Don't move, it's a robbery!

The city lord proposed his idea: he was willing to pay 800 gold coins to each of the kidnapped nobles, and also to grant the rogue the right to investigate the ruins together. Regarding the hero's relics, he could also give the rogue the right to use "Azure Peak," but the ownership must belong to the city-state of Mogoslor.

Of course, if the rogue disagreed, there was a more moderate solution: to grant him a title in the city of Mogoslor and to marry one of his granddaughters to him.

In this way, the rogue would become one of their own in the city-state of Mogoslor.

You really have wild ideas!

Santos's eyes widened, not because he thought the Lord of Boyd's offer was low, but because the proposal was simply too outrageous.

In Santors's view, the Robin Hood, while powerful, obsessive, insane, and cruel, was also a person with a great heart. Yet, the Lord of Boyd thought that he could control such a person with just a title and a granddaughter.

That's absolutely out of the ordinary!

Of course, Santorsen didn't say these things aloud, but Lord Boyd was a cunning old fox. Just from Santorsen's eyes, he could tell that the other party did not agree with his offer.

Hmph, the Robin Hood has quite the appetite.

Indeed, the other side can easily conquer a city, and it's somewhat unrealistic to think that you can win them over with just a title.

"Sir Santos, regarding my suggestions, do you see any areas that need to be changed?"

When asked by the city lord, Santos was about to answer, but then he suddenly remembered something, lowered his head and thought for a while. After recalling the actions of the chivalrous thief, he felt that he had figured out the other party's personality.

Of course, before expressing his thoughts, Santos first asked the city lord a question seriously.

"Lord Boyd, do you truly wish to negotiate peace with the Robin Hood?"

"Of course, what, are you doubting me?"

"No, of course not. If you really want to make peace with the Robin Hood, you may have to pay a price."

Lord Boyd was taken aback at first, then suddenly sat up straight and subconsciously questioned him.

"explain!"

As soon as he spoke, Lord Boyd realized he had gotten a little too excited and quickly softened his tone.

"Please speak!"

Santos was not intimidated and calmly stated his thoughts.

"Free the slaves in the city and grant them the status of free citizens. If possible, it would be best to give them some work and a way to support themselves. My lord, if you can do these things, I cannot guarantee the hero's relics, but those kidnapped nobles will certainly return safely."

Santosen spoke very sincerely and felt that his judgment was correct, but Lord Boyd did not show any thoughtful expression. Instead, he looked very unhappy.

After all that talk, the most important thing is the ownership of 'Azure Peak,' and you're skipping over that now? What's the point of us even negotiating?

"Free the slaves? Do you know how many slaves there are in the whole city? And most of them are other people's private property. How can you expect me to free them?"

"My lord, I'm sorry, but if releasing all the slaves in the city isn't an option, perhaps you could try releasing a small number first. Even if we can't reach an agreement directly, at least we can show enough goodwill..."

Before Santos could finish speaking, Lord Boyd interrupted him.

"If we can't even reach a contract, why should I bother with you? You should think it over carefully. You can make any conditions you want, but you must be clear about them, especially regarding the ruins and the hero's relics."

Relics? Hero's relics? Aren't we discussing ransom for the hostages? And why do I need to make guarantees?

Santos was a little confused, completely unable to understand what the city lord was thinking, and could only attribute it all to the city lord being in a bad mood.

The banquet ended unhappily, and Lord Boyd was filled with anger as he watched Santorsen leave.

Hmph, what a despicable person! All he knows is to make demands, but he doesn't even offer the slightest guarantee.

What kind of negotiation is this?!

Showing goodwill—the fact that the city lord is willing to negotiate with criminals like you is already the greatest act of goodwill!

"Go, send another 200 men to the city lord's mansion! Tonight, all candlesticks and torches must remain lit. The guards must patrol the upper city continuously. So what if he's a bandit? Does he really think we're afraid of him?"

Mogoslol was under martial law, but the upper city was bustling with activity. Soldiers were everywhere on the streets, and the clanging of armor made it impossible for anyone to sleep, especially the elderly, who tossed and turned in bed in agony.

Lord Boyd was like that; he wanted his soldiers to be quiet, but considering his own safety, he forcibly suppressed the urge to call for help.

The day passed without incident, but when the sun rose again in the new day, Lord Boyd, who had not slept all night, received terrible news.

The nobles who had been captured were found, but they had all been disfigured and mixed in with the slaves in the arena.

"What?!"

Lord Boyd was incredulous and hurriedly led his guards to the arena. Soon, he saw more than a thousand slaves, and more than half of them were disfigured.

Anyone would have a nightmare if hundreds of bloodied and mangled faces were staring at them at the same time.

Lord Boyd felt exactly like that. The scene, which resembled purgatory, made him lose his ability to think. The soldiers quickly helped him away from the arena, and it took him a long time to recover.

Once he had calmed down, Lord Boyd immediately shouted.

"Guards! Where are the guards watching over the arena?! And the arena administrators! Those slave owners can definitely tell who's new!"

"My lord, all the administrators are dead! As for the guards watching over the arena, you actually transferred them all away yesterday, so there are only a few guards left in the arena. We questioned them before, and they all said that they only saw a dark shadow, then their heads hurt, and they lost consciousness."

"What?!"

Lord Boyd was stunned for a moment, then cold sweat soaked his back.

In other words, last night, the outlaws could have easily started a slave revolt.

No, no! There's no need to consider timing at all; with the abilities of a chivalrous thief, he can launch an uprising at any time.

It simply depends on whether the other party wants to or not.

As for those nobles whose faces were disfigured, this must be retaliation from the other party. Just because I rejected Santos's proposal yesterday, he deliberately staged this show!

No, this is not just retaliation, it's a warning!

In a daze, Lord Boyd suddenly saw a dark figure. He screamed and snatched the musket from his guard's waist, firing directly at the figure.

"Bang!"

"Gah! Gah gah!"

A bullet whizzed through the air, startling a passing crow, but even more terrified were the soldiers who hadn't yet recovered.

"Quickly! The city lord has been attacked! Someone, come quick!"

"Protect the city lord!"

"The chivalrous thieves have attacked the city lord! Help! ...Why are you running?! Come back! You deserters!"