Chapter 82 — Response

And uneducated serfs were, at moments like this, quite ready to believe Gao Yang's self-aggrandizing talk. After all, the legends of Gao Yang Cecil were known throughout the kingdom; hearing this living legend (just recently revived) assure them in such an offhand tone, they suddenly came to their senses and realized that even if they did meet monsters, protecting the two of them would be a mere trifle for the lord before them.

And if it was a mere trifle, then surely there was nothing to worry about.

So at last they nodded and agreed.

Hedy called in two soldiers and had them take the four serfs (including the two just treated) off to rest a while and eat something. Then she turned to Gao Yang. "Ancestor, you truly needn't say so much to serfs. For them, obedience to orders is basic."

"But getting them to obey willingly is better than one-sided compulsion," Gao Yang waved a hand, and looked at Rebecca. "How goes the progress on that 'art'?"

To him, this was the most urgent matter at hand.

Rebecca hesitated, then reported honestly: "The crystal granules are being produced continuously, and the output keeps growing—we've already accumulated a great pile. We've also made some explosive arrays and the corresponding rune triggers, but as for delayed detonation... there's still been no progress, and no finished product."

Hetty knew what Gao You was thinking. Her face was clouded with worry. "If those monsters really are heading this way, I'm afraid we won't last long enough for 'Art' to be of any use."

"No... a delayed detonation is only one way to use it, not the whole of it," Gao Yang said after a brief pause, shaking his head. "Rebecca, go find some craftsmen, and hunters who know how to set traps. I'll tell you what to do in a moment."

Rebecca nodded without hesitation. "Right!"

Only then did Sir Byron venture to speak. "Are you planning to have the camp meet those monsters in battle?"

"That's only a contingency. How we actually deal with them will have to wait until Amber and I have scouted out their true strength," Gao Cen said, while setting about what could be done now. "By the way, Byron, go write up a notice... yes, say that aberrations have been discovered in the mountains and that their movements are already known. Since Duke Gao Yang Cecil has ample experience dealing with aberrations, the monsters are nothing to worry about. Tell everyone to go about their work in peace, and that whether they stay or withdraw, they are to await further orders. Also find two soldiers who can read, to be responsible for reading the notice aloud."

Byron accepted the order, while Hetty beside him stared wide-eyed in astonishment. "Ancestor, you mean to just tell the common folk... let them know the aberrations really exist?!"

"They already know," Gao Yang said, glancing at Hetty. "They knew the moment those four serfs came running back, shouting at the top of their lungs. It's just that they aren't certain yet, and don't know the full truth."

Hetty hesitated. "Then if we tell them the full truth..."

"Then they'll stop guessing wildly, stop guessing toward something worse and more terrible," Gao Dai said. "The clearer and more definite we are, the sooner they'll stop panicking and speculating. At a time like this, being evasive only makes it worse."

Hetty nodded helplessly. "Yes, you're right."

"Amber, go get ready," Gao Yang said, drawing a deep breath. "Come with me in a bit to take a look, and see where exactly those monsters came from."

(How many chapters was I supposed to update today, again...)