Chapter 274: Do You Want to Save Her?

"Trouble? I had no idea!" Gervas smiled faintly, shaking his head.

Hulton could never stand such pretense.

Even if the other was a noble.

Fine, you oppressed us back in the kingdom—but now?

I've escaped to the Chaos Wastes, and soon I'll be leader of a settlement of a hundred thousand.

If I still let you oppress me now, what kind of leader am I?

His eyes blazed with malice: "Damned nobles! Since you've chosen this terrible path, Hulton will oblige you! Boys, teach him a lesson—"

"L-Lord!"

Just as Hulton was about to finish, his subordinate interrupted him.

"What?!" Hulton was furious.

He'd mustered all his courage—this interruption would shatter his momentum.

"L-Lord, look up!"

Hulton slowly raised his head.

"Rapidwing cavalry? This… this can't be! He's just a viscount!" Hulton couldn't believe it.

"Who says a viscount can't own Rapidwings?!" Gervas still smiled.

Hulton gritted his teeth: "Noble, even if you have Rapidwings, they're not griffon knights! Your men are too few! If we capture you, I won't fear your Rapidwings—"

"L-Lord!"

Again, the subordinate's voice. Hulton flinched, mid-threat: "What now?!"

This time, his question held no anger—after the last incident, he was wary.

Sure enough: "Lord, look over there…"

Following his subordinate's gesture, he turned left.

At least two hundred fully armed soldiers were advancing rapidly—clearly preparing to encircle them.

"L-Lord, there—there's more over there too!"

A trembling voice came from the right.

He turned right—another two hundred elite soldiers, equally poised to encircle him.

"This… this…"

"So, Hulton, fugitive—do you still think your men outnumber mine?"

"I…" Hulton's face flushed crimson, then pale.

Of course, he wasn't stupid. His eyes darted. "Everyone—retreat!"

Before anyone could react, he sprinted toward the rear cart.

His men took a moment to register—then screamed in terror: "Ahh! Kingdom soldiers! Run!"

The three hundred men of Hulton's settlement broke into a panicked flight.

Only then did Gervas calmly wave to Lei Meng and the others.

Soon, wails and screams echoed from the front.

Many of Hulton's fleeing soldiers were impaled on lances.

The pursuit lasted five or six minutes—half of Hulton's men lay dead.

As for the rest, Mi Gen and the others wanted them exterminated—but Gervas didn't order it.

Simple reason: if he wiped out Hulton's men, the Mick settlement could return to the Chaos Wastes.

Besides, Hulton was a Silver Knight. If pushed too far, he might actually beat Lei Meng.

But if he tried to flee? High chance of success.

So scaring him off was enough.

…

After Hulton's pursuers fled, the Mick settlement survivors remained gloomy.

They knew well: falling into a noble's hands wouldn't guarantee mercy.

The only advantage now? Death might come quicker.

Nobles loved killing—but without personal grudges, they usually just beheaded or hanged.

Now, each fugitive bowed his head, avoiding Gervas's gaze.

Gervas scanned the Mick settlement survivors, inwardly elated.

Damn! Gervas silently marveled.

No wonder this was a fifty-thousand-person settlement—among these fugitives were five titled knights.

Though, aside from Mick, all were Bronze Knights.

And their aura felt weaker than any Bronze Knight he'd ever encountered—nearly half as strong.

Still, they were all transcendent.

"Fugitives—who's your leader?" Gervas asked, expressionless.

The women and children trembled.

The few remaining men—all Bronze titled knights—looked to Mick.

But Mick, cradling his dying daughter, wept uncontrollably, oblivious to everything else.

"Noble… my lord, Mick is our leader. We meant no offense—we were merely fleeing Hulton, seeking refuge in the kingdom!" Mac stepped forward cautiously.

Nobles had terrible tempers.

If angered, he might order them all executed on the spot.

"Seeking refuge in the kingdom?" Gervas sounded amused. "You're fugitives. Do you know that?"

"Yes, my lord. We know we're guilty of death—but we had no choice but to flee to the Chaos Wastes. Now, we beg your mercy—let us become your serfs again."

"Huh? You want to become serfs again?" Gervas feigned surprise.

"Yes, my lord. We beg you to grant us this chance. We'll obey you faithfully, till the land, pay taxes!"

"Knights with aura energy want to farm for me? Do you think I'll believe that? Aren't you just trying to survive this, then slip back to the Chaos Wastes?" Gervas looked skeptical.

In truth, he already believed them.

The women and children beside him were proof enough.

Even in desperation, they hadn't abandoned their children or wives—they loved their families.

Not the kind who'd discard their wives to save themselves.

Such men always put their wives and children first.

"My lord, we swear by the gods—we truly wish to become your serfs. If we lie, let the gods strike us down!"

"Is that so? Since you're so sincere, I'll reluctantly believe you—for now."

"From this moment on, remember: I, Gervas Gale, Lord of Stormhold, formally accept your allegiance!"

"From now on, you are my serfs. Work honestly, pay your taxes faithfully—and I guarantee your safety, your survival. Understood?"

"Y-You're the Lord of Stormhold?!" Mac and the others were stunned and overjoyed.

"You've heard of me?"

"Y-Yes, my lord. We heard of your mercy on the road—that's why we came to Stormhold!"

"Fine," Gervas nodded, as if it meant nothing.

Mac and the others wasted no time: "Quick! All of you—greet the Lord!"

All surviving members of the Mick settlement gathered before Gervas and knelt.

"We greet our Lord!"

Gervas nodded in satisfaction—then Ifflan stepped forward, whispering something in his ear.

Gervas turned his gaze to Mick and his daughter.

"My lord…"

Mac opened his mouth to speak—but Gervas raised a hand to stop him. He walked toward the father and daughter.

Mick felt Gervas standing before him. He looked up, dazed.

His eyes were hollow, as if his soul had been drained.

Without a word, he lowered his head again, gazing tenderly at the dying Rebena.

"Want to save her?"