"Hm?" Roland instinctively stepped back and bumped straight into Thranduil behind him.
Thranduil wore an expression of "just as I thought," his eyes full of speechless relief. Then he tucked himself farther behind Roland, trying to use him to conceal his imposing frame.
"Pion! You damned mongrel descended from northern refugees! You only survived by luck! Instead of driving out darkness and fighting evil, you hide here every day collecting protection money? Playing mountain king? Do you even know how to play the part?" Marquis Al-Teglang-Franz first used a battle cry to denounce Pion's origins, then skillfully pointed out his inaction before taking the moral high ground and lecturing him.
"..." Pion did not react at first. He was completely stunned by the tirade, standing there blankly as countless emotions flashed through his eyes—confusion, bewilderment, incomprehension...
"My lord has been fighting tooth and nail in the north for the survival of the human alliance! And you? Hiding here and taking it easy? Acting as a watchdog between east and west, charging tolls from travelers? What the hell are you supposed to be?" Marquis Al-Teglang-Franz gave Pion no chance to respond and continued his barrage.
"..." Lavien had initially intended to greet Marquis Al-Teglang-Franz when he approached, but he had not expected the marquis to unleash something this outrageous. Lavien was rendered speechless. Yet after looking at the eloquent Marquis Al-Teglang-Franz and then Pion standing before him, Lavien gritted his teeth, rested a hand on his sword hilt, and quietly pushed the guard open with his thumb.
"..." Leo Braeu glanced at Lavien's movement, then quietly shifted two steps aside to clear a line for drawing his sword. He disdained ambushing others with a hidden blade, but he chose to remain silent regarding the actions of his countrymen.
"Nonsense! How have