Matthew recalled the rants of the guards yesterday. At first, he had difficulty in believing them, thinking they were exaggerating to make him move.
This couldn't be blamed on him. After all, they had claimed that two level-three guards couldn't even make the enemy guard—who was now known to be an aborigine—lift a finger.
But as he watched the 'Alterans' the past day, he realized that these people were much more powerful than he imagined.
Even his fellow Terrans were stronger than they were on average. As a level 4 individual, he could tell the weakest among them were level 3.
This was very amazing. There were over ten thousand people in his territory, not even a hundred were at level 3.
This alone sent signals that this 'Altera' was not a simple territory, and he could feel that it was much, much, more powerful than his own.
He also saw the temperament of his guests. They were energetic, lively, and filled with hope.
All of them were like that, even his former citizens who had only been gone for a couple of days.
And most importantly: They could also produce so many items that he had deemed impossible to see in the short term.
Amazingly, they could even produce to the point of having a surplus.
What if they had the medicine they needed as well? After all, Trialphas wasn't an uncommon disease!
As he mused deeply about his next point of action, an urgent knock sounded, pulling him out of his trance.
The door opened to reveal a kind-looking old man with half-squinted eyes.
Micheal's tense stance softened at the sight of the other person, who immediately stood in front of his table with a little urgency.
If the twins were here, they'd realize this man was the old clothes repairer they encountered just the day prior.
"Old Yao, what is it? So early?" This was old Yao, one of his confidants. In his free time, he fixed other people's clothes for a fee.
This time though, his usual calm face betrayed a bit of worry. Matthew's eyebrows rose. His heart dropped automatically because emergencies in this place usually made him suffer a lot.
"What's the matter?" He asked, a bit afraid of the answer. Hopefully, it was nothing life-or-death.
"Those people are already preparing to leave," the old man said, making Matthew abruptly stand up.
"What?" But he didn't ask anymore, he simply walked out and went straight to the house the group rented.
Indeed, some of the Alterans were already waiting outside for the rest of the group, very ready to leave.
Matthew frowned, looked at the dark sky, and saw that it wasn't even dawn yet?
He stood still for a while before asking the nearest person for the leader. For this team, there seemed to be two: the aborigine and the woman.
Among the leaders, it was the woman who soon came out to meet him. She didn't look particularly surprised to see him. And there was no sign of dislike, which was a good thing for him.
"How can we help this lord?" She asked.
"You are in such a rush to leave?"
"Well, the territory sent another mission. We would like to try doing it for points."
"We were asked to look for resource points."
"Yes, we just received the notification last night."
Why was he so behind the news?
Anyway, this was not the topic he came here to discuss. Heaving a deep breath, he looked at the woman, the atmosphere quickly turning solemn. "I would like to speak to the decision-maker in private."
Silvia looked at him for a moment before nodding, guiding him inside their temporary abode.
The moment they entered the house though, he was met with hostile stares.
At this time a few people stepped in and looked at him guardedly.
Since they were already leaving, he reckoned they didn't want to bother being polite with him, someone they disliked.
"What do you want, lord?" The taller boy asked, crossing his arms.
He knew these kids and had an idea why they were biased against him. Understandably so.
Especially the boy with a somber disposition, Crow Higgins.
His aunt had been a victim of Higson's party, one of the more direct ones.
Crow's aunt was one of the women Higson took fancy to, but refused. The man then got one of his gangsters to defile her and kill her.
This gangster—Cain—was very unassuming, and he didn't think he was so vile with his neat appearance.
It was only after Higgins' aunt passed that he also found out this gangster killed even more.
Micheal truly wanted to massacre him and give him a brutal death penalty like in the medieval ages.
But he had to lower his punishment because Higson was the man's friend.
He let that guy go out of the territory as punishment, at the order of Higson.
To others, this could be considered a punishment indeed, but Matthew always felt that that man was a cockroach and would still be alive to this date.
In any case, for the victim's family, he had no excuse. He didn't even explain himself, because none of it would be enough.
Regardless of all the complications, however, he knew he didn't have much time.
He bowed his head, tone sincere. "Let me talk to you." he said, "Please."
This humble gesture surprised everyone, and after looking at each other. This alerted everyone of the seriousness.
Most of the people outside the leadership circle, though curious, went out on their own. The ones that remained in the room other than Silvia and Rowan were the other four, claiming they knew him the best, and they ought to be there.
There was no furniture so they stood inside the room, waiting for the lord to speak up.
"As the lord of this territory, I would like to request a deal."
"Don't trust him, Rowan! He definitely isn't as clean as he looks!" Dog whispered, trying to be tactful by not yelling.
But Matthew was a level 4 individual, how could he not hear it?
Rowan did not speak for a while, but only stared at Matthew, who had let go of his prideful image and was in a humble stance the whole time.
Rowan's red eyes stared him down, and Matthew felt a little hairy.
After a beat, Rowan finally spoke."It would depend on the deal."
Matthew paused as he looked down, his hand gripping his leg. When he raised his head, a renewed light could be seen.
"I am willing to do anything," he said with certainty, "As long as you clear the territory of those scum!"