Weeks later, Wanderer sat at his desk, interface flickering to life with Black Cat's icon. "Tell me, Black Cat," Wanderer began, “do its backlash of no moral leader on usage of technology and societal structures on everyday citizens.?”

  “The reliance on drugs in this city could be a way for people to cope with the lack of moral guidance and societal structure. It also be a result of the ease of access to drugs in a society without strict laws.

  In addition, the stress and pressure of a world without a state-controlled society could also contribute to people turning to drugs as a form of escape or coping mechanism.”

  Wanderer's brow furrowed “Your drug corpo must be rich huh?”

  “In an Anarcho-Capitalist society where drug use is not criminalized, sure thing!

  The profits of drug companies operating in such a society would likely be higher than in a society with strict drug laws, because there would be no legal restrictions or regulations on the production, distribution, and sale of drugs. This means that they would be able to produce and sell drugs with fewer restrictions, and without fear of legal prosecution. As a result, they would be able to make higher profits and control the market for drugs to a greater extent, benefiting greatly.”

  Wanderer furrow his eyebrows “do say it like its was normal things. its even disturb me , in past mostly only soldier use drug for energy boost, perception and add bravery, but in city dweller society.. that is not normal. so as you said before. police need funding. so i hold your profit accountable. you must help donate them,,”

  “In an ANCAP society, the funding of law enforcement come from voluntary donations from individuals or private companies. So yes, you can hold my profit accountable by donating to law enforcement.

  Since there would be no government to tax people, individuals and private companies would be responsible for supporting the institutions they value, in this case, law enforcement.”

  While black cat continue his rambling Wanderer interrupt “,,shh. just say. yes”

  “Alright, sure thing, I understand your concerns. I would love to donate some of my profits to support law enforcement in the Anarcho-Capitalist society.”

  Wanderer narrow his eyes.knowing his manipulative nature. so he clarify “,,how much %?”

  then black cat pause for a while “How about 10% of monthly profit?”

  “,,,deal”

  “Great, consider it done. I will donate 10% of my monthly profits to help support law enforcement in the Great Anarcho-Capitalist society.”

  Wanderer scoffed. "So, tax… just security tariff then?"

  "Definitionally nuanced," Black Cat stated. "Traditional taxes are compulsory governmental levies. Tariffs, a tax on trade. In absence of government, traditional taxes are nonexistent. However, voluntary security fees or tariffs, non-coercive in nature, are conceivable."

  Wanderer, attempting to dissect the AI's logic, gave up with a frustrated sigh. "Never mind. See you around."

  “Alright, catch ya later.” Black Cat's interface winked out

  Later, the arms deal settled, Wanderer called Yuan on the intercom. "Hey there, gun woman."

  Yuan answered, "Yeah, smartass, what do you want?"

  "Oho, I wanted to hear your voice."

  He could practically hear Yuan's eye roll. "You called just to listen to my voice? Seriously?"

  "Heh. You old woman hard to impress, huh?"

  Yuan scoffed. "Who you calling old, smartass? I’m not that old.”

  "Hmm, yes. So, anyway," Wanderer shifted the topic. "Umm, I want to talk... something big."

  Yuan’s tone shifted. "Something big, huh? What's on your mind?"

  "You alone?"

  Yuan glanced around her location. "Yeah, alone. Why?"

  "This city needs a prison, don't you think?"

  "Hmm, that’s a fair point, smartass. What are you suggesting?"

  Wanderer chuckles "I want to build one. Hehe. For those punks. They need a proper spank. Some intimidation, you know?"

  Yuan smirked, "Heh, you got a point. They do need discipline.”

  "Yeah, people are desensitized to death and violence. A dungeon might scare them more than bullets.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Yuan nodded in agreement. "You’re right. Psychological torture might be more effective than another shooting."

  "I actually wonder why there's no prison already. What were the corpos thinking?"

  Yuan sighed. "They probably weren't. Corpos focus on profit. Anything else doesn’t matter as long as they get their money."

  "Yeah. So... I need steel. A lot of it for my prison project. Can your factory provide that?"

  Yuan paused,. "Well, my factory produces steel, smartass. But it'll cost you.”

  "Hmm. Spend more time with you, get a discount?"

  Yuan rolled her eyes. "You're really trying, smartass. Fine, maybe a discount if you spend more time with me.”

  "Hmm. Am I becoming your gigolo?"

  "Am I becoming your gigolo?"

  "Ohh, nyoohhh!"

  Yuan laughed softly. "Don’t act so surprised, smartass. I know I have an effect on men like you.”

  "Mmh? What do you mean?"

  Yuan smirked, giving him a playful look. "Don’t act innocent. You know damn well I have an effect on you."

  "Perhaps. Because your… umm… aaa…"

  Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Heh, say it, smartass."

  "I... actually already have a wife."

  Yuan scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course, smartass. But that didn’t stop you from flirting, did it?”

  "No. It feels wrong, you know? How about just a normal date? Dinner, a show. No funny business later."

  Yuan smirked. "Just dinner and a show, huh? Sounds good, smartass.”

  "Hmm. Classic. Wear a nice dress. Cover your chest, okay?"

  Yuan chuckled. "You don’t want other men looking at my chest, eh?"

  "No. I don't want to see too much skin. This city is already too vulgar for normal people like me. It's scary, you know."

  Later, at the meeting place, Yuan waited, stunning in a black dress that was, indeed, demure. She smirked as she saw him approach. “Hey. So, this is an elite hangout, huh? What's it all about, dear?”

  Yuan nodded, smirk still in place. "Yeah, where the city elite socialize, network. You know."

  “Oho. Must be famous to be here.”

  Yuan’s smirk widened, but she rolled her eyes. “Big ego, smartass. Why do you think you’re famous?”

  Wanderer blinked, then seemed to realize he was maskless. “Nevermind. Just show me the place.”

  Yuan nodded, gesturing to the entrance. "Follow me, smartass."

  She led him inside. They entered a giant ballroom, decorated with amber. gold and silver plate at every edge of furniture. its blend of classical western statue art. with touch of asian carpet, vase and painting.

  "Heh, what do you think, smartass? High class, right?”

  “Umm. Seen better.”

  Yuan gave him a side-eye, unimpressed. "Oh yeah? Where were these 'better' places?"

  "Before the war. But anyway," Wanderer waved a hand dismissively, "Too somber a tone. Let’s eat.”

  Yuan rolled her eyes. "Fine. Let’s forget the past and enjoy the present."

  She led him to the food, a lavish spread of upscale appetizers.

  “Hmm. Desert, just jerky and flour last month. Now this.”

  Yuan sighed softly at his comparison. “Yeah, you’ve come a long way.”

  She took a plate, selecting bite-sized appetizers, and gestured for him to join her.

  "So, I assume you're just an agent, not military?"Wanderer ask after observe her bit picky on her dish choosing.

  Yuan nodded, chewing after they took a seat near Window. "Right. Agent for Mammoth."

  “How long has your arms dealer been in this city? Since before the war?” Wanderer speared a piece of meat from the buffet.

  Yuan swallowed her bite and took a sip of her drink. "Mammoth's been in Sin City a long time, smartass. Longer than the war. Long history, good reputation.”

  Wanderer narrowed his eyes, chewing thoughtfully on the skewered meat. He finished it, then leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly. "Really? Tell the truth. They used this city for cover, didn't they? that was Forgotten war anyway, no one cares. Tell me."

  Yuan looked surprised by his directness. "Heh, you know about that, eh? Yeah," she leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice. "City's not as innocent as it looks.” She glanced around before continuing. "Mammoth secretly set up facilities here during the war. This city was a hub for weapons and supplies."

  Wanderer sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair, and clapped a hand to his forehead. "Yeah, of course. Corpo, Mammoth—all just giant hydras, right?"

  Yuan scoffed. "Damn right, smartass. Big corpos are all heads of the same hydra.”

  "Can you stop calling me smartass? Call me 'dweeb'. I like that more."

  Yuan chuckled, amused by his request. "Heh, alright then, dweeb. You prefer that name, eh?"

  "Yes."

  Yuan smirked, trying out the new nickname. "Heh, 'dweeb' it is, dweeb."

  Later, they shared a quiet night. Conversation drifted easily between them, light as the amber glow of the city reflected in the lake. But beneath Wanderer's relaxed posture, strategy simmered. The implications of Series 9's reach, their unseen influence, coiled in his thoughts

  Months bled into one another, and Sin City remade itself. Under Wanderer's reign, a fragile peace had taken root. The petty gangs and criminals who had once terrorized the streets were now either in jail or working for the city. And the wasteland had become a safer place,

  Wanderer sat at his desk, surveying the city from the highest point of the Obsidian Gate. He had become the undisputed ruler of Sin City. His once-worn and tattered clothes had been replaced by a makeshift business attire but with a sense of casual, a symbol of his newfound power. Yet, despite the grandeur of his position, Wanderer couldn't shake off the feeling that he was merely a puppet, a pawn in a larger game.

  Wanderer mumbled, "Nom nom... I think I know what Nero feels while he sits in this place... an illusion of power."

  Thea, who had been discreetly listening to Wanderer's words, couldn't help but be intrigued by his statement. "An illusion of power, huh? That's quite a statement, old man. But I suppose I get what you're saying. Power can be addictive, seductive. It's easy to lose yourself in the illusion of invincibility and grandeur."

  Wanderer hummed, "There is a king... who sits on the throne... and there is a queen who is loved by all including her husband. And there is a knight who is undefeated in battle... and of course there is a god... Tell me who is the ruler of that nation?"

  Thea considered the riddle "Hmm... the king is the ruler of the nation, at least on paper. The queen is loved and admired by the people. The knight is powerful on the battlefield, but he serves the king and the nation. And the god... well, they're more a symbol of faith and belief than a ruler."

  "So, who is the true ruler of that nation?" Wanderer asked.

  Thea thought for a moment before answering. “Influence, control… true rule isn't always the crown. Sometimes the real power is unseen, strings pulled from the dark. So, the true ruler… whoever holds the most sway, title or no.”

  Wanderer insisted, "I ask you."

  Thea rolled her eyes, a familiar gesture of exasperated patience. “Fine, fine. If you want a name… the Loved, admired by all, even the king. Influence there, loyalty of the knight unquestioned. Closest to true power in your little play.”

  Wanderer repeated, his tone flat. “Just the name.”

  Thea sighed,. "Alright, fine. The queen, then. Loved by all, admired, influential with the king, knight at her command. Queen. Answer given. Happy?”

  "... I just wanna read you... Since the true answer is god himself... since he holds every being's heart and life... But since you answered the queen... it shows your manipulative tendency." Wanderer wiggled his eyebrows.