Chapter 233: Forced Evacuation
The people, already anxious from losing their homes and loved ones, immediately crowded around upon hearing the two men speak, demanding to know what had happened. One of the men, his voice rough with exhaustion, declared, “I am the son of Doctor Dilan Charlton from Bumblewick. My father went out on a medical visit last night and has not returned. Fearing something had happened to him, I settled my affairs and took my younger brother to search for him. We ran through the city all night, but all we saw were King Kamari’s soldiers stationed at his residence. He gave no orders for disaster relief, and every granary was heavily guarded.”
He suddenly turned to Hector, eyes burning with anger. “Mr. Maximum, don’t deceive us. You just came from the granary yourself. King Kamari refuses to open them and wants us to starve, right?”
The crowd gasped in shock. They stared at Hector, demanding the truth. Hector was momentarily speechless; he didn’t know how to calm them.
As the tense standoff continued, an officer rushed in with a report. “Sir, the County Princess of Cromwell, Isolde, has arrived with Lord Doug Becker and General Kolton Sharp to assist. Marshal Garrett has also delivered military rations for the disaster victims as an emergency relief measure!”
A wave of relief surged through Hector. He knew the County Princess had stationed herself with three thousand troops at East Bridge. Rumors about the heavy rain also originated from her group; she was following imperial orders to aid the displaced people. Her failure to enter the city was likely due to Kamari's intervention. But none of that mattered now; his people would finally have food.
Without hesitation, he raised his hand and commanded, “Let’s go welcome the County Princess.”
As Hector watched the three thousand soldiers march through the storm, their armor drenched by the pouring rain, he saw Isolde, Kolton, and Doug, soaked but resolute. The day’s hardships weighed on him, and his heart filled with emotion. Stepping forward, he bowed deeply. “Welcome Your Highness, Lord Becker, and General Sharp.”
Isolde reached out, clasping his hand firmly. With solemn determination, she said, “Mr. Maximus, there’s no need for formalities. The people need us; let’s act swiftly.”
Warmth surged through Hector’s chest. His throat tightened, and for the first time in a long while, he struggled to contain his emotions. The victims were elated at the arrival of the Royal Court troops. Isolde capitalized on their enthusiasm, mobilizing stronger villagers to assist in the rescue efforts.
She knew the heavy rain had destabilized the mountains. Swift action was crucial; landslides could bury entire villages. Determined to prevent such a tragedy, she swiftly evacuated villagers before the mountains could collapse. Those who refused were forcibly removed by her soldiers. Many cursed her, but she disregarded their protests. Despite her efforts, some remained stubbornly resistant.
On the second night after the Royal Court’s army joined the disaster relief efforts, the villagers of Rustwood Village were to be evacuated. A disaster was imminent; reports indicated the entire village would be buried, leaving no survivors. If this happened, Hector would be held responsible and stripped of his official position.
The disaster was predicted for 1 AM on August 23rd. It was now 12 PM on August 22nd—just over an hour remained. Isolde had searched for the village since yesterday, but massive boulders blocked the mountain road. After continuous clearing, she finally reached the village at 9 PM.
However, upon hearing of the planned evacuation, the village chief flew into a rage. He argued that their village had endured countless storms without incident; abandoning their homes was unthinkable. Hector tried to persuade the villagers, but the chief stubbornly refused to leave.
Seeing time running out, Isolde gave the order: “Those who are willing to leave, go now. Tie up those who refuse, load them onto the ox carts, and take them out.”
For a dignified village chief to be tied up and taken away on an ox cart was immensely humiliating. The people of Rustwood naturally opposed this; their chief was also the clan leader, a highly respected figure of authority. Upon hearing he was to be bound, the young men clenched their fists, ready to fight the soldiers.
Isolde assessed the situation. A fight would be disastrous. Rustwood numbered in the thousands, while the soldiers who had entered the mountains were only about a hundred. Hector pulled Isolde aside and whispered, “County Princess, Rustwood is a village of martial artists. Even the women here know how to fight. If this turns into a brawl, we’ll be at a disadvantage.”
“Martial artists?” Isolde glanced at the young men, their physiques strong and well-trained. Even the panting, angry village chief possessed youthful vigor; his stomp left a deep imprint in the ground.
“Since they are martial artists, they should respect the way of combat. The strongest should have the final say.” Isolde strode up to the village chief and said firmly, “I have long heard of your great martial prowess, respected not only in Rustwood but throughout Zloimond. But today, the lives of your villagers are at stake. I may be overestimating myself, but I challenge the warriors of Rustwood. If I win, you will leave with me immediately. If I lose, I will take my people and depart. Do we have a deal?”
“A challenge?” The village chief chuckled, looking at her with disdain. “Little girl, I don’t know who you are, but if you’re challenging the warriors of Rustwood, you are truly overestimating yourself.”
“I understand. Please, give me a chance. If I lose, I will leave the mountains immediately,” Isolde said respectfully.
The village chief had no interest in wasting words. Rustwood had existed for hundreds of years; life had always been good. No natural disaster had ever significantly harmed their village. He had no reason to believe in this so-called landslide. He simply wanted these outsiders gone.
He agreed. “Fine. To avoid being accused of bullying a young girl, you can pick any woman to fight you?”
Isolde shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the young men. She finally chose a man standing six feet tall, his build solid and powerful.
“Pick someone else. You won’t even last two moves against him,” the village chief said grimly. He didn’t want people to think the warriors of Rustwood bullied women.
Isolde remained firm. “I choose him.”
At that moment, the heavy rain eased slightly, but the slanting wind still howled, carrying raindrops that blurred their vision.
The man Isolde chose was Gerald, Rustwood’s most skilled martial artist. He had participated in Zloimond’s military examination and earned the title of Master—the only one in Rustwood.
“Enough talk. Sir, please!” Isolde offered a respectful salute.
Hector hurriedly said to Isolde, “County Princess, you mustn’t! This man is Rustwood’s Master, highly skilled in martial arts. You are no match for him.”
Isolde saw that too much time had been wasted. She sneered, “A Master? Then I must see for myself whether Rustwood’s “Master” is just a fancy title with no real skill.”
These words instantly angered Gerald. Already displeased by Isolde’s earlier commands, her blatant disdain further inflamed his fury. Stepping forward, he said coldly, “Since that’s the case, allow me to witness your esteemed skills.”
The rain intensified. More than a thousand people surrounded the open space outside Rustwood’s ancestral hall, waiting to see the competition. However, the difference in strength was obvious. Even Isolde’s soldiers believed she stood no chance against the Master. As the two stepped into the center, it became even clearer: Gerald towered nearly two heads above Isolde.