The griffin was too large and conspicuous, so Todd sent it back to the Shadow Kingdom first. After settling the surviving boy, he and Rachel began their journey on foot to the largest slave-owning city in the Kingdom of Ulster—the ancient city of Gugu.
The two walked along the forest road, where the heavy tire tracks of the prison van were still faintly visible on the road.
After crossing several mountain ridges, Todd reached the plains outside the ancient city of Gugu before sunset.
On the vast, boundless plain, warhorses neighed and people clamored.
Ulster soldiers, clad in armor, rode their warhorses and chained groups of prisoners together, herding them like livestock into makeshift fences made of wooden stakes.
The tribes, ranging in size from dozens to hundreds, came from the southern forests. The men, women, the elderly, and children were all taken into custody according to their gender, age, and physique, as examined by a group of examiners.
Suddenly, a young barbarian boy, taking advantage of a moment when the soldiers were not paying attention, climbed over the wooden spiked fence and fled desperately towards the forest.
Lying prone in the bushes at the edge of the forest, Todd watched nervously as the young figure drew closer, his hands clenched into fists, his palms gradually sweating.
A slave hunter from the Kingdom of Ulster caught up with the fleeing boy on horseback, threw his lasso, and the noose snagged the boy's neck perfectly.
The cavalryman turned his horse around, urging it to gallop in the opposite direction.
Todd instinctively wanted to stand up and go forward, but Rachel held onto his clothes tightly.
"With your mutation and abilities, you might be able to kill the three hundred soldiers here, but there are still thousands of Ulster's soldiers in the camp on those hills. And how long can your body last? Twenty minutes? Half an hour?"
Todd was powerless to refute Rachel's warning.
The boy was dragged along the ground, letting out a piercing scream; the soldiers whistled and cheered loudly; the tribespeople covered their faces and wept, unable to speak from their grief.
Todd closed his eyes, pressed his head firmly against the grass, and slowly his hands evolved into the shape of monster claws. His 'Disintegration' ability was activated at full capacity, turning plants into withered fluff and stones into powder.
The boy's voice grew fainter and fainter, until it faded away completely.
Looking at the setting sun, Rachel said to Todd, "After the sun goes down, we might be able to sneak into the slave quarters."
Todd lay on the grass and said softly, "I thought I was used to death, but I was wrong."
Rachel remained silent.
“Watching warriors on the battlefield walk towards death for their beliefs and hopes; watching innocent children die at the butcher’s guillotine while remaining unmoved.” Todd’s mutated hands gradually returned to normal, and he said weakly, “These two things are completely different.”
Rachel lowered her eyelids and whispered comfortingly, "It's not your fault."
Todd shook his head vigorously, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's not talk about this! Let's think about how to infiltrate."
——————————————
As the sun sets and night falls, the plains remain brightly lit.
The slave-hunting army is sorting the spoils of war.
Sick, disabled, or weak individuals are the first to be picked out and relegated to the defective category, awaiting 'processing'.
Next, strong men would be conscripted into the army and given the title of Ulster Servants; healthy and beautiful women would be included as "spoils of war" and offered to the upper class or distributed to meritorious officials.
Handsome boys and girls would be individually priced and sent to the slave exchange.
The remaining "goods" would be sold on the spot to well-known slave traders. These traders were mostly nobles who refused to reveal their family names, or mysterious conglomerates with huge sums of money.
Todd and Rachel, disguised as merchants, approached the slave pen and searched the crowd for any familiar faces.
Finding a specific few people among dozens of fences surrounded by thousands is no easy task.
After searching for a long time, the two still found nothing.
However, things soon took a turn for the better.
The slave-catching army erected a wooden stake at the city gate, and a man covered in blood was tied to it, barely alive.
"Come and see, come and see! Scoundrels of the kingdom, shameful deserters, despicable traitors!" The clerk, dressed in a linen shirt, stood on the platform and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Grabbing the man's hair, the scribe spat at his distorted face: "This man is named Boyle. He was originally entrusted with an important mission by the kingdom, leading troops south. But he deserted halfway, released slaves, and even formed an army to rebel against the kingdom!"
Angry shouts and curses erupted from the audience.
"Kill him!"
"Let him rot in the swamp!"
May his soul be enslaved by the Demon Eye for eternity!
The clerk nodded in satisfaction and gave the executioner behind him a wink.
Seeing the latter pull out a sharp, curved dagger from his robes, he shouted again, "According to the kingdom's laws, Boyle will be sentenced to the punishment of 'intestine disembowelment'! His intestines and entrails will be displayed under the scorching sun and the dim moon, suffering excruciating pain!"
Turning to Boyle, the clerk patted his cheek and said with a sneer, "The last person's record was three days and two nights. Don't disappoint us."
The executioner stepped forward, picked up his knife, and began to gesture toward Boyle's abdomen, seemingly searching for the best entry point.
Todd, his face hidden beneath his cloak, surveyed the surrounding terrain and said to Rachel, "Remember! As soon as you see my signal, use your 'telekinesis' to overturn these braziers at the city gate. I'll use the darkness to go and rescue them. Whether you succeed or not, after using your ability, leave the scene immediately. Do not linger!"
Seeing Rachel nod, Todd pulled his cloak down to cover most of his face, parted the crowd in front of him, and slowly approached the city gate.
The executioner found his position, raised his dagger, and prepared to stab. Todd spotted his target, picked up a stone, and aimed it at the executioner's head.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out.
"By order of the King, the execution is cancelled."
Upon hearing this, a tidal wave of doubts and dissatisfaction erupted from the crowd.
The shrill sound rang out again.
"The traitor Boyle will be sent to the 'Red Circle' for his first performance the day after tomorrow."
The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted in thunderous praise and cheers.
Just as Todd was puzzled, Rachel walked up to him, gently took his hand, and led him to a secluded corner. She whispered to him, "'The Crimson Circle' was built in the royal city of Ulster. It is the most famous arena in the entire kingdom, and even in the Northern Continent. Legend has it that gladiators sent there either fight each other or face powerful enemies. It is a matter of life and death, and very few can come out alive."
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