'Violence.'

Ron had already seen the reason why he would stand up and speak. Among these sallow and emaciated people, Ralph was the most robust one, and his behavior and demeanor were like a fierce bandit.

Just as Ron had inferred, Ralph's qualification to distribute food actually relied on his physique and the support of a few other strong men. No one had ever tried to resist them.

Although he knew clearly that if a weak person was willing to fight against him at the cost of his life, the knight would surely chop off both of their heads. But as long as he precisely probed and controlled the bottom line of the other weak ones to ensure that they could still survive, no one would fight him desperately.

Ralph knew that if he were the one being oppressed, he would also choose to be silent and endure.

He had thought that Ron was one of them.

Ron lowered his voice to ensure that only the two of them could hear: "You're afraid."

Ralph replied in the same volume: "It seems I've made a mistake."

Ron gave an approving look: "You're also a smart person."

Ron could see that Ralph was afraid. Although what he feared was not himself but the three knights sitting in the distance, it made no difference to him.

It didn't matter whose hand the sword was in. The key was where the tip of the sword pointed.

Ralph whispered: "If you throw me to the ground now, they will regard me as a liar and a loser and spit on me. Although you will get their support and worship briefly, it will be difficult to maintain your current position for a long time. Believe me, there were two previous losers before me, and they all died during the exploration. These bastards are like hungry hyenas and will eat anything. I admit defeat, but please don't let them see that I've lost. I beg you. This is good for both of us. I can give you a reward."

He looked at Ron with pleading eyes.

Ron returned an approving look.

He raised his voice and said firmly and forcefully: "If you want to take my bracelet, you have to step over my dead body first."

Ralph also immediately got into the act and put on an arrogant look: "Don't be nervous. I'm not a bad person without a bottom line. Since you said so, as long as you promise to listen to me on the way now, I can let you keep it. How about that?"

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Ron also put on a reluctant expression of agreement: "All right."

The hyenas all turned around disappointedly and withdrew their greedy eyes. The girl looked at Ralph with fear and admiration, while the middle-aged man just shook his head secretly.

Ralph suppressed his nervousness and said: "Then welcome to join us."

The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only three people still on the spot: him, Ralph, and the girl who had just found him. Ron still remembered the girl's eyes at that time. She was as excited as a hunting dog that had found a rabbit and then couldn't wait to claim credit from her master.

When Ron was observing her, the girl also noticed his eyes, but she immediately shifted her admiring eyes to Ralph.

She was a little angry with Ron now. Looking at him would remind her of the lost plant.

Ralph first signaled the girl to wait in place with his eyes, then turned to look at Ron: "What do you think of her?"

Ron looked at him with a puzzled look.

Ralph showed a grateful expression: "You just gave me a way out. I have to repay you somehow. Helen is the most beautiful girl in the nearby towns. But here, she also has to listen to my orders. With just one word, I can make her stay by your side willingly. You know, noble lords like beautiful girls. When we arrive at the territory, maybe she will become a maid. If you can make her have some feelings for you now, it may help you later."

Speaking of this, Ralph looked Ron up and down and suddenly realized that his appearance under the dust was actually quite handsome. It was a pity that he was a man and had already passed his teenage years, otherwise he might really attract the attention of the nobles.

Ron asked: "Since there are so many benefits, why don't you keep her by your side?"

He didn't think Ralph was so kind to him. But actually, Ron didn't plan to reject the other's proposal because he needed to get information. And if he had two sources of information, it would be relatively easy to distinguish right from wrong.

Ralph also knew that things might not be so easy. From the fact that Ron didn't choose to fight him directly but listened to him finish speaking, it could be seen that the other was not a brainless person: "You're right. But I already have power. If the most beautiful girl is still by my side, others will be jealous of me. Only by letting them see hope can we suppress the restless madness."

Ron smiled and said: "So you want them to transfer their envy to me?"

Ralph shrugged and said: "If you can win her favor, it will be beneficial to you. We are now on a dangerous journey. Beauty can't be exchanged for food. Now is the time when her appearance has the lowest value. Even Helen feels inferior. This is also the easiest time to get her favor. Help in the trough will be appreciated. Feelings in distress are the most precious. Once we arrive at the castle... Every risk you take now will be repaid tenfold."

Ron sensed a subtle problem.

What Ralph said was all based on the fact that the girl could bring him huge returns. And he didn't think he would question this. To him, it seemed like the most basic common sense in the world.

In other words, appearance would affect the fate of civilians in the most extreme way here. And Ralph thought he knew this, while the other civilians were completely unaware of it.

"I agree," Ron said.

This was a test that both sides knew well. Ralph wanted to see if Ron had the confidence to deal with the possible small troubles that might come with it. Ron's answer showed his strong confidence. Based on this confidence, Ralph would surely give him more respect and power.

Ralph smiled and called to the girl: "Helen, come here."

The girl timidly walked to the two of them.

Ralph said in a commanding tone: "During this time, you accompany Mr. Ron and help him get familiar with our place. Remember, you must show respect to him. Otherwise..."

Helen looked at Ralph with panic and reluctance, like a child being punished by her parents without knowing what she had done wrong. But finally, she lowered her head as if resigned and said: "Yes, sir."

What Ralph didn't say was that there was another reason why he didn't really try to please Helen.

Because he knew that even if he won her trust and dependence, once they arrived at the noble's castle, he would be kicked away like a stone on the roadside.

Ron, who was similar to him, must know what would happen to a beautiful young child when they arrived at the castle. But as an outsider, he didn't know Helen's true nature. And Ralph took advantage of his information superiority.

At this moment, Ralph thought he was an excellent liar. He sold a stone with a golden shell to this outsider at a very high price.

And he believed that Ron would have to pay the due price for the stone he got today sooner or later.