The Serpent incident had left Earth in a state of shock, and the concept of the Saints was equally impactful. People on Earth now knew they were not alone, and that there were many strange and terrifying beings in the universe. In the past, this kind of revelation might have triggered a global panic, a feeling that the world was ending. But the events in Madripoor had proven that there were gods in their world, and they resided among humanity.
When faced with a threat and the panic of a powerful being, people instinctively seek spiritual comfort. This is human nature. Leon and his Saints had clearly filled this void. Before Leon's rise, religious beliefs were diverse. People believed in demons, angels, God, and other deities. The most dominant faith, however, was Christianity, with its three major sects: Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy. Followers believed in Jesus and saw him as their savior, someone who offered hope for salvation through his resurrection.
However, when a real monster appeared, causing panic and fear across the globe, Jesus did not intervene. This made many believers realize that Jesus was just a spiritual comfort, a source of solace in a difficult life. Did these believers truly believe Jesus existed? Some did, but many knew he was just a figure in a book. They were unaware that Jesus did exist, but he had never shown miracles to the world.
Now, there was a new choice. Leon and his Saints had demonstrated their strength and greatness for all to see. It was only natural for people to transfer their faith. Why believe in a god who existed only in concept when they could believe in a real god? This god had healed millions of people in Madripoor in an instant.
It was a natural transition for believers and non-believers alike. As a result, Madripoor went from being a tourist destination to a sacred place revered by countless followers. People spent all their savings just to travel there and seek the God-King's help. Many came hoping to cure their terminal illnesses, but Leon didn't even have to help.
The main reason was that the science and technology department had conducted extensive research on super gene serums. They not only enhanced the human body at the genetic level but also had countless applications, such as nutrient supplements and healing agents for various cancers. Consequently, the medical system in Madripoor was extremely advanced—the best in the world. For instance, Jane Foster's cancer, which would later kill her as the female Thor, would be a laughable ailment in Madripoor.
These medicines enhanced the body's health from the ground up. They were supplied to the residents' tap water and food, subtly improving and transforming their bodies. Children became healthier than average, and life spans were greatly extended. This transformation was carefully controlled to prevent millions of people from suddenly becoming super-soldiers, which would likely alarm all other countries.
The advanced medical system attracted the world's wealthiest individuals, making Madripoor a hub of global capital. The prices for treating these rich people and their families were meticulously set by a think tank. The prices were determined by the effectiveness of the treatment. Curing a terminal illness with a single treatment was a staggering $250 million. These were prices only the super-rich could afford. For those who couldn't, they could choose to undergo a series of treatments, each of which took a significant amount of time. Each course of treatment required a hospital stay, and hospital and nursing fees were, of course, extra. However, the service was the best and most luxurious in the world, focused on providing comfort and peace of mind while ensuring a continuous flow of income. For those who couldn't afford a full cure, treatments could suppress their illness, allowing them to live, but with a health and vitality that were not comparable to a normal person's. These prices were not a concern for the wealthy; compared to their health, money was nothing.
The best part was that Madripoor citizens didn't have to pay anything. They had universal healthcare, and even a broken limb could regrow with the help of the serum. It was no surprise that people envied and even hated the citizens of Madripoor. Life there was stress-free, with high incomes, high security, excellent health, and world-class living standards and technology. Madripoor had everything a developed country had, and more.
Though there was no active marketing, the information posted by citizens on social media made people from countless countries desperate to move to Madripoor to find work and citizenship. The city-state wasn't large and didn't allow dual citizenship. The requirements for becoming a citizen were strict, including a clean background, no criminal record, and absolute faith in Leon. There were no restrictions on wealth. Even a homeless person could become a citizen and live a comfortable life after working hard for a year.
It's also worth noting that Madripoor established orphanages in countries around the world to recruit children who had no family. After a period of providing for their basic needs, the orphanage staff would observe and evaluate them. If they met the standards, they would be sent to Madripoor for education and training, where they would be taught the city-state's values and beliefs. The best students would then be sent to Saint training bases around the world, creating a perfectly structured training pipeline.
As for whether local governments would allow these children to leave, it was never an issue because no one dared to stop them. To do so would be to invite a death wish. Some organizations tried to implant mind-control chips in children, hoping they would be selected to become Saints or at least get important positions in Madripoor to gather intelligence. Unfortunately, the review process was very strict. A team of psychics, loyal to Leon, was hired to read the children's memories. Any defensive chips would be discovered, and the intelligence agencies behind the attempt, no matter which country they were from, would face terrible consequences. No one or no organization dared to have such evil thoughts.
Due to HYDRA's cleansing and its geographical location, Kosovia's development was slower than Madripoor's but still far surpassed the surrounding poor, underdeveloped nations. At the very least, there was no threat of war. Orphans and the elderly were cared for, and residents had well-paying jobs. Schools and hospitals were established, and the medical care was basically the same as in Madripoor. With Madripoor's full support, Kosovia's development had entered a high-speed period, and through various forms of open and subtle propaganda, millions of Kosovians had become believers of Leon. For people who had once lived in poverty and danger, the one who could provide them with food, work, a home, and healthcare was their most important supporter. And the fact that their ruler was a truly omnipotent god made it even easier to gain their faith.
This was especially true after the Serpent's revival and the terror it brought. The people of Madripoor and Kosovia were the only ones in the world who didn't feel it. When they posted about it on social media and saw the global news, they realized how special they were. Their sense of security and well-being was at an all-time high.
These developments, however, had little to do with Leon, as he didn't concern himself with such matters. It was all a testament to Ophelia's skill as a manager. She was incredibly intelligent and had assembled a team of experts from all walks of life. With their help, she managed everything perfectly, and her own microcosm was growing steadily. Leon was simply reaping the rewards. Conquering Ophelia had been a stroke of genius. For this reason, Leon had been "rewarding" her for a time. Although her microcosm had grown very slowly during this period, she enjoyed it and wished for a "reward" every day.
Leon, however, needed to take a break. Today was the first day of an RV trip for his dad, Li Xiang, and his mom, Amy. Outside their townhouse, a formidable off-road RV was parked, attracting the admiration of many neighbors.
"Oh my God, Li, is this the RV you bought? How much did it cost?"
"Look at that thing. It's so beautiful. I bet it's the best in the world."
"Damn, Li, I'm so jealous. Do you need a driver or a chef? I can do it all, I'll be your live-in."
"Amy, are we still best friends? Take me with you. I'll do anything you ask."
To the neighbors, Li Xiang and Amy seemed radiant and excited. The luxury RV was a custom-made Mercedes-Benz. While it had the brand, its interior, equipment, and engine were all developed at the Madripoor base, with the brand name simply added for convenience.
The RV was a beast: 11,410 x 2,540 x 3,940 mm, weighing 22 tons, with a ground clearance of 385 mm. It had an 800L fuel tank with a heating function to ensure long-lasting endurance. It was powered by a turbocharged engine with a high-pressure common rail, a fully hydraulic automatic transmission, full-time eight-wheel drive, and seven differential locks—three inter-axle and four inter-wheel. It could seat up to six people, with additional living space in the back.
The electric lifting roof could extend the roof's height by nearly five meters, creating a second-floor terrace. The second floor was also equipped with a flip-up 75-inch LED TV and an audio system, perfect for movies, karaoke, or even small parties. The design was double-layered. The first floor included a reception and entertainment area, a kitchen and bathroom, and a guest room. The kitchen had an induction cooktop, a steam-bake microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee machine, and other equipment. The dry and wet separated bathroom was also fully equipped, and the various entertainment facilities added a lot of fun to their travels. The second-floor lounge had tatami mats (Li Xiang's favorite) and soft beds, enough to accommodate a large family. The entire RV could sleep nine people and had five separate rest areas, enough for a three-generation family to travel together.
All the equipment and interior decorations were meticulously developed by the research department, with safety, comfort, and endurance in mind. If they hadn't been given specific instructions, the scientists would have added things like plasma weapons and turbojet engines. For these engineers, who were used to working on advanced projects like the Sky City, modifying this RV was as easy as a doctor doing kindergarten homework. Even so, this RV was a top-tier luxury vehicle. It was no wonder the neighbors were so envious.
If Li Xiang and Amy weren't so concerned about Lily and Dean's schooling and wanted some alone time, they might have taken the whole family with them. But there was no need to rush. They could always go on a family trip during the children's next vacation.
The parents' trip made the two children very sad. They cried, not wanting to be separated from their parents. The family had rarely been apart since the children were young, so the sudden separation was difficult for them. But there was nothing they could do. The couple was determined to go on their "honeymoon." Fortunately, Leon had a teleportation portal and the technology department had developed holographic projection, so the separation would not be too hard.
And so, with Leon holding the two teary-eyed children and the neighbors screaming with envy, the luxurious off-road RV, carrying a celestial father and mother, set off slowly toward a new adventure.
(End of Chapter)
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