The terrain of Vitelli City is higher in the south and lower in the north.
The farther north one goes, closer to the coastline, the more humid the air becomes and the muddier the ground.
Powerful people mostly live on the higher southern side, while the poor and fishermen reside near the water.
This is a massive city!
The area is so vast it rivals several Black Cities.
Moreover, the population is countless.
The Herb Market is the closest market to the coastline, with streets extending for miles, filled with merchants.
Every day, the seafood traded here could fill more than a hundred fishing boats.
Some of it is consumed in Vitelli City, while the rest is transported to other regions by merchants.
After meeting with Ayala and others, and after a brief interaction, Carl arrived at this market.
Next, they needed to survey the environment and set their future plans.
"The City Lord of Vitelli City is the Legendary Knight Sodan, who is said to have the Bloodline of Duke Ferdinand."
As Ayala led Carl forward, she spoke while walking, "A hundred years ago, the Lord of Suodan killed the deep-sea demon whale of the Endless Sea Domain, broadened the seaways, and thus brought prosperity to Vitelli City."
Only Legendary beings live over a hundred years!
So the strength of the Lord of Sodan cannot be doubted.
"In addition to having no more than a hundred guards, the Lord does not have town guards stationed in the city."
"Everything here belongs to freedom!"
"There are no taxes, no officials, no oppression, which is why this place is called Freedom Port."
Ayala’s tone was somewhat excited.
Having grown up in the Black City, she most often saw city guards abusing average miners.
There is no freedom in the Black City!
That is also why, when she encountered the ’environment’ of Freedom Port, she felt truly relieved from the bottom of her heart.
Especially after hearing about the legendary deeds of Lord Sodan, she came to deeply admire him.
What a great man, to renounce power and restore freedom to the common people!
"Except for a few who contract water plague and the somewhat poor environment, this city has almost no faults!"
Upon mentioning the water plague, Ayala’s excited expression also inevitably sank.
Carl, his expression unchanged, spoke lightly, "What are your plans next?"
"To survive in Freedom Port, one must be familiar with the water. We are still learning to dive." Ayala smiled bitterly, "It’s not easy to learn!"
"Actually, we might be used to living underground in the Black City, lacking the innate talent for water."
As if recalling some horrific scenes, her face showed helplessness, then she suddenly rallied, "We were planning to get a boat and see if we could make a living from the sea, but now that you’re here, Uncle, maybe we can try trading."
"Trading?" Carl glanced around the market and shook his head. "The supplies I can provide had some value in the Black City, but here, where resources are abundant, it might be hard to stand out."
"How about opening a pharmacy?"
"A pharmacy?" Ayala’s eyes lit up. "Uncle, the effects of the potions you make are astonishing! If we open a pharmacy, we can definitely attract patients."
Carl nodded. "As long as we have enough materials, making potions is not difficult. You can read and will quickly learn how to manage it."
He needed a stronghold in Vitelli City to facilitate the purchase of Magic Materials, but he couldn’t always be there himself.
He needed an assistant.
Moreover, since Ayala was learning about potions, opening a pharmacy would also allow her to practice her craft.
Ayala clenched her fists, her emotions hardly containable.
If she could learn how to make potions, that would mean she had the capital to secure herself a place in Freedom Port.
She took a deep breath. "I won’t let you down!"
As they talked, the two stopped in front of a store with four fronts. Ayala quickly stepped forward, "We have a significant customer, call your shopkeeper out!"
"This is a shop of the Dragon King Chamber of Commerce. Whatever you wish to buy, they can procure it," she said, revealing a peculiar expression.
Carl quickly understood what this expression meant.
"Here she comes." Hearing the call, a lady dressed in fish scale soft armor came out and bowed to Carl. "My name is Susan, the shopkeeper of this store. Our stock may not be complete, but I will do my best to satisfy the customers’ needs."
The lady’s soft armor was very form-fitting, protecting only vital areas and leaving much of her skin exposed, somewhat akin to bikinis Carl remembered.
Smooth fish scale armor pieces extended from her chest down to her thighs, shimmering as her waist moved.
The bold style of clothing, her graceful figure, and her blue eyes were all memorable.
Even passing pedestrians couldn’t help but glance frequently, which explained Ayala’s strange expression.
Wearing a bikini to attract customers was indeed... quite special!
"Carl." Carl suppressed the ripples in his heart and returned the greeting in a gentlemanly manner. "I’d like to sell a few Dharma Seals."
Susan’s eyes lit up. "Please take a seat. I don’t know what kind of Dharma Seals the esteemed guest plans to sell, as the price varies for each type."
Carl unrolled his bundle without answering.
Seven Dharma Seals scattered across the table.
"Night Vision, Earth Listening, Iron Wall, Wind Repelling..." Susan, as a shopkeeper, was quite knowledgeable.
She counted each Dharma Seal.
"Iron Wall for eight hundred Divine Grace Coins, others for seven hundred, a total of five thousand Divine Grace Coins. What do you think?"
The price was more or less the same as other places.
Carl didn’t agree nor disagree but took out a Divine Grace Coin, curiously asking, "I once saw in a book about a fist-sized Divine Grace Coin. Is it real?"