Baator Hell Promotion

Ignoring the woman's screams and struggles, the orc grabbed her face veil and tore it off. Then, his eyes widened and he screamed at the same time as the woman.

"What the hell are you!"

Chapter 92: Robbers and Knights

If the perfect person is truly the patron saint of mankind, then the woman on the donkey cart must be someone who is extremely despised by the perfect person.

In the bright afternoon light, the woman's face was exposed to everyone's sight without reservation. The face that should have been full of youth was now covered with horrific tumors and pustules.

Densely packed tumors, like misshapen fruits, rose abruptly, covering her entire face. Their surface was rough and uneven, faintly emitting the stench of flesh and blood. The largest of the tumors had forced her left eye into a narrow slit, while two smaller tumors pressed against her right eye, transforming it into two distorted lines, unequal in plane. Even more alarming, she suffered from acne, a common symptom for girls her age. Between the tumors, pustules of varying sizes were densely packed, some shiny and red, some filled with white pus, and even some ruptured.

The orc's rough handling had caused numerous pustules on her face to burst. Turbid pus, mixed with blood, flowed like polluted streams along the ravines of her face, finally dripping into the dust. This sight was both nauseating and nauseating, yet also elicited a strange, indescribable pleasure.

The woman screamed, desperately trying to wrest the veil from the orc's hand. Perhaps too shocked, the orc actually let her snatch the veil from his hand and covered her face with it. The woman struggled to break free from the goblin and cowered in a corner of the carriage, hiding her face under her hood, as if the humiliation she had just suffered was more hurtful than the orc's bloody knife.

The orc seemed to regain some of his sanity at her bold move. He suddenly jumped onto the truck bed, grabbed the woman by her withered hair, and slammed her head against the floor. The woman screamed and struggled, blood oozing down her cheeks, covering her entire face and making her look even uglier and more terrifying.

Finally, the orc had enough. He stepped on the woman's face, deliberately crushing it and saying, "You're just a weirdo, not really human. Thirty silver coins."

Then, he raised his long sword high and shouted, "The warriors of Eagle's Nest are willing to accept your surrender. As long as you pay the amount demanded by Carlock, you weak chickens will be safe."

The dwarf was the first to react. He fell to the ground and swiftly pulled out a handful of silver and copper coins from his belt. He said in a trembling voice, "I am willing to surrender. I am willing to surrender. Please don't hurt me. I am just a poor little merchant."

The orcs' goblin subordinates snatched the coins and pushed the short dwarf out. The dwarf rolled on the ground twice, covered in dust. He crawled away quickly, fearing that the orcs would blackmail him again.

The orc, pleased with the dwarf's tact, pointed the tip of his knife at the native and shook it gently, signaling him to pay. The native's cheeks puffed out, his teeth clenched, and his fists clenched. But in the end, he suppressed his anger and did not attack. He unclenched his fists and pulled out a necklace made of fangs and feathers from his bosom.

The dark-skinned native gripped the necklace tightly, his knuckles turning white from the strain. Finally, he said dejectedly, "Karlok, the warrior of Eagle's Nest, I simply don't have enough coins. This necklace was woven for me by my daughter. If you take it to the market in the city, you can get far more than fifty silver coins."

The orc placed the necklace, a symbol of love, on the tip of his knife. His yellow eyes, hidden behind his veil, were filled with disdain and disgust. He then tossed the necklace into the dirt like some piece of dirt. Then, with a flash of his knife, he struck the native's head, carrying a breath of death.

The man's eyes widened in anger, and with a roar, he charged towards the orc, ready to fight to the death. However, before he could reach the orc, the orc's massive body staggered, its small, fierce eyes widening, its throat rumbling, and its massive body fell straight towards him. A sharp arrow with a black shaft and white feathers pierced his throat from behind.

The natives screamed and wailed in terror. The orcs were much taller and stronger than them, and the fall almost crushed them completely, leaving them unable to move, and they could only struggle desperately under the orcs' bodies. The goblins, terrified by the orcs' sudden death, screamed in terror, dropped their weapons, and ran away.

Then there were two more bowstring sounds, and the goblins followed the orcs' footsteps before they could even run out of the road. They were shot by arrows and fell to the ground, their blood forming small puddles in the mud.

Hopper squinted his eyes and looked towards the other side of the mountain road. At the end of the road, five knights on majestic horses rushed towards them, stirring up a cloud of dust and carrying an unstoppable momentum.

The knights' breastplates gleamed blindingly in the sunlight. Their similar styles and identical patterns suggested they were from the same unit. They pulled the reins tight in front of the donkey cart, and the warhorses neighed and came to a steady halt. The two knights at the end dismounted in perfect unison, trotted over to the orc and goblin corpses, crouched down, and began to examine them.

The leading knight rode the tallest horse, his breastplate the most exquisite, and he was the only one wearing a delicate, aquamarine robe over it. The shield-shaped pattern on the chest of the robe was meticulously embroidered with rippling water waves and sparkling emeralds in reflective silk thread. He lifted his visor, revealing a neatly trimmed brown beard and thick, masculine eyebrows that matched the beard perfectly.

The knight's eyes were firm but his tone was gentle. He looked at the passengers on the donkey cart with concern and asked, "Are you all safe?"

"I'm Sheriff Edmund. These young men and I are all members of the police force in the Shady District of Ryadan City, and we serve the Monte family." Perhaps sensing the passengers' shock, the knight took the initiative to introduce himself. "We rushed here as soon as we received the alarm. Sadly, innocent lives have already been lost in the caravan ahead of us. But rest assured, from now on, you are safe. No robber can escape justice."

Seeing this, the orc driver hurriedly jumped off his seat and bowed deeply to the knights with an attitude even more respectful than when he faced the robbers. He shouted at the top of his voice, "Thank you, brave sheriff! If you hadn't arrived in time, we poor people would have been robbed of everything by those robbers and would have ended up on the streets without a home."

Sheriff Edmund sat firmly in the saddle, his back straight. He nodded slightly, accepting the driver's exaggerated flattery. Then he turned and made a simple gesture to the remaining two knights.

The knight to the sheriff's right wore an Imperial helmet, a long, crimson-colored feather perched high on its crown. The helmeted knight moved with remarkable agility, the heavy armor not hindering his movements at all. He leaped lightly from his horse, the crimson feathers on his helmet twitching gently as he landed. He and the shorter knight examining the orc's corpse coordinated efforts, reaching out to help the unfortunate native man to his feet, even giving him a considerate, though rough, dusting.

The last knight, like his superior, wore a full-face visor. He dismounted and pulled up the dwarf merchant, who had fallen to the ground and hadn't dared to get up. Then, the knight strode to the side of the cart and, with a single, sharp movement, pushed his visor upward, revealing a youthful, slightly stubbled face.

He extended his hand to Hopper and said gently, "Miss, are you hurt? Do you need me to help you down?"

Hopper studied his face carefully, and then smiled secretly under the veil.

Oh, it seems I met someone I know.

Chapter 93 Two Ladies

Hopper gently lifted the corner of her skirt with her right hand and placed her left hand in the knight's large, metal-gauntleted palm. The knight's movements were gentle yet polite, and with a gentle push of his palm, he provided just the right amount of support for Hopper, allowing her to smoothly and lightly jump off the truck bed.

After landing, the succubus, disguised as a human woman, turned and calmly examined the young knight. She knew full well that time in Hell flowed much the same as on the Material Plane. During her time in Hell, as she diligently advanced and studied, the knight had grown several inches taller, completely shedding his youthful immaturity. He had now matured into a capable warrior—at least, that was the appearance.

Hopper feigned clumsiness, swaying slightly before quickly regaining her balance and steadying herself. She certainly knew how to play the role of a traveling woman. She needed to project a respectable presence, possessing both independence and a woman's innocence and vulnerability. The world's stereotype was a veil of ugliness, a mask for her sinister intentions, a way to better integrate her into the world.

"Hopper of Veil Town thanks you, fearless and heroic knight." When necessary, the succubus could use her superb disguise skills to subtly add a girlish sweetness to her voice. After stabilizing herself, she gracefully and skillfully performed a standard curtsy, her gray, translucent veil well concealing her sly smile. "I wonder what name I should use to spread the word about your heroic deeds today?"

The knight was momentarily stunned by these words. Clearly, he had mistaken Hopper for a traveling prostitute—a euphemism for "prostitute." His upbringing had kept him polite. After all, in the mingled world of Emerald Harbor, who else, save a woman of the lower classes who sold her body for a living, would condescend to travel alone in a shabby donkey cart with other men?

But he quickly recovered and gave a proper and appropriate response to the lady's elegant question. He lifted his helmet, revealing a head of sweat-drenched brown hair that Hopper recognized very well. Then, with one arm folded across his chest, he bowed to her and said earnestly, "It is truly offensive to ask you to introduce yourself first. My name is Edim, from the Sassen family, and I currently serve as a captain of the peace under Sheriff Edmund."

Oh, then it seems my memory is still working. Isn't this that unfortunate little fellow from the Sassen family? I remember the Sassen family's territory was across the vast ocean from here. Could he have been driven out by his foolish sister? Hopper muttered to herself, but her face remained expressionless. She was still resentful of Claire's foolish behavior.

Hopper returned the greeting again, and after completing the tedious process of the knight and the lady getting to know each other, she pretended to suddenly remember something and anxiously said to Edim, "Respectable knight, please help the sister in the cart. She's been hurt by orcs."

Before Edim could make a move, the Red Feather Knight, who had been listening to their conversation with considerable interest, took action first. This knight was still young, fascinated by chivalric novels and legends. Today's rescue operation was a classic example of a hero saving a beautiful woman.

The Red Feather Knight leaped onto the cartbed in one swift step, bent down and offered his hand to the face-down lady in black. His polite voice carried a hint of youthful innocence: "Madam, I am Herwe of Frostrock Castle. Please allow me to help you to your feet."

The lady in black trembled slightly, clutching her hood tightly with both hands. She said in a trembling voice, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, brave knight. But please leave me alone for a while. I... I don't want to see anyone yet."

Knight Herve and the knight inspecting the orcs exchanged bewilderment, their eyes filled with confusion, clearly baffled by the black-clad woman's reaction. The native man beside them stammered, as if about to say something, but ultimately swallowed his words. For someone from the wilderness, it was wise for him to avoid getting involved in city dwellers' affairs that he couldn't fully grasp.

Hopper naturally understood the reason. The dwarfs and orcs were afraid of offending the knights, so they didn't dare to say anything. However, the succubus was not a considerate and kind girl. She pretended to be anxious and spoke again, "My dear girl, are you okay? The orcs just attacked you so hard. Let these kind knights take a look at your injuries."

When the two young knights heard that a lady had been hurt by orcs, they could no longer hold back. They squatted beside the lady in black, patiently and softly asking her what had happened, and kept urging her to let them help her up so that they could check her injuries.

Finally, the lady in black was soothed and her trembling slowly stopped. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, then slowly sat up, half leaning on Knight Herve's arm, one hand still tightly covering her face with a scarf, afraid that no one would see her face.

Edim glanced at Hopper suspiciously, his hand seemingly casually resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist. He turned his head sharply, staring intently at the woman in black. His gaze made the succubus' heart tighten. Although the knights of the Sassen family were a little slow in thinking, their intuition was truly terrifyingly accurate.

A silver light shone from Edimu's fingertips. In the bright summer afternoon sunlight, it wasn't noticeable, but the succubus felt a pang of apprehension, her heart trembling with fear. She keenly sensed a celestial aura within it, one that, for her, was deeply ominous. It seemed Edimu had her share of adventures over the years.

"Madam, where are you from? Are you injured?" Edim asked in a deep voice. The other two knights also reacted. They stood on the left and right, quietly surrounding the lady in black, their eyes full of vigilance.

The lady in black looked up, bewildered, helplessly at the three knights. She couldn't believe she had just endured the orcs' abuse, and now she was being questioned by her own people. However, over the years, she had grown accustomed to being treated differently, so she could only swallow the humiliation and say, "I am Judith of Emerald Harbor, Judith...Judith Green Harbor, a traveling poet. Honestly, kind knight, I look quite formidable. Could you please allow me to keep my veil on?"

Edim didn't speak, nor did he remove his hand from the hilt of his sword. He simply stared at her with a piercing gaze. Hopper watched coldly from the sidelines, chuckling inwardly. She knew that there were probably thousands of people named Green Harbor in Riyadan City, and it was not for any other reason than that all the illegitimate children in the city shared the same surname. Judith's self-introduction undoubtedly made her even more suspicious.

"It's alright, ma'am," Knight Hervey patiently advised. "We just wanted to make sure you weren't injured. Don't worry, we're all members of Emerald Harbor's security forces and we wouldn't laugh at you."

After hearing this, Judith's hands trembled slightly. After hesitating for a long time, she finally took off her veil slowly. As if she had given up on herself, she suddenly raised her head and exposed her ugly and unbearable face to the knights without reservation.

The three knights were all startled when they saw her face. Knight Hervey simply didn't cry out due to his upbringing, while the other knight subconsciously turned his head away, unable to bear the sight.

Only Edimu froze for a moment, then took two steps forward, the light from his fingertips growing brighter. Illuminated by the silver light, the bloody, throbbing wound on Judith's forehead healed at a visible speed. Soon, the wound vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

"Your injury is healed now, lady." The knight withdrew his hand and said calmly.

Chapter 94: The Stepping Stone is Called Beauty

Sheriff Edmund, who was sitting on his horse, had obviously noticed the little trouble here. He raised his voice and shouted, "Okay, boys, don't embarrass these two poor ladies anymore. They have just experienced a terrible thing and are quite frightened. Let them be quiet for a while."

When the two knights heard the sheriff's order, they immediately jumped off the carriage like frightened rabbits and hurried back to their horses. It was unclear whether they were afraid of Sheriff Edmund's majesty or Judith's shocking face.

But Edim did not move. He turned to face Hopper and said calmly and unquestionably, "Miss Hopper, please also remove your veil."

The other two knights seemed to sense the awkwardness in the air. One looked up at the sky, while the other seemed to take a sudden interest in his own reins. Sheriff Edmund didn't say anything to stop them, but silently cast his gaze at Hopper, a look of scrutiny in his eyes.

"Please don't do this," Judith said, carefully wiping away the tears of humiliation from the corners of her eyes, and then she covered her face with the veil again. "It's enough for me to endure this humiliation alone. There's really no need for you to make all the ladies here suffer this treatment."

"Oh huh? Trying to use the Knights to strike back at me?" Hopper's interest piqued. The rivalry and hostility in Baator were often more pronounced, and the devils weren't prone to falling out over trivial matters (they preferred to store up their hatred until the right moment to settle it all). These feminine intrigues were a truly fascinating spice to vacation life.

She turned to Edim without showing any sign of pleading, while the knight had a businesslike expression and showed no intention of giving her a way out.

"As you wish, Mr. Knight."

This time, Hopper took off the veil and the flower crown on her head. She closed her eyes, feeling the cool breeze blowing in her face, and tucked a strand of flying hair behind her ear.

As the demon had expected, the knights all let out a clear and audible gasp at the same time, followed by a few coughs to cover up their embarrassment.

Her dark hair contrasted with her clean face, making it look particularly pale. Hopper opened her eyes, and the sunlight shone into her cold pupils, reflecting tiny points of light that shone into the eyes of all who looked at her. And these glacial blue eyes, now filled with resentment and anger, stared directly at Edim.

At this moment, Edim seemed to have lost all his courtesy and maturity, turning back into a green and immature boy. One hand tightly grasped the hilt of the sword, while the other hand was at his side, not knowing where to put it.

Sheriff Edmund coughed lightly, perfectly capturing everyone's attention. He bowed slightly on his horse and said apologetically, "I'm deeply sorry for causing such offense to you two ladies. With the celebration approaching, we're conducting a thorough inspection of all visitors to prevent those shapeshifting monsters from sneaking into the city. We ask for your understanding."

The two ladies returned his greetings, quietly saying that cooperating with the inspection was their duty and that they wouldn't be angry. However, Hopper glared at Edim as he sat back in the carriage, while the young knight straightened his back and silently climbed onto his horse.

After seeing everyone seated again, Sheriff Edmund waved his hand decisively, his tone filled with unquestionable authority, and said, "To express our apologies and for your safety, we will escort you on the journey to Emerald Harbor."

The driver quickly stood up, a grateful smile on his face, and he thanked the sheriff profusely. The natives and the dwarf also looked relieved. As they continued on for a while, seeing the miserable state of the passengers on the two donkey carts ahead and the bodies of the robbers lying in disorder, their expressions changed to one of relief at having survived and gratitude to the sheriff.

The sun was setting, and the knights didn't bother burying the bodies and belongings. Instead, they directed the carters and natives to drag the unfortunate victims onto a still-standing cart. The last knight nimbly jumped onto the seat, whipped it expertly, and drove the donkey cart forward, while his own warhorse leisurely followed at the end of the procession.

The knight driving the carriage was several years older than Edim. His face was tanned and shiny from constant exposure to the elements, and his hands were covered in thick calluses, evidence of the hard work he'd endured. He sat casually on the seat, one leg dangling, a blade of grass dangling from his lips, his eyes fixed on Hopper with a bold, intense gaze. Even Judith sensed this gaze, and she shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid the knight's sight.

"Aaron of House Oriath, a pleasure to meet you, ma'am." As the two donkey carts approached, he bowed slightly and extended his hand to Hopper. Hopper smiled politely but didn't offer a hand in return. Emerald Harbor might not be as formal as the Imperial court, but for a lady, maintaining a certain reserve was still considered a virtue.

Knight Yaron was not discouraged. He naturally withdrew his hand, grasped the reins and gave them a light shake, allowing the donkey cart to continue moving forward steadily. Then he said casually, "I am truly sorry to have frightened you like this, ma'am. The orcs in Eagle's Nest have been getting increasingly restless lately."

"I've never heard of orcs from Eagle's Nest coming down the mountain to cause trouble in late summer." Judith was born in Emerald Harbor and was quite familiar with the area. She couldn't help but wonder, "Don't they usually only come down the mountain before the snow falls, to steal food?"

Aaron glanced at Judith, and when he saw Hopper was also looking at him, he turned his head and continued driving, answering casually, "Who knows? I heard they got a new chief, and that guy hates humans to the core. You're lucky. The raiding group we encountered today isn't the most brutal. Last week, a group of merchants heading to the wilderness weren't so lucky. In the end, only one half-orc servant was released alive. Archbishop Eichmann has already complained about this to the Lords' Council many times."

"I come from the remote town of Mist, and I've never heard of the name of this archbishop. Which god does he serve?" Hopper also joined the conversation. Out of her devilish instinct, she was always very sensitive to information about high-level people and would not miss any opportunity to learn more.

Knight Yaron smiled at her, then nodded at Edim's back and said, "Archbishop Eichmann is the spokesperson for the Perfect People in the Northern Continent. Since his arrival in Emerald Harbor, he has attracted many devout believers like Knight Edim. He and his followers all live near the Golden Dome Church in the Old Lighthouse District."

"The Perfect Man is the patron saint of mankind. He must be furious at these orcs who attack humans." As a poet, Judith had a wide range of knowledge. She quickly analyzed the bishop's possible attitude and interrupted.

"Who says it isn't? Lord Monte couldn't resist his repeated requests and has already dispatched five security teams to patrol the nearby mountain roads every day."

The blade of grass in the knight's mouth trembled slightly as he spoke. He didn't even turn around, but asked casually, "By the way, Miss Hopper, is there any urgent matter that brings you to Emerald Harbor? The journey from Mist Veil Town across the wasteland is fraught with dangers. It's not wise for your family to let you go alone."

Chapter 95 Refugees

Hopper did not directly respond to the knight's question. Instead, he took out a small jar only the size of two fingers from the leather bag beside him, carefully unscrewed it, and handed it to Aaron.

Those hands didn't belong to a lady who'd only ever held an embroidery needle. As the knight took the jar, his sharp eyes fell on Hopper's hands, and he immediately made an assessment. The backs of Ms. Hopper's hands were fair, but except for her little finger, which wore a silver ring, callouses formed at the bases of her other fingers. This woman must have spent considerable time indoors working, perhaps spinning or weaving.

The knight lowered his head, carefully examining the contents of the jar. It was a thick white ointment with a fresh, herbal scent. He leaned in and sniffed carefully, only to detect the scent of rosemary.

Hopper raised his voice slightly, as if extremely proud of the contents of the jar. "I developed this myself. It's very effective in removing facial acne, pustules, and scabies. It's made entirely of herbs, no magic involved. Do you think anyone in Emerald Harbor would be interested in this? The population of Mistveil is too small, and those willing to spend money on business are even rarer. I saved up money for a long time before finally deciding to try my luck south."

Aaron extended his hand, ready to hand the jar back. He wasn't sure if this supposed all-purpose abscess elixirs were truly as miraculous and effective as Hopper claimed, but he felt a surge of respect for the woman before him. After all, aside from adventurers wallowing in mud, it wasn't often that someone had the courage to venture out on their own. He said sincerely, "In my opinion, your appearance is your best selling point. No one would refuse the cosmetics you recommend."

Hopper's lips curled up into a perfectly composed smile, sensing the kindness in the knight's tone. Of course, she knew this was all just a carefully crafted mask. Disguise was a must-have for a succubus. Now, she was applying her knowledge of camouflage to create cosmetics, more than enough to handle the ladies of Emerald Harbor. Besides, women who could afford cosmetics wouldn't marry obscure commoners.

"You don't have to give it back. Please consider this my small token of gratitude for your bravery today," she said generously, catching Judith's gaze fixed on the jar. "A sheriff as brave as you certainly won't need these little trinkets. But perhaps one or two lucky ladies will receive this special gift from you."

Knight Aaron did not refuse politely. When he took the lid, he gently squeezed Hopper's hand - this was a subtle hint that the knights conveyed to the lady, meaning that he was willing to have further development with this lady.

Hopper smiled brightly at him, secretly channeling a bit of his own magic power. A faint blush appeared on Knight Aaron's tanned face, and he awkwardly pulled his legs back and resumed his upright sitting posture.

Seeing Ms. Hopper rummaging through her bag, Knight Aaron felt a mixture of relief and regret, and breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as if by magic, the woman pulled out a variety of small, exquisite bottles and jars from her bag, stuffing them all into Knight Aaron's arms.

She gripped the railing with one hand, leaning forward slightly, her veil hanging inches from the knight's face. She lowered her voice and said, "Could you please do me a favor and share these small gifts with the other sheriffs? I'm just a small herbalist from the countryside, and I'm really worried about saying the wrong thing in front of them. Especially Knight Edim, who looks so majestic, not as approachable as you. But I would feel guilty if I didn't express my gratitude."

Before Knight Aaron could even open his mouth to decline, the knight at the end of the group suddenly blew his horn. The resounding blast echoed through the forest, startling flocks of returning birds and drawing everyone's attention.

They were now on the final, sloping descent. As the trees on either side of the road thinned, the view opened up: neat fields stretched like a lush green carpet toward the distant horizon. At the far end, the city wall stretched like a thin black line between heaven and earth. As they hurried, the Supreme Sun in the sky quietly folded its golden wings, transforming into an orange-red egg. It would soon return to the embrace of the Lady of Darkness, awaiting the next day, gently awakened by the rosy dawn fairy, and once again soar across the heavens.

They weren't the only ones on the road. Many were riding in carriages, driving livestock, some with young children, and even some on foot, all marching ahead of them. At the sound of the horn, everyone hurriedly raised their reins, tightly grasped their families, and quickly moved to the sides of the road, fearing the merciless trampling of the warhorses. Their fear stemmed not only from the knights' power, but also from the bodies strewn across the carts, silently signaling danger and death, filling them with dread.

In reality, by this point, they were already in safe territory; the orcs would certainly not dare to rob so close to Emerald Harbor. However, perhaps out of the knights' generosity, perhaps because they considered the two single women aboard, or perhaps because of Hopper's small gift, the sheriffs didn't bid farewell to the caravan, instead allowing it to continue its journey at a close distance.

The knight who had just blown the horn was still at the rear of the group. Perhaps because they were nearing their destination, he was in high spirits and had begun to hum softly. Judith, as if suddenly remembering her poetic identity, hurriedly picked up her lute, glanced nervously around, and then began to pluck the strings, following the horn-blowing knight's song.

Gradually, Judith immersed herself in the world of music, regaining her confidence and composure. She even opened her mouth and began to sing. Her voice, though trembling slightly, was sweet and melodious, forming a strange contrast with her appearance. Later, the knight even stopped singing to listen to her solo.

Hopper, however, had no interest in the music. She had always shown little interest in music. Her attention was drawn to the undiminished crowd around her and the increasing number of carriages and tents in the fields. With her keen observation, she quickly spotted the characteristics of these people.

"Lord Yaron, in my hometown, Emerald Harbor is synonymous with wealth and prosperity." Hopper carefully chose his words, skillfully concealing his doubts and keen observations. "Are these people, like me, here to provide services for Emerald Harbor?"

Knight Aaron shook his head. He had already put on his helmet when he approached these people. His voice, now muffled, came through the helmet. "No, Miss Hopper. Haven't you noticed? Most of these people are humans. They are refugees frightened by the orcs of Eagle's Nest, seeking guidance from Archbishop Eichmann."

Chapter 96: Herbs and Whips

As they approached the city gate, the number of refugees along the way increased, bustling and filling both sides of the road. Aaron glanced at the donkey cart and was about to remind them when he saw that Hopper had already put on the hood of her cloak, revealing her entire face with a pair of eyes hidden in the shadows.

From its inception, Emerald Harbor faced two threats: pirates from the sea and monsters hurled down from the steep mountains to the north. Although successive rulers have expanded their territories northward over the centuries, extending their territory considerably, the main city still retains its deep moat and heavy drawbridge. A team of soldiers in leather armor and green smocks meticulously interrogated every person attempting to enter the city. Such a rigorous inspection process undoubtedly significantly slowed entry and exit, and a vast swarm of refugees thronged the drawbridge, their eyes filled with anticipation and anxiety, eagerly hoping to enter the city and find a safe haven.

Sheriff Edmund pulled down his mask, raised his left fist, and issued a silent command. Knight Edim, walking beside him, and the Bugle Knight at the end of the column immediately understood and quickly raised their pennants. Then, the Bugle Knight blew his resounding horn again. The passionate blast echoed in the air, and the surrounding crowd dispersed like a tide, actively making way for a passage. Even the soldiers busy checking at the drawbridge.

"Thank you again, my good sirs," the driver whispered to Knight Hervey, his face filled with sincerity and gratitude. "If it weren't for your kindness, we would have to wait a long time in this wilderness before we could even enter the city."

Knight Hervey didn't even turn his head, his eyes fixed on the crowd around him, maintaining a high level of vigilance, constantly on guard against any sudden attack. He simply replied casually, "Don't worry, you are merchants from afar, coming to bring glory to the city. Emerald Harbor welcomes anyone who contributes to its well-being. These people are simply frightened by rumors. The orcs will never leave the mountains."

Refugees, orcs, and knights—the city was filled with the aura of power and domination. Hopper couldn't help but narrow her eyes. Her devilish instincts stirred an irrepressible excitement within her, like a shark smelling blood.

Just as they were about to reach the drawbridge, a commotion broke out in the crowd. A panicked woman holding a child suddenly rushed towards Sheriff Edmund, shouting.

"Please, please, kind knight, for the sake of the perfect man, save my child!" The woman fell to her knees and cried. The baby in her arms had a red face, but could only make a faint, kitten-like cry, appearing very weak.