Chapter 135 – Conspiracy

“What? You’re saying you don’t know where Lord Punk is either?”

Inside a pristine and spacious tent, Lotalan and Bilan stared wide-eyed at each other. Bilan found it strange why this girl who had introduced her to become Punk’s apprentice was so distraught, while Lotalan was completely stunned.

“Doesn’t know where Punk is… where is Punk… where… is…”

Lotalan’s mind went blank. Without Punk’s assistance, she couldn’t devise any countermeasures against the impending conspiracy.

“So, what exactly is going on? What major event has happened that’s so… urgent?”

Seeing the atmosphere instantly turn cold, Dichiduo quickly stepped in to mediate. However, the tense atmosphere didn’t ease at all. Lotalan remained sitting there dazed and silent, allowing the bewildered Bilan to scrutinize her back and forth, as a wordless awkwardness grew increasingly thick.

In the end, it was the Old Butler who broke the silence:

“Ah! There’s no harm in telling you. This is what happened…”

It turned out that within the past two days, numerous rumors had spread throughout the refugee camp. Generally, they claimed that the Nobles were hoarding food, preferring to let it rot rather than distributing it to save the refugees’ lives, forcing refugees to bankrupt themselves and even sell their children. Recently, the Nobles had become so insane as to plan to starve everyone to death outside the city. Therefore, for self-preservation, several “righteous individuals” were willing to step forward to represent everyone in protesting and demanding food. Once food was obtained, all refugees who came to support would be able to eat their fill.

Such claims seemed reasonable and well-grounded. Moreover, with the refugees currently in a state of confusion and despair, upon hearing the rumors, they all thought:

“When the time comes, we’ll just go watch the excitement.” If it doesn’t work out, no harm done. But if we can eat our fill, it’ll be a huge gain.”

All twenty thousand refugees in the entire camp were tempted.

It must be said that these statements shouldn’t be called slander against the Nobles’ actions—they were simply truthful exposure. The final point about “distributing food to anyone who shows up to voice support” particularly stimulated the starved refugees’ desire for unearned gains, so they almost without hesitation agreed to participate in this protest activity.

With so many people involved, the law couldn’t punish everyone. Even if the Nobles became angry and made an example of someone, it probably wouldn’t fall on them personally.

This was what the curiosity-seeking refugees thought.

Unlike the infinitely optimistic and delusional refugees, Lotalan was after all a Noble with actual power. She knew some more shocking inside information.

No one knew who proposed this protest activity, but it had received the silent consent and even support of all the Nobles. To the Nobles, the refugees were like sticky glue—neither acceptable nor disposable. Now, at this critical juncture of attacking the Tisha Xia’er Church, the Nobles, led by Hett, unanimously decided—to drive away these refugees.

Driving away unorganized, panicked refugees when surrounding Lords weren’t accepting them was undoubtedly sending the poor refugees to their deaths. Neither the Church nor righteous professionals would stand by idly. Therefore, the Nobles urgently needed a pretext to sever the relationship between the refugees and Doleiz City. Once the refugees lost their status as subjects, the Nobles would no longer need to continue providing them relief.”What, you say the refugees won’t leave without food? That’s easy to solve—just give them food. After all, that grain is nearly spoiled anyway.”

“Once these ignorant refugees have food, they’ll think they can leave Doleiz City’s territory and start anew elsewhere. But when they discover other territories refusing to accept refugees, those poor souls will have no provisions left for the return journey.”

“See? See? Back and forth like this, and isn’t this sticky problem shaken off?”

“As for justification? ‘Mob rebellion against the Nobles’ serves perfectly. Look, the refugees are revolting, yet we magnanimously refrain from punishing them. Instead, we provide food and let them go. Ah, I’m moved by my own benevolence.Upon learning the truth, the justice-driven Lotalan ignored the Old Butler’s repeated advice and insisted on seeking Punk to save the refugees. As she put it:

“Those are twenty thousand lives! How can I stand by and watch the Nobles toy with them until they die?”

Thus, the indignant young Lotalan set out. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find Punk at all—or if she did, it would only deepen her despair, for Punk would coldly reply: “The refugees’ survival doesn’t affect my interests. What does it have to do with me?”

By now, Lotalan was nearing desperation. She felt the powerlessness of a mantis trying to stop a chariot—a terrifying sense of inevitability, where no effort could change the course of events.

As a savior, she faced immense resistance from both those she aimed to rescue and those she needed to confront. At dawn tomorrow, after Mila rose (meaning after Punk’s group departed), the protests would begin. Neither the Nobles nor the refugees would halt their actions because of anything Lotalan did!

This was the unstoppable tide of Doleiz City—not something a rootless minor noble like Lotalan could prevent!

The night after sunset was profoundly silent, broken only by the crackling of logs in the campfire outside the tent. Everyone inside remained quiet; through the thin tent fabric, they could even hear refugees loudly discussing tomorrow’s protest slogans.

In the cramped tent, Bilan watched Lotalan, whose eyes brimmed with tears, trembling like an abandoned rabbit. Overwhelmed with sympathy, Bilan quickly softened her voice to comfort her:

“Alas, there’s no chance… best to… give up. You’ve done all you could. We can’t save everyone.”

“No, we mustn’t give up!”

Just as Lotalan fought back tears and prepared to nod in agreement, Dichiduo stood up. His face flushed red as he declared loudly:

“Even if we can’t save everyone, we must save at least one person! Even if we can do nothing, we cannot do nothing! At the very least, we mustn’t surrender before trying! This conviction isn’t just the world’s justice—it’s our own justice too!”

For some naive idealists, Dichiduo’s persuasive speech had likely reached maximum effectiveness.

At that moment, both Bilan and Lotalan stared dumbfounded at the resolute Dichiduo. They had to admit they were classic naive idealists—they were convinced. Both Bilan and Lotalan were inherently kind-hearted, and to them, Dichiduo’s words sounded utterly… stirring!——————Dividing Line——————

In a dimly lit basement, a group of figures clad in gray-red robes stood together—these “mysterious individuals” all gazed intently at a large, burly figure standing in their midst. Without exception, each of them wore a meticulously polished Spider Badge.

Shrouded in their large robes, these individuals moved furtively, appearing every bit the part of a villainous gathering. In fact, their actions perfectly matched such a scene and identity!

“All is ready, my lord. Everything has been arranged.”

One by one, the mysterious figures began to report on their “tasks”!

Only after every “mysterious individual” had confirmed that a certain plan was “foolproof” did the large, central figure speak in a tone brimming with unrestrained madness and excitement:

“Excellent, excellent! At last, we can serve our true deity. The true god is about to destroy those three blasphemers who know no fear, and Doleiz City is destined to be ruled by the true god.

Now, it is time for us to pave the way for the true god’s descent. Even if it costs us our lives, we must ensure that the heretics in Doleiz City face judgment! Hahahaha!”

The leader of the mysterious figures grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, finally raising both hands and laughing maniacally.

“For the one and only true god, Tisha Xia’er!”

Following their leader’s lead, the surrounding mysterious figures joined in a fanatical chant.

And so, a storm of bloodshed was finally set in motion!

(End of Chapter)