The Predicament

"While you were reporting the matter, I tried to rally a few of our neighbors.

But none of them wanted to leave on a whim, cross the eerie Twilight Forest, and move to an unfamiliar Dragon Gold City—

To them, that place might as well exist only in their imaginations."

Father Lynn recalled what had happened earlier.

When he mentioned "a Beastfolk raid," the townspeople looked frightened, as if they had spotted a wild beast.

But when he said "cross the forest," they shrank back in outright refusal.

It was like when people got roaring drunk at the tavern and started talking about the war to defend the south. They would boast that the Beastfolk were nothing special and probably couldn't take a swing from their hoes.

But whenever someone brought up the strange things and the werewolves in Twilight Forest, they fell too scared to say a word.

Because they really did live beside the forest.

They had lived in this narrow corner for so long that they knew little about anything beyond the forest. The occasional visiting caravan was their only source of news.

Until they truly grasped how serious things were, no one wanted to abandon that fragile but warm cocoon.

"See that, Poet? You thought the only obstacles were that little white pig and the Mercenary boss?

We Dwarves have a saying: 'The taller they are, the bigger the flaws!'

Elves are arrogant, Giants are stupid, and Beastfolk are mongrels that do nothing but howl.

And you humans—well, most humans are sly, greedy, and weak."

After Catherine and Father Lynn left, Gravel planted himself in the tavern and refused to budge. He swore he would drink every drop of Star Plum Wine there.

If they had to flee, they could hardly take much of it along. Leaving it behind would only benefit the Beastfolk.

He drank and mocked Tang Qi's naivety, then started trying to prove that "short people are the superior race."

Tang Qi cut him off first:

"Look at it another way. Once they realize the danger, they'll flee town on their own, even without anyone leading them."

"You're as stubborn as a priest. Those people would still be preaching doctrine with death staring them in the face!"

Gravel could not fathom why Tang Qi was doing this.

"Even if you talk sense into those fools, how will you deal with the nobles?

Do you know how many hurdles you'd have to clear to achieve that naive goal of yours?"

He said it to make Tang Qi give up.

Instead, Tang Qi seemed to miss the point entirely and began listing the obstacles they faced:

"Setting aside the townspeople's reluctance to leave.

First, we need that eye beside Melard so we can still find our way once we enter the forest.

Second, we need to establish whether Melard plans to flee after hearing the news..."

Father Lynn interrupted him, certain of his answer:

"Some nobles would indeed choose to die with their domains for the sake of honor.

But the moment Lord Mel abandoned his people and moved to Dragon Gold City, his family proved they had no honor at all.

Young Master Melard will certainly flee. Even if he doesn't want to, the steward at his side will make him.

And to keep the people calm and prevent unrest, the steward will likely stay behind to organize a defense and wait for help—

That is the conclusion I've drawn from decades of watching this domain."

Father Lynn was a man of high moral character.

That was precisely why the old gentleman was willing to cling to this one lifeline and help find a way to lead the townspeople out.

Tang Qi trusted him, so he continued:

"Then they're probably preparing horses to leave already. We can't let him slip away quietly..."

"Perhaps in an hour."

Catherine remembered how Melard had stressed a particular time before she left, and suddenly understood.

"Young Master Melard specifically asked me to bring him Star Plum Wine then. I think he was telling me to pack my things beforehand."

Clever people could read the meaning beneath the words.

Tang Qi blinked, suddenly less certain:

"You're that sure he'll take you with him?"

"He once told me he couldn't show his true self in front of noble ladies, or he'd bring shame on his family. He longs for freedom, so he needs me to cover for him."

"Next are the Mercenaries and the village guards—

That should be manageable. There aren't many of them. If the steward really intends to suppress everyone by force, we can stir up the townspeople. The guards will start having second thoughts and weighing their options."

Tang Qi ran through the obstacles in his head, searching for a way forward. After a moment's thought, he said,

"The last problem is time. That's a procession of three hundred people, including carts and horses. Even heading north, it'll be an awfully long column...

So we need to get as far away as we can before dawn."

As for the problems they would face after fleeing, Tang Qi could not be bothered to dwell on them—

A group that large was bound to run into all kinds of trouble in Twilight Forest.

But for now, all he wanted was to earn the "Entire Town Flees" achievement. Anything more was beyond his control.

"There are less than two hours until dawn!

So you want to incite three hundred civilians to revolt in those two hours, including the old, the weak, the sick, and the disabled, then capture Melard alive right under Explosive Wolf's nose, along with the remaining Mercenaries and the village guards who answer to Little Beard?"

The Dwarf nearly sprayed Star Plum Wine everywhere. By the end of his tirade, he could barely keep from laughing.

"That's fucking hilarious. I used to think nothing could top the joke about a twelve-year-old girl stealing an entire ton of Star Plums overnight!

Two hours? You can't even pull off the first part in two fucking hours!"

"On my own, certainly not."

Tang Qi made no attempt to hide his limitations.

But the way the Poet looked at him reminded Gravel of Markwen, the crafty old Ranger from his former team—

On their adventures, that old bastard often had Gravel walk at the front and deliberately step into traps Markwen had spotted long before.

Gravel instinctively backed up two steps:

"No. Not happening. My only job now is keeping Catherine safe. Don't think you can order me to do a damn thing for you!"

"I promise that everything I'm planning will put her safety first.

If Catherine is in danger, I'll be the first one there. Black Snake saved my life. I owe him that."

Tang Qi answered sincerely, then turned to Catherine.

"Of course, it's up to you, boss. If you'd rather leave with Young Master Melard, I'll respect your choice. You can forget everything I just said."

The red-haired girl first looked toward the golden oak and the gravestone, then toward the quiet tavern and its second floor.

She gripped the necklace at her chest and shook her head.

"I won't leave here alone. I'm taking my family with me.

But I can tell that Young Master Melard's kindness won't extend to Anbi.

Mr. Tang Qi, tell me what I need to do next."

"Oh, God..."

Gravel patted his head.

"I almost forgot you humans have blind faith and arrogance rattling around in your skulls, too!"

"I already have a plan."

Catherine's choice gave Tang Qi more confidence.

"I need everyone here to help me put on an act—

If you don't mind, I need you to play the villains."