Chapter 1377 - 745: Ever-Shifting Schemes (Part 2)

Chapter 1377: Chapter 745: Ever-Shifting Schemes (Part 2)

It’s hard to say how far they ran, but the wounds on their bodies stopped bleeding due to their strong vitality.

Indeed, under the influence of the Blood Moon, they fell into madness and were simultaneously strengthened by this power; otherwise, they couldn’t have run so far with such severe injuries, nor could the wounds have stopped bleeding so fast.

If it were to live a few more years, a Wild Boar King with an Extraordinary Bloodline might awaken.

Perhaps it had run far enough, or maybe it was tired; the wild boar gradually slowed its pace and began snuffling around for food.

But there were too many bugs in the wilderness, and soon enough, the wounds attracted many insects sucking blood and eating flesh, making it suffer greatly.

After all, as a local boar in the wilderness, it had ways to deal with such situations. Its nose sniffed the air, quickly locking onto a target and running towards it.

It was a swamp, a place where wild boars loved to wallow in the mud, preventing bites from insects.

But this time, the boar was a bit confused as to why there was a magnificent, though ruined, building complex above its favorite mud puddle.

Before it could further react, a bothersome buzzing sound rose, followed by the wild boar’s fierce screams, which soon quieted down, leaving only the fading buzz...

Though the Blood Moon and the Extreme Darkness disappeared, the disturbances in the Hamlet Territory did not calm down due to the Ancestor’s disappearance; instead, they became more intense.

With the Ancestor completely vanished from this world, matters that arose because of him but were concealed also gradually surfaced along with his departure...

However, sunlight now shone on Hamlet City, and life emerged vigorously; after being at a standstill for days, things began to function again.

Of course, many pressing issues needed to be addressed, and everyone busied themselves without complaint.

Things were certainly better than before, and those ordinary people trapped for days felt glad to have something to do, working together to restore Hamlet as quickly as possible.

Humans are fragile yet resilient, striving to survive whenever given a chance.

Not only in the city, but similar situations emerged in surroundings areas, especially in the frontline towns, where people seemed to have survived hell.

Compared to the city where order was maintained by people, managing the place was more troublesome since most inhabitants were outsiders.

Lance consolidated power controlling only the core commercial areas, leaving the rest "unmanaged," without curfews, allowing free movement but prohibiting leaving the town, with military stationed outside.

This policy, lenient inside but strict outside, caused quite a few problems during the Extreme Darkness and even as the Blood Moon descended, leading to the dispatch of law enforcement teams composed of heroes and trusted aides to clear out numerous out-of-control individuals.

However, these were adventurers hard to integrate and were inherently consumables, not concerning the Lord.

Now, they realized the previous disregarded order, even seen as a restraint, actually had a purpose, protecting someone.

If Hamlet didn’t maintain the supply of resources, situations would have been worse.

Fortunately, they got through it, now desiring not treasures but to leave this place.

"Have you heard? It’s the Lord who led people deep into the ruins to fight those treasure-guarding monsters for three days and nights, finally breaking the seal, thus the sun came out."

"Is it true?"

"Of course, it’s news from the army. Didn’t you notice how the army recently attacked the ruins frantically? They must have discovered something."

"Exactly, and that legion also..."

"I think I’ll pass. I’m hoping to survive and go home to get married."

As sunshine gradually arrived and amidst the jubilations of having escaped with their lives, strange rumors began to spread widely.

Even those adventurers who initially wanted to leave were swayed.

Clearly, those rumors were deliberately spread by Lance, treating them like crops to reap, trapping them here.

Yet such matters boil down to mutual willingness, and nobody could blame anyone else.

Many were reluctant, feeling like dogs being fooled, but considering sunk costs, they hesitated.

They’d endured the darkest times; if they didn’t make a fortune now, wouldn’t their efforts be in vain?

Some resisted the temptation and chose to leave, but greed is ever abundant...

Yet an interesting thing occurred, as beasts in the wilderness were all strengthened and maddened by the Blood Moon.

So what changes happened to the hidden vermin in the ruins from which this event originated?

During the Extreme Darkness and Blood Moon, there were Skeletons suppressing them, but now with sunlight arriving, the Skeletons retreated, indicating the vermin lost their last restraint, sure to spread.

...

Ovando received news of the extreme darkness disappearing from Hamlet immediately, as he had always arranged for people to keep watch since trouble began on Hamlet’s side and trustable personnel to come and go.

He also knew about the Blood Moon; his heart, which had settled, almost died again, wishing he could extract his family.

Yet he couldn’t understand what drug that Lord had given them, as the family never agreed, leaving him anxious.

Now, Ovando gazed high towards Hamlet with an inexplicably complex expression.

The black fog dispersed; seemingly, they had won.

It was hard to say whether it was a feeling of sunset or relief, but Ovando finally temporarily set aside the fear of Hamlet’s darkness; however, things weren’t over but perhaps a new beginning.

Because he knew that after internal affairs were resolved, that Lord would surely take action.

War was on the horizon...

The areas surrounding Hamlet sensed the unpredictable situation in Hamlet these days, being constantly stirred by chaotic news during the initial descent of the Extreme Darkness.

But later, no news came out; those sent to investigate also didn’t return.

The phenomena in heaven and earth and lack of information caused the nobles with interests in Hamlet to hesitate, possibly being witnesses of an epoch past or comprehending Hamlet’s disasters through fragments in family legacy books.

The inheritance and accumulation only added to their hesitation, as Hamlet, once a flourishing place, also appeared to be a cursed land.

Previously, perhaps many were greedy for Hamlet’s past, but now most have calmed down.

Yet, the remnants of the Ascension Sect hidden among them were anxious, thinking "if you don’t help us retake it, how will I ascend? If I don’t ascend, how can I help you?"

They swore they could hear the New God giving continuous enlightenment in dreams, actively persuading nobles during this process, saying now was the time to act while the dark occupied Hamlet and others wouldn’t have time.

They coerced and tempted them, remarking there was no logic in boarding the evil cult’s ship and not helping attack Hamlet, threatening to perish together.

Those associated with the Ascension Sect began operating, with fervent seekers of ascension gathering hidden Ascension Cultists for a counterattack.

Here lies the flaw of the noble system, inheritance. Those who witnessed the catastrophe might be cautious like Walter, but new heirs didn’t see it and were perplexed by the vague records.

They only saw their families fattened on Hamlet’s corpse, previously usurping with dripping mouths, salivating as they reminisced.

A strong career drive made them eager to achieve great things, aligning them with the cultist’s goals easily.

Arise, Hamlet!

Sparsely gathered troops indeed began annexing neighboring territories, through which the Ascension Sect gradually seized control of military forces.

With slight "miracles," they could deceive ordinary people, such was the power of religion.

Thus, when privileged children spend money, it’s irrelevant, but entrepreneurship is truly life-threatening.

Yet as they proceeded halfway, dawn broke...