Chapter 123: Slaughter

Chapter 123: Slaughter

Bran pulled out a wooden stick and tossed it onto the table. It made a slight thud, breaking the silence. The startled people immediately straightened their postures. With these movements, a faint sound of weapon s and armor clashing against each other echoed through the hall. This sound, once again, frightened everyone.

“Then, I have drawn for him.” Bran scanned the crowd. “Does anyone else need my help?”

Looking at the bowed heads, Bran said impatiently, “Do I need to bring it to you?”

Under the threat of death, people carefully stood up, one after another, and completed the drawing of lots in the solemn atmosphere. Then, a few confused unlucky ones were left, not knowing what to do.

Looking at these few, Bran said, “Go back and sit down first. I allow you to bid farewell to your families, choose a decent way to die for yourselves, or pick a better tombstone.”

“Thank you, sir.”

This gratitude amused Bran; it turned out punishment could also earn thanks.

Looking at the few who sat down numbly, Bran raised his hand and drew a circle, pointing at the personal attendants who had been brought into the hall and were now standing stiffly. He asked, “Was it always like this before?”

The atmosphere, which had just loosened due to the end of the drawing, grew even more tense. No one dared to answer, and the hall fell into deadly silence again.

“You tell me then.” Bran turned his head toward the Dragon Rider.

The Dragon Rider shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know, and I have never participated in such meetings. I told you, this city has nothing to do with us.”

“Sigh—I always thought you were not good people, but at least you had some courage. Now, you’ve even lost the courage to tell the truth.”

“I just hope fewer people die!” the Dragon Rider raised his voice unhappily.

Bran was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help but look carefully at this Dragon Rider. “Rare. Still caring about others’ lives at a time like this. Then, as you wish.”

Then Bran’s tone shifted, full of mockery, “I always held hope, hope that the people sitting here would have some guts. Hope that you would dare to face death with your own attendants. Sadly, you don’t even have the courage to fight to the death.

Truly—too disappointing!”

“Since none of you want to die, then some things can be discussed.

This city belongs to me now, but I can’t be bothered to manage it, so everything stays as before. What was due to the City Lord in the past, you now give to me. The wealth in the City Lord’s Manor, you send people to deliver it to Northland City. Also, arrange for people to clean here regularly.

Those who have died are my spoils of war. Clean their weapons and armor and transport them all to Northland City.

Keep your hands clean. I don’t want to play the drawing game with you again.”

Bran paused here, waiting for people’s reactions. Unfortunately, there was complete silence, which felt awkward.

“No one objects, so it’s agreed. Now, I can talk in detail about why I came here.”

With these words, people instinctively tensed up.

“Earlier, I already mentioned that my Caravan was detained. I originally sent the Caravan here for normal trade; I didn’t even care about the outcome. Then, this happened for no reason.

Since this place now belongs to me, there are things you need to know. Because the Royal Family and the Dragon Riders are such terrible people, we’ve had some minor conflicts.

When this happened, I wondered, was it the Dragon Riders? Clearly not. They may be terrible, but they wouldn’t stoop to venting on a small Caravan. Just like I wouldn’t vent on a lone Little Dragon Rider.”

As he spoke, Bran gestured toward the Dragon Rider beside him. Seeing no reaction from the other, he continued, bored.

“Then, was it the Royal Family? Probably not either. The Royal Family’s little Princess was just fed to wolves for lying. I believe they will remember this lesson.”

This caused a stir among the people for a moment, but they quickly quieted down.

“This could only have been done by those present here. The Caravan flew the banner of Northlands Bran. Though I may be a nobody in your eyes, the banner still had the words ‘Northlands’ in front. So, to teach you lot of trash to recognize these two words, ‘Northlands,’ I had to come here.

The Caravan is still under your detention. I believe you can figure it out once you look into it. Since you dared to cause trouble, you should dare to take responsibility.

I will let you continue running this city. Since there are Rules here, I hope you can follow them, at least when facing me. As a Northlander, I have no patience for reasoning, and I’m not good with schemes and plots. But when it comes to killing, I believe you all have seen.

I don’t mean to target any of you, but I don’t want to be schemed against either.”

Having said this, Bran fell silent, leaving everyone aside to give them time to think.

…

In the silent waiting, the unlucky ones who had drawn the short sticks now reacted. This time had calmed them a little, allowing for some simple thinking. From Bran’s words, they saw a glimmer of hope.

One of them said, “Sir, if I can prove that the Caravan matter has nothing to do with me, can I be spared from Death?”

“How would you prove it?”

“They can prove it, and the area under my control has no connection to the Caravan at all.”

“Oh?”

“Really! I swear, I am innocent.”

“You know what? As a Wizard, I have my own way of telling truth from lies. Like right now, I know you had no knowledge of this matter. But so what? I won’t consider whether you are innocent.

Just by talking with you all for a bit, I can tell who here collaborates with the Royal Family or the Dragon Riders, but I don’t want to waste time on you. I don’t care if you are innocent; I just need someone to take responsibility for the incident.

I even know this matter has nothing to do with Barks, but someone still has to die for it. After that, whether you take revenge on those responsible or come to settle scores with me, that’s a different matter. Because I have already dealt with this incident.”

Seeing his opponent’s face turn ashen, Bran decided to give him a pleasant surprise, a chance to be grateful. So he continued, “However, I like people with courage. Since you can struggle for your own life, I’ll give you one chance, and the others one chance too.

Within one month, I want to see results, real results. Otherwise, not just you few, but everyone sitting here will have to draw lots again for your mistakes and incompetence.”

One side was indeed deeply grateful, but the other side’s emotions were a bit off.

…

After throwing his weight around, Bran happily set off on the road home. Meanwhile, the people in Sandstone City became very busy.

Kkel was still hiding in the kitchen of the Sword and Shield Tavern, being teased by his friends. His grandfather rushed in nervously, and without a word, first gave him a hard slap. “You’re going to get everyone here killed, you brats!” he cursed.

Kkel looked puzzled, somewhat dazed from the hit. “Why did you hit me?!”

He was met with a second hard slap, followed by a shout, “You lot, come with me right now! Don’t dawdle, or you’ll lose your lives!”

Seeing his furious grandfather, Kkel and his friends realized the seriousness of the situation and followed him, running toward the city gates. As they ran, his grandfather explained, leaving them stunned.

“What about my dad? What will happen to him if we leave?”

“He has already run off separately.”

But his friends refused. What about their families? Disagreement arose instantly, and the group split up, each running toward their own homes.

…

The matter was easy to investigate. Bran’s Caravan was still being held. The investigation results left everyone looking at each other. There was no conspiracy, just a few young brats and low-level petty officials who had messed with the wrong person…

The truth was clear, but people didn’t know whether to cry or laugh? However, real anger began to burn. They had really been badly harmed this time! Without hesitation, those present took action.

But their targets were also locals of Sandstone City, well-informed. Families like Kkel’s had sensed trouble early and dropped everything to flee. Various pieces of information spread during the arrests, bit by bit. Though not very detailed, a rough outline was pieced together.

So, one by one, Kkel’s partners in mischief disappeared. When it was discovered some had escaped, bounties were posted.

Catch them! More importantly, to survive! For their own lives! When both sides fought for their survival, the confrontation became brutal.

Everyone had friends and relatives. When the main culprits couldn’t be caught, attention shifted to them. Sandstone City, once a key military stronghold, had a strong martial culture to begin with! As the scale of arrests gradually expanded and began to spread to the innocent, dissatisfaction grew, and the fighting uncontrollably spread.

As the investigation progressed, the families of the deceased from the City Lord’s Manor shifted their anger toward Kkel and the others, joining the hunt. Revenge! To avenge the dead! But more than that, it was a release of pain, a vent for their lost loved ones.

More and more people got involved, and chaos gradually spread. Some old grievances, under the stimulus, found an outlet. The entire city grew restless. When night fell, fires broke out, and the flames grew larger and larger.