"Sowhere nice..." Mon tries to think of a place that fits the description. "It's Ryntum, then."
"What? Do you want to get killed? Why would I go there when they are probably hunting down?"
Mon shrugged, "I an...that's the one that fits your description. Sidgean Empire is having a war with Duchy of Camble as we speak. If you travel south, Harkadia is basically a similar version of Turtevekesia. Inver is at war with Inverloch. Cerdeauxia is too close to Ryntum while Barlia is too cold. Blande, on the other hand, is controlled by influential families. With your bad luck, you probably gonna offend so arrogant young master in no ti."
Matt was impressed by Mon's awareness of current affairs. Nevertheless, his words do have a point. A lot of places were in turmoil these days.
"Hmm...Maybe I should travel east. Piteretia Empire doesn't seem to have any major conflict. They are on three big islands and doesn't connect to the mainland. I'm sure the conflict won't spread easily at them."
"Well, take your ti. It's not like you have a deadline to make the decision."
The conversation halted and a montary silence fell between them. Only the sounds of the wagon wheels dominated the atmosphere. However, it didn't take long for Matt's enthusiasm to reignite.
As if there's a lightbulb lit on his head, Matt looks at his friend with shiny eyes.
"You know what? I have an idea."
"What is it?" Mon asked. Contrary to his friend, his tone lacks enthusiasm, suggesting how uninterested he is.
"Why not I go back to Tegrot?"
"And get yourself killed? Sure."
"No! Just think about it...The soldiers thought we would run away as far as we could and never return. So, they will put more focus on searching us elsewhere aside from Tegrot."
"I assu you want to hide under their nose. That's...plausible but still risky. Do it if you wish to and don't utter my na if you get caught."
....
While Mon and Matt continued their conversation, an unsettling developnt unfolded in the city of Tegrot.
Smoke billowed into the sky, casting a dark shadow over the usually busy streets.
The onlookers, residents, and passersby gathered on the streets. Their daily activities were halted as if ti itself had co to a standstill. All attention was drawn to the ominous plus.
Amid the stillness, the only group in motion was the soldiers dispatched to the city.
Their shouts filled the air as they implored people to evacuate and create distance from the escalating fire.
Alas, so are just being stubborn and had to be smacked just so they would listen.
"Ouch! Sir, that's hurts!"
"Then get further to the back. You're being too close."
"Co on! Our current position is reasonably far from the fire. We're safe."
"That's what a character in a horror novel always said. Now get back, miss. There should be a limit to your curiosity."
Hearing the soldier's instructions, Vanessa Viener finally complied. However, like a true field reporter, which she's not, Vanessa's piercing blue eyes didn't leave the raging fire.
Not a very long ti ago, Vanessa heard about the commotion that happened at the border. And so, as a spy, she ca here to inquire about the incident.
After roughly learning about the overall story, she understands why this city was filled with soldiers.
What she didn't expect was the criminals took a drastic asure by setting fire underground.
"To think they will go this far. These people are hellbent on fighting the kingdom," she murmured on her own.
"They had committed a cri worthy of death. Even if they surrender, these criminals know they can't escape their punishnt. It's better to die fighting and take as many people together with them." said an old lady who overheard Vanessa's words.
"Fight, huh?" Vanessa's mind begins to think about the whole incident.
Slowly, she opens her mouth and raise a question. This ti, in a very low voice so that nobody can hear, "Since when criminals had beco courageous?"
Far at the front, Bain Lawrance was standing and watching the raging fire.
He never thought the criminals would stoop this low upon hearing the army's arrival.
Luckily, the captain of the convoy reported to him first and didn't take imdiate action. If the criminals decide to start a fire before the main force arrived, they won't be enough manpower to control the whole situation. "Sir! I have co to report."
"Speak, soldier."
"We successfully prevented the fire from spreading and evacuated the citizens. I an, all of the southern parts of the city have been vacated. However, the loss of property is huge. The entire block was destroyed."
"Any casualties?"
The soldier responded with a heavy tone, "Many only suffered first-degree burns, and a few have second-degree burns. They are currently receiving treatnt. As for the death toll, 31 people unfortunately died."
"I see. That's very unfortunate. Tell at least we find their hidden entrance point." Bain looks at the soldiers with a hopeful gaze.
"We found few of them, sir. But..." The soldier hesitated.
"What is it, soldier? Speak freely."
"In my opinion, sending troops underground is a suicide mission. We will be entering their territory without any map or guidance whatsoever while they are anticipating us."
"Soldier, if we wait, those who were captured and confined underground will die!"
"At this point, we should assu they are dead. I don't think they're kind and compassionate if they choose to burn the entire block."
"Right, right, right." Bain nods his head, "They are far from compassionate, let alone courageous. Therefore, I don't think they will fight us."
Just like Vanessa, Bain had the sa thought as her.
Never did he consider criminals to be courageous. They will only fight when advantages are on their side and run when things turn the other way.
Although fighting inside the underground maze is advantageous to them, there's simply no certainty that the soldiers will choose to dive in.
The smoke will choke them to death if they wait like an idiot.
Bain is more inclined to assu that fire is a re distraction. A distraction for them to escape.
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