Chapter 33: The Speech

Standing atop the platform, Owen looked down at his gathered townsfolk, who were quietly discussing him. Straightening his back, he let the dignity befitting a lord show on his face.

He first gave a sweeping glance over the crowd, then shifted his gaze to the far left side. There, he spotted a group of clergy members.

Standing at the front was Theresa, whose eyes met Owen’s. She gave him a gentle smile and nodded slightly, as if to offer encouragement.

Toward the middle of the crowd, Owen noticed Viru, Jita, and Garcia standing together in the front row. They were laughing and chatting, clearly enjoying each other’s company. Owen couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

It made sense for Viru and Gita to know each other, but when had Garcia become so close with them? Still, it was a good sign — it meant Garcia had integrated into life in Bianshu Town.

Moving his gaze to the right, Owen spotted the sisters Fanny and Lilica.

At that moment, big sister Fanny was holding Lilica high in her arms, while little Lilica… huh? Why was she holding a wooden bowl the size of her face?

Hey, hey — no matter how big a “bowl” you bring, you’re only getting one scoop! Owen mentally chuckled to himself.

[Have you planted enough shills in the crowd?]

Just as he finished scanning the crowd, Winston’s voice rang out in his mind.

He had come to witness the first public test explosion in Bianshu Town — and also to observe how the people would react.

[Yeah, all set,] 

Owen replied.

Hiring crowd shills wasn’t originally Owen’s idea, but Winston warned him that if things went awkwardly — like if the crowd fell silent or didn’t react as hoped — it’d be incredibly embarrassing.

Winston had assured him that using shills was a common tactic “back home,” not considered deceptive, and that Owen shouldn’t worry about it.

Just in case, Owen accepted the suggestion. He paid people to hide in the crowd and help stir up emotions during his speech.

[Then begin your speech.]

Owen gave a slight nod, raised his hand, and waved it to quiet the crowd.

Once the murmurs had died down, he channeled his magic into his throat — a technique to amplify his voice.

“Good afternoon, my people. I am Owen Eisen, the new lord of Bianshu Town. I’ve gathered you here today because I have an important decision to announce. I’m sure many of you have heard the rumors. Two days ago, a messenger from Dongsheng arrived by boat. As your lord, I personally went to the dock to greet him. And what did he say? He informed me that Duke Eddie, claiming our town walls weren’t repaired, has detained the Temple Knights at Dongsheng Fortress and ordered us to go there for shelter this winter.”

At this, worried voices rose among the crowd.

Many had only heard vague rumors and weren’t sure whether to believe them. But hearing it now, directly from the lord’s mouth, changed everything — it confirmed the truth.

“If you’ve been to the north wall recently, you’ll know it’s already been repaired. I even invited the messenger to inspect it himself — but he refused! He left by boat without even taking a look. I offered full sincerity, and they dismissed us. Clearly, Duke Eddie is deliberately targeting Bianshu Town! Do you know why food prices have gone up again lately? It’s because Dongsheng Fortress and Linshui City are colluding, driving up prices at will. Duke Eddie clearly doesn’t want us to live in peace—now he’s trying to force us from our homes!”

All the recent hardships had been tied to Duke Eddie, and Owen was intentionally directing all the people’s resentment toward him, giving them a target for their anger.

The tactic worked well — people in the crowd had already started cursing Duke Eddie.

“If we do as he wishes and flee to Dongsheng Fortress, once winter comes, Bianshu Town will fall to the undead monsters. They’ll destroy everything — our homes, our fields, everything we leave behind. When spring arrives, we’ll return to find our homeland in ruins. Is that what you want to see?”

“No!”

A planted shill in the crowd shouted loudly, and some others began to echo the cry.

The crowd’s emotions were beginning to stir, though not fully inflamed just yet.

But that was fine — Owen wasn’t done speaking.

“Besides, you won’t have homes waiting for you in Dongsheng Fortress. Taking refuge there means hiding in the slums just to survive. With no jobs, even filling your stomach becomes a problem. In the freezing winter, you’ll be curled up in a shack, shivering. Every winter, dozens — even hundreds — die from hunger or cold in Dongsheng Fortress. Do you want to become one of them? Or lose someone close to you?”

“No! Lord Owen, please save us!”

When it comes to life and death, it’s easy to rouse a crowd. Even without the help of the planted shills, many began shouting out from the heart.

More and more people cried out: “My lord, please, don’t abandon us!”

Good — everything was going as expected. At the right moment, Owen raised his hand, signaling for quiet.

“Rest assured! I will not abandon a single one of my people. I now announce an important decision: I will remain here in Bianshu Town with all of you — I will not flee to Dongsheng Fortress. I’ve already arranged with the local bishop to provide food and locally-produced heatstones. Clergy will distribute these supplies on my behalf, so no one will go hungry or freeze this winter.”

A cheer erupted from the crowd. Free supplies? Who wouldn’t be thrilled?

It was also a way for Owen to give credit to the church — having them handle the relief effort would increase their goodwill among the poor.

There wasn’t much choice. The lesser nobles had all fled, and they were the ones who helped maintain order and operations in the town. With them gone, a manpower shortage was inevitable.

So Owen had to rely on the church to help distribute aid, while making it clear to the people that the resources came from him.

As for the heatstones, aside from providing warmth, he also intended to collect the residual ash powder for other uses.

To prevent people from hoarding the stones or secretly selling them, everyone receiving one had to register their address, and staff would be assigned to collect the leftover ash powder to monitor usage.

“But what about the undead monsters?”

After the cheering subsided, many people grew quiet, and a serious question rose in their minds.

Without the Temple Knights, could the northern wall truly be defended this winter?

Suddenly, fear returned. Many began to worry that staying meant dying.

And that was exactly why the upcoming demonstration was so critical. If Owen couldn’t prove the power of black powder, everything he said would lose its effect.

Clearing his throat, he raised his hand once more and said:

“Everyone, quiet down.”

The crowd immediately fell silent, looking up at their confident lord, eager to hear what solution he might have.

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