CHAPTER 66: NOMADS TEAM

Lena stepped closer to Jacob. Jacob looked terrified, his face panicked. But Lena made it clear that she was there only to help him. She slowly opened the cloth covering his wounded thigh.

Lena’s eyes clearly saw blood still flowing from the bullet hole caused by the SIG M17. She turned to the side, glancing at Gideon who stood in front of Jacob.

"I need to save them before the bleeding kills them," Lena said firmly.

"You didn’t bring a medkit?" Gideon asked. Lena shook her head.

"Luckily, the shot hit the lower area. At least I can go back to Nemora to get my supplies," Lena answered.

Gideon cleared his throat. Unlike bullet wounds in vital points that must be treated within sixty minutes, gunshot wounds lodged in the thigh or leg could last at least six to eight hours before infection sets in.

Going there and back would take at least two hours by carriage. But that was enough time compared to the eight-hour window for saving them.

"Alright. You and Luke go back to the village to bring the medkit, tent, and IVs. Lyra and I will handle them," Gideon replied.

"Understood, Captain."

Together with Luke, Lena went to the northern gate and entered the carriage. Quickly, they left the Baron’s residence, heading back to Nemora Village. Gideon turned to the side.

The villagers who had surrendered and were wounded were already separated, while the soldiers stayed on guard.

"Lucas," Gideon called.

"Yes, My Lord?" Lucas asked.

"Release the villagers who surrendered. Make sure they return home safely," Gideon ordered.

"I understand, My Lord."

Lucas mobilized his soldiers to escort the villagers. The southern gate was opened, but no one tried to force their way in anymore, especially after Jacob and Clark had arrived.

Clark stepped forward to Gideon, bowing his head repeatedly and apologizing for his son’s recklessness. Gideon did not take issue with it.

"Their anger has the same root, hatred for Nozel. That proves they want change," Gideon said.

"I’ve already drawn up the best tax scheme for you all. In a day or two, Viviene will announce it," Gideon added.

"May I know it in advance, Lord Gideon?" Clark asked.

Gideon smiled, patting Clark’s shoulder gently, aware of his curiosity about the new tax system under Baron Gideon’s rule.

If he told him now, there was a chance Clark would leak it to the villagers, and it would no longer be a surprise. Gideon kept it for later, wanting the villagers to be happy when the moment came.

"Be patient. You’ll know soon enough."

"Yes, My Lord."

"And what about Jacob, Lord?"

Gideon turned, looking at Jacob, whose cloth bandage was soaked with blood. His body was weak, still lying on the ground. As their leader, Gideon knew what had to be done.

"Lyra," Gideon called.

Lyra quickly stepped forward, waiting for his orders. He told her to go inside the Baron’s residence and bring towels for them, as well as water.

"You can ask the maids for help," Gideon said.

"I understand, Captain."

Thankfully, Lyra was there to help treat the injured villagers. The soldiers returned after the crowd had dispersed. They rested while still standing guard at the northern and southern gates of the residence.

The maids came out to help one by one, tending to the wounded villagers. There were seven in total, all in need of care. Gideon turned to Clark, making sure Jacob would be safe here.

"He can’t go home for now. My friends will have surgery on his thigh to remove the bullet," Gideon said.

"No... I’m fine," Jacob muttered.

Before he could get up, Jacob groaned in pain, clutching his injured leg with both hands. Clark walked closer, advising his son to listen to Gideon’s orders.

Viviene stepped out of the house. She walked toward Gideon, many questions on her mind. Gideon knew he needed to explain.

"Why is Princess Alanar here? What happened? Who are those people?" Viviene asked.

Jacob and the others looked at Viviene. Their anger flared again, their hearts boiling at the sight of her, even if he admitted her face was very beautiful.

"You... should die like Nozel!" Jacob said firmly.

Gideon looked at Jacob. Viviene was frightened, turning her hopeful eyes toward Gideon. He smiled, aware of their rage.

"Viviene is a smart woman, capable of understanding this village better than I can. Isn’t it better to use her for life rather than kill her?" Gideon asked.

"She’s a traitor. You’ll regret trusting her," Jacob answered.

"That’s her choice. My mistake is trusting her."

"For now, it seems she can’t do much," Gideon added.

Viviene clenched her fists, glaring at Jacob with focused, serious eyes. She knew what her mistakes were. She intended to change the villagers’ perception of her.

"I know my mistakes may not be forgiven. But let me make it right!" Viviene said firmly.

"I will make your lives much better than before," Viviene declared.

Gideon smiled. He turned to Clark and told him that the tax scheme he mentioned earlier was Viviene’s idea.

Gideon had only asked her to design a low-tax system, but unexpectedly, she had managed to put together a well-structured plan.

"That’s good news," Clark said.

Gideon asked Viviene to return inside the house, to look after Princess Alanar as if she were her own child.

He explained that the girl would be staying temporarily in Rockvalley until the time came for her to return to the royal capital.

Viviene understood. She would care for Alanar as Gideon had ordered.

The maids and Lyra finished dressing the villagers’ wounds. None of them were in critical condition, they only needed to wait for Lena and Luke to return.

"What really happened? Did you do something wrong to them on your first day as Baron?" Lyra asked.

"This is because of Nozel. They knew he was dead but didn’t know I was the new Baron. So, they planned to take over the residence," Gideon replied.

"Fortunately, they could be reasoned with and negotiated."

"Good thing we arrived on time. If not, I don’t know how many would have died," Lyra said.

"Thank you, Lyra," Gideon answered.

Not long after, the Baron’s carriage arrived with Lena and Luke. Luke unloaded an emergency tent and set it up in the front yard, helped by Gideon and several soldiers.

Lyra assisted Lena in beginning treatment for the wounded villagers, especially with the operation to remove the bullets.

"Have you already figured out the problems in this village?" Luke asked, walking up to Gideon.

"Yes. First, we need to dig many water wells for them," Gideon said.

"Wells, huh? I can handle that."

"We’ll do it together with the villagers."

"Tomorrow morning, bring the logistics here. We’ll make this our main basecamp," Gideon said.

"We’re like nomads, huh?" Luke joked.

"Yes, something like that," Gideon replied.