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In the past life, Zalanda and the others were chased so frantically by the hobgoblin pursuers behind them that they were in no position to worry about gathering the residents along the way. The Nort Militia suffered the most casualties, and even once they had reached Darama City, the suspicion they arouse would not be too severe.
This life is a different story, Gaven now had reason to suspect that even getting into Darama might prove a challenge for Zalanda and her group, let alone the possibility of being outright denied entry.
As such, the conflict between Zalanda and the current rulers of Darama might very well erupt ahead of time.
Gaven wasn't too worried about this.
In the past life, even though Zalanda had lost many troops and her prestige had taken a great hit, she still managed to take control of Darama City and made it her stronghold.
Moreover, now Zalanda's forces were strong and her reputation was at its peak, and Gaven had already taken care of the two liabilities ahead of time.
If the rulers of Darama City were wise, they would adopt a conciliatory policy, and given Zalanda's kind nature, even if she had an absolute advantage, she would not easily overthrow them.
If, for the sake of their rule, they made a decision that disregarded human life, they would directly provoke Zalanda's wrath. What drastic decisions she would then make was truly anybody's guess.
Gaven soon encountered the second and third patrol cavalries from Darama.
That feeling of an impending storm grew stronger the closer he got to Darama City.
Upon reaching the southern gate of Darama City, Gaven knew for sure that Zalanda and her group would not be able to enter the city.
Because the area was already overcrowded, outside the city walls, temporary camps were packed tightly, with at least seven or eight hundred of them.
Gaven believed that the conditions at the other city gates must be the same.
Darama was already bursting at the seams.
No wonder the City Lord of Darama reacted so vigorously—the refugees both inside and outside the city were headache enough, let alone another organized group approaching, which would make anyone feel as if facing a formidable enemy.
Gaven didn't even dare to get too close to those refugee camps, for fear that Vick might be pelted to death by the angry refugees.
Even if he managed to get closer, Gaven didn't think he could enter the city—but if he didn't enter, how would he find a suitable caravan?
Before Gaven could even start thinking of a strategy, a sly and skinny figure approached him and whispered, "Brother, do you want to get into the city?"
That sleazy expression was all too reminiscent of the men handing out flyers outside Earth's major train stations.
"How much?" Gaven cut to the chase.
"How many of you are there?" The sleazy man's gaze incessantly appraised the two warhorses and the Goblin Sorcerer, as if calculating their value.
"Does the price vary based on how many people there are?" Gaven asked curiously.
"Of course," the sleazy man replied, perking up now that Gaven seemed interested in negotiating. "The more or fewer people, of course, the price is different. With this kind of thing, the fewer, the better. If it were just you alone, you could give me these two horses and perhaps this goblin slave to almost cover it. If there are more people, then it would start at one hundred gold coins per person."
"Do you even know how to do math?" Gaven said irritably. "You just said the fewer people, the less money. You're talking backwards. Look, these are fine warhorses, each starting at five hundred gold coins. A single one could cover five people's entry, so how come two horses still require an additional payment?"
"""
"Brother, you just don't understand the market." The sleazy man analysed expertly, "It's precisely because these are fine warhorses that I'm offering you this price. If they were ordinary nags, you'd have to pay me ninety more gold coins. Here, warhorses aren't worth much. If you want, give me a hundred gold coins, and in less than half an hour, I can buy you three even better beasts. If you try to sell these two warhorses yourself, you'll be lucky to get sixty, not a coin more."
"Warhorses can't be brought into the city?" Gaven immediately caught on.
"Brother is truly a smart man. Everyone who went in before sold off what they brought; the prices have been driven down already. Not only can't you bring in livestock, but this slave of yours can't be brought into the city either." The sleazy man wore an expression that said he was completely on your side, trying to help you.
"I see, seems I misunderstood you, brother." Gaven showed an expression of sudden realization, "I don't suppose you know any way out of Darama? By water or by land, either is fine."
"Brother doesn't trust Darama's city defenses? Want to get out of here?" The sleazy man perked up even more, "You've come to the right person. I happen to know a merchant ship heading to Myratma that's about to set sail any moment. I've got connections with the captain of that ship; sneaking one person on board wouldn't be a problem. The price is the same as before, just give the nod and I can get you on that ship tonight. After all, you can't take these things with you."
"Well..." Gaven looked embarrassed, "Actually, I get a bit seasick. If there's a land route, shouldn't we take it instead? It's just that I'm not sure how many caravans heading to Thacel Fort are around these days?"
"A land route, that's a bit more difficult. But since I'm such a soft-hearted guy, as long as you really want to leave, I can find a way for you." The sleazy man patted his chest with thumping conviction.
"Forget it, I've raised these two horses from foals, I'm attached to them; I can't just let them go. I'll wait and see!" Gaven declined the offer with difficulty.
Gaven had treated the sleazy man as a source of information offered right to his doorstep, never intending to do business with him from the outset.
Because he feared that he might end up selling himself with his own money.
Never underestimate the level of malice in these people; many are even more dreadful than the monsters in the wild. Those monsters at most want to eat your flesh, but these people want to strip your flesh from your bones and even covet your soul.
It's easy to invite trouble, but hard to get rid of it. The sleazy man wasn't so easily dismissed; upon hearing the deal fall through, his expression immediately sullen, he darkly said, "If you're not trading, why drag me around asking this and that? Do you really think we brothers are so easy to bully?"
In the meantime, four or five burly men surrounded Gaven from not too far away.
"Brother, is this the part where, if deception fails, you're ready to rob me outright?" Gaven knew the man in front of him was no good, but he hadn't expected him to be this audacious, especially considering the Darama City Defense Force was roaming not far away.
"These warhorses and this slave are actually ours, and if you know what's good for you, you'll give them back without a fuss. Otherwise, don't blame me for seizing you to face justice." The sleazy man shouted loudly, and thus resorted to biting back.
The Darama City Defense Force nearby, hearing the commotion, not only did not come over to check, but also walked away nonchalantly towards the distance.
In this situation, either the sleazy man's group had significant clout in Darama, to the point where even the City Defense Force wouldn't dare to interfere with them,
Or there was collusion between the two parties.
This was just the kind of trouble that came with being alone and powerless. Whether Gaven talked to them or not made no difference; they would find a way to swindle him, taking advantage of his young appearance and seemingly easy-to-bully demeanor.
"To hell with it! Run!" Gaven lifted his leg and gave the sleazy man a kick right in the groin, then leapt onto his horse and bolted.
Completely unfamiliar with the area, all Gaven could do was to turn tail and run.
Ow!
The sleazy man turned into a rolling gourd on the spot, rolling around while clutching his crotch, emitting a sharp, pig-like squeal.
The local toughs, who were closing in, had not expected Gaven, despite his young age, to be so decisive. By the time they started rushing over, he had already dashed off several tens of meters.