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The bizarre scene filled Bourne with horror:

"What's going on?"

"Perhaps it's cursed," Natalie interjected.

Just like the three soldiers who tried to capture her and her mother, their deaths were as if they were cursed.

"Some say it's magic, others say it's magic, and some even bet that the lord of the Lorraine Plains must have made a pact with a demon."

Mick gestured wildly and said in a mysterious tone,

"In short, no one dared to act as leader anymore, and the siege was reduced to soldiers charging forward. However, if the generals were unwilling to lead from the front, the morale of the army would inevitably drop, so the siege could hardly make any progress."

"Then the attacking side is bound to lose. The army is burning through gold all the time, while the defending side saves a lot of money."

Upon hearing this, Bourne immediately drew a conclusion.

"As you said, sir, within a month, the king sued for peace, and the Lord of the Plains was granted the title of hereditary duke. Perhaps this lord and I are the only two beneficiaries of this war."

Mick made Bourne burst into laughter, and the story ended in a joke.

They then mentioned that the lord of the Lorraine Plains appeared to be a woman.

"They say she was a beautiful lady."

Mick recalled,

"At the time, she was around forty, but still very attractive. The nobles called her the servant of evil, meaning someone who served the devil, and joked that the man she loved must be more charming than the lord of hell."

Natalie doubted whether such a man truly existed.

At least she hadn't seen it.

After the meal, Bourne expressed his intention to leave.

Mick tried to persuade him to stay, but Bourne declined and agreed to leave the following day.

That night, Bourne said to Natalie:

"Miss, please get some rest tonight. We'll set off back to the Lines Plateau tomorrow morning."

Natalie frowned:

"But I want to go to the royal city. My mother must have gone there, probably with the queen's wedding procession. Mick said that procession also stayed in the village."

"No, Miss, as I said, retaking the Lyons Plateau is the top priority."

As expected, no one cares about my thoughts... Natalie lowered her head and sighed dejectedly... But I still owe Bourne, so I have no choice but to listen to him now.

The next morning, as they prepared to depart, Mick and his men came to see them off.

Natalie handed Mick a gold coin:

"Thank you for taking care of us these days."

Mick wanted to refuse:

"There is absolutely no need for that. I only offered my help because I was following the Lord's instructions."

Natalie, however, was adamant:

"I don't want to owe you anything."

Hogan took Natalie to safety, and Natalie repaid his kindness by seeking justice for him.

This single gold coin is more than enough to cover Mik's expenses over the past three months...

After Mick accepted the gold coins, Natalie asked:

"Mick, you said you've fought in wars?"

"Yes, little girl."

"So, you have armor and weapons?"

"Yes, it's on display in my living room right now."

Natalie pulled out her last two gold coins: "I want to buy them."

"Oh ho ho!"

Mick smiled, gazing kindly at Natalie.

"Two gold coins can't buy these, and besides, that set of weapons carries my past glory; it's priceless to me."

Natalie did not insist and then followed Bourne.

Natalie recounted in her mind how Bourne was injured protecting me, but I also stole to heal him.

We are even on this point.

He even lost his weapons and armor for me before, if only I could give him a complete set of armor...

Natalie gazed ahead at the road ahead, her eyes pure and resolute.

Once I pay off my debts, I will be free.

Where I go from here on out is up to me!