NFBE Chapter 9 Elina's Accident
Chapter 9 Elina's Accident
"It's easy for you people, whose families don't have members in the militia, to talk like that without any real connection to the tragedy. After all, it was our family's child who died, not yours!"
"Our family risked two lives for the Southern Empire! What? You want us to pay protection money?"
The two peasant women pointed at each other's noses and argued fiercely.
Luo Xu frowned; his fears had come true: the villagers had split into two factions over their interests.
Alina, who was standing to the side, walked even slower, her hands unconsciously clenching the hem of her clothes.
The men present remained silent, all looking at Galon, seemingly waiting for him to speak.
Galon's expression was grim. Although the men present remained silent, he knew their thoughts were essentially the same as the two peasant women's.
"Quiet down," Galon said.
The once noisy open space instantly became completely silent.
"I know everyone has their own ideas, but I still want everyone to work together to resist those bandits." Galon's tone was very solemn.
"Those bandits are very cunning. We paid protection money this time, but who can guarantee they won't do it again?"
Some villagers initially wanted to object, but after hearing the last sentence, they fell into deep thought.
Galon glanced around and, seeing no one speak, continued, "As long as we work together, defeating those bandits won't be difficult. I can guarantee that with the reputation of Lantas."
"Now, let's start voting. Those who want to pay protection money, stand on the left; those who don't, stand on the right."
Everyone seemed to have been persuaded, and under the guidance of Galon's son, they moved in an orderly fashion to the right.
Seeing that Alina was frozen in place, Luo Xu pulled her along and followed the crowd in line.
"Sister Alina, what's wrong?" Luo Xu noticed Alina's unusual behavior and asked.
"It's nothing," Alina forced a smile, then asked casually, "Rossi, which side do you choose?"
"I'd definitely choose the right side," Luo Xu replied.
He joined the militia to protect Alina's family; if he were on the left, then joining the militia would be meaningless.
After listening, Alina didn't say anything more. She lowered her head, and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Soon it was Luo Xu and his group's turn.
Luo Xu stepped to the right, but halfway there he suddenly realized there was no one behind him. Turning around, he found Alina standing on his left!
"Sister Alina, what's going on...?" Luo Xu's face was full of doubt, not understanding why Alina would stand on the left, when standing on the right would be the most beneficial for her.
Alina didn't look up, and said softly, "Rossi, I'll tell you when we get back."
Galon's face darkened instantly, and his angry gaze fell upon Elina. The villagers on the right did the same, all glaring unfriendly at her, who stood alone on the left.
Seeing this, Luo Xu gritted his teeth and took a step forward.
Amidst everyone's shocked gazes, Luo Xu stepped to the left. Though his shoulders weren't broad, he shielded Alina from all the malice.
"Ross, go back now." Alina reached out, trying to push Ross to the right, but he didn't budge.
Alina's eyes gradually reddened, and she turned away to wipe her face with her arm.
The villager who was about to step to the right saw two people on the left and hesitated before walking to the left.
Among the villagers who had not yet chosen a side, some began to move to the left.
In the end, more people chose the right side. Galon breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The minority shall obey the majority. Everyone, remember today's vote."
The villagers gradually dispersed, and Luo Xu and Alina followed the flow of people on their way back.
Night had fallen, and a dim yellow light shone from the window of a hotel not far away.
This dirt road is not the one they usually take; they have to take a long detour to get to their doorstep.
Luo Xu looked at Alina's still slightly red eyes and asked, "Sister Alina, why...why did you choose the left side?"
Alina bit her lip and remained silent for a long while.
Just when Luo Xu thought she wouldn't speak, Alina's voice rang out.
"I have a younger brother, about your age. He went to the battlefield two years ago."
Alina suddenly choked up, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam.
He never came back...
Luo Xu didn't interrupt, but listened silently.
"Two months ago, the recall notice came again. My husband said he would definitely come back..."
"But now there's no news of him at all."
Luo Xu's breath hitched, and his chest felt heavy, as if a boulder was pressing down on it. He didn't know how to comfort Alina.
"Rossi, can you promise me something?" Alina suddenly asked.
"you say."
"Promise me you'll take good care of yourself and never die."
Luo Xu felt a lump in his throat and turned his head away: "I promise you."
Alina stopped crying and started laughing, and suddenly became more talkative.
The two talked a lot along the way, from Luo Xu's ripped pants to Luo Xu chasing away the naughty children who were bullying Lia...
Before they knew it, the two had arrived at their doorstep.
"Rossus, I dug up a lot of wild vegetables this afternoon. I'm going to the inn to exchange them for dinars," Alina said.
"I'll go with you."
Luo Xu was a little uneasy, after all, there were two deserters staying at the hotel.
"No need, you've had a long day, get some rest."
Luo Xu wanted to speak again, but seeing Alina's concerned look, he stopped insisting.
Jeffrey and Captain Walter are both keeping an eye on the two deserters; Elina should be fine.
Alina went inside, took out a bundle of wild vegetables, and then headed towards the inn.
Looking at Alina's retreating figure, Luo Xu suddenly felt a damp heat on his face.
In this cold, alien world, this kind woman was the first person to warm his heart.
Luo Xu opened the Mount & Blade interface, staring at the numbers before him, something seemed to be flowing within him.
When he first awakened the Mount & Blade system, he felt like the chosen one. Like all transmigrators, his goal was to reach the pinnacle of power and become the overlord of the world.
But today he suddenly realized that he didn't have to become some kind of overlord.
Perhaps the purpose of this system is not to allow him to stand at the highest position, but to empower him to protect those who need him.
Luo Xu raised his hand to wipe the moisture from his face and gripped the spear tightly.
He was still a little worried about Alina, so he stood at the door for a long time without going in, intending to see her come back before going in.
Luo Xu suddenly remembered that he hadn't collected his wages for the day. Since he was worried about Alina, he quickly walked towards the hotel.
Suddenly, a piercing whistle came from the direction of the hotel.
Luo Xu's pupils contracted sharply, and he rushed toward the center of the village.
A shout came from the direction of the hotel. Luo Xu recognized it as Jeffrey's voice, and his heart jumped into his throat.
Alina, please don't let anything happen to you.
When Luo Xu arrived at the hotel, Captain Walter and several militiamen had already arrived before him.
Jeffrey lay on the ground with a horrific slash wound in his chest, and several militiamen were trying to stop the bleeding.
Luo Xu breathed a slight sigh of relief when he didn't see Alina. He had taken a shortcut; perhaps Alina was on her way back.
Before Rossus could speak, Walter said without hesitation, "Rosus, Sarah has been kidnapped by those two soldiers. We need to devise a rescue plan immediately."
Upon hearing this, Luo Xu's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Captain, I will definitely follow your orders."
"Wait..." Jeffrey gasped for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat. "Alina has been captured too."
What!
Luo Xu felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
The next moment, he galloped toward the fresh hoofprints.