"Didn't you say before that we could come to you anytime, anywhere if we were hungry?"
Yes, I did say that. But didn't you also say, even if you starved to death outside, you'd never come back to beg me?
Though right now, you haven't begged…
"Of course, you told me beforehand that we should think about what we want to eat before we get here."
While Luke was complaining, Uvogin bluntly declared: "I've thought about it!"
He opened his big mouth wide, almost sticking his tongue out to lick his lips: "I want meat this time!"
"Big chunks of meat!"
"Delicious, fragrant meat!"
Uvogin shouted, his mouth drooling as he did so.
"I want fried rice."
Machi was still very reserved with words.
But this was a rare moment for her.
Before, when she was with Uvogin, she barely spoke.
"Delicious meat and fried rice? I get it..."
It's not that there's no rice in Meteor City, but it's mostly yellow, smelly black, and brown rice.
Forget about wanting a bite of meat; anything with a little heat that won't upset your stomach is a good thing.
After receiving the two commissions, Luke raced through his mind and quickly came up with a corresponding invention.
"There's something like the Gourmet Table Cloth that can create a variety of foods, but it's not as convenient..."
He raised his head and briefly glanced around.
"What are you looking for?"
Uvogin, seeing his expression, asked directly.
"I'm looking for trees."
Luke averted his gaze. "Or perhaps plants."
Clearly, there weren't any plants near this garbage dump.
"Trees? There aren't any here."
While he wasn't sure what Luke's search for trees had to do with their meal, Uvogin answered truthfully: "Except for the church and the outskirts, not even a blade of grass can survive here, let alone trees."
The outskirts referred to the area outside Meteor City, the part that bordered the outside world.
"Then let's go to church."
Luke decided quickly; since heading to the outskirts was risky, they could easily be captured by outsiders.
It turned out that Chrollo and Uvogin's companion, Sarasa, had been captured by those from the outside world on the outskirts of the woods.
And then… She suffered a tragic end, dismembered.
Sarasa's death also triggered changes in Chrollo and the entire troupe.
This led to the birth of the subsequent Phantom Troupe.
Luke felt that it was best to avoid such a dangerous area until he had grown stronger.
"Can we go to church?"
Luke specifically asked before setting off.
"Of course we can. The church doesn't refuse any children."
Machi said calmly: "And it's guarded by the elders of Meteor City. No one will cause trouble there."
Indeed, the church was extravagantly luxurious, standing out strikingly in Meteor City.
To be able to maintain such extravagance in a place like Meteor City, it's clear that they either possess immense power or have a powerful backing.
The church undoubtedly possesses this kind of support.
A portion of the profits the church earns from Meteor City is handed over to the local Council of Elders.
The protection of the Council of Elders allows the church to exist safely in Meteor City.
"So lavish, so rich."
Led by Uvogin and Machi, Luke arrived at the church and couldn't help but sigh in admiration at the magnificent building.
This church, nestled on the other side of the garbage dump, stood in stark contrast to the surroundings.
The more difficult the situation, the better off organizations like this seem to be.
Of course, that wasn't Luke's primary concern.
Fortunately, Uvogin hadn't lied; indeed, there was no shortage of trees here.
Luke, leading the bewildered Uvogin and Machi, searched for a suitable tree.
At this moment, inside the church.
"Hey, you're back, Chrollo."
In the center of the hall, Father Lisores, a curly-haired man dressed in neat, tidy clothes and clutching a bible, addressed Chrollo kindly.
"Here to watch the videotapes and study again today?"
"Mm, yes. I'm here to study."
Chrollo, having escaped safely with his treasure, nodded gently at Father Lisores.
"Just now, when I came in, I saw there were more tombstones outside."
"This world is cruel. Recently, some criminals have infiltrated Meteor City's living quarters, and many children have been abducted..."
Father Lisores sighed softly, speaking with a touch of compassion.
"So, never go out into the outskirts alone."
Children born in Meteor City had no legal identity.
Some outsiders misinterpret this, believing that lacking social status equates to being less than human and being denied basic human rights.
Thus, they believe that no matter what they do to those who are less than human, they will not be convicted.
These people hunt the residents of Meteor City, resulting in hundreds of casualties every year.
And among those victims, seventy percent were children under the age of fifteen...
"I understand."
Chrollo, realizing the severity of the situation, nodded gently.
As he nodded, his gaze casually surveyed his surroundings.
And then…
"Huh? Uvogin?"