Ed always believed in doing things openly and honestly. If Nuolun was Pure Ones, he would simply ask for a sample of the symbiotic plant. If Nuolun was truly Stained Ones, he would definitely rob him outright instead of petty theft. This was Ed's entire understanding of being open and honest.
The reason he was here was to put the players at ease. After all, as the saying goes, players with an average level of 3 were really powerless against a Middle Tier opponent like the Grand Knight Commander. Ed's presence in Blue Gum Town made them feel safe, and they didn't have to worry about Nuolun going crazy and immediately starting the "TuTu Mode".
As for why he didn't bring Xilǐ'er, the Alchemy Golem, or the other NPCs along for the team building this time... it can only be said that Ed is quite confident in his Middle Tier strength, and moreover, he needs to test his current combat ability.
Another ten minutes or so passed before the Holy Crusaders Fourteenth Knights finally arrived outside the barricades of Blue Gum Town.
This defensive facility proved its worth at this moment, serving as a boundary between safe and dangerous areas, effectively isolating all potential visitors.
Nuolun rode at the forefront, his Hoofed Beast gleaning the image of the person standing in the center of the city wall. He guessed that this person was " Duolin," the one mentioned in the Cardinal's orders.
She waved her hand, and a company commander immediately stepped forward to await instructions.
"Go and bring us the prisoner we captured. Release her as a sign of our sincerity."
"Good."
The priest accepted the order and left, while Nuolun surveyed his surroundings with a sense of triumph, taking in all the Blood Corpse now overgrown with reeds.
A series of slightly panicked footsteps approached, and the company commander quickly returned to Nuolun's side, speaking nervously in a low voice:
"Sir, that prisoner... that prisoner is dead."
"What?!"
Nuolun was truly shocked this time. The Grand Knight Commander, who was always adept at observing other people's micro-expressions and could always maintain a poker face, completely lost his composure at this moment.
That prisoner... just like that, he died?!
I didn't hit, scold, or torture him; at most, I just asked him a few questions. After that, I simply restrained him, just in case something unexpected happened.
Whether it was because she had used excessive force, preventing the Cardinal from completing his mission, or because her mercy had caused non-combat casualties within the Holy Crusaders, neither was something she wanted to see.
However, releasing a tiger back into the mountains is not a good idea either, and Nuolun made this choice under multiple influences.
So now you're telling her the other person is dead?
What, isn't that a bit too much of a temper?
Left with no other option, Nuolun quickly regained his composure and began to devise a plan.
The [ Dark Archmage ], who had already joined the Blue Gum Town quest, was of course unaware that he had used " Deathrattle " to outmaneuver his opponent and turn the tide of the battle. But even if he knew, it wouldn't matter, since such a victory strategy wasn't exactly honorable to admit...
Meanwhile, Nuolun, outside the city, quickly came up with a temporary solution. She said to the squad leader:
"Keep the body safe for now. Once we're in the city, I'll speak with Bishop Duolin personally about this. After all, it was our negligence that caused this, and we can't just shirk our responsibility like this."
"Yes, sir."
Stress is a relatively constant factor; when someone feels little stress, it's likely because someone is helping them cope.
So when the squad leader breathed a sigh of relief and left to take his orders, Nuolun already felt an immense increase in pressure.
However, concealing this matter was contrary to the teachings of the Tree God. As the most devout believer, she needed to be constantly vigilant to avoid sliding into the abyss of depravity.
On the city wall, seeing this familiar scene, [ Zhongde ] couldn't help but think of Motley, who was working day and night to produce parts.
Since we've already had one experience, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Since the other party hasn't sent anyone to make a message yet, there's nothing wrong with me taking the lead.
So he waved his hand, and one of the players who was playing along with him shouted loudly:
Who are you people?
Soon Holy Crusaders replied:
" The Holy Crusaders Fourteenth Knights the Holy City Army, ordered by the Cardinal, have come to reinforce the Aduolin Province."
The Soul Returner on the city wall turned and walked towards [ Zhongde ]. The two exchanged a few perfunctory words, and then he shouted:
"You can enter the city, but you must undergo security checks as required by us!"
The squad leader below was stunned for a moment, then asked:
"What kind of examination?"
"Recently, there have been frequent Corpse Tide hordes. We need to check you for bite marks from Blood Corpse and whether you have been infected. If so, you will need to be isolated until the danger is over!"
The squad leader was taken aback by these words. It wasn't that he was inwardly resistant, but rather that he was simply surprised that his squad hadn't thought of conducting an internal screening in this way after their previous battle with the Blood Corpse...
Fortunately, they didn't encounter too many Blood Corpse, and the soldiers of the Holy City were well-trained, which prevented a terrible outcome.
Seeing their hesitant expressions, the guards on the city wall shouted again:
"If you refuse to undergo security checks, then please go home!"
" The Holy Crusaders First Knights of Aduolin Province, led by Grand Knight Motley from Fir City, have been deported back to Fir City for refusing security checks!"
"We have no intention of being enemies with you all; it's simply for security reasons!"
Upon hearing this, the squad leader looked at Nuolun, waiting for her, the Grand Knight Commander, to make a decision.
Nuolun nodded thoughtfully, then looked towards the city walls and asked personally:
"Is Bishop Duolin on the city walls?"
Having practiced before, Zhongde walked out calmly, holding a gem that was about to be fed to Little Green.
"I am who I am, as evidenced by the Territory Secret Pact Blue Gum Town."
Nuolun sensed the small gem and was able to confirm that it was a genuine Territory Secret Pact.
Even if the other party did not actually control Blue Gum Town, they at least gained actual control of one of the towns in Aduolin.
Thinking about this, Nuolun felt that Luxiusi was quite accurate in judging people. When he was going through Duolin's file, he didn't think that Dorin was such an outstanding and meticulous person, but now it was completely different.
She thought for a moment and shouted towards the city wall:
"Okay, we agree to a security check!"
As she spoke, she took the lead and walked towards the city gate, seemingly unconcerned about potential attackers. The squad leader and Holy Crusaders members behind her followed suit. The five hundred people walked orderly on the narrow path that the players had prepared for them, which was not covered with caltrops, and the gates of Blue Gum Town slowly opened before them.
Zhongde, standing on the city wall, couldn't help but sigh as he watched this scene:
"That's much more decisive Motley."