Chapter 1989 - 539: The Hyena Followed

The midstream of Rushing River, muddy waters carrying silt from upstream silently scour the reeds on both banks, making them dirtier with each wash.

As one of the many tributaries of the Rushing River system, this is an essential shipping route connecting the Golden Plain and the Valley Plain outside Rapids Pass, with hundreds of cargo ships navigating its waters daily.

These cargo ships carry minerals from the southern Rhode Kingdom and agricultural products from the Ryan Kingdom's Golden Plain, exchanged for industrial goods at the Thunder City port downstream, or transferred from river ports to seaports, feeding the vast Imperial market.

It's no exaggeration to say that this cargo circulation route forms the main axis of the trade map along the Northeast Shore of Vortex Sea, and simultaneously constitutes the economic lifeline of the eastern region of Aus Continent.

However, at this moment, a feeling of unease permeates this Golden Waterway.

Keen-sensed captains and merchants have chosen to hasten their departure, preferring to spend the night on the turbulent river.

However, some are bolder.

They are either servants of nobles or related to noble servants by marriage, their business tinged with a sacred lineage, naturally unwilling to risk capsizing in the night to rush downstream.

The riverside town is an excellent place for leisure, offering wine, meat, and ladies at affordable prices.

They hardly wish to reach their destination having just left the master's estate.

"Where have we arrived?"

Riding on his warhorse, Heigmer glanced towards Rushing River, then turned to his deputy officer who was unfolding a map.

Faced with the inquiry from the Knight Order's leader, Alarand consulted the map for a bit before giving a definite answer.

"The Golden Plain is just ahead."

Heigmer's brow slightly relaxed, and he felt a modest relief from his inner weariness.

"Almost home."

Though five days of marching were hardly enough to tire his brethren, their fatigue had accumulated long before these five days.

"Let's aim to reach Baron Slanndwell's Domain before nightfall for a rest!" Heigmer spurred forward, shouting to those behind him.

The deputy officer perkily responded with a vigorous kick to his horse's belly to follow.

"Yes!"

Leaving the forest, the Lion Heart Knight Order continued along the riverbank.

Seeing more and more plains, the knights and soldiers finally displayed some relief on their faces, as the fatigue accumulated over many days slightly eased.

Even though their bellies were long empty, the thin wheat porridge barely enough to support their armor-clad bodies, the anticipation for the future was enough to temporarily make them forget the immediate hardship.

However—

When they marched to the riverbank, their morale, raised for less than an hour, uncontrollably plummeted to its nadir.

The riverport next to the Golden Waterway resonated with laughter, a scene of flourishing prosperity with smoke curling up into the air.

Scenting the drifting aroma of meat, many soldiers couldn't help but swallow, their eyes fixed on the riverbank like wolves starving for days and nights.

They starve at the front line while these folks revel. If only they hadn't chosen to become knights; they should've been trading for the Lord instead.

The peasants have no choice, but those leading the way are no peasants. Many had barely graduated from Knight School, reaching heights adventurers could never attain.

Yet, with a bellyful of frustration, they felt they might as well have been adventurers. At least no adventurer was ever said to have starved.

But to be fair, they only thought this in moments of anger. If they had to exchange their lives with adventurers, no matter whether they agreed or not, the adventurers would undoubtedly nod without hesitation.

The knights and knight followers weren't the only ones with complex expressions, even the "Radiant Knight" Commander Heigmer had them.

He tightened the reins with one hand, halting his warhorse, then scanned the riverside, his gaze growing darker.

A large fleet was anchored there—dozens of flat-bottomed cargo ships linked bow to stern, deeply laden, maintaining abnormal steadiness in the current.

Though most ships were hidden by curtains, with his vision he could tell that they were laden primarily with food and timber.

With the front lines and rear both tight, from the King to the Quartermaster lamenting poverty, why were these people able to smile?

"Judging by the looks of it, these ships aren't heading to the Royal Capital." The deputy officer rode up beside Heigmer, grimaced, suppressing the anger in his voice, "It appears our Quartermaster wasn't lying; they're indeed out of bread—no wonder it's all here... these wretched merchants!"

Heigmer didn't lament but drew his sword and issued an unprecedentedly cold order.

"Surround them."

"Understood!" The deputy officer excitedly turned his horse, galloped towards the rear, shouting orders.

At the town by the riverport, people noticing the rising dust in the distance were vaguely aware of something amiss but didn't leave.

After all, those were banners of the Devalu family, and the ones holding the banners were the Lion Heart Knight Order.

A drunken boozer hiccupped, guzzled a mouthful of rich stout, showing a theatrical expression.

"What are those guys up to?"

"Haha, probably caught the scent of booze and came scrounging drinks with us."