The Village Chief replied coldly, "Then I will take my leave. I have to pass an order for you and your partner to arrange your sentence and ensure it is quick. I will see you later."
However, just as he was about to turn around and leave, another voice suddenly sounded from the cell.
"Wait!" Evadne yelled, causing the Village Chief to halt his steps and turn around to focus his eyes on her.
Evadne sighed. "We'll do it. We'll tell you everything we know in exchange for our lives," she said, slumping her shoulders down in defeat.
Seig frowned as he watched Evadne. He coughed a few times and asked her quietly, "What are you doing, Evadne?"
Evadne looked at Seig with a furrowed brow, "Captain, the longer we stay here, the better our plan's chances of success. Besides, since the council has already sentenced us to death, we might as well tell them everything they need to know in exchange for our lives. And I don't think he has the patience or time to play with us, so if we want to survive longer, we should stop wasting their time," she replied.
Seig was about to respond when the Village Chief's familiar voice suddenly echoed through the cell.
"If you're done talking, tell me everything I need to know before I change my mind," the Village Chief said, his voice tinged with impatience.
Seig exhaled deeply, "Alright, I accept the offer. I'll tell you everything you need to know then." He responded, looking upwards, "My name is Seig, also known as Captain Seig. I lead the 2nd Unit of the Vanguard team in a grade 1 Runaway city called 'The Sleeping Fox'. As you can tell, I'm a half-giant." He gestured towards the woman beside him. "This is Evadne, my lieutenant and most trusted person. She comes from the Sloth Demon Race."
After hearing Seig's words, the Village Chief nodded with satisfaction. Patriarch Rylan had already given them information about the two attackers, making it easy to tell whether they were lying.
The Village Chief then turned his attention to the sizable bracelets on their wrists and asked, "And the bracelets?"
"These bracelets are special tools called the Devourer's Bracelet, granted to us by the institution of 'The Sleeping Fox' Runaway City. They enable us to control and utilize the Vylkr energy, protect our city, and eliminate the Vylkr vines. We are also known as the gods' chosen, as we have been specially blessed to be compatible with the Vylkr energy, making us the only ones capable of utilizing it," Seig explained.
The Village nodded in understanding with a contemplative expression, as did Stronghold Leader Zogar and Stronghold Leader Seth, who was standing behind him.
"Go on," the Village Chief said, "Tell the reason for the conflict between you and the four-eared elves. Why did you attack my city?"
Seig sighed, "The Sleeping Fox' Runaway and 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City have a fragile relationship, with various longstanding misunderstandings, just like every other Runaway City. According to what I know, 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City had broken an agreement with 'The Sleeping Fox' Runaway City by not fulfilling the quota of provisions that they were supposed to deliver to 'The Sleeping Fox' Runaway City during the appropriate time."
"We initially assumed that the delay was due to some problem they were facing. However, after waiting for almost a month, we discovered that the reason why 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City failed to fulfil their quota as promised was because they had formed a trade agreement with another Runaway City without informing us."
"They were providing the other Runaway City with our resources in exchange for their own, which was unacceptable. When this came to light, 'The Sleeping Fox' Runaway City entered the territory of 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City, creating a potential conflict between the two Runaway cities if the matter was not resolved peacefully."
"Fortunately, we spoke with the leader of the 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City, Patriarch Rylan, who explained why they could not fulfil their quota. Another Runaway City had threatened them into breaking their agreement with us. Considering that you live in such a high-grade sanctuary, you won't understand what people like us face, so let me explain. Outside here, food, water, and other necessities are scarce."
"Because of these things, one Runaway City will have to enter an agreement with another Runaway City or various other Runaway Cities to survive or fulfil some of their needs. In the case of the 'Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City, they provide a special fruit that can sustain a person for a whole day or a warrior for half a day after a battle. This is why we trespassed into their territory. And the other was…."
The Village Chief's voice abruptly echoed from above, "Wait!"
Seig furrowed his brows, "What is it? Are you doubting my words?" he asked.
He knew it was hard for them to believe him after he had just attacked their city. However, he had no other way to prove his sincerity.
"If you're still sceptical, you can confirm everything I've said with Patriarch Rylan, the leader of 'The Four-eared Lone Rabbit' Runaway City, who is also here, once I'm done speaking," Seig suggested.
The Village Chief shook his head at Seig's words, "Although I have already planned to meet with Patriarch Rylan later on so he can give me a detailed briefing on what led to the destruction of his Runaway City and verify if everything you are saying is true, there is something I need to confirm first," the Village Chief said.
The Village Chief then instructed one of the warriors to quickly fetch each Kalna and the Lipry fruits.
The warrior nodded his head and immediately raced out of the hall. Within five minutes, he returned with a Kalna and Lipry fruit in each hand.
"Hey, are the fruits, Chief," the warrior said, handing the fruits over to the Village Chief.
