Chapter 885

Chapter 885: New Faces

The lockdown was lifted, and Baron Moroz ordered the guards to open the city gates, allowing the residents to enter and exit again. However, compared to before, the checks were much stricter now.

“What’s your name?”

“My name is Richard. I’m a hunter from Black Creek Village. This time I came to sell some things.”

At the city gate, several soldiers checked each person one by one. A hunter wearing leather armor carried freshly hunted deer meat into the city. He had placed a skinned animal hide on his shoulder, which kept the deer meat from ruining his clothes.

Looking at the red and white deer meat that had been roughly salted, the guard poked it with his hand and even tasted a bit.

“Not bad. What price do you want? If it’s reasonable, we could just buy it directly,” said the guard, who also needed to prepare for winter. Thinking of the empty top of his fireplace at home, he felt tempted.

“Well, this… I might want to ask for a higher price,” the hunter hesitated.

Seeing the guard’s displeasure, he had to explain. “There are more demonic beasts in the mountains recently. Not long ago, someone even heard dragon roars. It took me great risks to catch this prey, and then there’s the salting and the long journey here. So I hope to make more money.”

“Alright, alright, stop with all that. I hear this kind of story every day. It seems like everyone has a hard life,” the guard said irritably, waving his hand and preparing to leave him waiting.

Seeing he wasn’t allowed into the city, the hunter became worried and stood there helplessly.

In the morning mist, a crisp sound of horse hooves echoed, followed by several cavalrymen in dark red uniforms riding towards them.

Seeing their brand new crimson uniforms and the short firearms they carried, the guards immediately paid attention.

“Hiss—”

The warhorse reared up high, stopping not far from the city gate, then slowly walked forward with small steps.

On the horse, the officer holding the reins looked at the farmers, merchants, and a few hunters waiting to enter the city, nodding occasionally.

“Sir, may I ask who you are?” The captain of the guards cautiously asked from the side.

Compared to these private soldiers under Baron Moroz, these cavalrymen in military uniforms were the true military power of the Empire. After suppressing several rebellions in the southern region, the Regent had firmly controlled key points in the south with his legions.

“I am Lieutenant Wadevin of the 71st Legion of the Empire.” He took out his badge and appointment letter, showing it to the soldiers.

Following a respectful response, the guards drove the crowd gathered at the city gate to the sides, clearing the central path.

“Very good. You are loyal guards.” Nodding, the officer pointed to a hunter. “I’ll take the deer meat on his back. Have him deliver it to my residence later.”

“Yes, sir.” The guards exchanged glances and nodded.

“Alright, let’s go.” Leading the cavalrymen with him, he entered the city, leaving behind the sound of galloping hooves.

After the officer entered the city, the guards had to approach the hunter again.

“Did you hear that? You’re lucky. The gentleman saw you. Hurry up and hand over the meat.”

“But… this is mine,” the hunter backed away, holding the meat, unsure how to respond.

“Hmph, dreaming? Give it here.” The captain signaled his men, and they surrounded the hunter, taking the meat by force amidst a scuffle.

Watching the hunter fall to the ground, the captain casually threw a few copper coins.

“Get lost quickly.”

Afterward, he glanced coldly at the onlookers. They lowered their heads and moved away. Among them, a young farmer clenched his fists.

Another hand pressed on his shoulder, urging him to calm down. Only then did he whisper, “Don’t act rashly. Let’s get inside first.”

The order at the city gate gradually returned to its previous bustling state after a brief silence, as if nothing had happened.

Entering the city, an old man and a young man walked down the street and began to discuss what had happened.

“You can’t act so impulsively. We have other missions,” said the older man, around 40-50 years old, dressed in clean coarse linen, with large knuckles on his hands.

“I know, but if we remain indifferent to such matters, why did I come here?” Although he had Sequence 4 abilities, he still had much to learn in experience and wisdom.

“I understand your passion, but Quirick, we have other tasks. Don’t you also want to save the daughter of the late Satter from the nobility?”

Quirick, the young man, nodded.

“Yes, Master Satter saved me when I was young. I remember his kindness, and now I must rescue his orphaned daughter from the nobles.”

“That’s right. For this goal, we must endure for now.”

“This is the Dragonwing Province, a remote part of the southern region. Our ideas are rarely spread here, so we need to be more careful.”

“Because these locals might not understand our great ideals. They are very conservative, and once our identities are exposed, it will be difficult to stay here. And Master Satter’s daughter would never escape.”

The older man patiently guided the young man until the crowd on the street grew thicker, and they stopped talking.

“What’s happening ahead? Why are so many people gathered?” The middle-aged man grabbed a passerby.

Although annoyed, seeing the strong arm gripping his elbow, the local resident felt as if he were trapped in iron tongs, unable to struggle.

“Up ahead is the temporary execution site. Baron Moroz is having a thief hanged,” he said briefly, pointing to the end of the street where a high platform was filled with people.

“Is he being hanged just for stealing something?” Quirick clenched his fists again before releasing them.

“Yes, but he stole the most precious treasure from Baron Moroz’s family. It’s said to be worth thousands of extraordinary gold coins.”

Hearing this, the older man slowly released his grip and continued forward.

“More executions? Such misfortune,” as they delved deeper, more people discussed the matter.

“Probably a revolutionary madman,” one said.

“No, different from before. Likely a member of some organization. Yes, that’s right. Look at the sign hanging on his chest.”

On the wooden platform, a man covered in wounds was brought forward, with two old wooden plaques hung around his neck.

Seeing the names of the two organizations, the crowd started a new round of discussion.

“Really? The neutral guarantor organization ‘The Blind Man’ would do this?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps Baron Moroz offended someone. He’s known for being stingy.”

“I thought he was a revolutionary from the Purple Robe Province. Didn’t similar people come a few days ago?”

“Maybe, but this time it’s different.”

People talked, and the executioner announced the time had come.

“Put the rope around his neck and start preparing.”

Several soldiers began to act, but at that moment, a loud voice cut through the sky. It was the red light, soaring on a swift eagle, carrying a figure.

As it approached, a crimson sword shadow slashed down, severing the hanging rope. A woman with wine-red hair stood on the platform, holding a curved blade resembling a scorpion’s tail, with a fiery nightingale emblem on her chest.

“Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

As she spoke, several figures leaped up from below and stood beside her. They all wore bronze badges and emitted surging extraordinary magic power.

(End of Chapter)