"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
"Clear the way for the carriages to pass!"
"Hey! Hey! You guys, help out here!"
Multiple shouts like these could be heard in many streets around the Maritime City, specifically those closest to the previous battles.
Hundreds of soldiers from the Black Plain Army were already working on the local rubble in such places. They were working to collect spatial rings from the dead in the surrounding area, gather items of importance, and rescue residents in precarious situations.
At the same time, some citizens of the regions farther away from the battlefield had already gone out into the streets, rushing towards those places to help rescue locals.
Many of these people had already been warned about the possibility of migration to Dry City, and this was precisely why they were not around when things got complicated.
Moreover, they knew what they were supposed to do in Maritime City if something similar to what happened today occurred. As such, these individuals who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to migrate to Dry City were already on the outskirts, listening to the soldiers' commands and helping as they could.
But not only were these individuals there but also residents ignorant of the opportunities of Dry City. After all, there would always be family, friends, or even strangers willing to help in such tragic situations.
With that said, even though only a few minutes had passed since the battles around this city had ended, the local streets were already busy. Many carriages were going back and forth, and several people were in the vicinity of the most affected locations.
"My goodness!"
"I never thought something of this magnitude could happen in our city!" An elderly lady commented to the curious people in the surrounding area as they watched the rescues in a place where once there was a five-story building, but now only rubble remained.
"It truly is a tragedy..."
"But the most impressive thing is that the royal family forces lost the confrontation!" Another person nearby commented in surprise as he saw some bodies wearing armor with Brown family symbols.
There were many bodies in the surrounding area. In fact, many of these corpses had been stacked by Minos' soldiers at various points around this city as a measure to facilitate the collection of items.
But unlike what had happened in the past, Minos' subordinates in this place were not preparing to burn these bodies, as they were in a hurry to leave this place and had other plans for this city.
After all, after what they had done in this place, the royal family would probably do everything to recover their territory and avenge their losses.
And those soldiers had many other things to do in this place, while they had few men available for service.
Anyway, not only were the soldiers doing resource-gathering rescue work. Some were also receiving first aid, already being sent in carriages to Dry City.
Many of them had been injured. Some were in such bad shape that only going to the General Hospital would give them a chance to survive with their powers undamaged.
The same was true of the many individuals rescued amid the local destruction. Unfortunately, some were in terrible condition and could not even make it to Dry City.
Therefore, several of these people were lying on stretchers on the outskirts of the destroyed areas, waiting for their ends.
But others were not so bad off, and with the initial help of the soldiers, several of them had already recovered from the confusion and were resting at various points in this city.
Nevertheless, while some of the soldiers were doing these services, others were already trying to communicate with the surviving population about the possibilities ahead of them!
...
In one of the main squares of the Maritime City, thousands of people were already gathered in the surroundings, since previously, the war effort program provided that such a thing should happen after a conflict.
The local citizens who already knew about Dry City obviously didn't need to come here. So, they had been warned before to follow another protocol if something happened.
As for the other citizens who were on the outskirts of the destroyed areas, well, they had been warned to go to such squares as well as the thousands of people in this place in question.
But free will existed. As these people were curious about the losses resulting from the previous conflict, the soldiers of Minos' army could only hope that they would find out about the army's message in other ways.
It was understandable that not everyone would respect protocol in a situation like this. Still, the army also had no time to waste giving second chances. Once it was time to leave, those who were not with them would only count on their own luck.
In any case, while many citizens were still not in the vicinity of local squares, a soldier was already communicating with the people in the surroundings in one of those places.
"Citizens of Maritime City..." His voice spread throughout that area, silencing many conversations. In contrast, many fearful eyes looked in the direction of some individuals dressed in Black Plain Army uniforms, standing on top of a great statue.
"My name is Alvin, and I am part of the Black Plain Army."
'Black Plain Army?'
"Hey, what is this person talking about? What is this Black Plain Army?"
"It's probably the enemy the royal family is fighting against on the Black Plain!" Someone smarter commented, realizing who had accomplished such action in Maritime City.
Most there didn't know much about the forces in Dry City since the war between the royal family and Minos had just begun and was at the point of troop gathering.
So, without war stories already running around the region, it would be difficult for many ordinary citizens to understand the name of the kingdom's enemy organization.
The soldier from before then continued. "We of the Black Plain Army wish to inform you of your future..."
Gulp!
"Today, as you can observe, we forcefully attacked a troop of thousands of soldiers from the invading forces in your city. So, it is only a matter of time before this place attracts the attention of the enemies."
"Sigh... Our little city is finished!"
"We'll be dragged into the war because of this!"
"Damn! I had just bought a new house!" Someone said in frustration, briefly so as not to miss the rest of that soldier's speech.
"And so, we will have to evacuate that city as soon as possible!"
"So, you citizens of Maritime City have a difficult choice to make ahead of you."
"We see two options for you..."
"Flee from the Black Plain and thereby risk unprotected travel through the region. Or migrate to Dry City. There we have opportunities and protection for each of you!"
"We have guaranteed jobs, better quality infrastructure than this city, housing ready to welcome you, and much more. But, the main thing, we have a giant dome with medium-level grade-2 defensive arrays that protects the entire city!"
"And even if some of you are wary about its safety, I can tell you that over 50 Spiritual Kings are already living in Dry City right now!"
"So, even if someone does find a way to breach our defenses, our city still has powerful forces to counterattack!"
"Anyway, whoever is interested, go to the main exit of the city, and there you will be guided on how to migrate to Dry City."
"Make your choices, and don't regret it!" He said solemnly, finishing what he had to communicate.
Upon hearing this, the masses began to discuss this eagerly, with many people shouting about their misfortunes, of having all of a sudden to leave their homes.
Even more, they didn't know if they could trust the people from that Black Plain Army. After all, this organization was an enemy of the Brown Kingdom.
Could they be trusted?
On the other hand, traveling through the northern part of the Central Continent was almost a death sentence, or worse, slavery, for those who didn't have enough level for such travel!
Hence, now they were at a 'crossroads,' having to decide between two options that, in the opinion of most of them, would invariably lead to their deaths!
What to do now?
Well, now it was time to bet!
