The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 50 Dilemma
"While you were reporting this matter, I tried to mobilize a few neighbors."

But no one wanted to leave this place rashly, to cross the eerie Dawn and Dusk Forest again, and move to the unfamiliar Dragon Gold City—

That place existed almost entirely in their imagination.

Father Lynn recalled what had happened.

When he mentioned the 'orc raids,' the townspeople looked on with fear, as if they had seen a ferocious beast.

But when they were told to "go through the forest," they looked timid and resistant.

It's like when you're drunk in a tavern and someone mentions the Battle of the South, people will start spouting nonsense, saying that the orcs are nothing special and might not even be able to withstand a single blow from their shovels.

But whenever the eerie things and werewolves in the Dusk Forest were mentioned, they would be too scared to utter a sound.

Because they really live right next to the forest.

Having lived in this narrow corner for too long, they knew very little about everything outside the forest, relying entirely on the occasional caravans that arrived to obtain information.

No one was willing to give up this fragile yet warm cocoon until they truly realized the seriousness of the situation.

"See, poet? You think the only obstacles are that little white pig and that mercenary leader?"

We dwarves have a saying: 'The taller you are, the more problems you have!'
The elves are arrogant, the giants are stupid, and the orcs are nothing but barking wild dogs.

And you humans—well, most humans are cunning, greedy, yet weak.

As Catherine and Father Lynn were leaving, Shattered Stone simply stayed in the tavern and refused to leave, determined to drink up all the Star Plum wine in the entire tavern.

In any case, if you're fleeing, you can rarely take these things with you, so leaving them is just a way to benefit those orcs.

Before he drank and mocked Tang Qi's naivety while trying to argue that 'short people are the superior race'.

Tang Qi interrupted him first:

"From another perspective, as long as they realize the danger, they will spontaneously flee the town even without anyone leading them."

"You're just as stubborn as a pastor. Those people are still spreading their doctrines even when they're about to die!"

The rubble couldn't understand Tang Qi's reasoning at all.
"Even if you manage to convince those ignorant people, how are you going to resolve the troubles caused by the nobles?"
Do you know how many hurdles you'll have to overcome to achieve your naive goal?

His purpose in saying this was to discourage Tang Qi from making a move.

To my surprise, the other party acted as if they hadn't understood, and actually listed out their current predicament:

"Leaving aside the obstacles of the townspeople's unwillingness to leave."

First, we need the eye next to Merard to ensure that he can still recognize the path after entering the forest.

Secondly, we need to confirm whether Merard, after receiving the news, intended to flee…

Father Lynn interrupted him, saying firmly:

"There are indeed nobles in this world who would choose to live or die with their territory for the sake of honor."

But from the moment Lord Mel abandoned his people and moved to Dragongold City, it was destined that his family would have no honor whatsoever.

Young Master Merard will definitely run away, and even if he doesn't, the steward beside him will make him do so.

To stabilize his people and prevent unrest, he would likely choose to stay behind, organize defenses, and await reinforcements.

This is a conclusion I have drawn from my observations of this territory over the past few decades.

This is a priest of high moral character.

That's why the old man was willing to cling to this only straw and try to find a way to lead the townspeople away.

Tang Qi trusted him, so he continued:

"They're probably already preparing their horses for departure; we absolutely can't let him slip away quietly..."

"Maybe in an hour."

Catherine recalled Merrill's special emphasis before he left, and suddenly realized...

"Young Master Merard specifically asked me to deliver plum wine to him at that time—I think he was reminding me to pack my bags in advance." A wise person can always understand the deeper meaning behind a sentence.

Tang Qi blinked, looking somewhat unsure:
Are you so sure he'll take you away?

“He once told me that he could not show his true self in front of noble ladies, otherwise it would bring shame to his family—so he longed for freedom and needed my cover.”

"Next up are the mercenaries and the village guards—"

That's easy to handle; their numbers aren't large. If the governor really intends to use violence to suppress them, he can find a way to incite the townspeople, and they will waver and reconsider.

Tang Qi mentally listed the obstacles, searching for a way out, then pondered for a moment.
"Finally, there was the matter of time. After all, it was a massive procession of three hundred people, including carriages and horses. Even migrating northwards, it would be an extremely long procession..."

Therefore, we must try to escape as far as possible before dawn.

As for the problems he might encounter after fleeing, Tang Qi didn't bother to think about them in detail.

In fact, such a large group of people entering the Dawn and Dusk Forest will inevitably encounter all sorts of troubles.

But right now, he only wants to achieve the goal of 'the whole town fleeing'; he can't force anything more.

"It's no more than two hours until dawn!"
So you plan to instigate a riot involving 300 civilians, including the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled, within these two hours, and then capture Merad alive in front of the Wolf Pack, the remaining mercenaries, and the village guards under the command of the Mustache, right?

The dwarf nearly spat out the plum wine in his mouth; by the end of his taunts, he almost burst out laughing.
"It's so fucking hilarious! I once thought there was no funnier joke in the world than 'a 12-year-old girl stealing a whole ton of star plums in one night'!"

"Two hours and you can't even finish the first item!"

"It's definitely impossible for me to do it alone."

Tang Qi made no attempt to conceal his incompetence.

But Shi felt that the poet's gaze was somewhat like that of the cunning old swordsman [Mark Wing] from their old team.

On the adventure, this old bastard often made me, who was walking at the front of the group, deliberately step into traps that he had already seen through.

So he instinctively took two steps back:

"No, impossible. My only responsibility right now is to protect Catherine's safety. Don't even think about ordering me to do anything for you!"

"I assure you, all my plans from now on are based on the premise that she will be safe and sound."

If Catherine is in danger, I will be the one to rush ahead of you—my life was saved by the Black Serpent, and I owe him that.”

Tang Qi answered sincerely, then looked at Catherine as well.

"Of course, it also depends on what you think, madam. If you prefer to leave with young master Merard, I'm willing to respect your decision, and pretend I didn't say anything just now."

The red-haired girl first looked at the golden oak tree and the tombstone, then glanced at the quiet tavern and the direction of the second floor.

She gripped the necklace at her chest and shook her head, saying:

"I will not leave here alone; I will definitely take my family with me."

But I could tell that Master Merard's mercy would not extend to Ambi.

"Mr. Tang Qi, can you tell me what I should do next?"

"My God..."

The pebble patted its head.

"I almost forgot that you humans even have 'blindness and arrogance' in your heads!"

"I already have a plan."

Catherine's choice gave Don Qi even more confidence.

"This requires everyone here to help me put on a show—"

If you don't mind, I need you to play the bad guy.

(End of this chapter)