"Wait a minute, wait a minute, honorable Master Kang Kai, Master Bahanger."
A firm, but panting voice came from afar on an inconspicuous street. Magic blessings were evident in the voice, so not only did Punk and the others hear it, but the refugees also heard it clearly.
Without a doubt, it was Dickey and the others arriving.
However, the refugees did not have the awareness to save themselves. As soon as Dickey's voice echoed, they all panicked. They heard a name they did not want to hear—Bahanger!
The refugees, realizing the terrible existence they were facing, did not foolishly choose to rush over and find death like the group at the city gate. Instead, they fled indiscriminately. Within less than a minute, the once lively street became deserted.
Ignoring some minor stampede incidents, their escape was relatively smooth. Punk had wanted the refugees to cause chaos everywhere, and Kang Kai had deliberately allowed them to flee, so no one tried to stop them.
Then, Punk used his mage's hand to lift Dickey, Luo Taran, and Bi Lan...
After all, what else could he do? These three were his subordinates. It would be awkward to let them continue shouting and causing a scene on the street like garbage. Punk had already felt Bahanger's disapproving gaze.
The first thing Dickey did when he reached the roof was kneel before Kang Kai.
He knew that only Kang Kai truly cared about the lives of Dolez City's people, so with red eyes, he spoke loudly:
"Please, don't believe the shameless nobles' lies. While some refugees have indeed lost their minds and been blinded by desire, many others are simply impulsive. The chaos in Dolez is the fault of the city guards and the nobles. You can go and see for yourself. Those soldiers who were supposed to protect the people are taking advantage of the chaos to loot, and the nobles are hoarding food meant for the refugees. Please forgive the refugees for their mistakes..."
As Dickey spoke, his voice choked with emotion.
He knew how sinful it was for ordinary people to attack the nobles in this world, but he couldn't bear to watch tens of thousands of refugees become outlaws in a daze, even though no one would thank him.
Kang Kai looked at Dickey with complicated eyes.
He knew that Dickey had a righteous heart and had experienced chaos without becoming tainted by hatred. This was something Kang Kai admired.
As Kang Kai struggled with his decision, Hutt, who was standing beside him, was growing anxious.
Why?
Because Dickey was speaking the truth.
Hutt was mentally screaming:
Isn't this just playing the victim? I'll cry harder than you!
Hutt wanted to do it. Regardless of his dignity, he wished to fall to his knees after Kang Kai helped Dickey up, crying as if he had suffered a great injustice.
"Master Kang Kai, Master Punk, Master Bahanger, Ke is terrible! This... this kid is unpredictable... I can't believe it, is there no honor for a pariah? Is a promising nobleman not worthy of trust? These refugees clearly belong to Tishachar, and they... they are part of a conspiracy to overthrow the Kingdom of Dylan..."
Hutt's tears were real.
He was genuinely afraid that Kang Kai would find out about his connection to Tishachar. As an old fox, he knew that Punk wouldn't do anything more unless he obtained a large number of slaves, and the Victoria's Secret family offered no protection.
Kang Kai's face twisted with disgust when he saw Hutt's tears.
He knew what Hutt meant by "honorable and promising nobleman."
The first phrase implied Kang Kai didn't have the right to pursue the royal appointment of the Dylan Kingdom as an adventurer, and the second meant that Kang Kai was inseparable from the nobles in governing this fragmented city.
His "crying" was meant to save face for Kang Kai.
Hutt knew Kang Kai was a ranger of the kind-hearted camp, so he dared to engage in such moral manipulation. If it were Punk, he wouldn't even dare to speak.
Kang Kai remained silent for a moment.
As a believer of Obai, he had to act "lawfully," and the rule of nobility was seen as "order" in traditional thinking.
Kang Kai had to admit he was conflicted.
If the nobles were punished, who would govern Dolez City?
Would the royal family of Dylan Kingdom sit idly by?
But demoting all the refugees to slaves would be too cruel.
As Kang Kai took his time making a decision, Dickey grew anxious. He shouted, disregarding his status:
"Does the so-called justice mean turning a blind eye to blatant sins? Is the so-called kindness raising a butcher's knife to the poor who make mistakes for a moment? Isn't it... can't it... can't you give those people a chance?"
Dickey cried involuntarily, wiping his tears with his dirty sleeve, leaving traces on his filthy face.
Faced with Dickey's question, Kang Kai lost his voice.
Seeing this, Bi Lan and Luo Taran stepped forward, wanting to say something, but they simultaneously felt a cold gaze from Punk.
The two girls shuddered and immediately fell silent.
They dared not provoke a formal mage.
Luo Taran, especially, was guilty for her actions, as the Minohorn Chamber of Commerce was strictly Punk's property, and she had done many things without his approval.
The two girls were easily silenced.
Punk withdrew his cold gaze and continued to look at Kang Kai with a furrowed brow.
He was very curious about how Kang Kai, the real "Mother," would handle the situation.
"One side is 'order,' and the other is 'kindness,' but you can't have both in this situation. What will you do, Kang Kai?"
Ignoring Punk's mocking eyes and the impatient gaze of Bahanger, Kang Kai made his decision.
"This is not the responsibility of one individual, but the fault of everyone. Both the nobles and the refugees share the blame. But I believe O'Bai should show kindness and give everyone who is at fault a chance. The refugees can help rebuild Dolez City, and the nobles should open their warehouses and release grain. Only when everyone makes amends can Dolez City have new hope."
Kang Kai spoke to Dickey.
In fact, he had already made his judgment when facing Dickey's loud question.
"Sure enough, no matter where you are, the Virgin Goddess is the same indecisive. Forcibly suppressing hatred only strengthens it. Ignoring simple truths in favor of believing in the ridiculous idea of 'compensation'? Kang Kai's lack of intelligence is evident in this."
Punk glanced at Kang Kai disdainfully and strode off.
Dolez's troubles were enough to keep Kang Kai occupied. Punk now had plenty of time to set a fatal trap.
As for Kang Kai...
In Punk's eyes, he was already a dead man.
Luo Taran, Bi Lan, and the reckless Dickey—they had always wanted to escape Punk's control?
Let these three idiots follow Kang Kai, establish a bond with this Madonna Ranger, and that bond would become the most effective weapon against Kang Kai.
Punk already had the perfect plan.
Once his trap was set, he would take Dickey, Luo Taran, and Bi Lan hostage.
He didn't believe Kang Kai would just stand by.