Chapter 103: The Choice

Chapter 103: The Choice

Earl and the others returned to Northland City in a cold sweat. Although they hadn’t lost their lives, they were scared half to death. The others looked at Earl with some unfriendly eyes. Was this what you called ‘no ill will’? They didn’t get any clear answer. Bran just demanded that they hand over statistics like the map and population of Northland City tomorrow. This gave them a glimmer of hope, however small, that perhaps the Northlanders would bring them under their rule. At the same time, they felt disappointed. This wasn’t the result they wanted.

Bran scratched his head. This was far too different from what he had expected. He originally thought those who dared to occupy this place were some nobles or merchants good at opportunism and willing to take risks. He wrote on the ground: Dragon Rider, Noble, Royalty, Remnant People. Finally, above this line of words, he wrote — Northlands.

After learning about the origins of these people, Bran no longer cared about their so-called pledge of allegiance. What Bran valued more was their productivity. In this long, narrow strip of land, how did they achieve self-sufficiency? How did they survive and develop? Bran still needed to understand the population size and distribution here to further understand their production efficiency and organizational structure.

Danny sat beside Bran, watching him write and draw on the ground. “Why didn’t you accept their allegiance?”

“Because their allegiance is worthless. It’s just a deception. Don’t trust these outsiders. They just want to keep everything they have now, to continue relying on this land to survive. Accepting or not accepting their allegiance makes no difference to us. This place is ours, so whether they like it or not, they are already our property.”

Mary, who had been watching from nearby, immediately chimed in. “They won’t run away, will they?”

“Don’t worry. I misjudged their identity, so I made a mistake. They’ve lived here for generations. Where could they go if they left? They have put down roots here. As long as there is a sliver of hope, as long as they can survive, most will choose to stay.

Even running away requires courage. And they’ve already missed the best time to escape. Now they can only beg for our mercy.”

…

What should they do? This was what Earl and the others needed to consider. Through today’s contact, they saw some things clearly and understood their own situation. The Northlanders were actually prepared to kill.

Someone said, “This is too much bullying!”

The person beside him began to sigh. “What else did you expect?”

Earl also sighed. “We overestimated ourselves somewhat. What he wants is submission. We don’t even have the qualification to pledge allegiance to him yet, but he gave us a chance.”

Someone said indignantly, “Can that even be called a chance? It’s an insult. Why should we give him the population statistics?”

“Why? Their formidable military strength alone is enough. This is the land of the Northlanders. We are just accessories on this land.” Finally, someone was more clear-headed.

Earl took over the conversation, continuing, “Sigh… We received a noble’s education, a Knight’s training, but this is not our fief. We are no longer Nobles, no longer Knights. Although we remember the past glory, that glory never truly belonged to us.

We arrogantly ran over wanting to pledge allegiance, but why should the other side accept? The blade is in their hands. At least he gave us a chance to speak under that blade.

This really is a chance. Tomorrow! If we cannot show our value, then what will the result be? Everyone should understand.”

Someone said hesitantly, “Can those barbarians really understand things like production and management? Will they have the patience to listen to us?”

No one answered. He didn’t need an answer. Everyone had this worry, but what’s the use of worrying? Let’s finish the task first, try our best to get through this hurdle. Now everyone felt lost about the future. They personally understood the feeling of having no one to rely on. This World never revolves around anyone. All their previous plans were too idealistic. When the sky full of Snow Falcons pressed down, they abandoned their remaining thoughts of escape. When everyone still thought they could keep more, they actually already had nothing.

They now needed to reveal everything about themselves to their new masters, including themselves.

…

Bran in the Camp heaved a heavy sigh. He originally thought this place was the reach of some faction, but it turned out to be a group of helpless Remnant People. His plan to use such a reach to obtain more was shattered. Now he could only pick and choose among these Remnant People, hoping they truly had the excellent legacy they claimed.

Then a loud cry caused all the Snow Falcons in the Camp to explode into commotion, charging into the sky. Following the direction the Snow Falcons rushed, Bran saw two Wyverns turning to flee, their figures instantly obscured. He shouted for Danny and ran towards the bridgehead. By the time he reached the bridgehead, Danny and others had already galloped up on horseback. Bran skillfully leaped up, was caught by Danny’s outstretched hand, and was pulled into her arms. Black Cat Huahua jumped directly onto the horse’s rear, squatting down steadily.

Snow Falcons had decent intelligence. The ones on guard duty must have intentionally let those two Wyverns in. Then they carried out a satisfying group beating. With the Snow Falcons’ flight altitude far exceeding that of Wyverns, it was very easy for them to avoid the Wyverns’ line of sight. Those two Wyverns were completely done for. No one cared whether they lived or died, but what were Dragon Riders doing coming here at this time of year?

Dozens of Northlanders on horseback charged across the bridge, terrifying the lookouts on Northland City’s walls. They frantically sounded the alarm, throwing the entire city into chaos. People ran about crying and wailing, scattering to hide in their homes. In just a moment, the city streets became eerily quiet, leaving only scattered shoes, hats, and other items on the ground.

On the galloping horse, Bran wildly guessed the purpose of the Dragon Riders. Dozens of miles away, a team of Dragon Riders was also moving quickly in this direction. Just now, the two scouting Wyverns had died. Their masters immediately, furious, notified everyone. Almost instantly, they lost contact with the Wyverns. The last image was of Snow Falcons blotting out the sky.

Blotting out the sky? At this moment, the Dragon Rider Father leading the team back — Hall — looked at the two men with disdain. Did they think the Northlands’ Snow Falcons were cheap cabbages? So he ordered the team to speed up and released two more Wyverns.

Bran and the others stopped at the border, watching the road gradually disappear into the forest ahead. Then two green Wyverns flew over, skimming the treetops. Soon they realized something was wrong and fled in panic. Too late. The Snow Falcons were already rushing to meet them with shrieks.

The Dragon Riders heard the mournful cries of their Wyverns from afar. Then the Wyverns resting within the team also began to grow restless. Soon, above the narrow sky over the forest path, two Wyverns streaked over their heads and vanished from their sight. Only then did they realize their Wyverns could fly so fast. But they soon understood their Wyverns weren’t fast enough. One Snow Falcon after another flashed past over their heads. It truly was blotting out the sky…

When the Dragon Riders emerged from the forest looking somewhat disheveled, they saw the Northlanders waiting there at a glance. Grew was excited and nervous. In his perception, that familiar void appeared again. Only this void was much larger, enveloping an area of dozens of meters.

As they kept getting closer, Hall raised his voice and said, “Little Bran, we meet again.”