Man With Super Medical Skill (Matthew)

Garrett's face twisted into a cold, calculating smile as he addressed the group. "If Mortimer Zedler wants to keep his injury a secret, we'll spread the news far and wide. Let everyone know."

"But will this really stop them from waging this financial war against us?" one of the financial moguls asked, standing up to face Garrett.

"It won't end the conflict outright, but it will significantly diminish Zedler and Larson's credibility. Remember, many people in the villages were never fully loyal to Matthew. If not for Mortimer's support, they might not have followed him at all."

...

By the next morning, the entire nation of Montiria, as well as the internet, was buzzing with a new rumor. The story went that Mortimer Zedler, the influential figure from Southaven who supported Matthew Larson, had been severely injured by Aelion Tarian, the general-in- chief of the Aerial Legion. The rumors exaggerated the extent of Mortimer's injuries, claiming that he was on the brink of death.

The news sent shockwaves throughout Montiria. While those who harbored grudges against Matthew, such as Rocco and Connor, were skeptical about Mortimer's near death, they believed in the possibility that the Aerial Legion injured him.

Rocco also learned that Mortimer had wiped out most of the Gloam Division's leadership overnight, and those who remained had been publicly humiliated by Aelion, forced to kneel at the Aerial Legion command center's entrance. The citizens were invited to identify any wrongdoers, and those accused were either beheaded on the spot or handed a knife by the Aerial Legion soldiers to end their own lives.

By midday, rivers of blood flowed in front of the Aerial Legion command center. Even after the bloodstains were washed away, the gray quartz pavement retained a faint reddish hue.

At the same time, dozens of villages gathered together, their leaders looking grim and determined. A few burly men at the front were deep in discussion.

"Everyone, Matthew Larson forced us to cultivate those useless crops at the time, costing us the lucrative Night Vine trade. Now, his backer has fallen, and Matthew himself can't even enter Montiria. I say it's time we revive the Night Vine business and reclaim our profits!" bellowed a bald, scarred man, standing up to address the group.

Another burly man, sitting, voiced his concern. "Chief Bjorn, Thorneville has always had good relations with Matthew. If we do this..."

"Thorneville? They're nothing but a

bunch of sitting ducks waiting for death," Bjorn sneered, his tone dripping with contempt. "The Gloam Division has cut off their water and electricity. I doubt they can hold out much longer."

Just then, an elder sitting on another side of the room spoke up, addressing Bjorn. "Chief Bjorn, we don't have any Night Vine left. While

it grows quickly, producing a new. P

batch every two or three days Matthew destroyed all our seedlings using various methods."

The elder's words were met with murmurs of agreement from the others.

"That's right. He took every last bit of Night Vine from my farm."

"Same here. He even took the ones we'd hidden in the outhouse."

"You think that's bad? He carried off the Night Vine I had stashed under my bed." Bang!

Bjorn slammed his hand down on the table, silencing the room.

"You don't need to worry about the Night Vine. Our village managed to save some, and after these past few days of cultivation, we have enough to distribute to each of you," Bjorn announced. "But I have one

Love

percent of your profits frant ten

condition: going forward, I want ten

the

Night Vine."

The hall fell into a heavy silence as the village chiefs contemplated Bjorn's offer.