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墨書 Inktalez
The pitch-black sky heralded the approaching dawn, and it was the darkest hour of the night.
In a secluded area overgrown with weeds, a young man dressed in light armor and carrying a dagger quickly emerged from within.
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
After not detecting any abnormalities, he swiftly returned to the thicket and used his dagger to clear away the surrounding weeds, revealing a hidden passage.
He lightly tapped the entrance with his dagger, and the hollow sound echoed inside.
Before long, the sound of hooves and wheels slowly approached from the passage.
This was a desolate forest located far outside Tear Town, part of Green Territory.
After more than two hours of walking in darkness, the fleeing group finally reached the passage.
The crisp air outside gave Freya's weary spirit a slight jolt.
In the middle of the group, Baron sat on his horse, squinting as he looked back toward the distance, which was in the direction of Green Castle.
Saladin had made Green Castle his main battlefield, so Tear Town was relatively safe for now.
Freya glanced at everyone under a few stars; they all appeared exhausted.
The journey's strain combined with the mental pressure from behind had worn even the most battle-hardened warriors down a bit.
A faint sound indicated someone had taken out flint to light a torch, and suddenly red flames illuminated the surroundings.
Only seventy or eighty people had escaped from such a large castle, which left everyone feeling uneasy.
Turning back, Baron scanned this still sizable group with an icy gaze that exuded authority even now. Once everyone had emerged from the passage and their eyes were fixed on him, he paused for a moment before speaking loudly.
"Tonight, Saladin's people have already destroyed Green Castle! And you all know a bit about this country's situation. Now we must leave immediately, leave this country, perhaps never to return. If you want to leave with us, come along; if not, take some valuables and leave on your own!"
The loud voice stirred the crowd around him. Some loyal confidants of the Baron untied the ropes of a cart at his signal, revealing several large chests inside. Besides the castle's treasury, there was also gold sent by Berta.
Soon, some guards voluntarily put down their weapons and approached the cart. After receiving some coins, they turned and left.
Once the first move was made, the remaining people began to act slowly as well.
The Baron remained expressionless, showing no emotion, simply watching as one person after another took the money and quickly departed.
Eric, still an ordinary person, had fallen asleep on the cart due to fatigue and stress.
Freya did not pay attention to those leaving; she dismounted and walked over to a cart filled with miscellaneous items, searching for a map of the area around Green Castle.
She studied it closely by the firelight.
She was still in her white gown from the ball, but it had been significantly damaged due to the battle, losing its elegance.
The Cross Sword was placed beside her, her hair casually draped over her back, and her youthful face bore an expression of concentration.
At that moment, no one would regard Freya as just a lively girl; despite being only fourteen years old, most people looked at her with awe.
She was currently analyzing and determining the route that this ragtag group would take next.
Suddenly, a delicate figure appeared in front of her, blocking the light of the flames. It was Eli.
Freya looked up and saw Eli smiling slightly.
"What is it, Eli?"
"Sister... I..." Eli lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
"What is it?" Seeing her personal maid acting unusually shy made Freya furrow her brow and ask again.
At that moment, a young stranger who had been watching the two from a distance quickly walked over and directly took Eli's hand.
Freya quietly observed the young man who had suddenly approached. She noticed that he was holding a clever burlap sack, which glimmered with a golden hue through the gaps.
"Freya, I am Leta, Eli's... husband..." The young man slightly flushed as he spoke the last two words, then steadied himself and continued, "Although it is quite regrettable to come at this time, we have decided... not to follow you anymore. I have an uncle in Piercordy City, which is under the Petty Alliance's territory and will not be disturbed by the Saracens, so..."
Before Leta, the Guard Member, could finish, Freya smiled and interrupted him.
"I understand; this is your choice. Green Castle is no more, and I am not really a sister. You will follow the path you have chosen. I am actually quite happy about it; I just hope you can take good care of Eli and not let her suffer."
Her somewhat mature words made the two young people, who were almost her age, nod in agreement.
Leta embraced Eli and said solemnly, "I will not let Eli suffer even a little. I swear by the name of Freya Green and the Castle Guard!"
"Mm!" Freya nodded and waved her hand to signal them to leave, then lowered her head to continue studying the map.
Just as Leta was turning to leave while holding Eli's hand, Eli suddenly broke free from his grasp and turned to deeply bow to the serious-looking girl, her eyes red as if she was about to cry.
Leta gently patted Eli's shoulder and half-pulled her away as they disappeared into the darkness with those who had received their share of goods.
With a slight sigh, Freya carefully put away the map and looked around.
At this moment, the original group of seventy or eighty people had dwindled to just over twenty, and more than half of the wealth on the cart had been distributed.
The remaining individuals were either loyal confidants of the Baron or solitary Guard Members without families; even some relatives who had sought refuge with the Baron had left cleanly.
The Baron sat on a nearby rock, watching his loyal followers tidy up the remaining belongings, lost in thought.
This man, who had always appeared strong and cold in Freya's eyes, now seemed like a fruit with its hard shell cracked open, revealing its soft flesh.
"Father." Freya approached the Baron and squatted down, resting her head on his lap.
Warm hands gently stroked Freya's hair. After a long while, the Baron let out a heavy sigh and spoke softly.
"I'm fine now, Freya, let's go!"
"Okay!"
The sturdy figure slowly stood up, and Baron blinked his eyes, his determined gaze sweeping over the remaining people. In the only carriage still occupied, Eric and Howard Bailey were still asleep.
Damsdin, having regained some strength after a period of recuperation, rode his warhorse up to Baron and spoke loudly.
"My lord, we are ready and prepared to depart at any time!"
"Good!" Baron nodded and said loudly, "Everyone mount up, we are leaving this place!"
Hearing Baron's command, Freya was the first to walk over to her horse and nimbly climbed onto it.
Amidst the faint sounds, the briefly halted convoy began to move slowly.
At this moment, the dark night sky had already brightened; in the east, a red dawn gradually emerged.
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