Duro stared at Tormorden. "Do you know that this will add to your charges?
"Colluding with the enemy, being a spy, and bribing!"
'What?'
Tormorden's face turned pale. He was completely at a loss.
Puzzled, Thales looked at Duro's face and suddenly remembered a long time ago, when he was begging in Lower City District.
Police officers and public security teams were usually too lazy to patrol the dirty and messy Lower City District, but Thales had a lot of experience begging at Western City Gate.
Over there, where criminals were everywhere, they executed a set of rules that were completely different from those in the underground streets.
When you faced the people from Black Street, you could just give them money, but when you faced the slippery and nimble criminals under the capital …
Thales looked at the terrified Tormorden and the others, who did not know what was going on, and could not help but sigh.
The teenager took a step forward.
"We understand, sir." Thales forced a smile and attracted everyone's attention. "But please believe me, we are all legal merchants. We left Blade Fangs Camp before the blockade was issued, and we brought along daily goods that conform to the law."
The Psionic captain's gaze froze a little.
"Unfortunately, our merchant group ran into orcs on the way. All our goods were robbed, and we lost a lot of people. We only had fifteen camels left, and we barely escaped with our lives," Thales said dejectedly as he shook his head.
When they heard this, the captives' expressions changed, and Captain Duro's expression darkened.
"I am very sorry to hear this." He sighed sadly. "It should have been our duty and responsibility to ensure your lives and interests in the desert. But we were busy besieging the orcs and allowed you to fall into the hands of the desert bandits. This is our dereliction of duty."
Thales keenly noticed that Duro's Western Desert accent had disappeared a lot.
"Desert bandits from God's Domain …"
Duro frowned slightly and gestured for him to continue.
Thales immediately understood.
"Yes!"
He quickly corrected himself. "We were robbed by a group of desert bandits, and all our goods went missing after that. But we were lucky. A few days after we escaped, we ran into Sir Duro leading an army to fight the desert orcs. That scene was really shocking!"
Duro's expression slowly relaxed.
The captives looked at each other with strange expressions.
"It's you, Captain Duro, the glorious Stardust Unit. You're the ones who saved us on the chaotic battlefield." Thales looked at him gratefully. "You also gave us enough aid when we were cornered and in need of resources, allowing us to return home after losing everything."
Thales emphasized on "losing everything".
Du Luo sighed slightly.
"Oh, no, young man." The captain had a humble look on his face as he patted his shoulder and said in a friendly and gentle tone, "It's okay to lose the goods, as long as your life is safe and sound … Besides, don't you still have ten camels left?"
Duro emphasized the word "ten."
Tormorden covered his face in pain.
"As for gratitude … this is what we should do. The military exists to protect the people, whether it's your property or your life."
Thales' expression froze.
But he managed to force out a few tears in time, turning this awkward stiffness into a moved sob. "Yes, at least we still have 'ten' camels left. As for your kindness, Captain, we … we will always be grateful …"
Behind Du Luo, the female knight nicknamed 'Spirit Blade' widened her eyes so much that they were about to pop out.
Thales continued to sob. "This is our only consolation after we lost our goods. It's just that Master Tormorden offered to pay you a sum of money as a token of gratitude, but you refused, and it made us very apologetic."
Snake Shooter, who was in the freak squad, snickered.
Du Luo glared at him.
Snake Shooter immediately stood still obediently.
It was only then that Du Luo turned around in satisfaction and coughed. "I understand your kind intentions, but we have our principles. Forgive me, but I really can't accept it."
Quick Rope rolled his eyes in a corner he could not see.
The leader of the freak squad looked at Thales with a gratified expression. "Very good, it seems like you're really very understanding, young man.
"What's your name?"
Thales' expression stiffened. "Seca."
When he heard this name, Dean raised his eyebrows.
Du Luo pulled him into his arms and laughed. "Very good, Seca!"
"Tondi, if I were you, when this young and promising man grows up, I'll promote him to be my assistant!"
His Western Desert accent returned to him.
Tormorden squeezed out a smile that was uglier than crying.
Duro shook Thales, whose smile was a little stiff. "With people like you, good citizens who support the kingdom and the army, how can our warriors not be brave and good at fighting? How can we not move forward courageously? The people we risk our lives to protect are adorable Constellatiates like you! "
Thales sighed and said sincerely, "Seeing how Constellation's current situation is so prosperous, I'm also very excited."
The Psionic nodded. "Then, do you know how to tell the others in the camp when you go back?"
Thales sighed and said, "Of course, when we were in danger in the desert and lost our goods, we were fortunate enough to meet Sir Duro of the Stardust Unit. He's a very good person, loyal to his duty, kind, and kind."
Duro nodded slightly.
"You know, I'm a peace-loving person." Duro's expression instantly turned cold. His gaze was as sharp as a knife as he glanced at each captive. "But if you run into those traitors and smugglers who intend to destroy the peace, please tell us. Believe me, even if we have to walk through the entire desert, we'll catch them all in one fell swoop and create a safe and prosperous trade route for all of you!"
The captives felt a chill in their hearts, and they quickly nodded vigorously.
"That's great," Duro said in satisfaction. "With this, you can return home safely, and we've completed our duty to protect the country.
"I'm really gratified that the warriors at the frontline and the civilians at the rear understand each other. They're like fish and water … How can Constellation not be strong, how can it not rise, how can it not be revived?"
Thales only felt that his smile was a little sour.
"Tondi, if I were you, I'd definitely marry my daughter to him. Really, if I had a daughter …" Duro patted his shoulder in the end, glanced at the goods around him, and said with a sigh, "Believe me, this dowry will definitely be profitable!"
Thales smiled stiffly.
Finally, Duro waved his hand.
"That's enough. Pack the necessary luggage. Remember, if it's necessary, such as ten camels, then go back to Blade Fangs Camp.
"Be careful on your way back, but don't worry, in the desert …" Duro clenched his fists, smiled, and shook his thick arm. "We will always be your most solid support!"
Tormorden, who had instantly become penniless, responded to Duro with an ugly smile.
The merchants and mercenaries' faces were livid. They averted their gazes from their solid support.
Thales sighed in his heart, but in the end, he did not say anything.
At this moment …
"Wait."
Baron Gurtz, who had been silent all this while, spoke. There was anger in his voice. "I've had enough."
Duro looked at the single-winged crow flag behind Baron Gurtz and frowned. "What?"
"I'm a noble." Gurtz lowered his arm and said coldly, "I'm sorry, Captain Duro, but I can't just watch as you snatch what belongs to them."
The captives were instantly shocked.
"What do you mean?"
Gurtz walked in front of Duro and looked him straight in the eye. "You, return the goods to them.
"We came out with a mission to sweep through the desert, not to collect money."
The leader of the Psionics was stunned.
The captives were stunned as well.
Duro used a few seconds to understand the current situation.
"I thought we had a good time working together, Gurtz." Duro scratched the back of his head. "Listen …"
"No one likes to work with you," Gurtz said coldly. "Freaks."
The others' faces darkened.
Duro let out a sigh.
"I know, and I understand. No one wants to come to this godforsaken desert during this season to suffer, chase after and drive away those poor scum, and get pitifully little rewards." The leader of the freaks, who belonged to the Stardust Unit, stared solemnly at the baron in front of him. "So please, this is a rare opportunity. Don't block me. I just want some compensation."
Baron Gurtz shook his head. His gaze was cold.
"My men have never complained about this."
As he spoke, the soldiers of the Kroma Family tensed up and surrounded the baron.
The leader of the freaks fell silent.
But he did not show any signs of weakness. He placed his hands on his hips and took a step forward. His right hand landed on the hilt of his sword.
His thick left arm trembled.
The members of the Stardust Unit, including the freak squad, also took a step forward with hostile expressions.
The atmosphere in the room became tense.
Thales watched this scene in surprise.
'Logically speaking, both sides were ordered to clean up the desert and welcome me …
'But based on the current situation, it might not be a good idea for both sides to work together.'
Among the captives, Old Hammer's expression was unpleasant. "Damn it.
"We're caught in the middle again."
At this moment, Tormorden raised his trembling hand.
"Your Grace, actually, you don't have to do this for us —"
But Baron Gurtz did not buy it.
"Shut up."
Gurtz refused immediately, "This is not for you, merchant."
"It's for justice and fairness."
He stared coldly at the gloomy Duro. "For the creed we've protected for thousands of years."
Duro looked as if he heard the funniest thing in the world.
"Are you crazy? You're still playing this game in this day and age? "Duro opened his mouth and exchanged a few glances with his subordinates behind him.
But Gurtz continued to stare at him coldly.
Duro's breathing quickened.
"Alright."
"Thirty percent." Duro looked at the pile of goods in the distance and gritted his teeth. "You can take thirty percent of this batch of goods."
Gurtz chuckled.
"What?" The baron sneered. "You want to bribe me? Bribe Baron Amoret, Faker Gurtz, who is under the Count of Wing Fort? "
"Forty percent." Duro clenched his fists. "No more. This batch of goods is not a small amount, and you're just a baron."
Gurtz shook his head.
"You so-called regular soldiers of the royal family are also part of the army, but you just don't understand, do you?
"About what we fight for, about responsibility and glory."
His words made the atmosphere even more tense.
Duro took a deep breath. "Listen, I know you're unhappy that we let that orc escape today and you lost your battle achievements, but listen, don't cause trouble. There are many important people watching."
"Trouble? The real troublemakers are people like you. "Gurtz did not back down." Count Kroma often told me this.
"I'll say it again. Return the goods to them."
Duro stomped his feet violently.
"Fifty-fifty!" He pointed at his feet in exasperation. "That's my bottom line!"
Gurtz snorted and laughed.
"My God, I can't believe it. Even now, you still want to use money to avert disaster and keep the peace."
Baron Gurtz sighed and said, "The king's power is too great. Under his wings, which he cannot see, there will always be maggots like you who will erode the foundation of the entire kingdom.
"This is the meaning of our existence. The nobles must check and balance the king's power, and we'll start with the domineering army under him."
Thales watched them go back and forth, but there was not much substance to their conversation, and there was not much in common. He felt that it was a little strange.
'Gurtz … Could it be that this vassal of the Kroma Family is an idealist?
But in the current situation, the eruption of a conflict between them is not very optimistic for the captives. '
Duro fell silent.
"You really know how to involve people, Your Grace."
"But you won't want to fight with us here because of this." The captain pointed at the sky and said in a low voice, "The people up there, be it the barons or the counts, or even … they will not be happy."
"You're right," Gurtz answered him coldly. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I think so too."
"Then, do you want them to be happy?
"Freaks?"
Duro's expression changed.
The two groups of people placed their hands on their weapons and stared at each other with murderous intent.
"Sixty percent." Duro stared at the other party fiercely. He had already unsheathed his weapon by an inch. "If they can't accept it, then let's fight."
Gurtz stared at his opponent quietly.
A second later, the baron smiled.
"Deal."
Gurtz said smugly.
His hand left the hilt of his sword.
'What?'
The captives were all stunned!
'Deal?'
The captives, who had just watched in astonishment as the baron rejected the other party's bribes in a righteous manner and were worried that Gurtz's impulsive actions would implicate them, were instantly dumbfounded and speechless.
Even Thales was surprised for a moment.
Duro spat on the ground fiercely.
"Bah, greedy enough."
But Gurtz just turned around indifferently and mounted his horse. "Remember, sixty percent. My flag bearer will confirm it with you."
"I'll wait for you in front … Happy working with you, Captain Duro."
In the next moment, the baron and his subordinates galloped away together.
"These maggots!"
Duro stared at the baron's back with a contemptuous expression. "Nobles? They're practically vampires crawling on the kingdom. "
"Constellation was destroyed because of you."
The captives stared at each other, speechless.
"Don't just stand here and get in the way. Hurry up and disappear. Also, don't cause trouble." Duro, who was in a bad mood, waved his hand impatiently at them. "We're the kingdom's army. We have to protect you. We're very busy!"
The captives turned around stiffly and left.
Thales looked at the departing baron, then at Duro, who was sulking.
A few seconds later, he let out a long sigh. He stopped himself from taking a step forward, held back the words he was about to say, and turned around with the others.
'No.'
Thales shook his head quietly.
'No.'
The sky was getting darker.
As the cold wind rustled, the people in the merchant group walked to their respective camps with complicated emotions. They packed up the remaining luggage and corpses.
The Stardust Unit watched them strictly to prevent them from taking away too many goods that were "already lost".
But Dante's Greatswords were gloomy and gloomy.
"Honestly …"
Among the mercenaries, Louisa closed the eyes of Palka's corpse with an expressionless face. She said hoarsely, "I don't think Tormorden will pay us anymore. At least, he won't pay us enough. He'll have a good reason to shirk his responsibility and even blame us.
"Palka, Kant, Haken … There are so many casualties, everyone's compensation …"
Louisa could not continue speaking.
Dante's Greatswords fell silent.
The atmosphere became very oppressive.
Dean sighed, took Kant's Greatsword from his hand, and pushed the big man into the sandpit he dug. "I'll think of something. Now, let's pack up our things first. We need to be skillful in packing, don't let them stop us."
Mickey punched the sand hard.
"What was that just now?"
The Barren Bone man glanced at the cavaliers in the distance, who were searching everywhere. He could not hide his anger. "That group of …"
Dean shook his head, but did not speak.
Thales, on the other hand, sighed.
"Welcome …"
He spoke in a hoarse and rather listless voice, "Welcome to Constellation."
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