Chapter 122: Compensation

Chapter 122: Compensation

Kkel did not want to resist, but he couldn’t. Whenever he tried to use his strength, to struggle, the immense pressure transmitted by the chains would always stop him just as his power was about to surge. This made him more and more frustrated. That sense of blockage gathered in his chest and stomach, and he began to taste blood in his mouth and nose. He had purposely chosen the young boy’s side to make his move, never expecting to take such a big fall.

At first, Kkel was not very worried. This was Sandstone City. His father and brothers were here, his friends were here. Even if he caused some trouble, he could always get away safely. As long as he showed some humility first, as long as he could get away temporarily, as long as he wasn’t dealt with on the spot, he would be fine.

But with this question, he realized the seriousness of the problem.

“Sir, you cannot.” Kkel appeared somewhat flustered.

“I cannot what?”

“I… that’s right! I didn’t steal your things, I only intended to, I haven’t stolen yet!” Kkel finally found an excuse: “Your things are still in the bundle, I never touched them.”

“Is that so? Are you so certain?”

“Yes, I didn’t take them! Really didn’t take them!” Kkel tried hard to explain: “You can open the bundle and look, I really took nothing.”

“There’s another way to prove you didn’t take anything. Think carefully, you’ll definitely figure it out.”

…

Kkel thought of the method and saved himself. Now he was naked, walking towards the City Lord’s Manor in humiliation, leading Bran. Under the entire street’s stares and pointing fingers, and amidst the occasional teasing and mocking calls, Kkel knew he was famous now.

Kkel’s family had also received the news and were rushing over here. At the city gate, there were quite a few of his so-called friends. Earlier, under some invisible pressure, none of them dared to move. Now, to show they still had a tiny bit of loyalty and courage, they followed behind, carrying all of Kkel’s belongings, their feelings complicated. There was glee, excitement, shame, and even some pride.

Amidst all this noisy chaos, Bran was brought to the City Lord’s Manor. For a roadside thief, Bran didn’t take the matter seriously. He had simply toyed with him and made some use of him before tossing the thought aside. Since he wanted to take over Sandstone City, he needed to proceed from the top down.

Upon reaching their destination, Kkel got his wish. He was freed from the chain around his neck and was being attended to by his friends as they jokingly helped him hurriedly put on his clothes. He felt the nightmare was over and needed to find a place to eat, drink, and calm his nerves. He would never have thought the nightmare was just beginning.

…

As Bran surveyed the City Lord’s Manor here, he walked inside with Danny, ignoring the gate guards as if they weren’t there. As he walked, he gradually released his mana, bringing the place under his control.

Under the invisible pressure, no one dared to step forward to block them now. A man who looked like a steward jogged up, shooed away the others nearby, and cautiously walked alongside them.

City Lord Barks had already come out from the manor and was quickly approaching. As he neared, he gave a bitter smile: “You needn’t have done this. You only needed to announce yourselves. I would have come to the gate personally to welcome you.”

Bran admired the city lord’s reaction. From the moment they entered unannounced, this place started moving like a wound-up clock, quickly making responses. Someone was following them at a distance, others ran off to report. Everything seemed orderly.

“I dare not trouble you to welcome me. It was better that I came in myself.” Bran didn’t stop walking and continued forward.

Faced with Bran’s hostility, Barks continued: “I know what the Royal Family and the Dragon Riders did to you. But I am just an ordinary noble. I don’t belong to any side.”

“You aren’t very surprised by my arrival? And it seems there have been some preparations here as well.”

“Yes. The Dragon Riders or you appearing here would not surprise me. The difference is only whether it’s a day earlier or later. I just didn’t expect it to come so soon, or in this manner.” Saying this, he gave a self-mocking laugh, “I am ready to submit and pledge my loyalty to the Northlands.”

“Oh—?”

“I have never held any malice towards the Northlands, and I have always maintained reverence for them.”

This statement drew a cold laugh from Bran. “Is that so? I always thought you were with the Royal Family or the Dragon Riders.”

Barks explained: “Neither. I am just an unlucky man. This place lies between the Northlands and the Dragon Riders. If there were other choices, no one would establish their family’s foundation here.”

As they talked, both sides entered the Council Hall. Bran unceremoniously took the main seat. Then he commanded: “Summon all the main personnel in the city.”

This behavior made Barks feel extremely displeased. “At least tell me your purpose.”

“To kill.”

Barks was stunned for a moment, and anger began to rise. He had already lowered his posture enough. How could this so-called Wizard Bran not relent? Was I really afraid of you? Currently, there are only two Northlanders here. We could overwhelm you by sheer numbers.

“How do you expect me to convey this message?” Barks began to sneer.

“Tell the truth. Tell them I want to kill, and those who don’t come will bear the consequences themselves.”

“Should we notify the Dragon Riders as well?” Barks asked, a trace of mockery at the corner of his mouth.

“Of course, there is also an account to settle with them.”

This reply completely deflated Barks’s anger. Just as he was still hesitating, Bran continued: “Although this is our first meeting, I believe you should have seriously collected information about me and heard the recent rumors. I hope you can believe that the parts you thought were exaggerated are real.

Your steward is currently arranging for your family to try and slip out for a walk. I advise against it. Or would you prefer I demonstrate what death looks like on them first?

Go now. I don’t wish to wait long.”

Barks broke out in a cold sweat instantly. How did this wizard know? And what about the other preparations?

…

Danny watched as Barks walked out and smiled, asking: “Is this good? He has already expressed his submission.”

“If he truly wanted to submit, we have been in Northland City long enough. Why haven’t we seen any envoys? Sit, don’t stand all the time.” Bran gestured to the chair beside him.

“I’d better stand.”

“Sit. There’s no need to stay on guard. Everything here is under control. And we are the masters here. What master stands?” Bran teased.

Danny ignored Bran’s teasing and stood there asking: “When people arrive later, what will you do?”

“That depends on how they come. That city lord is still hesitating.”

“What’s there to hesitate about?”

“Indeed, nothing to hesitate about. Actually, he should understand. This place is closest to the Northlands. If he wants to keep everything he has now, he can only choose the Northlands. But people are always greedy, always wanting to hold out for a better price, and by dragging it out, they miss the best opportunity. And after missing the opportunity, they are unwilling to face reality. They start to regret it, and want to wait again, clinging to a shred of fantasy.

He just mentioned the Dragon Riders. Still thinking of playing both sides at this point, is that possible? Actually, from the moment I entered here, he should have understood he couldn’t keep all this. So now he regrets it even more, and hesitates even more. He is no different from a gambler who has lost everything, though he hasn’t lost everything yet, but my actions have provoked him.

Oh, you can’t see what he’s doing right now. Let me tell you in detail…”

…

No matter how much they dragged their feet and made preparations, people still trickled into the city manor’s Council Hall. They came with caution, with malice. Everyone knew the Northlanders wanted to stir up trouble, wanted to kill. So they came, fully armed, and brought fully armed followers. Now, the courtyard of the city manor was packed with people.

At the table, Bran was fiddling with a handful of small wooden sticks of varying lengths. Each time someone sat down, he would have one more in his hand. Finally, Barks sat down in the chair beside him with a hint of ill will. Then, he reached out and knocked on the table in front of Bran.

Bran looked up and smiled. “You could have lived.”

Starting with these words, the entire space seemed to whisper along with Bran. Only his voice echoed in the hall: “I have a small caravan. It’s not very big, quite shabby, and not worth a glance in your eyes. My caravan was first robbed in this city, then fined, and now you have confiscated it. So, as compensation, this city now belongs to me.

But this matter cannot end here. Because of you all, I wasted precious time coming to this stinking place to face you disgusting lot. So, someone must pay a price for this.

I have some sticks here. You will take turns coming up to draw one. Those who draw a short one can go die. If you are lucky enough to survive, we can continue the conversation afterward.”

As Bran’s voice fell, Barks let out a loud laugh, and the entire hall erupted into laughter.

The Dragon Rider sitting on Bran’s other side did not laugh. He understood the terror of the boy before him better than anyone else. He stared at Bran and raised his voice: “This city has nothing to do with us.”

“Draw. I won’t target you specifically. It’s all up to luck.” Bran extended the sticks in his hand towards the Dragon Rider.

The Dragon Rider thought for a moment, randomly pulled out a stick, and then threw it on the table.

Bran sighed. “Good luck. Although I really wanted to kill you.”

“May I leave now?”

“No, those who live still need to hear the next arrangement.”

Seeing the Dragon Rider’s action, someone yelled, “Coward!”

Barks knocked hard on the table to signal everyone to be quiet, then asked: “Just the two of you Northlanders, how many can you possibly kill? Why don’t you stand up and look outside? Get out of here now, and I can guarantee you won’t be harmed.”

“No need to look. Only here is left. Now, continue the draw.” As he spoke, Bran turned his head towards the Dragon Rider. “You were really wise to come alone.”

People looked somewhat stunned, gazing at Bran as if he were a fool.

The Dragon Rider sighed and advised: “You’re not deaf. Don’t you think it’s too quiet outside? Draw. At least there’s still hope of living.”

People shifted their gaze to Barks, hoping he would stand up. But then they were horrified to realize his head had drooped. Right before everyone’s eyes, he had died silently.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.