Chapter 827 Shannon <TOC> Chapter 829 Closing of the Garden
Translator: SumTLMan
As dawn broke on the following day, they finally arrived at the Elegant Plum Province.
At this point, Shannon was no longer on the ship.
Around four in the morning, Angel had settled Shannon in the neighboring Broken Gold Province, mainly because she seemed to be uncomfortable with high-altitude travel and had been feeling dizzy.
Considering her physical condition, Angel asked for the route to the Elegant Plum Province and then left her in the first major city of the Broken Gold Province — Menus. After confirming that she was still capable of moving around, he set off for Elegant Plum Province in the Gondola.
By the time the sun leisurely rose, the Gondola flew over the city of Watford.
In reality, Watford did not rank highly among the cities in Elegant Plum Province, but it was the closest city to Grud Town. In Angel’s childhood memories, Watford was a sprawling city that seemed to have no end. However, after experiencing various metropolises, Angel realized that Watford was only slightly larger than Borel Town in the Revelation Continent.
Approaching Borel Town on the Revelation Continent, one could quickly discern its unique personality, brimming with art and innovation. But Watford, even in Drew’s view, appeared somewhat rigid and outdated. Though there were a few tall buildings, most of the houses were built of black stones, giving the city a nearly monochromatic look. Perhaps the only commendable aspect was its meticulous city planning with neatly arranged houses. However, from another perspective, this rigidity was a sign of excessive conservatism.
“Lord Pat, look over there,” Drew suddenly pointed out to Angel.
Angel had been observing this city from his childhood memories, so he had noticed what Drew was pointing at quite early.
It was the city gate of Watford.
Outside the gate, a group of raggedly dressed people were waiting. As the sun shone on the city gate, the guards slowly opened it, and the people who looked like refugees began to pour into Watford.
“Do they appear to be refugees?” Drew asked curiously.
“They’re refugees from the ravages of war,” Angel noted, picking up on the guards’ conversation. As the tide of war turned in favor of Sea Wave, refugees from the coastal provinces began to flood into the nearby provinces. Although Elegant Plum Province, being one of the closest Provinces to the frontline, wasn’t the first choice for refugees, the presence of the Monne family’s garrison still attracted many of them.
Seeing the villages that had been annihilated in the previous Black Crow Province, and then looking at these emaciated refugees, it was evident that the impact of the war on the Goldfinch Empire was immense.
Back when Shannon was still on the Gondola, Angel had asked her about the reasons behind Sea Wave’s victory. Shannon herself could not articulate it. Three months ago, she was a guest in the Territory of Sumer. At that time, there was no sign of Sea Wave’s imminent triumph. It seemed that the stalemate would continue for a long time, yet within a few days, news arrived that several coastal provinces had fallen. Even before she could leave, the Black Crow Province was also taken.
“Speaking of the war between Sea Wave and Goldfinch, from what Shannon said before, it seemed to have stagnated for seven or eight years. However, the rapid conclusion of the battles in several provinces in such a short time seems a bit strange,” Drew commented.
“It is indeed a bit strange,” Angel agreed, “But let’s not think about that for now. Let’s go back to Grud Town first.”
Witnessing the plethora of refugees, Angel’s longing for Grud Town intensified. Although refugees were pitiful, they could also be a catastrophe, especially for a simple and unpretentious place like Grud Town.
“I hope the situation in Grud Town is better,” Angel murmured softly to himself.
Soon, they saw Grud Town, situated between the mountains and adjacent to the prairie.
After many years of absence, Angel should have been overjoyed and excited at the sight of the familiar town. However, before they even approached Grud Town, Angel had an ominous premonition.
“Stop,” Angel suddenly commanded.
At this point, they were still a distance away from Grud Town. The Gondola was hidden in the clouds, and Drew looked at Angel in confusion, “Lord Pat, what’s wrong?”
“The atmosphere in Grud Town is a bit off.”
Drew leaned out and peered through the thin mist towards the small town where houses were scattered amidst the greenery.
Due to the distance, he couldn’t see very clearly. But he thought that the town seemed to have no problems, apart from being a bit small.
Facing Drew’s doubts, Angel softly said, “I sense an abnormal aura.”
In Angel’s vision, the town was shrouded in an eerie aura. However, if asked to specify what was wrong, he couldn’t explain it at the moment.
Angel’s expression slowly turned solemn. Discovering that something was wrong with his hometown just as he was about to return was probably the last thing he wanted to see.
To be cautious, Angel didn’t directly steer the airship over. Instead, he instructed Drew to descend into the woods, and they slowly walked towards Grud Town.
The closer they got to Grud Town, the more careful Angel became. On the other hand, Drew, who didn’t share Angel’s sense of tension, curiously took in the surrounding scenery.
After half an hour of walking, they emerged from the woods in the bright sunlight.
The distant outlines of the outpost of Grud Town were already faintly visible ahead. As per usual, the outpost was manned by town guards. However, they were still a bit too far to determine if anyone was actually there.
Farmland stretched out around them. There were no people in sight, but the fields were clearly tended to. There was no sign of weeds and the vibrant green of young crops shone brightly.
This small detail suggested that there were people in the town who took care of the fields.
Five minutes later, when Angel spotted a guard dressed in soft armor standing on the outpost, his heart finally settled a tad.
The presence of a guard meant that some semblance of order was maintained in Grud Town.
His fear was to come across a devastating scene, like the slaughtered villages he had seen in the Black Crow Province before. Judging from the current situation, it seemed things were fine.
However, he could not completely let his guard down. His heart would be restless until he saw his older brother.
Their arrival had been noticed, and the guard on the outpost had his gaze locked on them.
Most of the guard’s attention was on Drew, who was conspicuous with his face mostly covered by a headscarf.
“Who are you? What brings you to Grud Town?” The guard asked immediately before they entered the town. However, his demeanor was fairly amicable. The two strangers appeared normal, and from the quality of their clothing, it was clear that they were not refugees.
Drew had a heavy foreign accent, so Angel didn’t let him speak. Instead, he took the initiative and said, “I’m from Conniea, here to meet an old friend.”
—Conniea was the largest city in the Elegant Plum Province.
Angel deliberately put on a thick noble accent, and as expected, the guard’s expression softened even more upon hearing such an authentic tone.
Even Angel’s crumpled clothes didn’t seem to bother the guard, who probably assumed he was a down-on-his-luck noble.
“Who might your old friend be? I am Jordan, a guard of Grud Town, and I can guide you there.”
Jordan the guard? Angel tried to recall. It seemed like the town’s sheriff’s son was named Jordan. However, he had been studying abroad previously, and Angel had never met him.
“I’ve come to see Viscount Pat. He and I have been good friends for many years.” Angel smiled and said, “I have some matters to discuss with him.”
The moment Angel mentioned Viscount Pat, Jordan’s gaze changed abruptly.
Angel noticed the shift in his eyes and a sudden wave of unease washed over him, “What’s wrong? Isn’t Viscount Pat here?”
Jordan swallowed hard, glanced around to confirm no one was paying attention to them, and whispered, “If you’re looking for Viscount Pat, I suggest you turn back.”
“Why?” Angel maintained his composure, but his heart was pounding, “Isn’t Viscount Pat here?”
“I’m not certain, they could be around,” responded the guard, Jordan, with an air of hesitation.
“What exactly has transpired?” Angel probed, noting Jordan’s reluctance to elaborate. “If you’re uncomfortable sharing, then take me to Knight George. Five years ago, when I visited Grud Town, he was my host.”
Knight George was none other than the town’s sheriff and, if Angel’s memory served him right, Jordan’s father. At the mention of George, Jordan’s expression subtly shifted. He pondered briefly, unsure if he should disclose that the Viscount’s mansion had been closed off. Eventually, he decided, “In that case, let me take you to Knight George.”
As Jordan guided the pair towards the town center, locals greeted him enthusiastically. Many were familiar faces, stirring a sentiment of warm reunions within Angel. However, recalling Jordan’s earlier hesitation regarding Viscount Pat, the nostalgic feelings faded swiftly.
Moreover, Angel still could not pinpoint the origin of the peculiar atmosphere he had sensed earlier. Could it have truly originated from the Pat Manor? The thought darkened Angel’s gaze.
“Jordan, shouldn’t you be at your post instead of gallivanting about? And who are these two?” A robust middle-aged man emerged from a large log cabin just as the door swung open.
“Dad, they are…” Jordan was cut off mid-sentence by a smack on his head from the man.
“I’ve warned you before, when we’re working, you address me as Lord Sheriff!”
Rubbing his head with a slight whimper, Jordan complied, “Lord Sheriff.”
The middle-aged man was George, and his gaze finally settled on Angel and Drew. He extended his hand and asked, “Who are these two?”
“Lord Sheriff,” Jordan began, “this man came looking for the Viscount. He claims to be a friend and that you hosted him five years ago. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I brought him here.”
George’s expression subtly shifted as he scrutinized Angel. After a moment, he abruptly drew the longsword from Jordan’s waist. The icy tip of the blade pointed towards Angel, “You’re lying, I’ve never seen you before. Speak, who are you? What brings you here?”
Jordan froze, taken aback by the sudden tension.
Angel, however, calmly met George’s gaze. His eyes held a far-off look, and after a moment, he slowly turned around and shut the door with a creak.
Once the door was closed, Angel softly said:
“Uncle George, it’s been a while.”