Chapter 540 The hyenas followed.
In the middle reaches of the Benliu River, the turbid water carries silt from upstream, silently washing over the reeds on both banks, only making them dirtier with each wash.
As one of the many tributaries of the Benliu River system, this is an important waterway connecting the Golden Plain and the valley plain outside Jiliu Pass, with hundreds of cargo ships traveling on the river every day.
These cargo ships carried minerals from the southern part of the Kingdom of Rhodes and agricultural products from the Golden Plains of the Kingdom of Ryan, transporting them downstream to the port of Thunder City to exchange for industrial goods, or transferring them from river ports to sea ports to supply the larger imperial market.
It is no exaggeration to say that this shipping route, through which goods flow, forms the main axis of the trade map on the northeast coast of the Whirlpool Sea, and at the same time, it is the economic lifeline of the entire eastern region of the continent of Os.
However, at this very moment, an unsettling atmosphere permeated this golden waterway.
The astute captains and merchants quickly set off, preferring to spend the night on the swift-flowing river.
However, there are also some daring people.
They were either servants of nobles or relatives of nobles' servants by marriage, and their businesses were more or less tainted by sacred bloodlines, so naturally they wouldn't risk capsizing at night to rush downstream.
The small town by the river is a great place to relax. There you can find wine, meat, and girls, and the food is delicious and inexpensive.
Having finally managed to leave the master's manor, they didn't want to reach their end so soon.
Where are we?
Mounted on his warhorse, Hagmer glanced toward the rushing river, then looked at his adjutant who was unfolding a map beside him.
When asked by the Knights Commander, Alarand looked at the map for a while and gave an affirmative answer.
"The golden plains lie ahead."
Hagmer's brow relaxed slightly, and the weariness in his heart was somewhat relieved.
"Almost home."
Five days of marching were far from enough to exhaust his men, but their fatigue did not begin to accumulate five days prior.
"Let's get to Baron Slandwell before nightfall, where we'll rest!" Hagmer spurred his horse forward and shouted to those behind him.
The adjutant responded energetically and kicked the horse's belly hard to catch up.
"yes!"
Having left the forest, the Lionheart Knights continued their journey along the riverbank.
Seeing more and more plains, the knights and soldiers finally felt a little relieved, and the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days was somewhat alleviated.
Although their stomachs were already empty, and the thin porridge was just enough to support their armor, their anticipation for the future was enough to make them temporarily forget their current difficulties.
However--
When they reached the riverbank, their morale, which had only been raised for less than an hour, was suddenly and uncontrollably slid towards the bottom of the valley.
Along the golden waterway, the riverbanks were filled with laughter and chatter, a scene of prosperity and flourishing, with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
Smelling the enticing aroma of meat, many soldiers couldn't help but swallow hard, their eyes fixed on the riverbank like those of wolves that hadn't eaten for days.
They're starving on the front lines, while these guys are having a blast. I should have never become a knight; I should have gone and helped the lord with his business.
The serfs had no choice, but those leading the way were not serfs. Many had just graduated from knightly academies, reaching a pinnacle that adventurers could never achieve in their entire lives.
However, filled with resentment, they felt that they might as well be adventurers, since they had never heard of any adventurer going hungry.
However, it must be said that they only think this way when they're angry. If they were really asked to trade their lives for the adventurers, the adventurers would definitely agree without hesitation, whether they agreed or not.
The complex expressions on the faces of the knights and their squires were not only those of the knights and their squires, but also those of the "Radiant Knight" Captain Hagmer, who was leading the group.
He pulled on the reins with one hand, bringing the warhorse to a stop, then glanced at the riverbank, his eyes gradually darkening.
A huge fleet of ships was anchored there. Dozens of flat-bottomed cargo ships were lined up end to end, with very deep drafts, and their heavy hulls appeared exceptionally stable in the current.
Although most of the ships were covered with curtains, he could still tell with his eyesight that they were mostly loaded with grain and timber.
Both the front lines and the rear are in dire straits, and everyone from the king to the quartermaster is complaining about being poor. Why can these people still laugh?
"Looks like these ships aren't heading back to the capital." The adjutant rode up to Hagmer's side, grinning, suppressing the anger in his voice. "Looks like our quartermaster wasn't lying; they really are out of bread. Turns out, all that bread is here... those unscrupulous merchants!"
Hagmer showed no emotion, but simply drew his sword and gave the order in an unprecedentedly cold tone.
"Surround them."
"Yes, sir!" Upon hearing this, the adjutant immediately perked up, turned his horse around, galloped to the rear, and shouted out the order.
In the small town by the river, people noticed the dust rising in the distance and vaguely sensed that something was wrong, but no one left.
After all, it was the banner of the Devalo family, and the Lionheart Knights were carrying it.
The drunkard let out a burp, took a swig of rich, dark beer, and wore an expression of watching a show.
"What are those guys doing?"
"Haha, I guess they smelled the aroma of the wine and came to steal it from us."
"Then I'll have to drink more."
The crowd burst into laughter, but the laughter soon subsided.
A troop of cavalry quickly took control of the dock, scaring away the boatmen who were trying to escape by neighing their horses. Then, infantrymen carrying muskets and halberds rushed in.
Seeing that the soldiers were serious, the people in the town finally panicked. The townspeople rushed home and closed their windows and doors, while the merchants hurriedly returned to the river port, where they collided head-on with those who had been driven back.
Looking at the people huddled together, writhing like maggots, Hagmer rode out from the ranks of soldiers.
"What are you doing!" a panicked man shouted at the knight on horseback.
Hagmer ignored him, instead looking at the eager adjutant beside him and the hundreds of hungry young men behind him.
"Take it down."
At a command, hundreds of hungry knights, like sharks smelling blood, surged toward the surrounded docks.
The crowd retreated in terror, crouched down, and even fell to the ground, only to find that the young men were not running towards them, but towards the boat behind them.
The gangplank was roughly attached to the gunwale, and the clanging of the armor broke the tranquility of the river.
When the first piece of oilcloth was pierced by a spear, the golden yellow that came into view almost stung everyone's eyes.
Those weren't gold coins, but they drove these young men even crazier than gold coins, igniting an uncontrollable rage in their eyes.
That was a mountain of wheat, each grain plump and exuding an enticing aroma of grain!
Besides the grains, there were also neatly stacked barrels of finely cured bacon, the grease seeping from the wood giving off a fish-scale-like sheen.
That's not all.
There was also cheese and fruits and vegetables, even beer that they couldn't remember what it tasted like, and tightly wrapped wool and leather.
"These beasts..." a soldier couldn't help but curse under his breath, wishing he could pounce on them and devour them, or he wished he could burn them all down.
The boatmen, squeezed into a corner, looked at each other, wondering what was wrong with these guys and what they were angry about.
They're just begging for food, how did they become beasts?
However, the soldiers weren't cursing at them, although the resulting anger and fear were equally distributed among everyone.
Finally, someone I could talk to arrived.
A portly businessman squeezed through the bustling crowd and came from the direction of the town.
"Stop! All of you, stop! This is the property of the Duke of Eiffel!"
He waved a piece of parchment in his hand, facing the gleaming swords, his face showing a hint of panic, but more so an arrogant confidence.
“We are... legitimate merchants with franchise rights! Your Excellency, your bravery is admirable, but I still suggest that you have your men put away their swords. Otherwise, if the Duke holds you accountable, even if you are His Majesty's brother, it will be difficult to explain.”
The implication was clear: you are causing trouble for His Majesty.
Hagmer rode up to the merchant, looked down at the oily-faced man, and removed his helmet.
"Legitimate trade?"
Hagmer's gaze swept past the merchants and landed on the grain, his anger almost boiling the cold river water.
"My brothers are starving on the front lines, almost eating tree bark, and the king's people are shivering in the cold wind. And you want to transport this grain south to sell to our neighboring country?"
“This is business… sir. We’re selling these things to our neighbors, not giving them away. We won’t come back empty-handed.”
The merchant's lips twitched. He wanted to explain to this blockhead that he was going south to exchange for cloth and ironware, but he didn't know where to begin.
Perhaps the minister should explain why he issued those foolish orders.
Coincidentally, he didn't know how to explain it, and Hagmer didn't want to listen either, as did the soldiers standing behind him.
The adjutant spurred his horse forward two steps, stared intently at the greasy-faced man, and began to curse.
"Stop making excuses! Don't think I don't know your tricks! Half a year ago, you used the silver coins of the Kingdom of Ryan to exchange for their scrap metal, and now you're using our grain to exchange for their worthless paper! You have betrayed our kingdom!"
"Waste paper?"
The businessman seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and in the end, he couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Ha... My beloved knight, it's been too long since you've returned to the capital, hasn't it? Even Campbell's worthless paper is better than your fragile shards of pottery. At least we can exchange our worthless paper for bread. If you're not satisfied, then go and rob some for us before your lances go soft."
He was also seething with anger.
If the Estates-General hadn't passed that damned bill, if the nobles hadn't thrown etiquette and shame to the dust, he would have been sitting in Roland, drinking red wine, waiting for the Campbells to come begging him to do business.
Instead of having to personally go downstream to beg those hybrid creatures from the maze to buy more to alleviate Roland City's urgent crisis.
If these knights truly loved their Majesty so much, they should have robbed the Campbellians instead of turning their swords against themselves, who were still working for their Majesty, whenever a problem arose.
What kind of skill is that?
"you!"
Alarand was furious that a mere citizen dared to talk back to him, and he raised his riding whip to teach the fellow a lesson.
However, just as he raised his hand, Hagmer beside him reached out and stopped him.
The merchant looked at the group of knights with a conflicted expression. Although his heart was pounding, he did not back down.
With his political acumen, he was certain he would be safe. After all, what the Devallo family needed most right now was the support of the nobles, and as His Majesty's brother, Hagmer had no reason to turn his sword against the Duke of Eiffel behind him.
If they really make a move...
Let them rob it then. Anyway, it's not just his money that will be lost; his money is just a fraction of the Duke of Eiffel's.
Seeing Hagmer seem to back down, a smile gradually crept onto his lips.
"I'm so glad you made the right choice—"
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a loud clang.
Without a word, Hagmer drew his knight's longsword from his waist, its cold light gradually illuminating his pale face.
"...In the name of the Commander of the Lionheart Knights, I hereby declare that the supplies piled up in this river port are to be requisitioned for wartime supplies!"
That stirring sound echoed through the somber atmosphere of the river port.
"Move everything out!"
That command was like heavenly music.
The soldiers, who could no longer contain themselves, cheered and swarmed forward, carrying bags of wheat and cured meat off the ship like treasure.
Even the knights of noble birth disregarded their dignity at this moment, carrying salted meat and smiling as if they had a bountiful harvest.
The merchant who had previously presented the parchment remained silent this time, merely shaking his head. He then silently retreated back into the crowd, carrying the "worthless paper" the duke had given him.
Meanwhile, those cargo owners without titles were left crying out in despair, watching helplessly as their accumulated wealth was completely plundered.
"You bunch of robbers!"
"This is a robbery!"
Hager gave them a cold look, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Do these traitors really think the Devalo family can't handle a knife?
This not only solved the urgent problem of supply shortage for the army, but also cut off the trade route to the south, and allowed the surplus grain to be brought back to the capital.
This is killing three birds with one stone.
As for the bad reputation...
Let those parasites do their cursing.
The fleet was looted, and the cargo ships, which were originally drafted very deep, now floated lightly on the water, swaying helplessly with the waves.
All the food was taken away; all that was left was some wool and leather.
The soldiers were clearly not all law-abiding; they ate and took, stuffing the ship's silver coins into their own pockets.
Watching the caravan depart laden with its spoils, the crowd standing on the riverbank fell silent, their despair gradually solidifying into hatred.
"What Lionheart Knights? I think they're just a bunch of vicious dogs in tin!"
"The royal family has gone mad; they've started eating their own people..."
"Let them be smug. I've never seen a debt that doesn't have to be repaid!"
Straightening the brim of his hat, the disheveled merchant spat in the direction the Devalo family flag had left.
"Go to hell, Devalo!"
No matter how much they spit, they won't get their lost money back. Having faced reality, the group boarded the wrecked cargo ship and began to tally up their losses.
Someone cried in despair.
Some people shook their heads and sighed.
The bard sitting by the tavern gently plucked the strings of his lute, paying homage to the glorious knight who had ridden away on the wind.
Although the disheartened people had no interest in listening to his music, he did not feel sorry for them, because he had already seen the ending of the story.
The epic tales are always like this; I imagine the next time it will be because of those treacherous citizens who don't understand the bigger picture, causing the sacred crown to fall into the dust.
...
At the edge of the distant forest, several pairs of eyes coldly watched everything happening on the riverbank through the withered bushes.
Brennan unscrewed the leather water pouch, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp. Although it was water, it felt as refreshing as if he had drunk a mouthful of strong liquor.
He put down the water pouch, casually wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and his gaze fell on the group of "lions" that had swaggered away, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Is everything ready?
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the brothers behind him.
The soldiers were not wearing Salvation Army uniforms, but were all dressed in gleaming plate armor or chainmail.
Their chests and shoulders were adorned with lion emblems that looked remarkably lifelike in the sparse sunlight—the armor was painstakingly salvaged and repaired by them from the battlefield.
As for which factory repaired it...
Let's just say they're dwarves from the Wanren Mountains.
"Ready!"
The soldiers behind him responded excitedly, their faces showing eagerness and their eyes as fierce as hyenas in the forest.
Everyone has forgotten their origins, but they themselves have never forgotten that they were raised on meat, only to be forced to eat grass for a period of time.
Including their leader.
Brennan had wanted to do this for a long time.
Whoever set fire to their house, they should set fire to their house in return—that's fair! They set a fire and then think they can just walk away?
Have you asked the Twilight People for their opinion?
"very good."
Brennan hung the water pouch back on his waist and drew the heavy Champion's Axe from behind, its blade gleaming with a ghostly light.
"The lions have eaten their fill; it's our turn to eat."
"Remember who you are now, and follow me!"
...
After the lion finished enjoying the fattest piece of meat, the hyenas followed closely behind.
The dust had just settled on the banks of the rushing river, and the dockworkers were still picking through the scattered wooden barrels, trying to salvage some of their losses.
But just then, the earth-shaking sound of horses' hooves came again, and a shining flag appeared once more at the end of the road.
"They're from the Knights!"
"They're back!"
The Ryan merchants by the river looked up in horror. Before they could recover from the previous round of looting, the second wave of "nightmare" had already rushed in front of them.
Brennan rode a tall warhorse, wearing an ill-fitting battle robe, and carried a terrifying battle axe.
Although his demeanor was nothing like that of a knight, to the terrified people of Ryan, what he was no longer important.
That battle axe is the answer!
"Whoa!"
Brennan pulled on the reins, and the warhorse neighed, its front hooves slamming heavily against the wooden railings of the checkpoint, crushing them to pieces.
"By order of Hagmer de Valloo!"
He raised his voice in a gruff tone, and it echoed like thunder across the dock. He deliberately imitated the mannerisms of those arrogant nobles, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't quite get it right.
"For the sake of the kingdom's survival, and to deal with those damned Campbells in the north, all the supplies in this river port now belong to the Devalo family!"
The moment the words were spoken, the entire river port erupted in uproar.
"Wait a minute—what do you mean by this?!"
"Aren't the Campbells in the south? I remember... the Rhodes are in the north."
Um?
Is that true?
Brennan touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed, but he didn't intend to explain. Instead, he glared at the guy who wanted to complain.
The crowd was furious.
How is this any different from robbery?!
The merchant who had previously confronted Hagmer no longer dared to step forward, and even secretly threw the documents he was carrying into the river.
He always felt something was off about these guys; they didn't seem like members of the Devalo family, but rather like a group of bandits who had wandered over from the Twilight Province...
However, what it is is no longer important.
Even if he knew the truth in his heart, he would never say a word in defense of the other, even more despicable, pack of stray dogs.
A businessman staggered forward, attempting a final attempt to negotiate.
"Master... Lord Hagmer just took all the food! We really have nothing left!"
Brennan snorted coldly, looking down at the fat man, whose domineering manner was somewhat similar to Hagmer's.
"That's all? I see the gold ring on your hand is of good quality, and the robe you're wearing looks pretty good too. Take it off!"
The merchant was so frightened that he stumbled and fell to the ground. Looking at the soldiers who were walking up with a sinister smile, he let out a pig-like scream.
"Let me go! Those are mine!"
However, the struggle was in vain.
The soldiers dressed in Lionheart uniforms eventually took every single penny from him, stripping him down to just a shirt and a pair of trousers.
The June sun was scorching, but the humiliated Ryan man trembled, unable to speak, his face turning almost purple with rage.
However, the soldiers didn't kill him, since they needed him to spread the royal family's bad reputation, and they couldn't just kill him like that.
Seeing the knights' brutal actions, the surrounding crowd fell completely silent, their faces filled with despair.
"Gentlemen, I am only acting under orders. If you feel wronged, go to Roland City and confront Lord Hagmer face to face! Ask him why he only cares about filling his own stomach and doesn't leave a drop of soup for the brothers behind him!"
After saying that, Brennan waved his hand dismissively.
"Excuse me!"
The moment he finished speaking, the "knights" behind him immediately rushed forward with strange cries, like a pack of wild beasts with gleaming green eyes.
Although the knights were arrogant and unreasonable, they at least maintained the dignity of an army and did not openly rob the merchants of their property.
But these latecomers are different; they've taken everything that can be taken, except for the land that can't be scraped away.
"Enough with the nonsense! Hand it all over!"
"His Majesty the King is starving, what's wrong with lending you some things? It's your honor!"
"What are you looking at! Haven't you ever seen royalty collect taxes before? If you want to complain, go to Roland City! Remember, this is Lord Hagmer's order!"
The group clearly included not only humans, but also "pseudo-humans" mixed in. At this moment, these guys were all acting like drama queens, finally venting their frustration at not being able to ransack the NPCs' homes.
In just half an hour, the dock and town were licked clean, like a locust swarm passing through.
The crowd dared not speak out in their anger, and could only watch as the lion flag once again swaggered away, their last shred of awe for the royal family completely collapsing.
At that moment, Hagmer was unaware that as he led his triumphant men back towards Roland, his infamy had spread like wildfire throughout the southeastern corner of the Golden Plains.
Wherever he went afterward, the Salvation Army's "knights" followed, like an inescapable leech.
Brennan had no qualms about not being able to do this job.
Not to mention that he was originally a bandit, the knights and the magistrates of the tribunal also used the same tactics in Sparrowwood Territory.
He was simply giving me a taste of my own medicine.
On the other side, far upstream on the Benliu River, an inconspicuous flat-bottomed cargo ship slowly approached the river port outside Roland City.
A group of men dressed in simple robes jumped off the boat and silently blended into the crowd, like ink stains falling into the night.
Their faces were expressionless, their faces beneath the hoods as composed as ghouls, yet their eyes burned with a soul fire hotter than magma.
Especially when they saw the lifeless streets, the arrogant guards, and the people busy in despair... their hearts were filled with an unprecedented boiling fighting spirit, and they wished they could rush into the palace right now and burn it to the ground!
In the winter of 1053, their emperor sent them to a neighboring country, promising them titles and honors in the name of justice, to support Earl Derek in defending his honor, to save the Campbells from their suffering, and to make a name for themselves on the land of the neighboring country... and then decisively forgot about them.
In the summer of 1054, having witnessed the miracle known as the Republic, they finally realized where the real enemy of the Rhine lay.
The citizens of Thunder City can do just as well without the meddling of nobles, and they can still eat their fill even after the abolition of serfdom.
They only learned from the encyclopedia that a kingdom does not necessarily have to be built on the exploitation of one class by another.
That's called feudalism.
Besides feudalism, there is another ideology in the world called republic, which means that all social classes unite to manage, negotiate and consult together.
Professor Ferguson brought the Encyclopedia to the Lanes, and the torch of knowledge is being passed from stonemason's hand to hand.
Now, it's their turn, as officers, to do something for their fellow countrymen...
...
The stale smell was blocked behind the towering Jiliu Pass. With her back to the castle guards who were seeing off her allies, Eileen felt that even the sound of the horses' hooves beneath her became much more cheerful.
As she approached the vicinity of Glenstonburg, she raised her hand to shield her delicate brows, gazing at the land she had once thought would be reduced to ashes.
In the Winter Coup that shook the entire Duchy, Granston Castle was the heart of the noble rebels, and the final battle to end the rebellion was the siege of Granston Castle.
In the continent of Os, siege warfare has always been the most arduous.
For both the garrison inside the castle and the civilians outside, it would be a torment that tested the limits of both body and mind...
Eileen had prepared herself to face reality, but when she officially set foot on this land, everything she saw left her stunned.
There were no burned villages or collapsed mills, no corpses left to be pecked at by crows, and no spirits wandering the wilderness.
The first thing that caught her eye was two black lines etched into the earth.
It's like a scar after a wound has scabbed over, cutting straight through the undulating wilderness, dividing the forests and farmlands, stretching all the way to the horizon.
She stared at it for a long time before she could tell that it seemed to be steel ingots cast from steel, laid on neatly cut sleepers.
Not far away, hundreds of lizardmen were pushing carts and wielding hoes, moving through the ever-extending track.
"Theresa..."
Eileen stared blankly at the bustling construction site, and it took her a long time to squeeze out a sentence from her slightly parted lips.
"Why...why did they lay steel on the ground?"
Regardless of what they intend to do.
Isn't that a bit too extravagant?!
Hearing Eileen's question, Theresa hesitated, clearly unsure herself. While the Thunder City Daily was occasionally delivered to the front lines, not every issue reached Twilight City, and she, busy impersonating Eileen, had no time for such trivial matters.
“Your Highness, I have heard people mention it before. It seems to be called… a railway.”
"railway?"
Eileen pondered the unfamiliar word, unable to imagine what it could possibly give to anything just from the words themselves.
"It's said to be a highway specifically designed for 'trains'..."
Theresa shook her head, the greatsword making a slight clinking sound against her back. "I don't know the specifics either, but I think the people there will give us the answer when we get to Granston Castle."
Sarah rode behind the two without saying a word.
She had seen this thing before in North Peak City, so it wasn't unfamiliar to her at all; in fact, she found it a bit noisy.
However, in order not to appear that she knew everything, she imitated the Demon King and forced a surprised smile onto her face...
Okay, she gave up.
Just as Sarah was inexplicably feeling down, the earth suddenly began to tremble, and the warhorses beneath them paced restlessly.
Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, a giant beast spewing white smoke rolled in from the distant horizon.
Eileen instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword, causing a commotion among the Northern Rescue Army behind her, followed by gasps of surprise.
"By Saint Sith, what is that thing?!"
“I heard it was a train… My father told me in a letter that he would pick me up at the station in Glastonbury.”
"The station in Glenstonburg? You mean the stagecoach station?"
"No, it's a train station! Although I don't know what it is, I've heard that it only takes a few hours to get from one station to another."
"I think your dad's gone mad! Take him to see a doctor right away!"
The gasps of surprise reached Eileen's ears, her face also bearing an expression of disbelief as she stared intently at the black behemoth revealing its true form.
She swore she had never seen anything so amazing: the factory chimney was moving, dragging a dozen truckloads of goods behind it!
Clang—Clang—
The intensely rhythmic beat assaulted everyone's eardrums.
Ignoring the undulating terrain and the horses' fear, it arrogantly and proudly tore through the air around the knights.
The crowd watched in astonishment as it approached, and then watched it leave.
Until a melodious whistle sounded, the train, like a ship docking in port, slowed down and moved towards the end of the tracks.
"Thump—!"
As if they had heard the signal, the lizard-men scrambled onto the carriage, quickly unloaded the rails, loaded them into trailers, and pushed them to the construction site.
Everything was so natural, including the "Dragonborn" standing beside the railway tracks, using a megaphone to direct the group of lizardmen.
It wasn't until the train finally came to a complete stop that Eileen realized she had almost forgotten to breathe.
"By Saint Sith..."
She muttered something to herself under her breath.
Is this really Campbell?
She could hardly recognize her hometown.
...
The triumphant procession continued south, and the closer they got to Glenstonburg, the more daunting and unfamiliar the place became, making them feel both close to home and apprehensive.
Riding on horseback, Eileen discovered that far from having suffered the ravages of war, the place was surprisingly bustling.
Near a newly built train station, a huge market is springing up rapidly. Villagers from the neighborhood bring their cattle and sheep here, browsing the industrial products on the stalls.
Not just industrial products.
Flour from South Valley, ore from Spinor, and timber from Twilight Province all converge here.
Vendors hawked their wares, workers carried their tools back and forth, and well-dressed gentlemen scouted for business opportunities.
Everyone here seems very busy, like a clock wound up tightly, rushing to catch the next stop, afraid of missing this feast.
That was a sight that could never be seen in the Twilight Province, and even the horse beneath Eileen couldn't help but slow its hooves.
"The changes here... are truly enormous."
Watching a child exchanging "copper coins" for candy from a vendor by the roadside, Eileen couldn't help but mutter to herself.
It's only been a year.
"This is just the beginning, Your Highness."
Theresa turned her gaze southward, a gentle smile appearing on her face.
"I've heard that the changes in Thunder City are even more astonishing than here. It's said that His Highness Colin built a clock in Thunder City that everyone can see simply by looking up, in order to welcome your triumphant return."
Thinking of that gentle face, Eileen's heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the reins.
"If we take this... will it only take a few hours to get back?"
Seeing Eileen staring intently at the station next to her, Theresa paused for a moment, then smiled and said...
"Of course... but our destination is not Thunder City, but a manor near Granston Castle."
...
The town hall of Granston Castle, which was once the estate of Earl Derek.
The intricate coats of arms have now been erased from the iron gates and walls, and the repainted gates open to a new order.
The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the square in front of the marble fountain.
One of them was the monarch of the duchy, and the other was a prince from the empire.
The sound of horses' hooves came to a stop in the square.
Eileen, with her silver hair, dismounted, her leather boots making a crisp sound as they landed on the stone slabs.
Seeing the two familiar figures in front of the door, she felt a slight sting in her nose, and the fatigue and depression of the past few days almost welled up in her eyes.
"Eileen!"
Edward opened his arms, his eyes slightly red.
This was the first time Luo Yan had ever seen such an expression on his face. Even when his son was being spun around on the chandelier by Vivian, his eyes had never been this red.
"elder brother!"
Eileen threw herself into her brother's arms, giving him a tight hug, and tears finally streamed down her face.
To be honest, Luo Yan was incredibly envious of their healthy sibling relationship. He wished Vivian could be like Eileen.
Just as he was thinking this, a milky-white "annoying ghost" suddenly floated out from beside him and said leisurely.
"But Lord Demon King, what if Vivian's feelings for you are the same as Eileen's? Wouldn't that be terrible—"
"Alright, Youyou, you can shut your mouth now."
"Waaah..."
The aggrieved voice turned into a wisp of white smoke and dissipated in that touching reunion.
The two parted ways quickly.
Edward patted Eileen on the shoulder, looking at her familiar yet gaunt face, and couldn't suppress the emotions in his eyes. He spoke in a hoarse voice.
"You've lost weight..."
Eileen forced a bright smile, trying to look as energetic as possible.
"I'm actually fine. Theresa never lets me go hungry, and Sarah sometimes brings me unexpected surprises..."
Luo Yan glanced at Sarah, who was standing behind Eileen, with some surprise. The latter was surprisingly a little embarrassed and scratched her face with her index finger.
He remembered that Sarah had told him she wanted to eat fruit and asked him to bring her some. It turned out that the person who really wanted to eat fruit was another "glutton".
To be honest, Luo Yan was very pleased to discover this.
Although he always taught his chess pieces some unconventional techniques, he was always kind to those around him.
He was delighted that the "cat" he had first found by chance outside the maze could make friends in this world full of hatred.
Just as he was thinking this, those emerald green eyes had already looked at him without him noticing.
"Colin..."
A faint blush graced her porcelain-smooth cheeks, which stood out vividly against her long silver hair.
Her index finger twisted the hem of her clothes, her eyes sometimes darting away, sometimes unable to resist looking at him, and finally she managed to squeeze out a single sentence.
"Are you... alright...?"
Seeing Eileen blush, Theresa wore a motherly smile, and Edward's expression was much the same.
Both of them seemed to taste a sweet flavor from the gradually thickening air.
Sarah was the only one who didn't get to taste it, since she knew everything.
"I'm fine," Luo Yan, a demon king who had been tested by succubi for a long time, was not as shy as a girl, but he still paused for two seconds involuntarily.
"...Especially after seeing you, seeing you return safely, I can finally sleep soundly."
That's the truth.
He didn't sleep well at all the nights he learned that Eileen was coming back, and eventually he simply sat up and meditated.
Perhaps the hero truly possesses divine power to subdue the Demon King.
But perhaps he's just good at "playing along" and not so good at dealing with "genuine sincerity."
Eileen's face flushed bright red, as if steam were rising from her ears. She opened and closed her mouth for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word.
Seeing the expression on his sister's face, Edward immediately chuckled to save the day.
"Looks like this old guy is getting in my way."
As he spoke, he straightened his bow tie, winked at Colin, and gave him a look that said, "I'm leaving it to you."
"I should leave this place to the younger generation... The flattery in the banquet hall is still waiting for me, you can chat at your leisure."
After saying this, the man, in the prime of his life, patted Colin on the shoulder like an old father, and walked into the city hall in high spirits, leaving the space under the setting sun to the two who had been separated for so long.
Sarah wondered if she should also excuse herself, but Theresa had already gently tugged at her sleeve and mouthed something.
"You want to eat fish, don't you? I'll take you."
ha……
Seeing cat ears makes me think this guy must like to eat fish. Humans are so arrogant.
To be precise, Sarah doesn't have a specific favorite food.
If it's something the Demon King feeds her, she'll eat it with relish, even if it's roasted rat tail. Conversely, watching the Demon King eat the noodles she made can make her happily playfully chase Taf around for a while.
She didn't want Theresa's "scheme" to succeed, but seeing that the Demon King seemed to be enjoying it, she decided to play along for the time being.
Anyway, the night is still long after dusk.
And so, Sarah followed Theresa to the banquet hall, leaving only the two of them in front of the city hall.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Eileen threw herself into the arms of the man she had longed for day and night, letting her actions speak louder than words.
Since their parting in Twilight City, she had so much to say to him, including the anguish of enduring the darkness and the longing that had sustained her...
Furthermore, though it might sound like a superficial expression of gratitude, she knew very well that he had done a great deal for himself and for the Principality of Campbell in the past year.
All the emotions welled up in my throat, but in the end, all the words I wanted to say boiled down to one heartfelt sentence—
"I miss you so much."
Feeling the trembling heat spreading across his chest, Luo Yan froze for a moment, forgetting all his lewd remarks.
"Me too……"
He gently patted Eileen's shoulder, letting time flow quietly in the twilight.
In consideration of the hero's hard work, this Demon King will refrain from acting for now.
Welcome home.
(End of this chapter)
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