Chapter 122 - Crisis
Once Romanov and the other doctors had departed, the room was left with only Aaron, Amy, and Loong Chen.
“Amy, could you fetch a box from the third column of my desk drawer?” Aaron issued the instruction, and Amy promptly retrieved the designated box.
The wooden box exuded the fragrance of sandalwood.
Aaron unsealed it to reveal a map concealed within.
“I never expected to encounter someone from the eastern continent. Since the cataclysm, the eastern and western continents have been cut off from each other. I've only heard vague tales of the eastern continent from my ancestors. Meeting you is quite unexpected,” Aaron remarked.
Aaron chuckled, while Loong Chen's expression twitched. It appeared that he held legendary status in their eyes.
Unfurling the map, Aaron revealed an ancient depiction of the western continent, a relic of his ancestry. Despite its age, it remained relevant to the current landscape.
“This is the map of the western continent, passed down through my lineage. Although it predates the cataclysm, it should still provide valuable guidance.”
Aaron pointed to their current location on the map.
“As far as I know, there are only two viable routes from the western continent to the eastern continent.”
Aaron explained, tracing his finger along the map.
“The first option involves taking a longer, overland route.”
While a vast ocean separated the eastern and western continents, there was still a tenuous link between them.
The battlefield at the eastern-western border was the sole piece of land connecting the two continents.
However, the distance between the border battlefield and Polish City was considerable. Compounded by the presence of an alien race in control of that region, Loong Chen faced formidable challenges in returning to the eastern continent from there.
Regarding the second approach, it presented a convenient option-traveling across the ocean by boat.
While crossing the ocean directly between the two continents might offer convenience and speed, it would also entail greater peril than navigating the border battlefield.
The ocean harbored numerous formidable mutated creatures. To date, Aaron had never heard of anyone successfully crossing it unscathed.
After Aaron provided an overview of the situation, Loong Chen immersed himself in contemplation.
Opting to traverse the border battlefield meant confronting the alien race, a formidable opponent capable of challenging the armies established by major organizations. They were unquestionably powerful adversaries.
Loong Chen assessed that this path would prove exceedingly challenging.
Conversely, taking the ocean route held a higher chance of success. The ocean, after all, stretched boundlessly, and with a stroke of luck, he might avoid encounters with formidable mutated beasts.
Most importantly, the ocean route promised a quicker return to the eastern continent.
Consequently, Loong Chen promptly chose to embark on the ocean route.
“City Lord Aaron, I require a ship.”
“That's not an issue. However, sailing on the ocean is exceptionally perilous. Are you certain?”
Aaron was about to elaborate further when a knock resounded at the door, accompanied by Charlie's anxious voice from outside.
“City Lord, it's dire. City Lord's Mansion is under siege!”
“What?”
Aaron sprang to his feet, his countenance consumed by anger.
Loong Chen and Amy wore expressions of surprise as they wondered why the City Lord's Mansion was encircled.
As they stepped outside, they encountered an agitated Charlie.
“What's going on? Who has the audacity to besiege the City Lord's Mansion?”
Aaron's voice rang out in anger, leaving Charlie so flustered that he struggled to articulate a response.
Aaron was a Level 6 Grandmaster expert, and his presence alone was overwhelming for Charlie.
“Stay calm and explain slowly.”
Loong Chen extended his own aura to help Charlie counteract the intensity of Aaron's fury.
Charlie suddenly felt a sense of relief and offered Loong Chen a thankful smile.
Meanwhile, Aaron displayed a surprised expression. It was only now that he recognized that Loong Chen possessed not only exceptional medical skills but also considerable strength.
Loong Chen had managed to pacify Aaron's anger using only his aura, indicating that his strength was at least at the Level 5 High Rank.
Loong Chen, despite his youth, possessed extraordinary medical expertise and was a formidable Evolver. It became clear that one could not judge an individual from the enigmatic eastern continent with conventional wisdom.
“City Lord, the ones surrounding the City Lord's Mansion are Pepe, Pang Bo, and Stuart.”
Charlie rushed to explain. These three families were the most influential in Polish City, apart from the City Lord's Mansion itself.
Nevertheless, the City Lord's Mansion had managed to endure until now because its power was sufficient to suppress the collective might of these three families. Why had they chosen to launch an assault at this moment?
Could it be that they believed Aaron was already deceased?
“Summon our forces. If these three families wish for their demise, we shall grant it,” Aaron declared firmly.
Aaron's voice carried a deep tone, but Charlie displayed a troubled expression.
“City Lord, young master Abby recently redeployed our troops in your name. At present, we can only muster a few hundred guards within the City Lord's Mansion.”
“What!”
The news hit Aaron like a heavy blow, causing him to stagger backward.
“Ungrateful son!”
Aaron had never anticipated that Abby would align himself with the three prominent families to confront him.
But why? Did he covet the position of City Lord? It was inevitable that the position would eventually become his!
Loong Chen shook his head, speculating that Abby simply couldn't wait any longer.
Initially, Loong Chen had believed Aaron to be beyond rescue, yet he hadn't foreseen his own intervention saving Aaron. With a Level 6 Grandmaster's constitution, Aaron had the potential to live another century without trouble.
But waiting that long wasn't in Abby's plans.
Indeed, familial love was a scarce commodity among the nobility.
“Attack!”
At that very moment, a cry rang out from beyond the villa. Everyone hurriedly departed the premises, only realizing then that the entire villa was encircled.
Inside the villa, only Loong Chen, Aaron, Amy, Charlie, and a dozen guards remained.
Outside, there were at least several thousand, or perhaps even tens of thousands of individuals gathered.
“Aaron, I never anticipated your survival. Initially, I thought I could seize your position as City Lord without resorting to any military action. But now, it appears that bloodshed is inevitable.”
In that moment, three mature men emerged from the assembly of soldiers. They represented the heads of the three prominent families.
“Pepe, Pang Bo, Stuart!”
Aaron fixed a piercing gaze on the trio and uttered their names through clenched teeth.
“If my conjecture is correct, the individuals who conspired against me earlier were also dispatched by you.”
“Hahaha, indeed, it was our doing. Aaron, you've held the position of City Lord in Polish City for an extended period. Now, it's our turn,” chuckled Pepe, one of the Patriarchs from the three major families.
“Polish City was erected by my forebears. Why should I relinquish it to you?”
Aaron responded coldly. Without the efforts of his ancestors, nearly a million Polish City residents would have perished in this post-apocalyptic world.
Furthermore, it was thanks to their contributions that the three great families had even been established.
“Our ancestors also played a role in the founding of Polish City. However, we're not here to engage in lengthy debates. With the army's arrival, if you choose to end your own life in front of everyone, we may consider sparing your daughter's life.”
Pepe suggested. Pang Bo, standing beside him, emitted a sinister laugh and remarked,
“After your demise, I'll take excellent care of your daughter. Perhaps she'll become my 22nd wife.”
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