touchnovel Chapter 156 A Desolate City
Chapter 156 A Desolate City
Chapter 156 A Desolate City
For the merchants of Twin Harbor, it's just a rumor at the moment.
Therefore, although many chambers of commerce have left for risk aversion, local residents are not easily moved away.
That is to say, they are already like birds startled by the twang of a bow.
However, unlike chambers of commerce, ordinary people cannot leave their hometowns at will, and the Corps also issued a notice in an attempt to appease them.
These circumstances were also important reasons why the Corps decided to continue the search.
"Therefore, the key is to 'confirm the rumors as facts.'"
Kane pondered to himself.
"A massive explosion, big enough to be witnessed by the whole city, will be the best evidence of the war between Nord and Sussas."
At that time, no matter how the military corps and the sheriff try to refute the rumors, the panic sweeping the entire city will drive people to flee.
"That's the best opportunity for us to escape in the chaos."
"Moreover," he went on to elaborate.
"A large-scale exodus will inevitably lead to a sharp decline in tax revenue, and the royal court will certainly not sit idly by."
Under pressure from the royal family to hold them accountable, the current lockdown may be lifted ahead of schedule.
Kane made up his mind, then turned around and boarded a boatman's boat under Sofia's watchful gaze.
Then they headed towards the Duke Eisenberg's Merchant Guild headquarters.
He had transformed into a human, but thanks to the disguise technique, his appearance was vastly different from that on the wanted poster.
Sofia sighed, a hint of worry in her eyes.
She gazed at the soldiers of the military corps who were still blocking the river, and the merchant ships of the Chamber of Commerce that were leaving the port, and sighed inwardly.
"Twin Harbors—no, the entire Kingdom of Susas is about to descend into complete chaos."
""
Sophia frowned as she recalled the series of events that Kane's arrival had triggered.
"Perhaps I should request headquarters to relocate my base."
The river is now sparsely populated, a far cry from its former bustling activity.
The half-elf boatman carrying Kane rowed his oars and let out a heavy sigh.
Kane asked, "What's wrong?"
The boatman shook his head: "There are fewer and fewer customers like you. Many people have left Twin Port, the whole port has become deserted, and our income has been affected."
Kane remained silent.
This desolate scene was one of the anticipated consequences of his planned initiatives, inevitably impacting the lives of ordinary people.
But he remained silent for only a moment, showing little remorse.
If Duke Eisenberg's plot succeeds and he uses the power of demons to overthrow the royal court, then the entire Kingdom of Susas will face annihilation.
At that time, war will rage everywhere, and lives will be lost; the word "depression" is far from sufficient to describe the situation.
"It will be alright."
Kane spoke, his voice steady, as if stating a fact.
"The lockdown will be lifted in a while, and the chambers of commerce that left will return."
The boatman forced a smile, taking it as a consolation: "I hope it's as you say."
The ship docked. Kane left two silver coins, and without waiting for change, got up and left.
"Sir, you've given too much!" the boatman shouted from behind.
Kane didn't turn around, he just waved his hand.
The boatman looked at the extra silver coin in his hand, then at the empty river, and a bittersweet sense of relief appeared on his face.
"Take a break for now, and come out again when things settle down."
The scene in front of the Duke of Eisenberg's trading post was slightly different from the deserted port.
The building itself is not ostentatious, but the heavy marble material and the huge warehouse at the back silently demonstrate its privilege and power.
As a property of a duke, it enjoyed extensive tax exemptions, an advantage that was difficult for ordinary merchants to attain.
At this moment, more than a dozen adventurers gathered at the entrance of the stronghold, surrounding a man who appeared to be in charge and asking him something, their expressions urgent.
The guards maintaining order were dressed and looked much like the adventurers, suggesting they were also recently recruited.
Kane was about to go straight in when he was stopped by a stout adventurer.
"Hey bro, want to apply for a bodyguard job? Get in line at the back."
He pointed to the long queue.
"Guards?"
Kane's mind raced, recalling the strange recruitment mission previously called the "Duke's Guard," and he tentatively asked, "Not the Duke's direct guard?"
The portly adventurer scoffed, lowering his voice, "What are you thinking! Those are true elites, at least top-tier first-level experts, some even second-tier powerhouses. Why would they openly recruit like this?"
He glanced at Kane's simple equipment, his tone carrying a hint of shared misery.
"People like us are lucky if we can even get a job as a guard in the Chamber of Commerce."
Kane scanned the ranks, understanding the situation perfectly.
Most of these adventurers were poorly equipped, and although their hands were calloused, their aura was mixed. Most of them could not even be considered formal professionals, but were at most apprentices.
Even among the few who have made it into the professional ranks, their equipment doesn't suggest they're doing very well.
The chamber of commerce, however, is recruiting such people on a large scale.
"Why are so many people applying for the Chamber of Commerce's bodyguard positions?" Kane asked.
"You're not from around here, are you?" the fat adventurer glanced at him and leaned closer to ask.
"The rumors of the Nords attacking are getting stronger and stronger. The wealthy and powerful merchant guilds have all hired experts to escort them to safety. Who will hire someone like us who has neither money nor much ability?"
"I can't go far, so I can only try my luck here. At least I have some income, and maybe I'll be sent to a safer inland city."
"Sent to an inland city?"
"Yes, I recognize a few of them. They were recruited recently and I heard they were assigned to different places."
The fat adventurer scratched his head and lowered his voice.
"But strangely enough, after they left, many people lost contact with them."
The number of letters returned was pitifully small, and it was unclear what they were actually doing.
Kane's heart sank completely.
Things were more serious and audacious than he had anticipated.
The duke clearly did not learn from his previous failure; instead, he expanded the scope of his "gathering."
They didn't even spare these low-level, large-scale apprentice-level adventurers.
Recruited under various pretexts and then sent to "various places" —
Where exactly were they sent? And what did they become?
If those missing adventurers have all undergone the "Sacred Mark Ritual" transformation, then just how many demons are currently hidden under the Duke's command?
Even the lowest level of Quassamon?
It should be noted that even for ordinary professionals, Quassamo is difficult to deal with.
Kane didn't say anything more, nodded slightly to the fat adventurer, and walked straight past the group into the merchant guild.
"Hey, you—"
The fat adventurer was about to say something when he saw Kane talking to a merchant guild manager behind him, who then politely led him inside.
He paused, clicked his tongue, and muttered with a hint of envy, "So there are connections after all—"
He then patted his empty purse and continued to wait patiently in the queue.