Girl Hero: Revenge on Goblins!-Chapter 296: D104. Hold my falling hand

Border City.

The warning from the Highland Inn fortress has been broadcast throughout the city, and the entire border city has entered a state of martial law.

The usually bustling streets are now eerily quiet, with only fully armed sergeants and adventurers hurriedly passing by.

Their strides are brisk, their expressions grave, yet there is little sign of panic.

Although the city has quieted down, there has been no chaos.

Border City, the kingdom’s greatest defense line, has faced numerous crises, whether from magic creatures from the north or intrusion from the Black Gate, yet this city at the edge of civilization has never fallen.

Thus, the residents here have gradually developed a calm and bold character, maintaining an attitude almost indistinguishable from normal days even as a crisis approaches.

Though most shops on the streets have closed, some merchants still keep their doors open, patiently waiting for customers, including those selling weapons and equipment. freēwēbnovel.com

In wartime, these equipment stores are not only shopping places for ordinary customers but also special logistics points for adventurers to replenish and repair their weapons. Most of the fees generated by these services are reimbursed by the Count Mansion as military expenses.

Apart from the equipment stores, many other similar shops continue to operate; the Six Major Professional Guilds and the Adventurer Guild are also brightly lit. Although the city has entered martial law, it does not appear dead but rather exudes a tense order and a suppressed surge of vitality, like a massive machine already warmed up, ready to roar into operation.

At the entrance of a weapon store, the salesman who usually attracts customers seems nervous.

He stands at the doorway, glancing uneasily at the deserted street, occasionally looking up at the sky, then looking left and right.

The deserted street contrasts starkly with the normally bustling scene, making him restless.

After a moment, unable to entice any customers, he turns to look at the shop owner, who appears calm.

"Relax, don’t look so hopeless. The army has its own logistics point; they don’t need us for that. You just need to assist any adventurers who might come."

Feeling the gaze of the salesman, the owner speaks slowly, his voice experienced and steady, not at all flustered.

Hearing the owner’s calm words, the salesman relaxes slightly, a look of respect appearing on his face.

"Boss, do you think the magic creatures will really come down from the highlands?" Despite the emptiness around, he still lowers his voice.

Residents living on the border, even if they are not soldiers or adventurers, have their ways of observing changes in the situation.

The direction in which the soldiers march, the movements of the adventurers—all these signs reveal unusual information, which can give a rough idea of where problems are occurring.

And now, even without detailed battle reports, they understand that this threat does not come from the front lines but seems distant yet inches away - the highlands.

"Who knows? I don’t understand the thoughts of magic creatures, especially not those from a place like the highlands," the owner shook his head.

"Then why don’t you move inland? I heard your child is studying in the capital."

"You think with our shop’s income, moving to the capital and buying a house isn’t a big deal, right?"

The owner, smiling non-committally, glanced at him, "Yes, of course, it would be even easier if I don’t pay your salary this month."

The salesman hurriedly waved his hands, teasingly saying, "I didn’t mean that..."

"Do you think a man can survive if his armor is shattered?"

Seeing the salesman speechless, the owner suddenly asked.

Watching him shake his head blankly, the owner scoffed.

"Then do you think, if the border city falls, the other cities of the kingdom can hold? Can the capital withstand an Arcane Surge that the border city couldn’t, with those nobles’ pampered troops?"

Speaking of his kingdom’s capital, the owner’s tone carried not much yearning but rather a hint of pride.

The salesman opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to retort, but fell into silence.

Border City, this robust and solid stronghold, is not just their home but also the barrier for the entire kingdom.

Although other major cities also possess considerable strength, possibly not inferior to the border, if the defense line of Border City were to fall, how much area could those cities shelter?

At that time, apart from a few places, there would be no safe haven for ordinary people like them throughout the kingdom.

"...Although I admit, the living conditions in the capital are better, suitable for retirement and raising children. Even Lord Count sent the little princess there, and I heard she was quite reluctant at the time."

The owner sighed, straightening up.

"But this is our home."

He walked slowly to the outside of the shop, seriously observing the street ahead; the salesman, also moved, fell silent.

"Whether it’s the little princess or my child, one day they will both come back here."

The wide street remained empty, with only the sound of the wind echoing in their ears.

Suddenly, both men’s pupils constricted, and the owner, unable to maintain his composed expression, looked up in shock.

Just a moment ago, bright sunlight was falling; now it dimmed suddenly. Though the sky was clear and cloudless, the world seemed to have been draped in a thin black veil; the sun still hung high, but the tranquil darkness had descended unexpectedly, unannounced.

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