Chapter 1931

chapter1931

How was she supposed to find Manfred?

Just as Vivian was feeling lost, several riders suddenly galloped past on horses.

The wind was already strong, but their speeding horses kicked up even more dust, creating a thick cloud of sand.

Some grains even scraped against her face.

She had already covered her face with a cloth, but the wind and dust still made it hard for her to keep her eyes open.

"Hyah!"

"Faster! We can't let the soldiers catch up-otherwise, we're finished!"

"Catch us? Hah! Those government troops are nothing but useless trash!"

"This time, it's different! The head of the Atkinson family has brought the Holland troop to Briarpatch. The ones chasing us now are the Holland troops!

"That head of the Atkinson family is said to be a ruthless man-he's already killed plenty of bandit leaders along the way. We can't afford to fall into his hands!"

Their voices carried through the swirling sand, reaching Vivian's ears.

Still dazed, her heart leaped with excitement when she heard those words.

The head of the Atkinson family? The Holland troop?

That was Manfred! It had to be him!

Without hesitation, she hurried toward the main road-she knew what to do now. She needed to find the Holland troop!

As she made her way toward them, a thought suddenly struck her.

She still had the token Alger had given her-it might come in handy at a critical moment.

Not wanting to fumble for it later, she quickly found it and secured it safely on her.

...

At the government office, a large crowd of refugees and beggars had gathered outside the gates.

Most of them had come seeking protection, afraid of being harmed by roving bandits and rebels.

And ever since the head of the Atkinson family had arrived with the Holland troop two days ago, these people had suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.

Earlier that afternoon, the government office had even set up a food station, offering a bowl of soup to everyone.

But inside the office, the county magistrate of Briarpatch knelt trembling on the cold stone floor.

His entire body shivered uncontrollably, and the official hat on his head sat crookedly, almost falling off.

"Quillan LeBlanc, you've got some nerve."

Seated in the magistrate's chair, Manfred radiated authority. Though his tone was calm, his words carried a weight that sent a chill down the

spine. ne

There was no rage in his voice, but the sheer pressure made one's heart tremble with fear.

"M-My lord-I wouldn't dare! I swear I planned to open the granaries for disaster relief! I am not a corrupt official! Please, Mr. Atkinson Please give me a chance!"

Quillan's plea for mercy was filled with desperation.

However, Manfred's expression remained ice-cold.

He cast a glance at the soldiers beside him and ordered, "Strip him of his rank,

throw him in prison, and take him back to Vlario later."

Quillan's legs immediately gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, his face drained of all color.

"Please, Mr. Atkinson, have mercy! I-I

can give you my entire fortune!

Those commoners outside are just

lowly peasants-their lives are worthless! I'll hand over everything I have-please spare me!"

From the sidelines, Kemp watched as Quillan pissed himself in fear, his face full of disdain.

If he was so scared now, why did he do it in the first place?

Thinking he was beyond the reach of the law, he had colluded with bandits,

forcing the people to suffer while he grew fat off their misery.

He had only himself to blame for his downfall.