141: Ignite hope

Chapter 140: Lighting the Spark of Hope

The next day, the southern area of Mist Town was completely revitalized.

Huge bonfires were lit, burning various useless refuse.

The filth on the streets had been cleaned up.

Weapons, food, and various daily necessities loaded on the wagons were being moved one by one to an open space.

A team of workers stood by the supplies, distributing them to other personnel according to their needs.

Compared to the people of the Pioneer Group, the local residents of Mist Town looked like a group of beggars.

They gradually came out onto the streets, staring eagerly at everything before them.

The crowd grew larger and larger, like a flock of lost lambs.

"I don't like this place, and I don't like those people staring at us so intently."

The half-elf archer, Aelendriel, said, chewing on a piece of straw, as he scanned the growing number of townspeople.

Sariya stood beside him and responded, "Do you know what they look like?"

"What?"

"Like us, once."

Aelendriel raised an eyebrow.

Although he was reluctant to admit it, his companion's words were indeed true.

"Our Lord made us live like human beings," Sariya said. "Now, he plans to do the same for these people." She paused, then added, "Keep smiling, Aelan, you look like you're about to kill them."

The half-elf's hand rested on his dagger, "I can see that not everyone wants to live like a human being."

Sariya chuckled and said, "That's why we're here, isn't it?"

Grayson Randel led a few people towards the townspeople.

He shouted loudly at them, "We have food and clothes here. If you need anything, come over."

"We swear in the name of Lord Arthur that we mean no harm."

"The show is about to begin, fellow," Sariya reminded her companion, "Keep a close eye."

Arthur could feel that after the Pioneer Group arrived, the locals' attitude towards him had changed.

Some were good changes, while others were hard to describe.

However, the Lovich siblings' attitude towards him remained respectful.

He slowly turned around, left Ismark's side, and walked to a window on a distant wall.

He twisted open the window and looked down at the entire town.

On the streets, men and women walked listlessly, their limbs heavy and sluggish.

Sentinels walked along the city walls, their heads bowed.

In a dilapidated residential area, a woman screamed incessantly.

A pall of despair still hung over the disorganized town.

Arthur stood with his arms crossed, watching it all.

Beneath his lowered brows, his eyes sparkled, his gaze focused and compassionate.

For a long while, he stood there motionless.

No one broke the silence.

One thing at a time, he thought to himself.

Then, he spoke, "Food, clothes, and weapons, just as I promised before."

"As long as the path to the outside world can be kept safe, supplies will continue to arrive without end."

"We sincerely thank you for everything you have brought," Ismark said.

The ambitious young man hesitated for a moment, "If you want the right to rule here, Baron...

Arthur smiled faintly, interrupting him, "Night Mist and the Undead will attack tonight, Ismark."

As soon as this news was spoken, everyone in the study felt a surge of tension and unease.

Arthur turned away from the window.

With just such a simple movement, Heir keenly perceived a change in the Baron.

He became more confident and more resolute.

The arrival of the Pioneer Group undoubtedly added more to his capital.

If he had previously carried a touch of a priest's gentleness, then at this moment, he had already revealed the majesty of a Lord.

For a moment, Heir even thought he would replace Ismark.

Her heart couldn't help but begin to race.

The Baron had already gained enough prestige in Mist Town and possessed the capital and confidence to contend with them.

However, he did not choose to do so.

"You are the ruler of this town," Arthur declared. "Do you know what a ruler should do?"

Ismark's face showed a hint of bewilderment.

"You are to gather all the men and women here and have them participate in the battle."

"You must fully assist me and my people."

Louis was about to interject but was cut off by Arthur.

"This is how things will be," Arthur's tone carried an undeniable firmness, as if it were already a foregone conclusion. "The Undead are coming, and we will fight them."

"We will meet them with all our might."

"Not only that, but we will also dig them out of their hiding places, destroy the land they rely on for survival, and ensure they can never threaten this place again."

Arthur's voice was full of power, a power Heir had never heard before.

In her impression, the Baron had always spoken with aristocratic elegance, his demeanor proper and courteous.

But at this moment, his words echoed through the room like the roar of a cannon.

Heir could imagine that his sermons must be very inspiring.

"You are to lead your people," he continued. "Show them how foolish despair is, and how glorious it is to fight for survival."

"This is what a ruler should do."

Arthur stepped towards Ismark.

The new Town Chief retreated, seemingly finally realizing what kind of person he had allowed into his town.

Arthur seemed to have undergone a transformation, shedding his former gentleness and revealing the ruthless side of a ruler.

Heir couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly; this was both within her expectations and beyond them.

"I will fight alongside you," Arthur said, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "Everyone in Mist Town will fight alongside us."

Arthur moved closer, approaching Ismark, whose fighting spirit was ignited by his words, and said, "As a ruler...

"You must show them what courage is, and what hope is."

At this moment, Arthur was looking directly at Ismark.

The latter nodded heavily, his face also filled with determination.

"Besides these, what else do you want, Baron?" the new Town Chief asked.

"Let my people temporarily take over here," Arthur said. "We will formulate defensive strategies and reinforce the walls."

"However, we are short-handed and need your assistance."

The Sheriff, whose hope was also kindled, immediately said, "I have no objection to that."

Ismark looked at the others.

The priest naturally expressed support, and Louis, after a moment of hesitation, also nodded in agreement.

Finally, it was Heir's turn, and she asked, "How do we repel the Night Mist and the Undead?"

"We can use the magic circle to resist the Night Mist."

"But I'm quite sure that after we went to the plantation last time, Jean Candie might personally lead the Undead to attack."

"According to the survivors, Jean has completely become a monster."

"My people brought two carts of Blazing Fire Glue, and a lot of oil. In addition—" Arthur patted the holy scripture he carried with him,

He continued, "Mother Earth will also be on our side."

"I will expose the lie that those believers' prayers go unanswered, and I will prove that there is a deity who has never abandoned this place—a salvation of hope, and that is Mother Earth."