The passengers on the boat looked at each other in confusion.
The boatmaster instantly broke into a cold sweat.
Holding a lantern, she offered an ingratiating smile, "My ladies, a misunderstanding! I've worked the river for decades. I'm an old captain..."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two sharp arrows cut through the air, shooting towards them.
In the darkness, almost no one could react to such fast arrows.
Fortunately, the arrows weren't meant to kill.
Thud! Thud!
Two feathered arrows embedded themselves in the deck just before the boatmaster's feet.
If the boat had rocked even slightly, the arrows would have pierced her feet.
"Heave to! Immediately!"
The warship was enormous.
Looming behind the small boat, it was like a tall building.
The female officer on the bow held a powerful bow, radiating killing intent.
The entire crew of soldiers held torches, making the warship look like it was on fire.
Under such pressure, even the seasoned boatmaster was scared witless.
Her voice distorted, becoming shrill, "Okay, okay, yes, right away..."
She could only say helplessly to the crew, "Pull over, pull over..."
If they didn't, their small boat would be turned into a pincushion.
The crew members were also pale with fear.
These people made their living on the water; they'd done ruthless things like forcing people to jump into the river.
But even the most arrogant river dragon had to yield to Aethelred's regular army.
The small boat obediently moved towards the shore.
Sylas was on the verge of collapse.
Huddled in the cabin, watching the dark river water outside and the menacing Aethelred warship, his heart was filled with utter despair.
What do we do? Are... are they here for me?
His only hope now was that this was just a routine inspection.
Otherwise, he'd have to jump into the river.
Sylas sat rigidly as the boat docked.
Everyone trembled as they disembarked.
He didn't want to go out, gripping the cabin, refusing to move. But if he didn't move while everyone else did, he'd be exposed faster.
Sylas hung his head and finally followed the others, squatting on the bank.
A line of soldiers holding halberds surrounded the passengers.
A female officer leaned on her longsword, coldly berating them, "The upper reaches of the river are sealed!
Didn't you get the notice? You still dare head south? Are you spies for the Stonewold traitors?!"
With a few words, the female officer pinned the cap of colluding with the enemy on the boatmaster's head.
In these times, who dared call themselves a citizen of Stonewold in front of soldiers?
The boatmaster was scared out of her wits.
She offered a handful of silver, forcing a smile, "Captain, Captain, I'm a citizen of Aethelred!
I've made my living on this river for decades!
Everyone around here knows me..."
Smack!
The female officer impatiently backhanded her.
"Get out of the way."
The officer's strength was immense.
With that one blow, the tough boatmaster was sent sprawling to the ground.
Then, several soldiers nearby struck the boatmaster hard a few times with the heavy shafts of their halberds.
"Oww... Oww..." The boatmaster curled up, howling, not daring to move again.
The surrounded passengers were terrified. Even if their legs went numb from squatting, they didn't dare move.
These soldiers were hungry wolves; they were the caught sheep.
Seeing them subdued, the female officer raised her hand, "Search them one by one.
Find the spy.
Those who aren't spies get taken for hard labor!
We said no passage! You still dare sneak through?
You're all just asking for trouble!"
The passengers looked ashen.
They lined up, submitting to inspection one by one.
"Name? Home address? Reason for travel? Business?
Hah? Bullshit!
Selling our Aethelred goods to the Stonewold traitors?
That's treason!
Ten lashes! Two months of hard labor!"
"You? What do you do? Visiting relatives?
Good, you have relatives among the Stonewold traitors!
Twenty lashes!"
There wasn't a single spy on this boat.
But they'd made the warship's crew chase them down at night, punishment was inevitable.
The passengers could only endure their punishment in fear, not daring to complain.
According to Aethelred's new policies, those who dared defy orders, especially by fleeing, should receive the death penalty.
This was decreed by Chancellor Victoria in Lorynth.
It was only because the Northspire region hadn't fully implemented them yet that their heads weren't already rolling into the river.
Once nearly everyone had been checked, it was finally the turn of the one who had been hiding at the very back – Sylas.
His legs had no strength left.
He just looked despairingly at the pack of wolf-like Aethelred soldiers.
The circle was empty of others; only he remained. Even the boatmaster had been taken away.
Torches illuminated him.
This circle of elite soldiers stared silently at him.
The air seemed to solidify.
Sylas realized they were all staring at him.
He slowly stood up, legs trembling, and approached the female officer.
The female officer stared blankly at the man before her.
Even with the black veil covering his face, she could sense his scholarly air and the captivating charm of one who had surrendered his essence.
For a moment, she was actually mesmerized.
Then, an unprecedented surge of ecstatic joy washed over her.
Was this the Lord Her Majesty pined for?
The Lord Sylas, hunted by so many, standing right before me?
Heavens! Earth!
This monumental achievement just fell into my lap?!
Could I be made a Marquess?
A Marquess with ten thousand households might be a stretch, but one with a thousand should be certain.
In her excitement, she blurted out, "My Lord, what rank of nobility do you think I deserve?"
???
Sylas was taken aback. He didn't understand.
Fortunately, the female officer realized her faux pas.
She quickly tried to cover, "No... I mean, are you a spy from Stonewold? Can we... talk?"
Sylas's lips trembled.
Having squatted the longest, his legs shook uncontrollably.
Seeing him tremble like a quail, the female officer wished she could slap herself.
Why scare him needlessly?
Don't frighten him into illness.
She used the gentlest voice of her life, "Someone, bring a seat for the Lord. We're... just asking some questions. Don't be nervous."
The soldiers around also realized the man's identity.
Some began excitedly whispering.
Everyone's gaze towards him grew intense.
My Lord, please don't run away.
Her Majesty the Empress is pregnant.
Our chances of bringing glory to our ancestors depend on you!
A quick-witted soldier brought over a chair.
Sylas looked at the chair and slowly sat down.
His expression grew even more bitter.
These wolf-like soldiers had been mercilessly beating people moments ago.
Now, encountering him, their attitude had changed so drastically.
There was only one possibility.
They knew his identity.
Could it be that these women are all lustful?
That's a joke.
The troops trained by Victoria could resist even the temptation of sacking a city.
How could they become so polite because of good looks?
Thinking this, Sylas lowered his head with a bitter smile.
Then, his eyes scanned the gaps in the circle, his face filled with the resolve to die.
The female officer asked in a kindly tone, "My Lord, won't you say something?"
"Say what? What do you want to ask?" His voice was cool and clear, very pleasant to hear.
The female officer was embarrassed by his response.
She said awkwardly, "Ah... Then I ask you... I ask you, are you a spy from Stonewold, I ask you..."
In all her years, after killing so many, this was the first time she'd spoken to a man like this.
Honestly, she'd rather be fighting Stonewold enemies right now.
The more she spoke, the more flustered she became.
It was too awkward.
Seizing her moment of confusion, Sylas suddenly lunged.
Putting all his strength into his legs, he charged through a gap in the circle.
Then, he plunged headfirst into the muddy waters of the river!
This time, he had to die quickly!
Everyone stared in shock.
"Commander! He jumped into the river!"
"Nonsense! Get him out! That's our lifetime of wealth and honor!"