The Earl left the castle with his family and attendants, escorted by a light cavalry, fleeing hastily in the direction of Twilight City.
On the other side, the main force of the Salvation Army also marched grandly to a plain twenty kiloters away, setting up a new camp there.
In contrast, outside the castle, only Thomas's caravan and the refugees living in designated areas remained in the besieging camp.
The sun in the distance had already set, and everyone was waiting for tomorrow's sunrise.
Sitting in his carriage, Thomas was restless, occasionally lifting the curtain to look in the direction of Sparrow Wood Castle, his palms and the backs of his hands covered in sweat, his heart full of tension.
He often reminded himself that he was a rchant, not a gambler. Compared to the profits from a deal, the risks behind the deal were what he should consider first.
However, at the mont, he seed to be pushed into a high-stakes gamble with completely unpredictable profits and risks.
Will the Earl really leave?
Or is this just a stalling tactic?
And what about the King of the Ryan Kingdom, is he really abandoning this land, or deliberately letting people kill each other for a while, only to return under the guise of a holy mission to restore order?
Anything could happen.
Including the originally inactive Provincial Governor, the covetous Green Forest Army headquarters, or even the distant stationed Imperial army at Brass Pass... none could have ignored the chaos here.
Even behind their own Salvation Army, there might stand a force he could not fathom.
The people of Twilight Province seed to have their fate in their own hands, but in reality, perhaps it was never in their hands.
Of course, talking about these topics now seed premature.
Compared to the future of the Ryan people here, Thomas obviously cared more about his caravan; he had to prioritize his own life.
"I can't wait any longer..."
Clenching his teeth, Thomas finally made up his mind, stepping down from his carriage to approach Mr. Colin's carriage.
This gentleman, always with an air of composure, was leisurely leaning by the window reading a book, seemingly oblivious to the tension and killing intent outside.
Yet those lazy eyes seed to have already comprehended everything before them, even glimpsing the near future.
"Lord Colin."
He unconsciously changed his tone, speaking in a soft yet urgent voice, "The Salvation Army has lifted the siege of Sparrow Wood Castle. Shouldn't we pack up and leave as well?"
Luo Yan casually asked.
"After leaving, where do you plan to go?"
Without hesitation, Thomas replied.
"Of course, to Twilight City! Isn't that why we ca here?"
Luo Yan nodded thoughtfully, closing the book in his hand, and said kindly.
"It's true you ca here for that, but are you sure there's what you're looking for there?"
Thomas was slightly taken aback.
"What do you an by that?"
Luo Yan continued.
"Sparrow Wood Territory is just an Earl domain surrounding Twilight City. The Green Forest Army targets this place mainly to advance toward Twilight City. Going there is like getting into a tighter cage from an opened one. Since you're in the business, you should understand what I an."
Thomas's expression changed slightly, evidently grasping the deeper aning of the words imdiately.
The Lord's troops might look better than the uprising peasants, but that doesn't an they are rciful. If those folks indeed possessed that kind of thing, this chaos wouldn't have started in the first place.
Once reaching Twilight City, his goods might not remain his, just like when he first t Brennan.
Thomas smiled wryly and said in a defeated tone.
"Saint Sis above... I'm already starting to regret doing this deal."
This place was fundantally unsuitable for doing business.
Luo Yan did not comfort him but instead offered a different perspective.
"Then why not think of it this way: perhaps it is the Divine that sent you here to help these poor people establish order. If you truly believe in the god you worship and recognize what you consider goodness, this could be your most successful deal yet."
Hearing these words, Thomas was montarily stunned, seemingly enlightened. After pondering for a mont, he spoke softly.
"Could you show a bright path?"
"It's simple. You have two paths to take. Either head south, don't go to Twilight City, don't stay here, pass through the southern Rapids Pass of Twilight Forest, and continue to Vortex Sea to a place called Thunder City. Or stay here, continue to shelter and register the fleeing refugees, assist the Salvation Army's registration departnt with the refugee identities... continue what you are already doing, and I believe people won't forget what you've done for them so soon."
After a pause, Luo Yan smiled and continued.
"Of course, you can also cash out while it's still good, take your remaining goods, and go back... I think you've also made quite a profit, haven't you?"
Along the way, he had purchased many of Thomas's goods, as a donation for "Holy Maiden Carian" and the Salvation Army's supplies.
He was soone who valued fairness.
Further along the way, no one could offer a price more attractive than his.
...
After expressing his gratitude, Thomas left Colin's carriage.
Although he didn't reveal his decision, he had already made a choice through his actions—the kind-hearted rchant began organizing the people in his caravan, calming the agitated refugees due to the Salvation Army's departure.
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