This kind of choice was undoubtedly correct.
Lavis didn’t lack food at all. The Great Duke had incredible foresight.
A year before the Great Calamity struck, before Marvin had even transmigrated, he had already started storing up additional reserves of food. At that time, his actions had made the bordering countries nervous, thinking these were war preparations, but they eventually relaxed. Apart from purchasing food, Lavis didn’t make any other unusual movements.
Now, anyone could tell in hindsight that the action back then was very sensible.
After the Great Calamity, it became very difficult to grow crops. Food had turned into a hard currency.
In many places, people would fight for just a piece of bread.
And a bag of wheat was enough to make some small forces go all-out.
…
‘Looks like Lavis’ fortune is quite good, getting through the first period is hard, but then it becomes a great opportunity to develop freely,’ Marvin thought silently.
The North was very vast. As long as Daniela did the same as she did in the game, Lavis would definitely develop into a very frightening and influential country.
After the bloodbaths caused by the Wizards, the Sorcerers would be welcomed in the spring that followed.
They assumed the status of the Wizards and became the new nobles. In Marvin’s memories, at least one quarter of the North eventually belonged to Lavis.
But at that time, Lavis wasn’t a Dukedom anymore. It had become a true Kingdom!
And like Rocky Mountain, the Sorceres of Lavis were also a formidable force and were worth befriending.
As Marvin was thinking, the capital’s city wall appeared in front of them.
The refugees suddenly got excited.
When they saw the wall, they saw the hope of survival.
Some of them even wept softly.
…
On the cold city walls, guards were keeping watch.
Although it was the beginning of spring, the capital was built on a snowy mountain so it was still about as cold as before.
The Sorcerer on duty was wearing a black gown, looking gloomily at the batches of refugees surrounding the walls.
He felt a bit irritated.
“Look at all these groups of wastes who only know how to cry!”
“The Great Duke’s conscription decree isn’t for this trash. The young and the able aren’t bad, but what can those old bones even do?”
He kept mumbling to himself, and the clerk to the side showed a strange expression.
“Sir Jast, the Duchess’ decree…”
The Sorcerer immediately snapped, “Duchess? Who gave her that title?”
“The Elder Council has yet to make the final decision! That woman is just temporarily in charge of a few simple government affairs. My job is to defend the city, I have the right to act after examining the situation!”
The clerk turned into a yes-man and didn’t dare to say anything further.
But a bit of sorrow flickered across his face.
Even after winning the war against the Demon army, the capital was still not at peace.
Those pitiful refugees had come at the call of the Great Duke’s decree, but because of Jast’s decision, they could only linger outside the city.
Jast believed that they would only be a burden if they were allowed to enter the capital. He only allowed the fit youth, the others were left to their own devices in the surroundings, to let them perish on their own.
He had put this practice into effect this very morning. Because the war had just ended, the inside of the capital was in chaos, and the management of the city’s defenses had also been temporarily reassigned.
Jast was one of Sir Turalyon’s followers, so he disliked the fact that Daniela was now in charge.
Daniela had stayed in White River Valley for a while, and it was said that she was engaged with White River Valley’s Sir Marvin. In the eyes of many people, she couldn’t succeed the Great Duke’s position. Thus, at that time, at least 70% of the capital had been in the hands of Turalyon.
Including Jast, a 4th Rank Sorcerer. He had made great efforts when the Demon army attacked the city, so he had risen to be in charge of the city’s defenses.
But regarding the Great Duke’s new decree, he was implementing it differently.
The clerk could only shake his head in silence.
At that time, a guard rushed over from below. “Sir, there is a new group of refugees that is about to reach the city. There seems to be some militia among them.”
Jast had a satisfied expression. “Good, we’ll go take a look. If it’s militia, it’s okay to train them and get rid of the useless ones among them.”
…
Meanwhile, Marvin and Isabelle took the group of refugees and slowly approached the wall of the capital city.
But they were surprised to find that there were small groups of refugees gathered outside the city walls.
The group of refugees following Marvin became worried and unsure.
“What’s going on?” Marvin was puzzled.
At that time, a gap opened between the city gates.
Chapter 552: Entering the City
Chapter 552: Entering the City
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
The moment the city gates opened, the refugees who had been lingering around the wall madly rushed over!
“Let us in! We received the Great Duke’s decree to leave our homes to come to the capital! How can you not let us in?”
“There are Demons outside, how can you leave us out here?!”
“Let us in quickly!”
The refugees began yelling their complaints.
Marvin narrowed his eyes, Isabelle was expressionless, and the people behind them paled.
They were all disconcerted by the implications!
What was going on? Could something have happened in the capital for them to no longer welcome refugees?
“Milord?” Isabelle softly prompted.
“Let’s just watch for now,” Marvin suggested.
After going through the fight with the Demon army, Lavis’ defenses had been tightened. But these refugees were ordinary people. It was rather strange that they weren’t being allowed inside.
…
The guards responsible for guarding the gates likely didn’t expect that these refugees would burst out like that. Several soldiers with shields were even pushed out of the way!
A gap appeared in the city gates. The refugees cheered, ready to rush in.
But at that time, a deep and vicious sound echoed from inside the gates!
“Halt!”
This wasn’t shouted in Common, sounding more like an ancient language. Although it was only one word, it was very intimidating.
In an instant, the bodies of all the ordinary people went stiff.
Fear filled their eyes. They wanted to rush into the city, but they couldn’t move.
Many people had unwilling expressions on their faces.
They were so close!
Just as they were about to manage to get into the city, a roar repelled them!
“Halt!” That man let out a deep roar once again.
The refugees gathered in front of the gate felt their legs turn soft as they fell to the ground. Some even began to crawl away eerily.
As even the guards watched in fear, a black-gowned man slowly appeared on the city wall.
His gaze was filled with contempt as he chastised, “A mere group of ants. On what basis do you think you can enter the city?”
“Don’t you know your own status?”
“Peasants? Peddlers? Masons… Masons actually might be a bit useful, my house got damaged, so if you can repair it, I’ll let you enter the city.”
He glanced around, speaking very coldly.
The others all had sorrowful expressions. They wanted to say something, but they were intimidated by his powerful presence and lost the abi
lity to speak!
Marvin frowned.
To even use an intimidation spell just to deal with a group of commoners…
That Sorcerer was being rather excessive.
Daniela’s subordinate?
He felt that it was wrong.
“Let’s go check.”
He didn’t consult with the others and started walking over.
The group he had been leading froze in place, having seen what just happened.
That black-gowned man clearly had some authority, and he didn’t let anyone in. Could that youth have a way to get inside?
These were all people who had left their homes. If the capital didn’t shelter them, who knew how many would survive the night!
But after thinking of Isabelle’s fighting strength again, they all looked at each other for a moment before following.
…
Just outside the city, the mason who had been chosen was sorting his things, feeling overjoyed. He pulled the hands of two girls, an older one and a younger one, preparing to get in.
Who would have thought that the black-gowned man would suddenly shout, “Stop!”
The Mason’s face immediately became uneasy, “What is it, sir?”
“When did I say that you were allowed to bring in other people?” Jast coldly snorted. “Only you, the others are trash with no qualifications.”
The mason’s face reddened. He shivered, suppressed by Jast’s powerful intimidation magic, he remained speechless for a long time.
Jast coldly ignored him and looked across the rest of the crowd. After glancing at everyone, he spat on the ground, “I thought there were useful people here. Trash like you can’t contribute to the capital, so why should we protect you?”
“What qualifications do you have to enter the city?”
But at that time, the mason who was between the group of refugees and the gates suddenly yelled, “They aren’t trash!”
Jast frowned, his gaze as venomous as a viper as he glared at the mason.
The poor mason said with clenched teeth, “They are my daughters…”
“Dad, I’m scared…” A girl wearing shabby clothes was hugging the mason’s thigh, a look of fear on her face.
The older one had a worried expression. She had long brown hair and seemed to be unsure what to do.
Jast looked at them coldly and muttered, “Very well.”
“Get lost then!”
The mason led his two daughters along and turned to leave.
Everyone seemed angry, but no one dared to say anything.
The guards looked at each other in dismay, but remained silent.
Jast’s performance during the siege was clear to everyone. If not for him killing a few Greater Demons, the city might have already been breached.
Such outstanding military services had earned him this position. Even if these weak soldiers had sympathy for the refugees, what could they do?
After all, they also had precarious lives.
…
“What’s going on?”
A group of militiamen came out from the crowd.
At the lead was a sturdy and buff man carrying a greatsword. “Sir, the decree we received doesn’t seem to be like what you’re suggesting.”
“Then you understood it wrong,” Jast said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “You are useful to the Dukedom, you can come in.”
The militia leader nodded. “Then the villagers we escorted…”
“Absolutely not!” Jast impatiently snarled, “How many times do I need to repeat myself before it’s understood?”
“It is a very precarious time right now, and I am completely in charge of the city’s defenses. If I say no, it’s no.”
“I don’t know what sort of decree you received, but here, people who can only waste food supplies aren’t qualified to enter the city!”
A few members of the militia were fired up, they had relatives among these refugees, “Then we won’t enter either!”
“The Great Duke’s decree was clear, everyone has to enter the capital to take refuge. Everyone!”
“Yeah! Without that decree, we wouldn’t have left our hometown to come here!”
Jast angrily shouted, “You are military personnel!”
“You have to obey my order!”
[Absolute Dominance]!
This was a 3rd-circle spell. It would unconditionally overwhelm the wills of ordinary people!
The militiamen lowered their heads, and as all the other stared in shock, they obediently followed Jast’s wishes and entered the city.
Even if their relatives called out to them, they didn’t seem to be able to hear anything!
Jast wore a pleased smile.
But at that time, a carefree voice echoed beside his ear.
“Step aside, we want to get in.”
Chapter 553: Fame
Chapter 553: Fame
Translator: Translation Nation Editor: Translation Nation
Jast was stunned.
Even after all he’d said, someone still dared to act recklessly!
He squinted and watched that thin youth walking out from the crowd with a girl of similar age.
A group of refugees followed behind them. Their eyes were full of hope, but as Jast’s nasty gaze settled on them, that hope became fear.
“Where did this child come from?” Jast frowned. “The capital doesn’t welcome trash with no fighting power!”
“This is the last time I’ll say this. Go back to wherever you came from! I don’t care what decree you are talking about. I have the final word here!”
“Guards! Drive them away!”
“Close the gates!”
After giving out these orders, Jast glanced at Marvin with disgust.
That kid made him feel uncomfortable. Although he was quite young, even if he didn’t kill him, he still had to teach him a lesson.
Otherwise, those commoners might really dare to rebel!
Thinking of this, he extended his finger and chanted something in a low voice.
“Woosh!”
A black halo suddenly appeared, pressing against Marvin’s body!
[Halo of Fear]!
This halo could make an adult scared witless, let alone a mere youth!
Jast smiled, feeling pleased with himself. He was ready to watch this youth make a fool of himself while intimidating the others.
Even sitting on the wall and looking down at the refugees moving about below made him feel quite annoyed.
It would be better to drive them away.
…
The refugees were full of despair.
The only militia group they could count on had been confounded by Jast’s spell. What could that youth do?
He was soon completely enveloped by the Fear Halo, and they didn’t have the heart to watch.
But the next second, the halo left Marvin’s body, with the latter showing no reaction.
He was still slowly walking forward.
‘That kid is strange!’ Jast was startled.
As far as he could tell, this was clearly an ordinary youth.
But he was not affected by the Fear Halo at all.
‘Could it just be luck?’
Jast felt puzzled. This wasn’t impossible, as charm-type spells had a small chance of spontaneous failure. If that youth’s willpower was firm, that really was a possibility.
But if that was the case, the youth wasn’t a waste like he had thought. He was at least worth training.
Regardless, in the current situation, Jast couldn’t let him enter the city.
At his order, the guards started closing the gates.
The others’ eyes widened as they watched Marvin steadily walking over.
Jast sneered, even if he could resist one spell, could he resist a second one?
Thus, he cast a second spell, unwilling to give up.
But Marvin was still unaffected!
This time, Jast went pale. He loudly yelled, “Everyone, careful!�
��
“This kid might be a Demon!”
This time, not only did the guards look at the youth as if they were facing a powerful enemy, but even the refugees looked at Marvin with fear!
Only the group that had been saved by Marvin and Isabel didn’t believe Jast’s words. Such a joke… if Marvin was a Demon, why would he be with Isabelle, who had killed a group of Demons?
“Thud!”
The guards hurriedly closed the gates.
And the alarm also sounded on the city walls. A squadron of city guards hurriedly rushed over.
Jast wiped his sweat. He didn’t know why this seemingly powerless kid was giving him such pressure.
The youth hadn’t even made a move, but Jast now felt like there was a kind of overbearing aura smothering him.
Isabelle was silently following behind Marvin, and soon, the two stopped a short distance in front of the gates.
“Jast? What happened?”
The leader of a small group of Sorcerers finally arrived, a very sexy woman.
They had heard the alarm, which was only to be used for dangerous abnormal situations.
Jast’s expression was strange. He pointed at Marvin and warned, “This kid might be a Demon!”
“Everyone, attack with me!”
Hearing the word “Demon”, the Sorcerers’ expressions became grave.
The bloody battle at the capital had lasted till yesterday evening. Lavis’ Sorcerers could be said to have deep enmity with Demons!
It was to the point that they subconsciously got ready to attack without even thinking further!
The atmosphere became extremely tense, as the Sorcerers all took a closer look at Marvin. If he did something unusual, there would be tens of spells rushing at him!
Sorcerers had many instant spells, and although the power might be weaker, the speed would definitely be shocking.
The captain of the team of Sorcerers was confident that this Demon would be blasted to pieces!
But at that time, in front of the city gates, Marvin raised his head and asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“We only want to get in.”
Jast immediately cursed, “Don’t think that you’ll be able to infiltrate the capital by disguising as a Human! No Demon shall enter under my watch!”
After saying that, he prepared to use a powerful spell!
Night Ranger - Full Series - 735 Chapters Page 318