Chapter 181: Riots

After their protests had been ignored for an entire day, by the time dawn had broken over the town, Carleon's citizens had resorted to rioting. With the death of dozens of adventurers who had been, up to this point, their dependable protectors, they were now far too terrified to go out to the farms or the mines. 

Some have decided to leave the city altogether, while a few hundred others came down to the streets, taking out their anger by protesting the new mayor who ruled like a tyrant. 

"We want justice for Connor!!"

"Take down that idiot Mayor!"

"Go away! We don't want you here!"

These few hundred people have now gathered at the town square, screaming angrily as they called out Tristan's name and demanded an explanation. Or better yet, an apology or an announcement of his resignation. 

Tristan looked out of the town hall window, peering down at the angry mob that had accumulated below. 

The whole scene confused him to no end. It was rather amusing to see that these individuals acted so much like the people on Earth.

Wasn't this Arcadia a monarchy? How did the people manage to have enough freedom to say whatever they liked here? The way the people here behaved was a direct reflection of the way King Callan ruled his kingdom, and there was something about it that Tristan didn't completely agree with. 

Next to him, Uriel was pacing around restlessly, a panicked look stricken on his face. The incessant tapping of his feet on the hardwood floor made Tristan even more irritated than he already was. 

"There are even more of them gathering here, Tristan, I think there are 1000 of them already! What should we do?" The fear on his face was so evident, it looked like he was going to break down from sheer anxiety alone. 

At this moment, Captain Gazef walked in the room with Seth in tow. The captain leaned on a stick as he walked, still not yet fully recovered from yesterday's fight. He had come in to give his respects. He looked Tristan in the eye and began to speak. 

"My lord. My apologies, but many of the town guards were afraid... I only managed to gather half of them. I am afraid we don't have the ability to hold them in again. I suggest that you escape to Erantell for the time being and only return when things have cooled down a little."

Tristan's only reply was a passive look towards the window, expression still calm despite the chaos. 

"Don't worry, captain. Just prepare any of the forces that are ready. Tell the men who do not come that they will only receive half of their monthly wages. Afterwards, tell me how many of them decide to change their minds."

"As you wish, my lord."

Uriel, however, was still as shocked as he was before. His panic only increased upon knowing that only half of the guards were available. 

"Any news from Chieng?"

"No, he hasn't returned," said Hererra, still standing readily by his side. This problem with her missing apparently bothers his mind more than he thought. After all of this is over he ought to make sure all his important teammates have a piece of communication stone on them.

Uriel, feeling ignored, finally had enough. With his face puffy and red, he shouted, "Sir Tristan... If you have no other solution, I…!"

"Don't worry, Uriel, here they come… Let's address the masses now."

His words had apparently confused the mayor greatly. He was absolutely perplexed.

Tristan confidently walked outside, standing at a stage that loomed intimidatingly over the hordes of angry citizens. He raised both hands in a motion that demanded their silence, trying to stop the constant shouting, but no one seemed to listen. 

"Go away!! We don't want you!!"

All of a sudden, a scream could be heard from the streets in the distance. 

"Kyaaaa!!!"

More and more screams followed, echoing across the densely packed town hall as a group of green skin figures entered the town.

"Orcs! Orcs entering the town!!"

The masses that had been so indignant before suddenly began to panic, turning around and beginning to throw rocks at the orcs in an attempt to hurt them. But such things could not hurt them in the slightest, and the rocks bounced harmlessly off their huge, hulking bodies. 

Throngs of orcs could be seen lumbering throughout the city, and far off even more followed suit. They began to surround the town hall, trapping the angry mob inside, 

The hundreds of citizens' expressions suddenly turned from angry to terrified. Surprisingly, these fully armed orcs were not attacking at all, and even more shocking was the fact that the town guards were ignoring them completely. 

Among these orcs were Karra, the 4 champions, and the rugrats. These were all part of Tristan's orc tribes. Yesterday, he told Karra to quickly bring them all here. Over 200 orcs had descended on the town center. 

Again, Tristan raised his hand, and this time everyone finally turned quiet. 

"My people of Caerleon Town, please, do not be afraid! These orcs are all taking orders from me! They are here for our own protection!"

Upon hearing this, a few citizens started to groan, starting to shout in disbelief and spewing hatred towards the orcs. 

Tristan let out an exasperated sigh, and Seth took a few guards and grabbed them out of the crowd, which quickly terrified the others in their midst.

Tristan then started to explain the situation surrounding Connor as well as the other adventurers. He reminded them, again, how he promised to solve all their problems. But this time, the townspeople seemed unconvinced.

Knowing that it wouldn't be this easy, Tristan had already prepared another solution to the problem. He quickly raised his voice to address them again, but this time, his tone was serious. 

"People of Caerleon, I was forced to do this... its all because that I have evidence that leads me to believe that the barbarians will be attacking us tomorrow.! Thousands of them will try to take over our beloved city!"

The news shocked all of them into an abrupt silence. 

"Citizen of Caerleon, trust me when I say that I will protect you from these barbarians! Me, the town guards, and the orcs will defend you!"