In the center of the square.
The hostages had been divided into two groups. Seeing the Marine officer who had rescued them yesterday, they grew wildly excited.
On the left, seven or eight nobles from the Koya Kingdom were tied together. One wore a crown: the king of the Koya Kingdom.
"Koby, forget those lowborn scum!"
"Our safety is what matters most!"
"Hurry and get us out of here!"
The terrified nobles urged Koby on, their faces hideous. As for the lives of those 500 hostages, they couldn't care less.
Koby was caught in a dilemma.
In his heart, he wanted to rescue the civilians, who made up the majority, but his orders from above were to save the king.
Reinforcements from headquarters were on their way!
Koby reassured himself inwardly and looked at Speed.
"I'm surprised you came."
Speed gave a slight nod of approval.
Trading one's own life for hostages was indeed a quality worthy of respect.
Speed spoke coldly.
"Choose one group."
"..."
Koby fell silent for a few seconds, then walked toward the civilians.
Under the civilians' delighted gazes, Koby bowed ninety degrees in apology. "I'm sorry. I can't save you right now, but reinforcements from headquarters will arrive soon. The Marines will definitely get you out of here!"
After apologizing, Koby walked toward the nobles.
Hope turned to disappointment, and even despair.
Watching the nobles flee, the civilians' eyes gradually went numb. They actually understood that people like them could never be saved.
A trace of disappointment appeared in Speed's eyes. She had thought the young Marine before her would be different, but she had expected too much.
"Let him go."
"Yes!"
To Koby's confusion, the pirates did not imprison him. Instead, they let him leave with the nobles.
Koby couldn't understand it.
"Why are