As Alex watched, he identified the newcomer as Duke Grey, who arrived clad in a gleaming golden armor that radiated a regal aura under the sun's rays.
"Clap Clap… Listen up!" Duke Grey caught everyone's attention by clapping his hands upon arrival, and he commanded their attention with a booming voice.
"Today you're all here for a reason, and you're aware of the reason. Some bandits had the audacity to attack and rob my estate! As one of the esteemed dukes of this kingdom, I won't tolerate such lowly scum committing such heinous acts!"
"How dare they steal from me, these audacious bastards!" Duke Grey expressed his anger with a loud outburst.
"We will find these bandits and bring them to justice. I expect everyone here to assist in any way possible to ensure the safety and security of our lands, and of course, everyone willing to participate will be handsomely rewarded." Duke Grey expressed his outrage at the bandits who had dared to rob his estate. He called upon them to assist in bringing the bandits to justice, promising generous rewards to those who participated.
He was also reminding them of their purpose for being there. As one of the powerful dukes of the kingdom, he expressed outrage at the audacity of such lowly scum to try and rob him.
Having vented his frustration, Duke Grey took a brief pause before turning his attention and beckoning his personal butler, an elderly man in formal attire, to come forward.
The elderly man was dressed in formal butler's attire, signifying his profession as a butler. It was possible that he served as Duke Grey's personal butler for a long time. Upon reaching Duke Grey's side, the butler began to speak.
"The person who participates in this raid will receive 50 gold coins as a reward. If a Body Refinement realm cultivator is killed, the reward will be 20 gold coins..."
The butler started explaining the rewards for those who participated in the raid. The butler listed the rewards for killing cultivators of various realms, enticing the crowd with promises of alluring rewards.
For killing a Body Refinement realm, the person will get 20 gold coins, and for the Qi Gathering, 50 gold coins.
The butler also mentioned that the rewards would increase significantly for killing cultivators in higher realms. He urged the crowd to work together and strive for success in the raid.
With a persuasive tone, the butler enticed the crowd with promises of alluring rewards for those who were willing to partake.
After finishing explaining about the rewards, Duke Grey spoke again. "Time is of the essence, so we'll be leaving in just five minutes for all those who are eager to join in." Duke Grey announced that they would be leaving in just five minutes for the raid, and with that, he made his exit, leaving the audience to ponder their next move.
Well, all the participants were already in their main spots, so everyone just waited for the time they would leave, and after 5 minutes, Duke Grey and his troops, consisting of 10 silver-armed soldiers, whose strength was between Body Refinement and the Qi Gathering Realm, arrived.
Their strength was somewhere between Body Refinement and the Qi Gathering Realm, which was quite impressive in this kingdom.
"Let's leave!" Duke Grey commanded his troops as they mounted their horses and started to move toward their destination. The other participants also started following them from behind.
Alex had been following them from behind from the beginning. He hasn't mentioned anything. His sole goal was to obtain money and a train. He was unconcerned about the bandits or Duke Grey. But he was intrigued by Duke Grey's treasure, and the fact that he went to such lengths to recover it made Alex wonder what kind of treasure it was and whether it was worth all the risk Duke Grey took to recover it.
"Perhaps if I had the chance, I would take it, but I don't think I can right now." Alex reflected as he walked. Alex couldn't fight Duke Grey strength with his current strength, but if he had the chance, he'd take it.
They exited the city gate and approached the forest after a few minutes of walking.