Wu Chang was starting to lose his composure, and he said:

"I’m not puzzled by the 9 hours being too short; I’m puzzled by the fact that it’s allowed to hire at the age of 9?"

Raventon looked at Wu Chang strangely and said:

"I’m beginning to suspect that before you met Julie, you never really saw the true face of society, or perhaps the difference between the New World and Stilan is really that big."

"You must know, in many coal mines, lots of children start working with their parents at the age of five. Nine years old is not considered early."

Under Raventon’s gaze, Wu Chang didn’t know what to say.

So it was his problem with understanding, then never mind.

The carriage moved along the Hills River, and the city began to have many small factories.

The conditions in small factories are worse than those in large factories. The decrease in wages further lowers people’s living standards, transitioning from the civilian areas to the slums.

Erin’s face on the carriage grew more unpleasant, visibly trying to endure something.

Through Raventon’s introduction, Wu Chang learned that the place they had entered was already one of the poorest regions in Grimland.

This area was filled with a large number of unemployed people, jobless individuals, disabled people, and orphans.

The most prominent feature here was a large gray church.

According to Raventon, its predecessor was the Great Cathedral of the Saint Bishop, now transformed into a massive poorhouse. As long as one enters the poorhouse, they can receive aid.

Wu Chang thought that Grimland still held onto a baseline, showing a trace of human kindness. But what Raventon said next made him realize he was overly optimistic.

The existence of the poorhouse was not for aid, but rather to reduce the aid provided by the Church.

The impoverished need to enter the poorhouse to receive assistance. But once inside, they face strict management on all levels and are subjected to high-intensity forced labor.

All profits from labor within the poorhouse belong to the poorhouse itself, and what the entrants receive are only filthy collective dormitories, basic meals, and very poor medical conditions.

The death rate among poorhouse members is as high as 15%, indicating the conditions within.

Because of this, in the slums, the poorhouse is termed the prison for the poor.

Only treatments worse than those of the lowest-tier workers can repel the parasites plundering Stilan.

After hearing these things during his journey, Wu Chang had gained a basic understanding of Grimland, and hearing this, he was no longer surprised.

He only remarked, "Truly, it’s Royal City," with no further reaction.

However, Erin’s expression was visibly negative and increasingly unpleasant.

She listened, unable to do anything.

She is the God of Light, not the God of Wealth. If what troubles people is disease, she can take strong action. But as wealth causes all this, even Gods are powerless.

Wu Chang held Erin’s hand, trying to offer her some comfort.

Don’t say she, an outsider God, even Julie, a native of Steam Phantom, is helpless in this regard.

The carriage suddenly stopped, and a cry of pain came from the front.

Wu Chang looked ahead and discovered that a small boy perhaps darted out like a ghost and nearly collided with the carriage.

Fortunately, Raventon swiftly leaned out and grabbed him.

"Thank you, sir, you are truly a good person."

Raventon looked at the boy with a half-smile and said:

"If you hadn’t tried to snatch my wallet from my pocket, I would have felt your gratitude more."

He held the boy’s wrist, and in the boy’s hand was a square wallet turned inside out.

"Quick technique, but wrong choice of target."

Caught red-handed, the boy’s face turned pale as he saw the corner of a banknote in Raventon’s wallet.

The banknote meant the stolen property exceeded one gold pound.

According to Stilan’s law, even as a first offender, he faced several years or even lifelong exile.

In a panic, the boy struggled and pleaded:

"Sir, I didn’t mean to do this. Please let me go on account of my first offense!"

"My sister is still waiting for me to take care of her; I can’t leave her!"

Raventon smirked and released his hand, saying: "You’re lucky, son."

The boy displayed a relieved joy, deeply bowed, and just as he was about to leave, the carriage door opened, and a young lady of surreal elegance stepped out.

"Wait."

Startled by the voice, the boy froze. A driver with banknotes in his wallet—they must be carrying a noble passenger?

To offend such a figure, he dared not imagine the consequences.

Facing such a figure, he didn’t even dare to flee; he could only stand honestly and hope the person would show pity and not trouble him.

"Esteemed lady, I didn’t mean to disturb you."

Erin said: "Don’t be nervous. Your sister is sick, correct?"

The boy nodded: "Honorable lady, my sister isn’t in good health; she caught malaria; she’s gravely ill. The Doctor said if it’s not treated promptly, she will die in two days."

He took on a tearful tone, seemingly genuine.

The commotion also caught the attention of the slum residents, but they merely watched.

The boy’s story sounded tragic, but such tales were common in the slums.

Especially recently, Grimland was experiencing a widespread malaria outbreak, more prevalent in the slums.

Upon hearing this, Erin softly said:

"Take me to your home; I am a Doctor, and I can help treat her."

The boy expressed disbelief: "But I don’t have money for treatment, not even for buying medicine."

Erin said: "It’s alright; just take me to look first."

The boy’s words did not attract attention, but Erin’s declaration as a Doctor and her subsequent offer of free treatment instantly drew everyone’s gaze.

Their eyes were filled with eagerness. A Doctor willing to provide free treatment—only a rare curiosity in the slum.

More importantly, their homes had patients needing treatment too.

Feeling the gaze of the crowd, Raventon’s expression became stiff.

He quietly asked: "Commander Sean, is your wife planning to use Extraordinary Power to cure the disease?"

Wu Chang nodded.

Raventon asked: "Is it effective?"

Wu Chang affirmed: "Absolutely effective."

Raventon sighed and said: "Then it’s troublesome; Grimland doesn’t welcome foreign sects."