher-end currency, no matter where in Pangea.
Amidst the fearful crowd on the busy street, a little boy bit his lips and mustered up his courage before stepping out of the crowd to meet Vaan and Jihaad.
"N-Noble Sir, d-do you need a guide?" a little boy hesitantly offered his service despite shaking with fear.
This time, Vaan chose not to ignore and gave the little boy a long glance as if he was trying to see through the little guy's character.
"Sure, how much?" Vaan calmly asked.