Free Web NovelChapter 31: Baron’s Order
DING!
(You obtained Anti-Seal Ring ×3 at the cost of 15 Heaven Path Soul Energy Points!)
(Anti-Seal Ring ×3: Will resist the effects of Anti-Magic up to three times!)
[System Point: 0]
[Soul:]
Heaven Path Soul > 0.7 (SSS Class Soul)
Another notification appeared just as Mateo was about to sigh in relief.
He was immediately startled when a silver ring engraved with mysterious patterns appeared on the little finger of his right hand.
It was so small that it was almost unnoticeable.
However, his shaken spirit instantly stabilized.
He had indeed been filled with the desire to never be affected by Anti-Magic again, but he had been pessimistic that any solution existed.
Now, there was no need to worry about it happening again, although the effect seemed limited to only three times.
Three times meant three chances to escape if he accidentally came into conflict with nobles again.
His eyes landed on Alex and the gangsters, who were staring in confusion.
He smiled at them politely and nodded before leaving.
Returning to the Grass Forest was the only thing he wanted right now.
He was planning to teleport, but first he needed to charge energy into the Star Wheel. He did so while walking, holding the Star Wheel in his hand before slipping it into his robe pocket.
When he arrived in front of the gate, he was stunned once again.
It was actually closed.
No one was allowed to leave, while those outside were being told to enter through a small side gate.
What happened this time?
"Buddy, why is the gate closed?" Mateo asked a young man carrying a bow on his back.
"Are you Mateo?" The young man seemed surprised upon seeing him.
"You know me?" Mateo was even more surprised.
"We attend the same university. Everyone knows you. Is it true that you’re dating Alice?"
Mateo, "..."
"No, it’s not like that," he replied awkwardly.
He couldn’t tell the truth about this, yet lying was difficult as well.
"You’re seriously amazing," the young man said again. "Are you going to open a class on how to get women?"
"Hahaha, I’m just kidding. Let me introduce myself. I’m Cooper Smith, a second-year student."
"Mateo Allen."
The two shook hands.
"What exactly is happening? Why is the gate closed?" Mateo asked again.
"Baron’s orders. We’re all being gathered shortly," Cooper answered.
"Gathered?" Mateo gave him a strange look. "Gathered for what?"
"To attack a barbarian tribe. That Baron has wanted their village for a long time because of the mine beneath it."
"Does everyone have to participate?"
"Yes, of course. The identities of all Magi living in this town are actually recorded by the City Soul Artifact. In some ways, it’s even more advanced than Earth’s city management systems. If we don’t show up, we’ll be considered criminals. Our identities will be spread to other towns unless we can prove that we were absent because we’ve moved elsewhere. Usually, other towns will verify that themselves if our identities are indeed registered in their systems."
Mateo could only stare in astonishment.
This world was surprisingly advanced.
"Isn’t this forced labor? Why don’t they just use the town’s soldiers?" he asked.
"No. The town soldiers aren’t even participating. The Baron doesn’t want his troops reduced. They’ll just supervise from the rear."
"So only ordinary Magi like us are attacking the barbarian tribe?"
"Yeah. We can’t protest. You could say this is the price we pay for living here. If you want freedom, your only option is to live in the wilderness forever and never encounter soldiers or anyone who knows you’re a criminal. Otherwise, you’ll be hunted because there are rewards for capturing criminals. If you have any friends still on Earth, you’d better call them."
Who was he supposed to call?
William?
Mateo doubted he would come.
Even so, he sent him a message explaining what had happened. freewebnσvel.cѳm
For some reason, however, William’s phone seemed inactive. Mateo’s message couldn’t be delivered.
"Looks like this barbarian tribe is pretty strong," he said, curious about what they were like.
"Their physical strength and agility are incredible. Plus, they possess an innate ability to control earth and stone."
"Everyone, gather immediately at the North Gate!"
A loud announcement suddenly echoed through the town, coming from an enlarged soldier.
"Mateo, let’s go..." Cooper hurried off.
Mateo had no choice but to follow.
He didn’t want to create problems with nobles again.
The North Gate had a much larger area because it was surrounded by an open courtyard.
All the Magi were heading there. More people looked unhappy than excited.
He quickly spotted Big Bro and his gang members, Alex and Lucas along with their subordinates.
Neither of them could escape the Baron’s orders, even if they weren’t ordinary people back on Earth.
After observing more closely, he noticed that there were indeed many university students.
Those who didn’t know had obviously been informed by their friends.
As time passed, more and more people arrived.
There were probably over a thousand people in total.
Only then did a cavalry procession arrive, led by a young blond man wearing silver armor, distinguishing him from the soldiers clad in copper armor.
"Salute the Baron!" the middle-aged man beside the young noble shouted loudly.
"Greetings, Baron!"
Everyone immediately bowed.
The young man smiled faintly, clearly pleased by the sight.
"What’s this Baron’s name?" Mateo asked Cooper.
They were standing at the edge of the crowd, so talking didn’t attract attention.
"Luke Kingdom. Kingdom is the surname of all nobles," Cooper replied.
"That’s strange," Mateo said.
"It is. And Luke is one of the most unreasonable Barons around. He loves giving orders for personal gain. But I have to admit, he’s quite capable. His status within the royal family was originally very low, but he managed to rise up and marry Governor Linda Kingdom’s daughter."
"Everyone..." The young Baron finally spoke from atop his horse.
"You all already know why I’ve summoned you here. That’s right—we’re going to attack the barbarian tribe of Desolate Stone Village. There are roughly three hundred barbarians there, while we have over a thousand people. Victory is guaranteed, but that doesn’t mean defeating them will be easy. Therefore, I hope all of you advance without fear. We must show those barbarians that humans are truly stronger than they are. Let’s move out!"
The Baron immediately led the way after finishing his speech.
The North Gate was opened for everyone.
The Magi had no choice but to follow.
Soldiers were even stationed behind them.
Anyone attempting to flee would be captured immediately.
Beyond the North Gate stretched a vast forest overgrown with tall grass.
There was no official road, only trails naturally formed by people passing through. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
They entered the forest, following a path that gradually sloped upward.
From Cloud Valley Town, the northern direction was indeed occupied by a massive mountain.
The Magi traveling on foot were forced into a light jog to keep up with the Baron riding ahead on horseback.
If they fell too far behind, the soldiers at the rear would become angry.
Fortunately, such a pace wasn’t tiring at all for Magi as long as Spiritual Energy remained within their bodies.
