I Have the Right to Take Everything

Romain had heard about it from Mol before, but he hadn't delved into it deeply.

Traitorous knights, eccentric back-alley doctors, legendary thieves, deserters from the battlefield...

These people were far more dangerous than hunters. They were essentially fugitives, otherwise, why would they flee to this remote wilderness?

Mol still adhered to the principle of "minding one's own business."

Romain frowned, "Are there no witches in the mountains?"

Mol was surprised, "I've never heard of any... Master Romain, do you think that witch is looking for companions?" He thought of the strange figure witnessed the night before.

Romain was only suspicious; he had no proof.

The biggest obstacles to traveling in the mountains were the treacherous terrain and swift streams with extreme elevation changes, making passage difficult.

But that didn't mean there were no shortcuts.

Originally, there were no paths in the world, but paths appeared after many people walked them.

Don't mistake hunters for ethereal beings who appear and disappear without a trace in the mountains. If they intended to reside there long-term, they would need fixed residences and to trade with Sigg Town for essential supplies.

With fixed residences came fixed routes.

It was reasonable for the people of Sigg Town to know the locations of these hunters' camps after a long time.

Romain and his group followed this path towards the settlement of the mountain folk and hunters.

People also farmed in the mountains, scattering seeds in rock crevices or cultivating small patches of flat land.

But to farm on his territory without paying tribute to him? Unacceptable!

Before they even reached the hunters' dwelling, Romain suddenly frowned, a premonition coming from the mountainside forest at an angle.

He practiced archery and was highly skilled; when an arrow pointed at him, he would feel a premonition.

If it were a sniper rifle, the effect would be even greater.

Aaron also noticed something unusual; the mountain forests and bushes in some areas showed unnatural disturbances.

Aaron sensed someone attempting to encircle them from behind. He took off his round shield from his back, planted his feet firmly, and stood to Romain's left. Green's eyes also sharpened; he drew his steel greatsword mixed with orichalcum and stood back-to-back with Romain, forming a triangular formation.

Seeing their reactions, the guards belatedly and nervously spread out their formations.

"Are you going to oppose your lord?" Romain asked loudly.

A voice came from the mountain forest, "We have no lord."

Romain calmly replied, "Now you do."

Creak~

The sound of a drawn bowstring echoed through the silent mountain forest.

Both sides were at a standoff.

Romain, however, did not draw his weapon. He stated frankly, "Are you going to fight a War Knight? You cannot. Come out now, kneel before me, and I will spare you."

Silence ensued. Romain and other transcendent beings with keen hearing like Green faintly heard whispers from the mountain forest.

The hunters were discussing the matter, but it was clear that some held differing opinions, making it more like an argument.

A moment later, a young hunter emerged from the mountain forest, "We just want a way to live. If you are willing not to disturb our lives, we can contribute the game we hunt to you from now on..."

As the hunter was about to state his conditions, he saw Romain looking at him with a hint of astonishment and a peculiar expression.

His heart sank, feeling that things might go wrong, but then he heard Romain say, "Then you shall pledge your loyalty to me."

The hunter's brain momentarily froze: "..."

Romain snorted, "On this land, I have the sole right to everything. Everyone is my subject. State your name, my Apostle."

"Do... Dota Gurney."

[Two-star Dota

Attack: E+, Defense: E, Speed: E+, Constitution: E+, Energy: E

Talent: Keen Eyesight - Enhances observation of the environment

Skill 1: Tracking - Detects subtle clues and deduces the movements of the trace's creator]

On the day he recruited the Apostle, other modes of "Noah's Ark" were unlocked.

For example, [Battlefield Simulation], [Dispatch Operation], [Integrated Combat], [Apostle Corps], [Destiny Expedition], and so on.

However, they were of no use to him at the moment.

He needed to engage in combat and have enough Apostle units to use those functions.

Romain snorted, "Take me to find the other people in the mountains. All of them. I will decide whether to make them pledge their loyalty to me based on their performance."

In fact, every adult farmer in Sigg Town was familiar with the great mountains.

In certain lean years, when food was scarce, the farmers of Sigg Town survived those difficult times by foraging and hunting.

Not to mention that the mountains and forests were places to obtain firewood.

But due to barbarism and ignorance, many only dared to explore the edges, and even seasoned hunters wouldn't venture deep within. Rumor had it the mountains ate people, and that fierce magical beasts roamed them.

Shasta's vision was filled with trees, mountains, and rocks.

She couldn't help but sigh.

The mountains weren't high, but the forest was dense, with trees growing wild.

The narrow, enclosed space felt oppressive.

She understood why people said the mountains ate people.

In the treacherous mountains, humans felt as if they were entering the mouth of a giant beast, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye, no matter which way they turned.

Shasta had received a clue from a witch in Sigg Town.

Following the woman's instructions, she brought a cloth bag filled with two pounds of peas and followed a stream upwards. Finally, in the complex terrain of the mountains, she found the large, crooked dwarf chestnut tree.

Its branches were lush, like a giant afro. Due to the rising temperatures, the dense branches had sprouted green buds, tinged with spring.

Dwarf chestnut trees like this were abundant in this mountain forest.

But few of its kind were as stout and crooked as this one. It grew by the stream, its twisted upper half seeming to hang into the water as if to wash its head, its branches drooping, touching the river's surface.

Shasta tied the bag of peas to a branch of the dwarf chestnut tree, while she hid in a higher vantage point.

She spent the first day without seeing anyone and had to sleep in the forest. The early spring air was cold, and the mountain temperatures were even lower. Fortunately, she was a witch, not an ordinary person, and could protect herself for a short time.

By the second day, Shasta finally saw a thin, ragged figure. The person stood beneath the dwarf chestnut tree, stood on tiptoe to take down the cloth bag, and then lifted their tattered clothes like an apron, pouring the peas inside.

Then, she looked around, lowered her head, and quickly left.

Seeing this, Shasta immediately followed.

She followed the child's figure to her dwelling, a makeshift shelter built from leaves and branches, only enough to block the wind and rain. This surprised Shasta. Even the simplest shelter wouldn't be built by a child. Someone might have helped her.

This was normal. Without help, a child couldn't have lived alone in the deep mountains for over a year.

Shasta felt a pang of sadness. She revealed herself to Gevra.

"Gevra!"

Gevra jumped in fright, scattering all the peas she was holding.

Her dirty little face looked at the beautiful woman before her in terror.

"I am Shasta, Gevra. Don't be afraid, we are companions." Shasta released a faint black smoke.

"You're a witch?!" Gevra exclaimed in shock, taking a step back in disbelief, as if she had seen something terrifying.

"...You are also a witch."

Gevra said forcefully, her voice breaking with tears, "No, I'm not!"

"Are you going to deny your power? Or deny yourself?"

Gevra shook her head and cried, "I don't have evil powers, I'm not possessed by a demon, don't come find me."

Gevra stumbled backward, as if preparing to turn and flee. Shasta's reaction was swift; she immediately lunged forward and embraced her, afraid she might lose control. She soothed her, saying, "Good child, I know you're scared, but you don't have to be anymore. I'll take you away. You'll eat bread and oat porridge every day and be full. You can sleep soundly on a soft bed without worrying about the wind and rain. My sister, I won't let anyone hurt you again. We weren't born on this land just to suffer, and we shouldn't be burned to death for awakening..."