After arming the border guards, Consta immediately issued a public announcement. Cat Girl Mei Fei was also temporarily hired as a messenger, running through the streets and alleys, distributing announcement posters everywhere.
The posters covered all the streets and alleys of Tattle Town. The content was very simple and direct.
“Recently, the villains who attacked His Highness the Second Prince—members of the Night Demon Society—have all been captured under the Lord’s Mansion’s full pursuit.”
“All the thugs involved in the attack have been executed on the spot. The safety of the border has been completely secured. Please, townspeople, rest assured and go about your lives.”
As soon as this announcement was made, the civilians in town applauded in delight. Everyone praised the Lady Ruler’s swift and decisive action and high efficiency.
At the same time, it submitted a satisfactory report to the Royal Capital and explained why large quantities of the Second Prince’s scattered supplies appeared in Consta’s territory.
In reality, this was just a two-person act put on by Consta and Masha.
The members of the Night Demon Society were scattered everywhere, each smugly holding onto the small share of supplies they had received.
As for those executed thugs, they were just some death row inmates who were long overdue for execution. They included some local nobles, and even the previous lord before Consta took office.
During the time when Consta first arrived, under the covert manipulation of Saint Freya, they secretly carried out a major purge. The reason they kept these people alive was to wait for an opportune moment. And now, that moment had come.
Not only did they satisfy the Royal Capital, but they also perfectly protected the Night Demon Society, preserving this hidden trump card. It also advanced Saint Freya’s plan one step forward.
On the other side. On the wide road leading to Tattle Town, a grand procession was advancing through the dust.
These people wore various leather armor and iron mail, carrying swords, spears, and halberds. The line stretched long, with at least thirty to fifty people at a rough count.
They were not regular Kingdom soldiers, but a volunteer force spontaneously gathered by adventurers from various places. This batch was coming to Tattle Town to help resist the imminent demon race invasion.
After all, this time was different. The demon race had mobilized an army of three hundred thousand, a rare large-scale war in the three hundred years since the demon race appeared.
Walking at the very front of the procession were three leaders. On the left was a slightly chubby middle-aged man with short brown hair, always wearing a friendly smile on his face, looking like a good-natured old fellow. His name was Rock, and he carried a heavy tower shield.
In the middle was a tall, skinny young man with a mess of orange hair on his head, like a chicken nest. His name was Rayne, and he had a greatsword taller than himself slung over his shoulder, swaggering as he walked, with a fearless look in his eyes.
On the right was a girl with a completely different aura—Aurelite. She had long, deep-sea blue hair, with a few strands braided into thin plaits that reached her waist.
She wore a form-fitting sorcerer’s robe and held a staff embedded with a water-blue gem. Her expression was very calm as she silently watched the road ahead.
These three were the leaders of the three most powerful squads in this large adventurer group.
“Uncle Rock, how much longer until we get there?”
Rayne shifted the greatsword on his shoulder and muttered.
“I heard the demon race sent three hundred thousand troops this time. My sword has been itching for a fight. I really want to find a demon general to cut down a couple times for fun.”
Rock chuckled twice and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“A demon general is no easy opponent.”
“We’re here to help guard the border, not to get ourselves killed.”
“Brother Rayne, remember, hundreds of thousands of demons are no joke.”
Rayne scratched his hair and laughed carelessly.
“Haha, I know. Just talking big.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Besides, with so many of us, we could drown the demons with our spit alone.”
“And, I heard that in Tattle Town, where we’re heading, the Lady Goddess descended a few days ago. I’ve never seen a living god in my life. I’ve got to see this no matter what.”
Aurelite, who had been silent, spoke up. Her voice was very pleasant, but carried a coldness that kept people at a distance.
“The matter of the goddess is just a rumor. It hasn’t been confirmed in the Adventurer’s Association’s intelligence.”
Aurelite tightened her grip on her staff.
“Our primary task now is to liaise with the local lord and clarify the defense arrangements. Blind confidence will only get your team members killed.”
Rayne looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t seen the girl beside him say a word the entire trip. Finally she spoke, and he was about to respond.
Suddenly, cries of surprise came from the group.
The three looked up and saw that they had crossed a slope, and not far below was Tattle Town. But the scene before them left everyone stunned.
In their impression, a border town should be run-down. The walls were crumbling ruins, shedding debris at the slightest wind. The civilians were gaunt, wearing tattered clothes, begging on the streets.
But the current Tattle Town completely overturned their expectations. Tall, thick stone walls rose from the ground. Every so often along the walls stood brand-new arrow towers, manned by spirited guard soldiers.
The city gates were wide, with a constant stream of people entering and exiting. Looking through the gates, the streets were all paved with smooth stone slabs. The houses on both sides were new and tidy, with vendors hawking their wares everywhere.
The civilians had smiles on their faces, and children ran around in the streets. This was no border town. Its prosperity was almost on par with the major cities of the inner circle!
“Oh my god…”
Rayne’s mouth hung open, and his greatsword nearly slipped off his shoulder.
“Is this the border? I feel like we’ve come to the wrong place.”
Rock also looked shocked. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
“Unbelievable.”
Rock exclaimed.
“I’ve been to Tattle Town once before. Back then, it was basically a refugee camp.”
“This newly appointed Lady Ruler seems to be a very capable person.”
Aurelite speculated to herself.
‘Could it be that all these changes happened after the Lady Goddess arrived?’
The group, full of confusion and shock, marched into the city.
Because there were so many people, they couldn’t all stay together. Rock, Rayne, and Aurelite discussed it and led everyone to a common tavern called the Copper Wheat Tavern to settle in.
The tavern’s decor was certainly no match for the Golden Rose Inn, but it had the advantage of being cheap.