Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 22 Trial

"Young Master Vilan, I must remind you that sending all your guards out to arrest criminals is far too risky."

Behind the square, Hans appeared behind Wieland, muttering to himself.

Vilan said with some helplessness, "Mr. Hans, I have faith in Carreras and his team's abilities."

"No, I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about you. They should leave at least three people behind to protect you."

A genuine concern flickered in Hans's eyes; in his view, no criminal could compare to Wieland's own safety.

"The guards' duty is to protect, not to arrest people."

Seeing Hans's determined look, Wieland swallowed back the complaint he was about to utter.

This guy may be annoying, but he genuinely cares about me.

He could only sigh, "Okay, I admit you're right, but the problem is we don't have enough manpower. We need to think of a solution."

"You're not thinking of recruiting an army, are you?" Hans asked suspiciously.

Vilan's eyes lit up immediately. "You said it yourself!"

He immediately grasped Hans's right hand. "Mr. Hans, your suggestion is very necessary, but the army is not in that situation yet. We can discuss it in detail when we get back."

"What? When did I make that suggestion?!"

Hans stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what he had just heard.

You want to recruit an army? Don't you know how much gold you have?

But Wieland didn't get entangled with Hans any longer, because the person he was waiting for had already arrived.

All the townspeople turned their heads to look at the main road on the east side of the square.

The "Knights" were seen carrying weapons, each standing tall with resolute eyes as they approached the square.

Behind them followed a group of thin refugees and two people who were tied up with ropes.

"Good heavens! I see the mayor!"

"It's Wirtz! Why is he tied up!"

Many people gasped in surprise, staring at Wirtz in disbelief.

His hands were bound, his gentleman's clothes were covered in mud and ash, his favorite hat was nowhere to be found, his hair was a mess, and his face was deathly pale.

This morning was a time of despair for Wirtz.

He felt much more at ease after returning home from the mine last night. As long as those guys left soon, he would be fine.

But this morning, while he was having breakfast, a terrifying man burst through the door and grabbed him without saying a word.

The servants in the house were all useless; not one of them dared to look that guy in the eye, and they just watched as he took them away.

Wirtz glanced at Gey on his right. The resentment in his eyes had vanished, but the closer he got to the square, the more fear filled his eyes. He didn't even know how he had gotten to the square.

When the miners approached, the town's residents were shocked to discover that they were carrying several corpses!

"My God, so many dead people!"

"Thank God of Iron Law, what on earth happened?"

The crowd suddenly became noisy.

"Karl, did you see that? Were those people killed by the knights?" Blackie jumped up, looking at Karl and Skinny in surprise.

The three of them were good friends and were collecting goblin cores all day. They had just returned to collect their lunch when they witnessed this horrific scene.

"Quiet down, Blackie! Those must be the criminals the lord was talking about!"

Carl interrupted the shouting Blackie, his heart pounding faster.

Looking at the leather armor and weapons worn by the knights, Karl felt an indescribable envy.

If I could wear this outfit, would I no longer be bullied?

While he was lost in thought, Vilan had already quietly climbed onto the high platform in the square.

"Fellow citizens, quiet down."

Vilan spoke loudly, and the crowd immediately fell silent. They dared not offend the lord, after all, Dean was still hanging in the square, too exhausted to speak.

"Everyone in Anvil Territory, I have some unfortunate news to share with you today. An outrageous theft has occurred in our Anvil Territory."

Vilan's tone turned cold as he pointed at Wirtz, "This man, our mayor, has done something that saddens me. Your hunger is all thanks to him."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the crowd.

Wirtz trembled violently and collapsed to his knees in despair. "Lord Vilan, it's not like that... I was wrong... Please forgive me!"

"Wrong? Mr. Wirtz, you are a respectable free man. I'll give you a chance to tell the truth, so that at least you can save some face."

"No! No! Lord Vilan, I'm innocent! They forced me to do it!"

Wirtz shook his head frantically, tears and snot streaming down his face.

How could he dare to tell the truth? He would be beaten to death by the angry villagers.

Vilan shook his head in disappointment. "It seems you still don't know how to repent. In that case, I'll tell everyone."

"Fellow citizens, the mines have never stopped operating. Wirtz drove you out, but handed the mines over to a bunch of despicable bandits! They've been ruthlessly exploiting the resources of Anvil Territory, leaving not a single copper coin behind! What's even more infuriating is that he's also heavily involved in the previous bandit raids on grain! He wants to starve you all so he can mine even more recklessly!"

Vilan loudly accused Wirtz of his crimes, even blaming him for robbery and theft of grain.

Vilan could actually guess that the grain robbery had little to do with Wirtz, since he was responsible for tax collection and the loss of all the grain would not benefit him at all.

But who cares? It's all a capital offense anyway, so what difference does it make if one more or one less charge is imposed?

Sure enough, Wirtz shook his head frantically, trying to defend himself.

But his voice had already been drowned out by the roars and cries of his people.

"The mine is ours! How could you do this!"

"You disgusting bastard, you killed our comrades!"

Wirtz collapsed to the ground, tears of fear streaming down his face, and a foul stench emanated from beneath his feet.

Vilan pressed his advantage, having the witnesses come to the square to testify.

The first witness was the overseer, who had also been captured. He was so terrified that he dared not hide anything and told the whole story.

"We are bandits. Our boss sent us here to guard the mine. Our only responsibility is to transport the ore out. We know nothing else. My lord, I know I was wrong. I surrender!"

Vilan ignored him and instead gestured for Carreras to shut the robber up, after which the second witness spoke.

He was a dark-skinned boy who had identified the foreman during the mine battle that morning.

The boy shouted, "We are all refugees who were captured and forced to mine iron ore. Many of us have died from exhaustion!"

After the two witnesses finished speaking, the crowd erupted in another round of angry shouts.

This time the sound was even louder, and even Karl and the other two couldn't help but spit at Wirtz.

"Robber! Thief!"

"Disgraceful bastard, scum of the Anvil Territory!"

"Hang them!"

Someone shouted something, and soon, only four words echoed continuously in the square.

"Hang them! Hang them!"