The man gave a self-deprecating smile and said, "My lord, my name is Noah, but people often call me Lefty Noah. I'm not any sort of leader; it's just that these people fear the broken knife in my hand."
"If you can, please give us some food, we cripples would be very grateful."
Magnus Valorion had already planned to distribute some food to these people. He reached into the straw pile and took out two bags of rice, then walked over to Noah.
"I see that these people, despite their physical disabilities, maintain some order. I assume that's your doing. Here are two bags of food; you can distribute them among everyone."
Noah hadn't expected Magnus to personally hand him such precious food. This act gave the man a great deal of respect. Previously, when they begged, people would throw things at them with disdain, treating them like dogs.
As Noah took the bags of rice, the surrounding crowd expressed their gratitude profusely. Noah weighed the bags, and, being sensitive to weight, knew that they contained at least thirty to forty pounds of rice, enough to provide a couple of meals for everyone if they were frugal.
Noah handed the two bags to the woman who had first stopped Magnus's cart and said, "Distribute this food to everyone."
However, when the woman opened the bag, she was stunned. "Lefty Noah, this is fine rice..."
"What? What did you say?" Noah thought he had misheard and asked again.
The woman brought the bag closer for Noah to see. In the next second, Noah stood frozen.
Looking at the white rice, he wanted to reach out to confirm but hesitated, fearing his dirty hands would spoil the food. He quickly retracted his hands.
"My lord, is this fine rice really for us?" Noah asked incredulously.
Magnus nodded slightly and then loudly addressed the surrounding disabled people, "From now on, I am your Sheriff and Town Mayor. Starting tomorrow, I will open the warehouse to provide relief for the disaster victims."
At these words, the crowd erupted in cheers of "Long live the Mayor!"
Magnus waved his hand to quiet the crowd and then asked Noah, "Do you know where the town office is?"
Noah, visibly excited, immediately responded, "My lord, follow me."
Noah took the ox reins from Galen and led Magnus and Galen to the town hall. The further they went into the town, the more shocked Magnus became. Everywhere he looked, houses were collapsed and in ruins.
The townspeople, though not physically disabled like those outside, showed no signs of hope in their eyes.
Perhaps noticing this, Noah shouted to the townspeople, "The state has not abandoned us. Our new Mayor has arrived."
"The Mayor has also said that starting tomorrow, he will open the warehouses to distribute food to us disaster victims!"
At Noah's words, the townspeople's previously dull eyes lit up with a burning hope.
Noah and Galen led the ox cart with Magnus sitting on it, followed by the surviving townspeople. Everywhere Magnus looked, he saw dilapidated houses; hardly any were intact.
After a short walk, they arrived at a building that had half-collapsed. The large leather drum at the entrance indicated it was once the town hall.
Noah jumped in front of the drum and began beating it with his good arm.
Boom, boom, boom~ boom, boom, boom~
The drum resonated loudly. As Noah beat the drum, he shouted, "Neil Thompson, our new Mayor is here!"
Soon, a middle-aged man in uniform hurried out of the hall with three others.
The man, seeing Noah, excitedly asked, "Noah, what did you just say? The Mayor?"
Noah pointed to Magnus sitting on the ox cart and said, "That gentleman is our newly appointed Mayor and Sheriff."
Neil Thompson, looking at Magnus on the ox cart, quickly descended the steps, prostrated himself before Magnus, and tearfully said, "My lord, you've finally come. The court hasn't forgotten the people of Green River Town!"
Magnus quickly helped Neil up and began to inquire about the town's situation.
Although Green River Town was a remote small town, it had over 800 households and more than 5,000 people half a year ago. But after the barbarian invasion six months ago, the town's population had dwindled to less than 2,000.
The previous Mayor and his secretary, who were known for their unyielding nature, had sacrificed their lives, their heads displayed on spears by the invaders as a warning.
Neil had retrieved their bodies after the invaders withdrew.
Hearing Neil's account, Magnus and Galen felt chills run down their spines.
"My lord, when will the court's army and relief supplies arrive?" Neil asked tentatively.
Magnus, through his predecessor's memories, knew that the Great Latium Imperium was already corrupt to the core, especially with Alp Arslan stirring up chaos in the court.
Alp Arslan had disrupted the court's system to amass wealth by selling official positions and titles, leading to widespread corruption.
Now, the court was filled with Alp Arslan's appointees, with only a few honest officials remaining. Consequently, the corruption was rampant, causing despair among the conscientious officials.
As for the relief supplies Neil mentioned, it had been over six months, and they had yet to see anything. It was unlikely they would ever arrive.
Magnus scoffed, shattering Neil's hopes, "It's been over six months, and those good-for-nothing officials have not sent food or troops. Do you still dream of such things?"
Although Magnus's voice was not loud, it was clear to the surrounding people. In an instant, the hopeful looks in the townspeople's eyes faded away, extinguished like a fire doused in water.