Tristan looked somewhat tired: "Commander-in-Chief, are you sure you want to do this?"

Todd's eyes were firm as he nodded and said, "Yes."

The man sighed deeply: "Then there's no point in me saying anything more. I think I'll stay."

Todd was somewhat surprised: "You're not leaving?"

Tristan glanced at him: "If you don't leave, it means my mission isn't complete. How could I possibly leave first?"

Todd nodded with some gratitude, but asked with unease, "Are you sure that knight in the skirt is reliable?"

Tristan seemed to remember something, his face turned pale, and all color drained from his eyes: "I...I'm sure he's a reliable person, my master trusts him very much."

More and more people filled the chapel. Rachel, Karin, and Tristan, who lived near the church, were among the first to arrive; Cumberland, Hudgens, Alfonso, and Mary followed; then Edgar and Jerry; and finally, the knight Dion.

Looking around at the people gradually taking their seats in the hall, Todd's voice was low and firm: "Gentlemen, I have hastily summoned you here because the town of Twilight is at a critical juncture of life and death."

Seeing the varying expressions on the faces of the people below the stage, Todd continued, "Next spring, three invading armies will march here simultaneously."

Listening to the murmurs around him, Todd reiterated the latest news Tristan had brought to everyone.

Unlike those who were completely unprepared, the old knight Cumberland guessed the offensive that would begin next spring, but he did not expect that there would be three forces attacking Twilight Town, and that they would be divided into land and sea routes.

The old man stood up and asked about the matter he cared about most: "When will the church's reinforcements arrive?"

Todd and Tristan exchanged a glance, then shook their heads and said, "The Church will not send any reinforcements. In this battle, Twilight Town will be isolated and helpless."

Karin asked, "Could we perhaps organize everyone in Twilight Town and get them to leave as soon as possible?"

Before Todd could speak, Hudgens, who was sitting next to her, explained: "It's winter now, and even if we want to organize the evacuation of residents, we can only do so in the spring after the ice and snow melt. Moreover, these unarmed old people, women and children in the town are large targets and slow to move, making them easy targets for enemy cavalry to spot and catch up with."

At this point, Todd said, "The biggest problem now is that the enemy is in the dark, while we are in the light. It's not difficult for the enemy to find out the troop deployment and military strength of Muxi Town. But we know nothing about their troop strength, commanders, or routes of advance."

Rachel thought for a moment and then laughed: "If you want to know information about the barbarian and pirate armies, I can help."

Seeing that everyone's attention was focused on her, the woman slowly said, "I know many people among the barbarians, and they can provide us with a lot of useful information."

Cumberland stroked his beard and added, "Speaking of which, I know quite a few people in Silver Ring City, who might be able to help us find out some things."

Knight Dion, who had remained silent, glanced at Tristan and suddenly said, "Lord Todd, regarding the war next spring, if the enemy and our forces are vastly different in strength, or if the odds of victory are slim, would you consider leaving the townspeople behind and leading the Knights of Twilight to evacuate first?"

Upon hearing this statement, everyone in the hall paused, their expressions varying.

Huggins glanced at Todd, his face full of worry; Alfonso's face was flushed, and he looked like he wanted to reprimand Dion for his remarks; Cumberland's expression was solemn as he awaited a response from the pulpit; Rachel and Karin stared intently ahead, without making a sound.

“If the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is too great and the chances of victory are slim, then someone in Muxi Town definitely needs to stay behind…”

Upon hearing Todd's reply, an indescribable look of disappointment and disdain flashed in Dion's eyes.

To the latter's surprise, Todd pointed to his forehead and said, word by word, "I will have the people in the town evacuate first, and the one who stays behind will be me."

"What?!"

Everyone present, except Tristan, gasped in surprise.

Todd stretched out his hands to quiet the crowd and continued, “When I arrived here, it was a desolate beach with only rocks and gravel. After I wrote the first recruitment notice, those who had long suffered oppression and torment, seeking freedom, brought all their belongings and dreams, and began to build this ‘land of miracles’.”

Todd looked at the faces of the crowd below, recalling the events of the past year: "Among these people are ostracized groups, good people who have been framed, and innocent people who have been labeled as heretics. Twilight Town is their only hope to live with freedom and dignity, and their last paradise where they can realize their ideals and ambitions. If I run away, it will be the most ruthless betrayal of them!"

Todd looked out the window at the town, clenched his fists, and recalled a passage in his mind. He said loudly, "I, Todd Fischer, as the Grand Master of the Knights of Twilight, may die if I choose to fight; I may live a life of ignominy if I choose to flee, year after year, until I die of old age. But I would rather exchange those days of ignominy for one chance, one only chance, to tell my enemies that you may be able to take my life, but you can never trample on my freedom!"