Entering Kakin did not require any especially complicated inspection. And once Ronin and the other two took out their Hunter Licenses, they were even given preferential treatment.
Kakin was huge.
After all, it was a country with the potential to become part of the V6.
But from the moment they entered the country, none of them had a particularly good impression of it.
Just from what they could see with the naked eye, the happiness level in this country was probably not high. Everyone looked busy, and there were barely any smiles on people's faces.
Occasionally, they could see tents on the streets, and most of the people coming out of those tents were dirty and disheveled.
"In Kakin, people can roughly be divided into four classes," Kurapika explained to the four of them as he walked forward. "Although this place is developing rapidly and carries the banner of democracy, in reality, the highest class is still the royal family.
"Below the royal family are the nobles. Below the nobles are ordinary citizens. Even the homeless people we see fall under the category of ordinary citizens.
"And below them are the untouchables and demi-human races."
"Demi-humans?" Ronin knew about untouchables, but he hadn't expected to hear about demi-humans here.
The last time he had obtained information about demi-humans was from Owl.
The ten mafia groups that controlled the ten major districts of the six continents didn't just have suppliers of criminals like Meteor City. They had also taken in large numbers of demi-humans.
Demi-human groups had always existed at the bottom of society on the continent. Some were violent by nature, some had powerful physiques, and some possessed special skills. In any case, although most of their bodies were similar to humans, they always carried certain beast-like traits, and they had long been active at the very lowest layers of society.
In fact, in many countries, demi-humans could no longer be found at all.
That was because, during certain religious movements throughout history, those demi-human races had been treated as heretics or unclean beings and burned to death.
However, from Kurapika's information, it could also be seen that although demi-humans had the right to survive in Kakin, they still existed at the very bottom of society.
After all, the untouchables placed alongside them were so-called outcasts.
They were people who were not even worthy of possessing proper status, born with identities as lowly as pigs and dogs.
"In the earliest period, whether it was untouchables or demi-humans, their living conditions were terrible.
"But in recent years, the living conditions of the untouchables have improved. All of it is related to Kakin's Second Prince, Camilla.
"In her own territory, she granted the untouchables basic human rights. She even gave them a path for advancement, and the possibility of standing on equal footing with nobles.
"Because of that, Camilla holds enormous weight in the hearts of the lower classes. Some ordinary people who can no longer survive even want to become untouchables outright and live under Camilla's protection.
"From that alone, you can tell just how great Camilla's charisma is," Kurapika said with some emotion.
Investigating history was not easy, but investigating information about the princes was not difficult.
"However, Prince Camilla does not protect demi-humans. On the other hand, in the hotels opened by Kakin's Fourth Prince, there are quite a few demi-human servants.
"But you can probably imagine it. Strong demi-humans are used as bodyguards, while distinctive female demi-humans serve as attractions for the hotel. Strictly speaking, those demi-humans are nothing more than goods in the Fourth Prince's hands. Even if they suddenly died or disappeared one day, no one would pay any attention."
What Kurapika said this time was something Ronin had never seen in the manga at all.
In the manga, the Fourth Prince had indeed appeared in a hotel.
Even after boarding the ship, there had been so-called friends of the Fourth Prince, and the Fourth Prince also had an inseparable connection with one of Kakin's three major mafia families, the Heil-Ly family.
But none of that had mentioned demi-humans.
"I've already booked a hotel. When the time comes, as long as we're willing to pay enough money, naturally we'll be able to experience demi-human service," Kurapika said.
But as soon as he said that, the women in the team looked at him with strange expressions.
Kurapika, however, acted as if he didn't notice at all and continued, "Kakin's path for social advancement is almost completely cut off. For an ordinary person to become a noble is practically impossible.
"Behind every major financial group, there is support from Kakin's royal family. Even though the reform back then seemed to weaken the royal family's power, in reality, the entire country is still under the rule of the Hui Guo Rou clan.
"And what makes this country's people despair most is that there is an invisible but very real execution line here.
"If there are no major changes in the near future, the number of homeless people on the streets will only increase. A new reform could also appear at any time."
Listening to Kurapika's analysis, Ronin could genuinely tell that Kurapika had done his homework thoroughly.
After all, in a little over two years, Kakin would usher in its greatest transformation.
This ancient country would challenge V5's rule and attempt to become the sixth major nation within Lake Mobius.
It would even go so far as to make the existence of the Dark Continent public. On one hand, there were likely hidden secrets behind that move. On the other hand, it was also a way to redirect domestic conflicts outward.
Exploring a new continent, expanding territory, seeking countless opportunities on that new land—what could excite people more than that?
It was the greatest chance for the lower classes to leap across social ranks, and also the greatest chance for the powerful and privileged to expand their authority.
After buying a decent off-road vehicle at a dealership, the group got into the car and began driving toward Kakin's royal capital.
"Kakin has built a massive shipyard out at sea. They've recruited a huge number of people, seemingly to build the largest ship in the world.
"That has provided jobs for many people, and it has also drawn large numbers of talented people toward the capital. I keep feeling that this matter isn't so simple," Kurapika said, his instincts extremely sharp.
"Yeah. King Nasubi Hui Guo Rou is an ambitious man. Perhaps it won't be long before Kakin makes a major move," Ronin agreed.
"But that probably doesn't have much to do with us. For this operation, we have three things to handle.
"First, the collection belonging to Kakin's Fourth Prince, Tserriednich.
"Second, investigating Kakin's history and finding out whether there is any possible connection with the Kurta Clan.
"Third, finding the Phantom Troupe, who may also have infiltrated Kakin. It's about time we settled things with them."
Kurapika's gaze was extremely firm.
Over the past half year, although he had spent most of his time immersed in the Kurta Clan ruins, he had not forgotten to improve his own strength.
If they encountered the remaining members of the Troupe this time, he did not intend to rely entirely on Ronin.
Ronin looked into the distance.
He wondered how well Chrollo's preparations were going.
Hopefully, when the time came, he wouldn't be disappointed.