Genshin Impact: Rise of the Desert

Furina and Navia were talking about Kares, and Ivan overheard most of it.

Kares' wife died when Navia was a child. The reason was that Kares was charitable and had many friends in his early years. He was born into a wealthy family but never gave up his training. At the same time, he was happy to help others, which made many nobles very dissatisfied.

Because nobles rely on commoners living a simple life, and then they can gain a good reputation and build up their resumes and political achievements by giving a little charity.

The arrival of Carles and Mrs. Carles broke the unwritten rules of the nobility, and they became even more rampant after having a daughter, undertaking large-scale construction projects in Baisong Town during the tenure of the former Baron Baisong.

This made Baron Baisong, who had been doing nothing, lose face. In the end, he was even granted the title of Baron Baisong by the Water God because of his significant achievements. The former Baron Baisong is currently running a small shop in Fontaine and barely making ends meet.

Carles, who had made many enemies, naturally became a target. Mrs. Carles, who was also Navia's mother, died protecting Navia during an assassination attempt, and the assassin escaped.

After that, Kares calmed down considerably, focusing on cultivating the town of Baisong and developing his gray-area influence along the Gray River—namely, the [Rose Society].

Then, a series of teenage girls disappeared in Baisong Town, forming the unsolved mystery of the "Serial Disappearances of Girls" that has remained unsolved for eighteen years. At the same time, the drug Les began to appear in Baisong Town, and Kares announced a ban on Les and began an in-depth investigation.

During a banquet, the guests inside heard two gunshots. When they arrived, they found only Carles holding a gun and Jacques dead from a gunshot wound.

According to the results of the court's investigation, there was no possibility that someone else committed the crime and fled, so Carles was identified as the murderer of Jacques.

It's not right.

Ivan had a keen sense of smell, and he keenly sensed that it was very likely that the financial backer behind Les was behind Kares's current predicament.

He couldn't help but interject, "Uh... is it possible to visit someone in prison? Let's ask Carles for clarification."

Navia shook her head dejectedly: "Dad won't tell me anything, but I'm sure he found out something."

After a moment's thought, Funina said, "Then it must be that the mastermind behind this threatened your father, Ivan. You will protect Mr. Carles, right?"

Ivan nodded slightly.

Even if Navia weren't now a major investor in Moscow, a man from the desert would never stand by and watch his friend's family be in danger.

Just then, a companion who had been strolling around nearby came over.

His name was Oulu Osman. He had neither the Eye of God nor was he a descendant of a god; he was just an ordinary person.

However, he was agile and at only twenty-two years old, he had killed three of the thirty-man group of "Golden" members, two of whom had undergone physical modification with "Akhmar's Beard".

As for why they killed a group of thirty people... Rainforest caravans always hire mercenaries, and the three-person Sumeru official mercenary group became the best choice.

Olu handed Ivan a bottle of [Fonda]: "Boss, someone wants to offer this to the water god, but there's something wrong with this drink."

Ivan took the bottle from Fonda and saw that the bottle had been opened but nothing was missing, clearly indicating that Oulu had already smelled it.

Fu Ningna stared at Fengda, swallowing hard: "Then why didn't he bring it to me on his own initiative?"

Oulu shrugged. "Who would personally poison someone? Like our boss, back in the day..."

Ivan glared at Olu, who shrank back: "Back then... back then we were taught to follow anyone who seemed suspicious. We've already caught up with them in the river."

Ivan nodded and sniffed the opening of the glass bottle.

Fengda is a carbonated orange-flavored beverage made from bubble orange juice, but it has absolutely no orange flavor.

Ivan took a sip, and Funina immediately panicked: "Hey, how am I supposed to drink it if you've taken it from my mouth!"

The next second, Ivan spat out a mouthful of saliva and then gagged again: "Ugh... It's fucking sour! This is definitely not Fengda, someone is trying to play a prank on you."

He then smashed the bottle on the ground, shards flying everywhere. Water spilled out of the glass but no bubbles appeared.

Clearly, this is not Fengda.

And just then!

A passerby with messy hair and dirty clothes suddenly rushed up and lay down on the ground licking the [Fengda].

"Hey, buddy, what are you doing?" Olu went over and pulled the man away. "Get up, don't do this. If you're thirsty, you don't need to lick this."

Navia sniffed and frowned, saying, "This is Les! I smelled this when my father was researching the ingredients of Les in the lab!"

Fu Ningna was startled.

She smelled a pleasant scent when the bottle shattered; clearly, L'Oreal is one of those addictive substances.

Why is Ivan alright?

He was still spitting out saliva to clear the sour taste from his mouth.

"Lose? The addictive substance you guys are talking about?" Oulu was taken aback, then cursed, "Damn it, I thought that kid looked shifty and didn't want anything good, so I just opened the bottle and smelled it for a second, thank goodness... Boss! My goodness, don't get addicted!"

Ivan wiped his mouth and lit a filter cigarette, a specialty of Fontainebleau.

"Damn, my mouth is still sour. Fontainebleau's food is way too strong, this can be addictive." Ivan smoked, trying to suppress the sour taste in his mouth, but the more he smoked, the more sour it felt.

"Damn it! Oulu, you take two guys and take this drug addict to the hotel." Ivan kicked the disheveled addict over in anger. "Keep an eye on him so he doesn't die!"

"Alright! South Carolina! Gerdonzan! The three of us, take this bastard back!" Olu responded, called over two men, and went to pull the slovenly guy away.

To everyone's surprise, this guy started struggling: "Wait, let me lick it one more time! Please, just one lick and I'll tell you everything!"

With a cold expression, Gerdonzan grabbed the drug addict and turned to leave. He had injured his face during his last robbery; his opponent's curved knife had pierced his cheek and emerged from his tear duct.

Although Ivan healed him, he was left with a scar on his face, and in exchange for his survival, Flora robbed him of the smile he would have for the rest of his life.

As the addict struggled, South Carolina swung his scimitar, still sheathed, and smashed it directly into the addict's head.

The person simply fell silent.

Seeing that his brothers had finished dealing with the matter, Ivan whispered to Fryna, "I'm going to catch up with the river now. The people following the river are definitely selling Les, trying to harm Navia! They want to make her addicted to Les!"

Funina was taken aback: "Huh? Murder her? But wasn't this Les for me?"

Ivan said slowly, "Even if Navia can't drink it, it's not bad to let the water god taste Les."

Funina shuddered: "That's truly a heinous crime! Ivan, quickly take some men and follow them!"

Then, with her hands on her hips and head held high, Funina loudly proclaimed, "Today, Funina, the Water Goddess and Fontaine's big star, will lead you to take down a hideout!"

"If we find anything useful, I, the God, will reward us handsomely!"

Ivan laughed, "Did you hear that, brothers? There's a huge reward! Today, we're going with Lord Water God to gouge out that little bastard who sells Les's eyes and use them as bubbles to stomp on!"