Chapter 460: Chapter 460: Refugees at the Bottom of the Mountain
 

Deep within the valley.

Scattered on the ground were stones etched with crude marks, forming a large magic array.

Dozens of humanoid creatures in earthy yellow robes stood around the array.

It was they who had activated the array, summoning four giant tentacles, breaking the suspension bridge, and leading Han Dong and his party down.

The leader, who had been communicating secretly with Han Dong, slowly lifted his hood.

What was revealed was a face of a black man.

However, his eyes were made of rocks, and his neck area was embedded with stones. According to the classification of low-rank creatures outside the city, he should be classified as a “Different Person”.

Poor humans who failed to receive the protection of a country when the end came were mostly enslaved by the demons and became “Heretics”.

They survived by dedicating themselves and serving the demons.

Only a very few heretics with unusual talents could become “Different People”, conserve their human form without losing their will after being ‘granted’ by the demons.

But heretics or Different People should never be seen as humans.

They have lost all humanity and live only for the ‘Demon Lord’ they serve, thoroughly rejecting humans.

As mentioned earlier.

Heretics usually work in villages, castles, or special areas ruled by demons. Once they sense an invasion, they would choose to sacrifice themselves without considering their own lives.

However, the current situation seems strange…

“Greetings, knights who have traveled from afar!

My name is Simon Fergus… The “Demon Lord-Sord” I served has been killed by the count of Scarlet Manor.

As you can see, Scarlet Manor, established by the count, has occupied most of the mountain range, and we have been forced to reside in the valley area that the count disdains.

I know that you have traveled a long way because of Scarlet Manor.

We would like to provide all the help we can, offering information about the manor and the map of the mountain roads, and even willing to guide you and provide basic assistance.

As long as you can kill one noble of the Scarlet Manor, we will be deeply grateful.”

Having said this, Simon, the black man, bowed his head slightly.

According to the records of knowledge about heretics and Different People in the Holy City, they would bow their heads only to the demons they serve… which to some extent indicates that the demon they served is indeed dead.

But… all of this seems a bit ‘inconsistent’.

If it were not for Han Dong’s special status, these natives would not be so enthusiastic about cooperation, nor would they cooperate with knights…after all, they are inherently antagonistic.

Just as Lucius’s party was having doubts.

Caw caw…

Duo Zeya, inside Han Dong, was let out.

The Double-headed Crowman has a considerable aura and, with a haughty appearance, converses with Simon, the black man, in ‘crow language’.

After a while, he turned around and reported the information to Han Dong.

“Captain Lucius, these heretics can be trusted… They were once followers of “Demon Lord Sord” and lived inside a cave in the middle of Mount Adlaga.

They belong to a relatively neutral force and were not protected by the Old King.

They have intersected with the Crowman tribe in Gaine Forest, my Crowman friend has interacted with them and can accept their help.”

“Crowman?”

Lucius immediately connected two things.

Mr. Black White’s crow attribute is unique, and it has long been rumored in the Holy City that Mr. Black White could command the neutral crowmen in Gaine Forest.

Now, Han Dong, as Mr. Black White’s only student, having a Crowman as a personal guard, is a normal situation.

The second thing was the Old King incident that Lucius and his party personally experienced.

Throughout the entire incident, it was with the help of the Crowman tribe that they were able to safely escape back to the Holy City… they wondered why the Crowmen in Gaine Forest would risk confronting the Old King to help the Knight Regiment.

Perhaps the answer lies in Han Dong, who was also involved in the incident.

Therefore, Lucius had no doubts about Han Dong releasing the Crowman and communicating with the others.

Lucius revealed his canine teeth and said in a low voice:

“Crazy heretics, willing to restrain their inner fallen emotions and cooperate with us… It seems that Scarlet Manor has indeed gone too far.

It doesn’t seem very good to talk here in the valley, let’s talk in the cave where you temporarily live.”

Simon, the black man, gestured politely:

“This way, please. We will try our best to receive you in a manner that respects human traditions…”

Since Lucius had made a decision, the team members had no objections.

It goes without saying for Dumps, he saw through early on that these heretics were so enthusiastic because of Han Dong’s ‘Lord’ status.

After all, they are a group of desperate people who have lost their master and they even hope to receive the protection of Han Dong, as their Lord.

Abe, having worked closely with Han Dong many times, trusts his decision implicitly.

“Blood squad, could there be a problem with this?”

Jane and Lunze were somewhat doubtful. Having received formal knight training, they found it hard to accept forging a cooperative relationship with lifeforms from outside the city.

“I have a handle on this… at least, I can’t smell the scent of ‘Blood Brew’ in their blood, and I can at least confirm they are not from the Scarlet Manor.

If there really is some plot or scheme, we just have to kill their Demon Lord.

Besides, the large array they used to bring us down just now should have been their strongest measure, and since they didn’t take action then, there shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Okay.”

As long as it is a decision made by Lucius, Jane and Lunze would have no other objections.

However, they couldn’t help but be shocked when they stared at the ‘crowman’ on Han Dong’s shoulder which had transformed into an obedient crow.

After all, even Lunze, a well-experienced Death Spirit, had never heard of someone being protected by the nefarious beings from outside the city, not to mention a mere Apprentice Knight.

It didn’t take long before everyone entered the temporary dwelling of these heretics after being driven down from the mountain.

A relatively large cave.

The interior was divided into three levels, each level had rooms carved into the rock walls for rest.

There were some simple stone tables and stools in the main hall.

About fifty heretics lived here, and Simon, the black man, was the leader of these ‘refugees’.

Jane also conducted a full search using the shadows in the cave and confirmed there were no hidden traps or hidden demons.

That eliminated most of the concerns.

Soon after, a series of bizarre meats cooked from a simple roast were served, and a warm welcome was given to the knights who had come from afar.

At the same time, Simon, the black man, also brought out the information about the ‘Scarlet Manor’ and the secret map of the Alagard Mountain.

He reflexively handed it to the ‘Lord’.

But Han Dong quickly signaled him to hand it over to Lucius.