"Among these more than twenty thousand people, many are just like you, former Free People from the Portlands Empire, as well as citizens from other empires."
"Yet now, they have come to see this place as their home, where they make their living!"
"Some have even started families, getting married and having children!"
Lynn spoke with a voice that wasn't very loud.
But each word seemed to penetrate into Tyrone's ears.
And also reached the ears of the townsmen walking or sitting nearby.
They all looked at Lynn with admiration and reverence.
Without needing Tyrone to respond, Lynn continued speaking.
"Now, you can inform the remaining seven hundred and ninety-nine prisoner soldiers."
"Those willing to fight for the territory, for the residents of this land, and for this Lord..."
"Starting tomorrow, they will no longer need to labor; all will be put into training."
"Those unwilling, can leave tomorrow morning and go wherever they wish!"
With those words said.
Lynn started walking with Red and the Guard, heading back to the distant castle.
Tyrone was left standing there somewhat lost.
His eyes turned, glancing at his now-unshackled handcuffs and leg irons.
Then he turned to look at the Lord gradually disappearing into the distance.
No restraints, no guard escort.
He felt so unaccustomed to the freedom.
At this moment.
A series of light footsteps, accompanied by laughter like silver bells, reached Tyrone's ears.
He slightly turned his head to look.
He saw five or six children, no taller than half a meter, running and playing along the way.
They wore linen robes of uniform style.
Though not exactly fitting, they at least shielded them from the chill of early morning and night.
Their faces were round, full of healthy rosy complexions.
Their eyes, in various colors, were bright and shining.
Despite the grotesque red scars on his face, these children were unfazed.
As they passed by him, they even treated him like a pillar obstacle, running circles around him.
After the children ran off, Tyrone looked around at the townsmen, his expression stunned.
The faces of these townsmen were unlike the residents he saw in Pan Yan City.
Nervous, fearful, panicking...
On the contrary.
They nodded slightly at him, even offering a kind smile.
Tyrone's heart was filled with shock.
They, as prisoners, had been sold by the Slave Merchant to Lynn's territory for some time now.
During this time, he had seen much.
The townsmen worked daily, tirelessly.
But he knew these townsmen's labor was different from other territories.
Because.
Beside them, there were no soldiers guards with thorned whips overseeing them.
Nor would they find whips wildly cracking when the townsmen took brief breaks to catch their breath.
Instead, carts of peppermint water, heated and cooled, were delivered for the laboring townsmen to hydrate and cool down.
Even without the urging of the Lord and soldiers.
These townsmen were diligently working of their own accord.
That was because.
Just as the Lord had mentioned.
No matter where they came from, the townsmen here.
Had already made this place their home!
Taking his gaze away from the townsmen with facial features similar to his,
Tyrone started walking towards the temporary quarters on the edge of the town.
Perhaps because there were no shackles to bind him.
He felt an inexplicable lightness throughout his body.
Tyrone felt that not only had his physical shackles been removed.
But his entire mindset had been influenced by the Lord.
As townsmen approached him, nodding in acknowledgment.
Tyrone returned to the temporary living area for the prisoners.
Under a simple wooden shed made with logs, prisoners gathered around dug-out fire pits.
Though the living conditions were basic.
They had soft straw-covered floors, and food to warm and fill their stomachs.
Their faces, lit by the fire, showed a visible sense of contentment.
Compared to the time when they were captured and imprisoned as war prisoners.
Compared to the time when they were transported by slave traders...
Being able to work separately during the day and rest at night was already a great pleasure.
Standing at the entrance of the shed, Tyrone scanned the faces of former comrades.
In a deep voice, he said, "Everyone! Wake up!"
Tyrone's voice wasn't loud.
But because of his tall and burly stature, and the unique scars on his face.
He quickly drew the attention of those who were conversing or resting with closed eyes.
One curious and bewildered look after another fell on Tyrone.
Feeling the pressure of everyone's gaze, Tyrone's expression remained unchanged.
Several men familiar with Tyrone approached him and asked curiously.
"Commander Tyrone, is something the matter?"
"Yeah, I heard you were taken by the Lord's Guards?"
"They didn't torture you, did they?"
"..."
Tyrone shook his head at them, "No."
A burly man immediately sensed something, and asked quickly.
"Commander Tyrone, your chains... were they removed?"
As soon as he said that, those standing before Tyrone quickly looked.
Sure enough.
The handcuffs and leg irons on Tyrone's wrists and ankles were nowhere to be seen.
A dozen soldiers standing close to Tyrone immediately cast curious glances.
Tyrone, without any concealment, raised his strong arms.
And showed them to all the comrades in the shed.
The curiosity and confusion in the soldiers' eyes grew even stronger.
Looking at the faces waiting for his explanation, Tyrone inhaled the air mixed with the smell of sweat and began to explain.
"As you can see, the shackles on I, Tyrone Ramirez, have been unlocked!"
"From this moment forward, I, Tyrone Ramirez, will no longer pledge allegiance to the Portlands Empire."
"Nor will I pledge allegiance to the Prince Weituo who abandoned Pan Yan City, and is on the brink of defeat."
"From this moment forward, the goal of my allegiance will be my own future life."
"It will be this home beneath my feet, the home that all the townsmen depend on for survival."
"It will be the Lord Lynn Blake—who has given me a second chance at life!"
"Who is there! Who is willing to join me?"