Chapter 95: Human Nature is Complex, but Killing a Chicken to Warn the Monkeys Always Works!

Her upbringing since childhood had always been refined and proper.

That made it impossible for Erica to blurt out vulgar words.

A single “bastard” from her already represented absolute fury.

The crowd was in an uproar.

An old fisherman wrapped in a tattered blanket trembled as he raised his hand. “My Lady… m-my boat is still leaking and not yet repaired… can we wait a bit longer before leaving?”

“Wait for what! Get on my boat!” a young sailor beside him shouted.

“Didn’t you hear the Undead Legion is coming soon? Staying here means death!”

He dragged the old fisherman toward the ship. “You can always build another boat! But once you’re dead, you’re gone for good!”

These people were the ones who truly wanted to leave.

Mostly poor folks, sailors, and peddlers—people with little property and an overwhelming desire to survive.

Another group consisted of those who completely followed Erica’s arrangements.

Mainly family members of castle servants, guards, and some merchant households.

They silently carried supplies, their eyes filled with fear yet firm determination.

A woman pushed her child onto a ship, muttering, “Lady Erica has never lied to us. I believe in her!”

But the majority were a third kind—hesitant and uncertain!

They crowded around the dock entrance, luggage piled at their feet.

One moment they looked toward the city walls, the next toward the horizon.

“Maybe… maybe that Lord can hold the line?”

A blacksmith shop owner murmured, “Didn’t he just purify the insect tide?”

His wife cried as she pounded his chest. “Wake up! No matter how powerful the Watcher of Dawn is, he’s still just one man!”

The blacksmith crouched, clutching his head. “But my shop… my tools… my whole livelihood!”

The most stubborn ones were the fourth kind.

A dozen old tycoons, with their servants and guards, blocked the main passage directly.

They even set up tables and chairs, sipping tea leisurely.

An attitude of “Live or die with the harbor.”

The white-bearded old man leading them was the harbor’s largest shipowner.

He sipped his tea slowly. “Little girl Erica, who are you trying to scare?”

“I’ve weathered more storms than you can count.”

“If the Undead Legion really comes, our Grand Magic Array might just hold!”

“Running to other towns is the most foolish choice!”

Erica was furious to the core.

She knew these old foxes weren’t fearless—they were betting she wouldn’t dare use force to clear the docks.

And betting the situation might yet turn around!

Perhaps the Empire would send reinforcements—

Or perhaps the “Watcher of Dawn” standing atop the city wall would create another miracle!

They chose to believe in these fragile illusions!

“Black Crow!”

Erica gritted her teeth. “Take your men and clear the main street!”

“Those old fossils who refuse to move—knock them out and drag them onto the ships!”

“Any ship already loaded with people and supplies, set sail immediately! Clear the channel for the rest!”

She knew she could no longer afford to waste time.

She had to use a bit of force!

Even if it caused conflicts later, it was better than leaving them to feed the undead!

“Yes, my Lady!” The man in black obeyed and left swiftly.

Instantly, greater chaos erupted at the dock.

Servants and guards shoved and cursed, tables were overturned, porcelain shattered sharply on the planks.

“Tyranny! This is tyranny!”

The white-bearded shipowner stomped and roared, “I’ll report the Floyd Family to the Imperial Capital!”

Erica couldn’t even be bothered to look at him.

Turning, she whispered to the hastily arriving Colin and Daniels, “Take a team to the refugee ships.”

“Prioritize the elderly and children. Provide better quarters for the frail.”

Colin’s glasses glinted as his expression darkened. “Understood, Lady Erica.”

“It’s just… will the God’s Chosen One really not flee with us?”

“He’s doing what he must.”

Erica cut him off.

She looked back at the lonely golden silhouette on the city wall. “Doing our part is the best way we can help him.”

Just then—

Rathead crept up quietly, lowering his voice. “My Lady, there’s suspicious movement in several warehouses left behind by Servan!”

“Someone’s trying to smuggle contraband amid the chaos!”

Erica’s eyes sharpened. “Catch them! Let’s make an example!”

At her command, a squad of guards rushed toward the warehouse district on the west side of the dock.

Soon, sounds of fighting and screams broke out.

Several of Servan’s remaining henchmen, attempting to smuggle magical materials,

were dragged out, bound in front of the crowd.

Then, for a brief moment, the stench of blood overpowered the salty sea breeze.

The effect was immediate!

Many of the neutral onlookers shrank back, then quietly started moving toward the ships.

But the overall chaos was still far from over.

“Bad news! Another ship is leaking!”

“Damn it, who pushed me? My luggage fell into the sea!”

“My child! My child is missing!”

Cries and curses intertwined in the air.

Many guards shouted themselves hoarse, running back and forth until their legs nearly gave out, barely keeping things under control.

And Erica, the core of it all, stood nailed to the pier,

issuing commands nonstop, drenched in fragrant sweat.

Suddenly, she caught sight of that dark green cloud in the distance—drawing closer.

“Faster!”

Erica roared hoarsely, “One last hour!”

“One hour from now, every ship must leave port!”

Otherwise, if they left too late, they wouldn’t make enough distance.

The Undead Legion could easily pursue them across the sea.

They had to widen the gap ahead of time—only then would there be a sliver of hope.

Suddenly—

From the direction of the city wall came a deep, thunderous boom!

A beam of golden light shot skyward, faintly accompanied by the echo of sacred chants.

The harbor instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked up, their hearts rising to their throats.

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