Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 100: Thistle Rose
Half an hour later, in a small wooden house next to the ruins of Most Castle.
Scheming Frog and Gou Fugui met one of their targets, Clemon.
“So this is His Majesty’s intention?”
Clemon finished reading the enfeoffment document handed over by Scheming Frog and Xi Wei’s personal letter, his scrutinizing gaze falling on Scheming Frog.
“I believe in His Majesty’s judgment, but I still want to ask you, do you know what the biggest problem in Most Territory is right now?”
Scheming Frog looked out at the ruins, the setting sun like blood. The demon’s attack had inflicted considerable damage on the city, damage that would not heal in a day or two.
He pondered for a moment, then raised his bright eyes.
“The reconstruction of Most Territory is very important, but I believe that pacifying the populace is even more crucial. Since the King of Winter has just taken office, and a territory near the Royal Capital has been attacked by demons, this will inevitably be exploited by some to cause unrest.”
Clemon listened quietly, without interrupting Scheming Frog, a subtle hint of admiration flickering in his eyes.
“Secondly,” Scheming Frog paused and continued,
“After all, the Winter Kingdom is to establish an inclusive nation that integrates multiple races. As I traveled along the way, I found that there are still many discriminatory remarks against demi-humans in Most City. Such remarks must be slowly eliminated.”
“If we cannot even accept demi-humans who are similar to humans, how can we accept other races, such as those dragons, or the warriors of the Bloodhoof Clan.”
“Your perspective is insightful.”
Clemon nodded, his gaze toward Scheming Frog now tinged with a hint of inquiry.
“But I’m sure you also understand that once an idea is formed, it’s hard to change.”
“Even His Majesty can only establish a small medical clinic to bestow favors, or take coercive measures to form the new atmosphere in Winter City. However, this is still too slow.”
“Do you have any ideas about this?”
“I do have some novel ideas.”
Scheming Frog smiled confidently.
“Ordinary people in the Winter Kingdom, or even in the whole world, have very little understanding of their own country. They can barely read and write, which is also one of the reasons why their thinking is difficult to change.”
“So, you intend to promote universal literacy?”
Clemon was somewhat disappointed.
Everyone understood the principle that enlightening thoughts should begin with the most basic things, and literacy is the most basic.
But this was not an easy task.
To promote universal literacy, more schools must be built, and specialized teachers must be hired. But who would be willing to do such a thing?
However, Scheming Frog shook his head.
He smiled and said,
“Most of the townsfolk are unwilling to learn to read and write because they feel that such things are meaningless. They won’t bring them happiness, nor will they increase their food production.”
“So I need to use a simple and easy-to-understand way to help these townsfolk understand our country, understand our king, and understand our system.”
Clemon sat up straighter, his gaze sharp.
He was now very much looking forward to the answer the foreign person before him would give.
“Uncle Clemon, the townsfolk usually just work and sleep. The little taverns are their favorite places because they can hear many stories there, which they find interesting, and that’s the key.”
“Get to the point.”
Clemon was somewhat dissatisfied with Scheming Frog’s dawdling behavior. He was itching with curiosity, eager to know Scheming Frog’s ideas.
“Hehe…” Scheming Frog smiled mysteriously.
“Uncle Clemon, have you ever heard of plays?”
…
…
Elena was a bar attendant at the Golden Rose Tavern in Most City.
But she was different from ordinary bar attendants.
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She was not a cheap commodity that could be had for money.
She possessed a beautiful appearance and a sexy figure, with a wild aura about her.
Logically, as a bar attendant, the more beautiful she was, the more dangerous she would be. But who could blame Elena for being a valiant swordswoman?
Accompanying guests was just her part-time job.
Her true purpose was to find a man she fancied, but to this day, she still had not found a sense of belonging.
It was still too much of a stretch to pan for gold in a landfill.
Elena’s unconventional personality, coupled with her strength as a second-tier swordswoman, earned her the elegant moniker “Thistle Rose.”
This title was fitting.
After all, to those she disdained, she was indeed a rose with thorns.
However, tonight, this rose with thorns had all its thorns plucked – she was captured by a group of fearsome mercenaries.
This was the renowned mercenary group in Most City, the Golden Serpent Mercenaries.
Their boss, Golden Serpent, was a powerful third-tier assassin, equivalent to a Great Knight.
And standing before Elena.
This short, sharp-featured, one-eyed man was Golden Serpent.
“Keke, little lady? If you had known you’d be caught by me today, you should have agreed to my request yesterday. Why endure so much suffering for nothing?”
Golden Serpent said as he gently stroked Elena’s tender face, his lecherous expression obvious.
He had long coveted this “Thistle Rose.”
But he had escaped her many times.
Now that he had finally caught her by staking out, his heart was already filled with unrestrained desire.
“Bastard! Let go of me! Aren’t you afraid of being punished by the Most City guards?”
“Where do you place the laws of the Winter Kingdom?!”
Elena’s hands were forced behind her back by two grinning mercenaries. Although she was terrified, she still mustered the courage to scold Golden Serpent loudly.
“Punishment? Oh, naive lady, don’t you realize the inner city has become a ruin?”
“Those guards are busy cleaning up the mess from the demon attack. They don’t have time to punish us.”
Golden Serpent chuckled, greedily leaning close to Elena’s fair neck and hair, taking a deep breath, and then exhibiting a look of intoxication.
“As expected of the Thistle Rose, the scent of roses on you is intoxicating.”
“It will be wonderful when we have fun later, kekeke…”
Golden Serpent squeezed Elena’s chest, watching her eyes gradually fill with despair and sadness. He felt immense pleasure.
“As for the law you mentioned, is it that Winter Code?”
“Heh, that’s just a law enforced in Winter City. Here in Most City, the King of Winter has no jurisdiction, so you’d best surrender to me obediently.”
With a “hiss,” Golden Serpent tore Elena’s long skirt, revealing the beautiful woman’s tender body. His eyes lit up, he licked his dry lips, suppressed his surging desire, and slowly began to unbuckle his pants.
The more it came to this, the more one should savor the process slowly.
The surrounding mercenaries let out excited lascivious laughter. After all, when the boss had eaten his fill, they would have a chance to share the spoils.
“Hold it.”
A cold male voice came from outside the alley.
The mercenaries restrained their smiles, looking impatiently toward the sound, wanting to see who dared to interrupt at such a time.
They saw a black-haired young man with deep, cold eyes, accompanied by a horse-faced youth holding a fireball of Flame Burst in his hand.
“I’m protecting this lady. You guys can scram!”
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ps: A minor character who will be useful later.
