Similarly, in another area with a stagnant atmosphere, a certain set of twins stood in front of a woman.
Luke and Leo met the woman as they were waiting at the gates, preparing to leave.
She had been watching them the whole time, though it took her a while to approach them.
The two followed her to some distance away from the crowd. Arms crossed, they looked at her, waiting for her to speak.
"I know whatever comes out of my mouth won't make you feel any better…" she said, "But now that you're leaving, I hope you don't keep the hate in your hearts…
"And I am in no illusion that you will forgive me. My only wish is that you two do not live in hate. My death would not do that.
"You are good kids. You know what is right or wrong."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "What I can do is assure you that I won't be getting any decent sleep from now on.
"As long as I live, I will suffer the consequences of my actions." She told them, "This is my guarantee."
Luke and Leo sighed and looked at each other, simply walking away.
As they walked, their shoulders straightened, expressions loosening.
Because she was right. They didn't need to suffer for her.
Hope could change a lot of things even when nothing had yet to happen.
In Vismont, there had been an obvious increase in chatter and activity, gossiping at the new shift in power, smiles filled with longing.
Anyway, the group rested for a few more hours in the unit, before the lord came to visit them again.
He arrived with an old man this time. And he was still wearing his turtleneck, covering his bruises, but his disposition was a lot lighter than before.
"Thank you!" He said, "I don't know how to thank you more."
At his smile, the trio who knew him best among their team couldn't help but take a second look at him.
It was very unlike the lord they'd seen. He seemed to become more… human, now.
Rowan nodded with that deadpan face of his. "Just do your side of the deal."
Matthew blinked and smiled. "Ah, yes. Of course."
The reason why every member of the team bothered to dip their toes into this mess was because of his side of the deal, otherwise, who would bother?
Silvia and Rowan naturally got themselves quite a good deal.
The deal was for Matthew to willingly let go of at least five talents for each person who participated in the purge, as long as the citizens agreed, of course.
Matthew also promised to give incentives, which was also a low-key way of earning another territory's money, but Matthew didn't mind.
He owed too much to these people, and he owed too much to his citizens. Even when he was the Lord, he knew which territory could give them a better life. How dare he take away this chance from them?
Soon, an announcement echoed across Vismont Village—
[Mission: Solidify the Cooperation between two territories.
[Content: Become a resident of an allied territory, Altera Village (Lv2)
[Requirements and Rewards:
[No minimum requirement, settlement fee of 5 silver will be given.
[Bonus of +5 silver for people with Occupations]
For a while the people were confused.
"Altera?" One asked, and it was a lively young man who answered him.
"It's the one with all the products! Remember? They said their territory produces those things."
"Great! I was planning to check it out before now I have more incentive!"
In another area, a small group of people had bright eyes. "Oh yes! My friends and I have been planning on starting a caravan!"
"I hear the first batch is leaving today! We should go with them! It's safer!"
Okuri looked at her boyfriend. "What do you think?"
The silent man nodded with a smile. He pointed at her and then at him, and then placed his hands together.
She smiled, understanding what he meant, "Together."
Basically, across the territory, there would be similar conversations about migrating to another village.
Some were happy and some were sad.
"I understand the lord's dilemmas but… I can't stay here anymore." One said. He had just finished burying a cousin.
"Me too… I… my sister suffered too much, maybe going to a different territory…" another uttered, holding his sister's hand.
His lively sister… so beautiful and gregarious… now refusing to speak.
Then there were also angrier ones, "I honestly can't look at the lord without wanting to spit at him now."
And there were more than a few echoes of agreement. Although they rationally understood the lord's predicament, it didn't mean their hearts were willing to forgive.
It could be said that it would take a long time for Matthew to be absolved by these people, and he understood it. He couldn't have asked for more, in fact.
He wished them the best in Altera.
Of course, while many were already planning on their move, there were many others who were just watching the show.
After all, most of the people who had already invested their wealth in Vismont would be unwilling to move. However, they were very willing to take a look and explore.
One of them was Old Yao. In his old age, he was rarely excited about a trip, but here he was.
In any case, whether it was the old man or others, they were more than willing to see and do some shopping!
No matter what, the Alteran products were definitely the real deal!
A few hours after the announcement, the various members of the Altera team looked at the crowd of hundreds of people in glee.
It was a noisy crowd, all with mixed emotions and expressions, but they all had something in common: They were all coming to Altera!
There were so many!!!
Of course, a lot of these people had the mentality of just going to look, but they were confident in their territory. A lot of them would definitely stay.
Calculating the contribution points, the Alterans couldn't help but want to dance.
They could finally be permanent residents! What's more, the businesses of their teams would thrive, making their pockets even heavier!
Allied territories are awesome!