222: A fight

Chapter 218: A Brawl

Two days later, Mist Town.

In these days, Arthur had dedicated most of his energy to the construction of Mist Town.

Based on the daily updated intelligence system, he systematically allocated all manpower and resources.

Making the entire town operate efficiently like a precise instrument.

Besides directing, he would also personally participate in the labor.

This way, he wouldn't attract questions from others.

Although almost everyone in town was utterly obedient to him.

Regarding Arthur's personal labor, the residents of the entire town were divided into two distinctly different factions.

One faction consisted of the more conservative Townsfolk, who believed that a Lord working alongside commoners was simply undignified.

In their eyes, Arthur was both a saint of Mother Earth and a legitimate noble, and a hero who had saved Mist Town multiple times.

Most importantly, he sincerely wanted everyone in town to have enough to eat. Such a person should have a statue erected in his honor and be revered, with any lowly labor kept far from him.

Only fragrant flowers, precious jewels, rich incense, roasted peacock meat, and mellow Bloodvine wine were fitting for his status.

Therefore, when they saw their 'saint' toiling daily in the fields, irrigation canals, and drainage ditches outside the town, dissatisfaction naturally arose.

In Flora's words, Arthur's actions created a strong sense of contrast for them.

In their ingrained perception, nobles should ride fine horses, wield whips, and constantly scold commoners to work.

Not hold a shovel to dig soil in the fields, or squat on the ground to check soil fertility.

When Arthur learned of this situation, he found it both amusing and frustrating.

He asked Flora what he should do to satisfy these people.

Flora told him that he should stay in the temple, like other saints, and occasionally bestow some divine revelations.

Arthur dropped the mud in his hand, turned to Flora who was standing by the field, and retorted, "Do they know that I am an envoy of Mother Earth?"

Flora nodded.

"Then do they understand the true meaning of the word 'Earth'?"

As he spoke, Arthur shoveled the ground beneath his feet.

Flora spread her hands helplessly: "You can't blame me for this; that's just how they think."

"Whatever." Arthur waved his hand, "Give me those mushrooms."

Flora handed over a small bag of mushrooms and then said, "The weather is indeed warming up, but it's still far from suitable for planting.

"Are you sure these mushrooms will really grow?"

"Don't worry, Old Joe and the others have found some ways to keep them warm." Arthur took the mushrooms and asked, "So, how do others view my working?"

Flora immediately reported.

Most Townsfolk felt that their Lord was truly unique.

Not only could he arrange everyone's affairs in an orderly manner, but he was even willing to set aside his status and work alongside them.

This made them feel that the Lord was more like an ordinary person, rather than a high and mighty dignitary.

They were quite proud of this, always talking about Arthur's actions, seeing him as a role model, and working even harder.

After saying all this, Flora added, "Do you still remember those troublesome Refugees from the previous batch?"

Arthur nodded: "Weren't they supposed to be sent to the Night Outcasts?"

"Vanka and I have spoken with the elders of the Night Outcasts," Flora explained, "They said they would pick up those few people when the next batch of supplies arrives.

"So they are temporarily still with us. However, I don't think you need to worry about them anymore."

Arthur planted the mushrooms in the soil and looked up, asking, "Why do you say that?"

"Someone taught them a lesson."

"Oh?"

"Last night, while you were out inspecting the irrigation canal," Flora said, "A group of them were eating at the tavern and complaining endlessly.

"A few Townsfolk couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up to refute them.

"This quickly escalated into a brawl.

"In the end, Grey arrived with a few soldiers and took away all those causing trouble.

"They are still locked up in the Sheriff's jail."

"Why did no one tell me about this?" Arthur asked.

"I told Nora and the others not to tell you for now."

"Give me a reason."

"I wanted to first confirm whether those troublemakers were simply dissatisfied with the current situation or had other motives."

Hearing this, Arthur stopped his work: "You suspect they have other motives?"

The Valkyrie replied seriously: "I've already spoken with Jessica, Louis, and Grey, and they all feel it's necessary to properly interrogate these individuals.

"If there truly is a problem, perhaps they won't have to join the Night Outcasts' ranks."

"Hmm—"

Arthur was at a loss for words for a moment.

Although the intelligence system had not issued any warnings, Flora's concerns were not unfounded.

Fortresses are often breached from within, and no one could guarantee that these people weren't spies sent by the Little Finger Merchant Guild.

"You should have discussed this with me first." Arthur said in a deep voice.

Flora responded: "I wanted to confirm it before telling you, Lord.

"I also didn't want to bother you with trivial matters; you already seem busy enough."

Arthur rolled his eyes: "Why does it sound like you're being sarcastic when you say that?"

Flora put away her smile and replied seriously: "I would never mock you, Lord.

"Please rest assured on that point.

"I just want to say that there are some things you can completely leave to us.

"You are truly too hands-on.

"To be honest, I can somewhat understand the sentiments of those traditional Townsfolk."

Arthur looked up at his loyal follower and changed the subject: "What's our current food reserve situation like?"

Flora was startled for a moment, then pulled out her notebook and flipped through it: "Not much. Barring any surprises, it should last until the next resupply arrives."

"What if there's an accident?"

"Well, according to Louis's estimate," Flora paused, "If we lower the supply standards for the populace, we could probably last about another week."

"Do you see the problem?" Arthur asked again.

Flora nodded: "We lack food, tools, and all essential living supplies.

"Everything depends on external supplies; we have no ability to be self-sufficient."

"That's right." Arthur responded, "Although we have eliminated the greatest threat on the trade route.

"But don't forget, the monsters in this land are not just Beastkin.

"I am trying to establish another safe trade route.

"But whether this path can be opened completely depends on the attitude of the Warthog Merchant Guild.

"Therefore, what I am doing on this land now is crucial."

As he spoke, Arthur planted another mushroom: "These mushrooms can at least alleviate some of the food shortage.

"And also allow the caravan to bring in more other essential supplies.

"I'm not doing everything myself; I'm just doing what I can."

Flora gave Arthur a standard religious salute: "Please forgive my rashness and ignorance, Lord."

Arthur shook his head: "I'm not criticizing you, just stating a fact.

"Now, you should go interrogate those people.

"I hope they can still catch the Night Outcasts' caravan."

"I will do my best, Lord."

That afternoon, Flora walked into the Sheriff's jail.

Grey and Ruby had been waiting for a long time.

Flora had specifically called for both of them.

Grey had once been the Sheriff of Mist Town, and naturally had his own methods for interrogations.

As for Ruby, Flora had some other questions she wanted to ask her.

They first interrogated the six people who had resorted to violence to defend Arthur.

Among these six, five were Grey's subordinates, and the remaining one was Ruby's person.

Grey had the most astute of the six step forward and asked, "Do you know what crime you have committed?"

The man shook his head and replied firmly, "We did not commit a crime!

"We were merely defending the honor of Lord Arthur.

"Those damn bastards should have been hanged!"

"Watch your language, soldier." Grey reminded him, "The Lord's herald is still here."

"So what?" The soldier didn't back down in the slightest, "If Miss Flora had been there, those guys would have been even worse off!

"They should be grateful they ran into us; if it had been those fanatical believers, they would have been dead already!"

Grey sternly rebuked: "Don't treat this as something to be proud of.

"I've already asked the people who were there; they said you were the ones who struck first.

"I must clarify that you weren't just using it as an excuse to fight and cause trouble."

Grey's words instantly stirred dissatisfaction among the six.

One of them shouted loudly, "Are you questioning our loyalty, sir?"

Grey was about to retort, but Flora spoke first: "Tell me about the situation at the time."

The soldier from before stood up, straightening his back: "Those people kept complaining, complaining about food, about housing, about work.

They could find fault with anything in town.

My companions and I were just eating nearby and originally didn't intend to bother with them, until they started talking about Lord Arthur."

Seeing him stop, Flora pressed, "What were they talking about?"

The soldier hesitated, glancing at Grey beside him.

Grey nodded, signaling him to continue.

"They said that Lord Arthur was no saint at all," the soldier's voice dropped, "He was just a hypocritical liar.

"They also said that when he was in Esputa, he was a complete scoundrel, and almost all women suffered at his hands.

"Even the mothers of those dignitaries weren't spared – they even called the Lord a 'stud'!"

"Enough!" Grey suddenly roared, "The five of you, get out."

Grey's subordinates were led back to their cells one by one, leaving only Ruby's person behind.

Grey intended to leave this person for Ruby to handle.

"So what about you? How did you get involved in this?" Ruby asked with a dark expression.

The man was about to reply, but Ruby raised her hand to cut him off: "Don't try to deceive me with that 'defending honor' excuse, Pike.

"I know you too well; you're not that noble.

"And you've always been skeptical of the Baron's rule, haven't you?"

Pike suddenly laughed: "Can't I change?

"I'm now increasingly convinced that the Baron can bring us true hope."

Ruby snorted coldly: "We're not fools, Pike.

"When we question those soldiers again, they'll say you incited them to act.

"You've always been this kind of person; stop lying.

"My cousin already told me that you've been instilling anti-Baron sentiments in them."

"Just for this?" Pike retorted, "For this, you're going to send me to the gallows?

"Just because I question the Baron's rule?"

Seeing Pike so defiant, Flora stepped forward and said, "No, we'll send you to a 'good place'."

"You want to exile me?" Pike laughed loudly, "Just because I incited people to question the Baron's rule?

"Why can't we question? Huh?

"We are the indigenous people of Mist Town; we have guarded this place for generations!"

"If it weren't for Lord Arthur, you wouldn't even be standing here talking." Flora interrupted him, "This land you've guarded for generations should have long become a home for the Undead."

"So, whoever saves this place gets to rule it?" Pike's tone was mocking, "Whose rule is this?

"Is it the Lovich Family?"

Flora reminded him coldly: "Firstly, Lord Arthur holds formal documents issued by the Amn Council.

"Legally speaking, he is not only the ruler of Mist Town but also the Lord of the entire Qingfeng Valley.

"Secondly, as a divine envoy personally recognized by the Goddess, he is not only the ruler of this land but also its redeemer and liberator.

"Your questioning of his rule is simultaneously questioning the Goddess and the entire Amn."

The smile vanished from Pike's face, but he still argued: "We have never recognized Amn's rule!"

"That has nothing to do with whether you recognize it or not." Flora said indifferently, "Lord Arthur's rule has already been recognized by almost everyone in town.

"I'm telling you all this just to make one thing clear.

"He doesn't need your recognition; rather, you need to gain his recognition.

"He has always been saving you, but I now find that some of you are simply not worth saving."

"Then hang me." Pike became calm instead, "We just sent away one dictator.

"We don't want to live under another dictator's rule."

"Dictator? I like your choice of words." Flora sneered.

"He just reads too many books; his brain is muddled from all the reading."

Ruby rolled her eyes and said unceremoniously, "I knew it, reading too many books isn't good for you."

Flora looked at Pike and continued: "I won't hang you, nor will I imprison you.

"Doing so would only make you a so-called martyr.

"I have been observing people like you, and I even consulted a wise person.

"Although that wise person has been helping the Lord with logistical matters, he still gives me a lot of advice.

"He said that people like you are not fighting for some great cause at all.

"You, like those who complain in the tavern, just want better treatment and more power.

"What dictator, what legitimacy, what justice—these are just excuses you use to mislead others."

"Say what you will." Pike put on a righteous facade, "We will never recognize that person's rule.

"Ruby, you need to wake up too!

"Can't you see? That person is just a liar!

"Those people wouldn't slander him for no reason; he's no different from those hateful nobles.

"All of this is just a disguise he's put on!"

Ruby retorted indifferently: "So what? I only see a former dissolute young master who has transformed into a saint.

"Who can say they haven't done foolish things in the past?

"Perhaps you should attend the Lord's doctrine lessons.

"He has never tried to hide his past; instead, he uses those experiences as lessons to warn us and himself.

"For such a Lord, can we ask for more?"

Ruby paused here, then continued: "No, just as Flora said.

"He doesn't need our recognition; it is we who need to gain his recognition."