r18novel Page 84
Page 84
"Miss Lani, please speak."
Arthur sensed the seriousness in her tone and gave her a thoughtful reply.
Lani lowered her eyes, pursed her lips for a moment, and then spoke hesitantly:
"If one day I stop liking you, what will you think?"
Upon hearing this perplexing question, Arthur was immediately stunned.
His first reaction was:
Have I done something lately that Lani finds repulsive?
He couldn't help but furrow his brow, revealing a thoughtful expression.
But seeing his expression, Lani's lips curled into a playful smile:
"Silly little lion, how could I not like you?"
At this point, Lani took the initiative to approach Arthur and then hugged him:
"You haven't done anything to make me hate you; in fact, I like you even more now!"
Lani's drastically different behavior before and after made Arthur feel uneasy and at a loss for what to do.
But in the next moment.
Arthur suddenly felt a strange and intense "heart-wrenching feeling" surge into his heart, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
Lani, who was embracing Arthur, quickly noticed that something was wrong with his physical condition.
So she quickly released her embrace and asked him with concern:
"Little lion, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
"I...it's okay..."
Arthur felt a wave of dizziness he had never experienced before. He held his forehead, wanting to speak to Lani to reassure her, but the words caught in his throat and he couldn't get them out.
at this time.
A sudden slamming sound rang out.
"Grandpa Lawson, what brings you here?"
Lani stared intently at the rude intruder.
The newcomer was none other than Lawson, the Thunder Badger Knight.
"Mr. Lawson?"
Before the ailing Arthur could greet him, Lawson rushed to Arthur and shouted at him in an almost commanding tone:
"Arthur, please take Lani and leave Blackrock Territory immediately!"
"why?"
When Arthur sensed the urgency in Lawson's words, the "heartache" that had been gripping him subsided just in time.
So after he recovered, he asked seriously:
"I am Lord Blackrock, why should I leave my territory?"
"Leon asked me to convey that a bandit group, suspected to be 'Bounty Level Three' and the one that slaughtered Blackwater Territory, has invaded Blackrock Territory."
Lawson continued in an urgent tone:
"They have killed the patrolmen in the area surrounding the town and his messenger frost raven."
"Then we must quickly assemble military forces and at the same time evacuate the people within the territory to safe places for refuge."
Upon hearing the words "bloody slaughter of Blackwater Territory," Arthur instantly realized the gravity of the situation and immediately stood up, preparing to leave.
However, Lawson forcefully grabbed one of his arms.
Arthur was puzzled:
"Mr. Lawson, what are you doing?"
"My lord, I believe we both know the answer."
They were capable of slaughtering a bandit gang in a strong baronial territory; their threat level was unmatched by Blackrock Territory at present.
Lawson stated righteously:
"Therefore, please make a rational decision, prioritize your own life, and take Lani with you to leave Blackrock Territory."
This is a decision made jointly by me and your butler, Leon.
Arthur listened and remained silent for a few seconds.
But soon.
He raised his head again, his face regaining its usual calm expression.
He spoke:
“Mr. Lawson, I understand your and Butler Leon’s ulterior motives.”
But my current identity is Lord Blackrock, as I said on the day I took office.
I swear by the honor of the Field family that I will protect all the people of Blackrock Territory with my life.
But now that may have become empty words, yet I still want to do my best to continue fulfilling this vow.
At this moment.
Arthur finally understood where his earlier "heart-wrenching feeling" came from.
Because, in his mind, on the attribute panel that had just opened, a bleak line of words appeared:
[Blackrock Territory Citizens (Abnormal): 357 people have suddenly died, leaving 3643 people...]
Upon seeing these words, his mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts, and he involuntarily tightened his grip on Lawson's arm.
Just as Lawson said.
He could afford to live a life of temporary compromise, avoiding the need to confront an unknown and powerful enemy.
However, when he saw this series of numbers in his mind, he was deeply moved.
He told himself:
This is Blackrock Territory, a frontier territory he inherited from his father, Richard Field, a royal descendant who had changed his name and been exiled.
This place is surrounded by dangers on two sides, lurked by monsters, and has a harsh climate;
This place has a population of just over four thousand, low productivity, and poverty is the norm.
There is no church protection here, and their power is weak.
In the game terminology I remember from my previous life, this is not an ideal "development resource point".
With the invading bandits coming in force, surviving would be a piece of cake for him.
Because he has a cheat system.
With the existing 675 Virtue Points, you can redeem "Heroic Blessing" for multiple invincibility buffs.
Therefore, even if bandits appeared in front of him immediately, it would be an easy thing for him to survive.
Afterwards, relying on his outstanding talent and abilities, he sought refuge with Crescent Moon Territory and the Moon Church, who were showing him goodwill.
In the future, once he has bided his time and advanced to the Silver and Gold ranks, he will surely be able to obtain another territory as long as he makes contributions to the kingdom.
A territory that is definitely better and larger than Blackrock Territory.
At that time, he can use the system to continuously obtain virtue points and exchange them for virtue blessings that are even more powerful than any extraordinary external object.
But let's go back to the present.
What became of the soldiers and civilians in Blackrock Territory who revered him and grew increasingly loyal to him?
Will they also become cold numbers and appear in his mind?
will not!
The moment this thought arose, Arthur's incredibly strong will shattered this wretched fantasy.
He told himself this:
"They are not cold, hard numbers."
"They won't just be cold, hard numbers!"
Going back to reality.
Arthur had a strong premonition that the choice he was about to make would be the first turning point in his life.
His choice was to do his best to protect Blackrock Territory!
Lawson, sensing his determination, could only sigh and release his hand.
soon.
After making his decision, Arthur discarded all these chaotic and useless thoughts.
Then, he strode towards the door of the room.
When he reached the door, Arthur stopped at just the right moment.
He bid what was possibly his final farewell to Lawson and Lani, who remained in the room:
"Mr. Lawson, please take Miss Lani and leave Blackrock Territory as soon as possible."
I am extremely grateful for the help you have given me so far.
I will pray for your safe departure from Blackrock Territory.
Having said that, Arthur did not linger.
"Boom!"
"Boom!!"
"Boom!!!"
As Arthur stepped out of Lani's house, the resounding chimes began to echo throughout Frostraven.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the bells were coming from the magnificent castle in the center of the town.
Arthur knew this was a warning that only sounded during a territorial crisis!
Without a doubt, this was the work of the butler, Leon.
Soon, the residents of Frostraven Town all noticed the long, blaring alarm bell.
More than half of the residents took to the streets.
Seeing this, Arthur was immediately in a dilemma:
Did he first return to Blackrock Fortress to reorganize the military forces?
Or should we evacuate the still confused residents and take them to the Blackrock Territory's refuge?
At that moment, he only regretted that he couldn't be in two places at once.
At this point, he originally had someone he could turn to for help, but...
"Residents of Frostraven Town who have heard the alarm, please assemble in the square immediately! The situation is urgent!"
Just as he was thinking this, a familiar, clear female voice came from behind him.
It was Lani; she was the person he could have turned to for help.
"Residents of Frostraven Town who have heard the alarm, please assemble in the square immediately! The situation is urgent!"
She strode quickly to the streets of Frostraven Town and patiently gave repeated directions to the bewildered residents.
"Ms. Lani?"
Arthur called out incredulously to the girl of his age, who was in poor health but still desperately calling out, and took on the lord's responsibility of evacuating his people.
"Little lion, don't forget that I've lived here for over ten years. This place has become my second home."
Lani turned around and smiled gently:
"So I also want to do my best to evacuate and guide everyone to the shelter."