Becoming a wet nurse is not the end of the story.

"Lilia, it's alright, your sister is alright, we'll be fine. Didn't that person already promise?"

"Yes, we will definitely get better. As long as we follow that person and do what she said, we will definitely get better."

Gently stroking her sister's head, Ariel's eyes were filled with a light called hope. They already had a path to follow, and they would naturally strive to walk it.

The others clenched their fists tightly, helpless and even somewhat panicked by what they were seeing. Yes, no matter how much affection they had for this place, they were no match for this hellish situation.

Even the deepest sorrows gradually turn into fear—fear of one's homeland, fear of the place where one has lived for generations. The crows watched these people moving forward and let out mournful cries.

Sensing the panic in the hearts of those behind her, Lin Xueyin gently raised her arm, which was already shining with a holy light. In an instant, a pillar of holy light descended upon them.

The warmth and vibrant energy strengthened their hearts once again. Indeed, no matter where they are, there is still a ray of hope shining here.

The road was long, but time was short. After walking for only a short time, Lin Xueyin saw a village faintly visible in the distance.

"There's a village ahead. Let's go check it out and ask what the situation is like."

Lamo County is similar to a prefecture-level city in China. Although it is a city, it administers several county-level cities and many villages.

Upon seeing the small village in the distance, Lin Xueyin still hoped to go over and check it out, and also inquire about the current situation, whether the things she saw along the way were a common occurrence, or just unique to this place.

"Okay, Yukine, be careful."

"I know, don't worry. Besides, we still have you. I think Aria can definitely protect us."

He gently placed his hand on her hard breastplate, and a smiling face made Aria suddenly feel her fighting power explode.

"Yes, with me here, I will naturally not let you get hurt. I have learned a lot of skills from my master. Although I have not yet reached the level of a battle spirit, I can still hold my own against battle spirit level opponents for quite a while."

"Yes, our knight is the best."

Amused, Aria tapped the little girl's head helplessly. This girl was clearly stronger than her, probably already a Battle Spirit level being. Saying this made her feel like she was being laughed at.

"Hmph, you're just bullying me." The little head nudged against the other's chest a few times in resentment, but the hard armor told her that no matter how soft it was inside, it was still a steel plate under its protection.

This time I genuinely burst out laughing because the girl's adorable appearance, covering her head and looking dizzy, was just too endearing.

"You're still laughing? Humph, watch out, or I won't save you next time."

She really wanted to stand with her hands on her hips and glare at this woman, but considering her own image, Lin Xueyin just gave her a big eye roll.

Volume VI: The Rebellion of Pankor: Chapter Seven: Deserted and Uninhabited

Along the way, we passed through three villages, but they were all deserted. Even the most foolish person would understand that something must have happened. If people were dead, there should be bodies, but there was nothing in the villages.

Aside from some scattered items, there wasn't a single human or even animal carcass to be found. Lin Xueyin frowned deeply, realizing that she had perhaps been too naive. Bringing these people along probably wasn't about rescuing them.

However, they were now in a difficult situation. If possible, Lin Xueyin really hoped to take these people to a safe place before coming back here to investigate properly.

But what about Olyshills and Maca? They came here to investigate a long time ago, so why haven't they met up with us yet? Did something happen to them?

"No, no, it won't happen. Not to mention Olihirs, even Maca is a strong person. Even if something happens, he won't be unable to escape. Besides, the Feathered Clan has the advantage of the air, so nothing will happen to him."

Looking at the girl shaking her head and muttering to herself, Aria knew that she was under a lot of pressure. After encountering these deserted villages, not only her, but also herself and these refugees felt that danger was all around them.

The crows around them kept cawing mournfully, adding to the already desolate atmosphere of the place.

“Aria, why don’t you take your men and go back first? We can’t continue. It’s very dangerous. I can feel a very dangerous aura constantly circling around us.”

"No, we can't split up now. If our forces are scattered, we'll be easily picked off one by one by the enemy."

“But, Aria, I’m worried that if things continue like this, we could easily walk into the enemy’s encirclement, and then none of us will be able to leave alive.”

He patted Lin Xueyin's head hard. "Aren't you afraid that the other side has already blocked all our escape routes?"

"Think about it yourself. If we go back now, not to mention the enemy, our own morale will be severely damaged. In addition, these are refugees. If something really goes wrong, without you here, relying on me, the knight, I'm afraid we will be wiped out by the enemy."

Looking at the earnest young girl, and then at the refugees behind her who kept turning around, she knew that there was only one path in front of her. There was no pity, no purpose, and she could only take it one step at a time.

"We'll try to stay on the main roads. Our food supply will last us quite a while, enough for us to slowly make our way through here to other counties. So, safety is our top priority right now."

“Okay, that’s for the best. I’ll go and calm down the people around us. We must make sure they don’t cause any trouble out of fear. As long as we are united, we will definitely be able to reach Lamo City safely. Once we get there, all our questions may be answered.”

"Okay, I understand. Let's head to Lamo City first."

Lin Xueyin nodded vigorously, her eyes fixed on the distant sky. She was determined to investigate the matter thoroughly, bring all those criminals who had taken lives to justice, and make them atone for their crimes with their own lives.

"Aria, I'll leave the rest of the people to you. I remember we took a lot of guard weapons from the village before. Distribute them to them. We're basically isolated now, so I hope they don't cause any major trouble."

"But, Yukine, I'm worried that once they get weapons..."

"Don't worry, I know what will happen, but we have no choice now. Giving them weapons might be the best way to save their lives."

Lin Xueyin smiled and squinted her eyes. She already knew what would happen next, but it was time to give those people a choice.

After staring at Lin Xueyin for a moment, Ailiya could only sigh helplessly. She knew that once she distributed these weapons, it would truly be a matter of life and death. But could she blame this girl?

She had heard some rumors herself, and perhaps this was for the best for them all. Arya turned and went to the back to distribute the weapons, leaving the final choice to the refugees.

Inside the Demon King's castle, a man stood with his hands at his sides, bowing slightly as he addressed the young yet powerful Demon King before him.

"Lamoshire is proceeding according to the previous plan, and our partner now wants us to speed things up; he seems to be getting impatient with his ambitions."

"Ha, how foolish. But it's precisely because of this foolishness that you're cooperating with us and giving us such a good opportunity. You can handle it as you see fit. But how's your investigation going?"

"Yes, we have investigated. The priest you mentioned recently has appeared in Lamo County and entered the no-man's-land we have set up. Because we don't know how to deal with her, we haven't taken the initiative to attack. However, her every move is under our surveillance. If we need to take action, we will capture her quickly."

"Oh? If you catch her, what will you do to her?"

"Well, we haven't figured it out yet. After all, she has ruined many of our plans. Killing her directly might be a bit unfair. However, as an opponent, she is one we should respect. So, we're not quite sure what to do."

Feeling that this answer concealed a hostile intent, the man with his head covered by a cloak dared not speak carelessly.

Staring intently at the man, the Demon King knew he was lying, but somehow managed to steer the conversation toward his next plan. As for what to do with the girl, he didn't continue.

Soon, the man turned and left with the orders he had received, but he did not see the Demon King's cold gaze and the slight curl of his purple lips behind him.

"Do you really think I don't know what you're planning? But that's all you've got to do. Don't worry, I'm going to give you a big surprise."

After speaking, he stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside. "It'll be soon. Soon everything will be finished. Little girl, I really want to know what kind of expression you'll have when you see me then."

As if she had thought of something, a warm smile appeared on her cold and handsome face. The small dark room and the small leather whip... she seemed to have heard some beastmen slaves talk about how to deal with a human girl who had run away. She wondered if it would suit her taste.

Volume 6: Pankor's Rebellion: Chapter 8: Internal Strife (Two chapters published together)

"The weapons have already been distributed, Yukine, is this really necessary?"

"If you can understand this, do you think those other people wouldn't understand?"

Without turning around, the girl gently tapped the slowly moving foal in front of her with a branch, her beautiful eyes also filled with struggle.

"Yukine, you know that doing this might have consequences..."

After a brief silence, Lin Xueyin finally spoke softly, "Ailiya, I can protect them, I am capable of protecting them, but will they believe me? If they turn against us in the most difficult time, the entire team will probably be wiped out."

For a moment, the atmosphere fell silent. Aria gently held the other person in her arms, feeling her slightly trembling body, her eyes quietly looking ahead, calm and desolate.

The sun was still blinding, but the weather had turned cool. The wind was playing a light and cheerful tune, but little did they know that the atmosphere was beginning to grow heavy.

Many of the men, after acquiring the weapons, still consciously protected the numerous elderly people and children among them, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

And so, the refugee caravan continued its journey across this desolate land. As time passed, the areas they passed through became increasingly barren, devoid of both human habitation and animal life.

The tense atmosphere and the already taut nerves had reached a breaking point, and the men who had taken up weapons were spending more and more time discussing things.

Lilia hugged her sister tightly, looking worriedly at the men coming and going around them. The cold, gleaming blades were no longer pointed at the outside world.

Every day, apart from the fact that Lin Xueyin and others still received a relatively normal food supply, the amount of food distributed to each person gradually became uneven. The men accumulated a large amount of food, and of course, they would continue to distribute some food to the elderly, children, sick and disabled, but it was not as plentiful as before.

All of this was seen by Ailiya. Although she was angry, Lin Xueyin kept her in check and wouldn't even let her go out to teach those shameless men a lesson.

"Xueyin, what exactly do you want? Those people have gone too far. Aren't you angry?"

"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. You are too hasty."

"Yukine..."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Lin Xueyin gently waved her arm. She wasn't stupid. However, she also had a lot of things in her spatial bag at the moment. Don't be surprised. After all, as someone who uses the control panel, opening her bag to its maximum size is the most basic thing, right?

Although she wasn't in charge of the food supplies, she was able to secretly procure some without leaving a trace. This was enough to lead a group of people across the entire Lamoshire to other places.

By ignoring the situation and letting these armed men run rampant, the conflict only intensified, which was exactly what Lin Xueyin wanted to see.

The human heart is the most difficult thing to understand. You think you're doing it for their own good, but don't they also feel that you're harming them? The outcome naturally differs depending on your perspective, especially when they believe they no longer need protection.

When they believe they are equal, or even superior, how could they possibly continue down the path laid out for them by others?

As for those who are oppressed, of course they want protection from others, and of course they want to be protected. But where in the world is there such a thing as a free lunch? Without giving, how can there be receiving? Simply hoping that others will protect them endlessly without wanting to give anything in return will only result in a futile effort.

When these men stood in front of Lin Xueyin, brandishing weapons and shouting, while the old and young huddled to the side in fear, Lin Xueyin was only surrounded by a few armed men and some young girls who were protecting her.

Although Lilia and Ariel were afraid, they stood firmly in front of Lin Xueyin, loudly rebuking the men who were brandishing weapons and about to charge forward.

"Do you have any conscience at all? These supplies were taken back by Pastor Lin and the others. You can arbitrarily withhold them, but why are you being so rude to her? Have they done anything to wrong you?"

"Hmph, who knows what she's really up to by leading us this way? Maybe she's just going to do us a favor first before leading us to our deaths."

Although it was just one person saying this, it sparked whispers among the people around, and some even began to look at the expressionless girl standing in front with hostility.

"Exactly, who knows what she's up to? She's fooled even the knight. Otherwise, why would we be here when we're doing just fine over there?"

"That's right, kill her, and we'll all go back together."

"Kill her, kill her..."

"Everyone, attack together... kill..."

The fierce and menacing noise finally woke up Ailiya, who had been told by Lin Xueyin to hide.

"Enough! Are you ever going to stop? Kill her? Do you even have the ability?"

A loud shout silenced everyone. Aria, holding a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, slowly walked out of the tent behind Lin Xueyin. Her resolute eyes could no longer conceal the raging fire that burst forth from them.

"Look at yourselves! Are you pointing your weapons at your own people? Are your weapons meant to be used to cut down your comrades and loved ones behind you?"

"She is not our comrade-in-arms, much less our family; she is our enemy?"

A soft muttering came from somewhere, forcing Lin Xueyin to reach out and pull back the furious Ailiya.

"Never mind, this matter needed to be resolved anyway, it's just that it happened at this time."

"But, Yukine, if we do that..." it will leave those who left completely unprotected, and they are very likely to be killed.