Chapter Thirty-Nine: Drumming Up Enthusiasm

  "Have you eaten?"

  Deane smiled as he looked at this thin militia captain.

  "Uh, my appetite is not big to begin with, and... if I keep arguing, I'm afraid I'll need to take a break in bed!" Aike rubbed his own swollen eye sockets, wryly saying, "These guys knew how to hold back at first, but now they're all red-eyed! Luckily, from the previous scramble with the captain, their physical strength was depleted by more than half, or else something would have definitely happened!"

  As he spoke, the lean militia captain looked at Dean with a hint of admiration - in fact, Aike had already guessed some of his battalion commander's intentions.

  Anyone with a little insight and cleverness will guess such intention.

  Ai Ke was a rare person among young people who had both insight and wisdom.

  "This isn't what I thought! It's that Jade Emperor!"

  Dien said frankly.

  "It's actually that female grand duke!"

  Aik exclaimed, "Obviously, even in a remote place like Tiel, the name of the Jade Grand Duchess is not unheard of. There are countless admirers, so almost subconsciously, Aik asked, "Captain, do you know this Grand Duchess?"

  "I haven't met her before, but I really admire her!"

  Dein shook his head - although the reunion with the Grand Duchess was inevitable, but now, without having seen her, Dein would absolutely not be ambiguous about such things again.

  To know that once the inconsistent message is spread out, that serious female grandmaster will definitely conduct a thorough investigation.

  But now Dean can't afford to be investigated, if he is investigated, there will definitely be flaws, and even, it will cause the Duchess's disgust.

  After all, others dislike insincere people.

  And this was absolutely what Dean did not want to see.

  "Is that so!"

  It's clear that Aike is a bit disappointed, after all, in his eyes, the Dean in front of him is a big shot, and even such a big shot hasn't seen the Duke of Feicui with his own eyes, so how could he, such a small person, possibly see him?

  However, the thin and weak militia captain soon came to his senses. He remembered why he had temporarily left the scramble for food.

  In an instant, Aike retracted his extra emotions and reported in a very formal tone: "Captain, something big has happened in Tiel Town!"

  "What's wrong?"

  Dean already knew what it was and asked seriously at this moment - he didn't mind knowing more detailed news.

  "That Moldavian tax collector is dead, the Baron is searching all over town for members of the Thieves' Guild, and a merchant from the South has also fallen victim to foul play, but it's not known whether it was the work of the Thieves' Guild or local thieves from Tyrol, rumor has it that this southern merchant was quite wealthy!"

  Aike detailed his report on everything he had heard at 'Snow Bear's Home'.

  "This kind of thing actually happened!"

  Dean's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and his fingers lightly tapped on the armrest of the chair. As the "ding ding" sound echoed, the entire hall gradually quieted down - the young people's scramble for food had almost come to an end, everyone was bruised but their bellies were full, except for a few greedy ones who continued to fight over the remaining food.

  However, as the silence in the hall grew, the crisp knocking sound came, and they also quieted down, subconsciously following their companion's line of sight, seeing their own team leader frowning and thinking deeply, and Ek on the side with a similarly heavy expression.

  Such a scene, even if you don't ask, you know something's gone wrong.

  At this time, the young militiamen would not be particular, immediately tidied up - of course, do not expect to dress up, the tidying here is simply a simple gesture, patting off the dust on their bodies.

  Then, young people walked in front of Dean.

  Looking at the militia standing in front of him, Dean nodded secretly in his heart - he was glad that the militia near Til's territory were hunters by origin, who knew how to be truly vigilant when facing danger; rather than real farmers, who would only be bewildered and at a loss when faced with danger.

  If it's really the latter, he wants to rely on such a lineup to participate in a war, then it can only be praying to heaven.

  "Aike, tell everyone about it!"

  Deane nodded towards his militia commander.

  Upon hearing Dean's order, the thin and weak militia captain immediately spoke in more detail, recounting to Dean what he had previously said.

  At that moment, the young people all let out a low cry. It was clear that many of them had respect for Mold; because on their faces appeared a hint of sorrow.

  Whether they were deceived by Mold's acting skills or the blind confidence of young people, it all boils down to their simplicity at heart.

  Facing such simple and young people, Dean subconsciously thought of his former self - what was the difference between him back then and these young people in front of him?

  Unconsciously, Dean let out a soft sigh.

  It was obvious that as the leader of these young people at this moment, Dean's every move was attracting everyone's attention, and this sigh was no exception.

  Dean would not tell these young people what he was sighing about, even if they were simple and honest; after all, some secrets, once revealed, had to be taken to the grave.

  "Mr. Mold, is a very good person, and has great prospects, but..."

  Saying so, Dean shook his head again, looking distressed.

  "Yes, Lord Moldr will be heading to Woban City in two days to receive his 'Knight's Baptism'!"

  The slender militia captain also sighed, and the other young people who heard the news were also regretful - it was clear that for these young people, a "knight" was an unattainable great figure; and now, someone who might have become such a great figure had died in this way.

  It's really not worth it!

  Looking at the young people in front of him, Dean couldn't help but sigh again at their simplicity. He was slightly waiting - for a damned person like himself, Dean wouldn't be overly sad, but he still cared about the feelings of these young people. So, after waiting for a moment until the emotions of the young people had calmed down, Dean asked again: "Aik, do you have any more news about those thief guilds and bandits?"

  "No, Baron has sealed off the town. Except for us, only patrolling soldiers can enter and exit. All townspeople and merchants have been ordered to stay in their rooms. Uncle Hack is also temporarily joining the search team because his guest was murdered, but... nothing has been found!"

  The frail militia captain finally showed a helpless expression, while the young people around him were at a loss for what to do, clearly also without a clue - letting a small group of young people make decisions on matters of life and death is obviously forcing them to be strong.

  So, young people's eyes turned to Dean once again.

  Undoubtedly, everything Dean did before has now paid off a bit - at least young people are willing to believe in Dean at this critical moment.

  Of course, the relationship between superiors and subordinates is not to be ignored, but more of it is Dean's extraordinary background and extensive knowledge that are playing a role at this time.

  Feeling the gaze of young people seeking help, Dean didn't say anything at first. He gently tapped the armrest of the chair again...

  Clang, clang, clang......

  The crisp knocking sound became the only clear sound audible in the entire hall.

  Those young militiamen looked at their commander who was deep in thought, and unconsciously held their breath, as if they were afraid of disturbing him.

  The knocking sound gradually disappeared afterwards.

  At this moment, all the militiamen perked up their ears.

  "The town of Teal has entered a state of complete curfew, but to no avail, with only two possibilities!" Dean said, raising two fingers. "Firstly, they are hiding too deeply, so deep that even Baron can't dig them out; however, I reserve my skeptical attitude towards this; as for the second one..."

  Dean gazed at the young subordinate in front of him, deliberately drawing out his tone, saying word by word - Some things don't need to be said by yourself, and it's more convincing when they are said from someone else's mouth.

  "They escaped?!"

  The two militia captains almost simultaneously exclaimed, the young militiamen around them were stunned for a moment, but then fell into deep thought, and the changing expressions on their faces told Dean that they believed this statement.

  "Although I don't want to admit it, but in my opinion, this possibility is the greatest!"

  Dean nodded, steering the conversation towards his own plan. Then, with a serious tone and clear enunciation, he said: "So, as the Knights of Tuir, we can't just sit back and do nothing - even if it's for those innocent people who died. After all, this time the bandits only targeted what they thought was valuable, but if we don't put a stop to it soon, they'll become more and more brazen. By then, when they choose their targets, they won't care; and by that time... your parents, brothers, sisters, may all become their targets!"

  Looking at the militiamen in front of him whose faces had changed color, Dean took a deep breath and continued to stir up the emotions of these young people: "In the face of these bandits, we retreat and give in, only our loved ones will be harmed; so... if these guys are really around us, we must take them down!"

  "Take them down!"

  "Take them down!"

  Young people deliberately led by Dean suddenly shouted in unison.

  My laptop, which is already in a bad state, has gotten water inside again... All my data and stuff are inside... It's been a series of mishaps. Originally, I had planned to update 4 chapters, but now I'll have to delay it for a bit. Consider this an IOU to everyone. After my laptop is fixed, I'll rush to make up for the lost time~~~ Finally, I'm begging for your support again~~~