After making up his mind, Xu Feng suggested, "You're not wrong about Rolph being a citizen. But what if I can grant you citizenship status?"
Astonished, Clara looked at Xu Feng in a dazed expression, almost as if she couldn't believe what she just heard.
Taking off his mask, Xu Feng flashed a warm smile.
"Would your concern of the situation be problematic to me any longer if a citizen killed a criminal who had a citizenship status?" He asked calmly.
"I-I don't think there would be a problem if that was the case," Clara said after much difficulty. Her breathing became uneven, almost as if she was having an asthma attack from that sudden question.
"It's decided then." Xu Feng clasped his hands and put his mask back on his face. "I shall grant you all citizenship with my noble rank, and in return, you are free to kill Rolph. He no longer has any use for me."
Truth be told, he kept Rolph alive as insurance just in case there was no documentation or concrete evidence in the hideout.
However, thanks to Rolph's nefarious intention, it backfired hard on him as Xu Feng obtained everything he needed. Therefore, keeping Rolph alive was just going to be a pain in the butt.
Clara trembled in excitement briefly, suppressing her joy as she raised her chin up and looked at Xu Feng. "A-Are you sure I can kill him?"
Xu Feng didn't bother answering her and instead used his actions to demonstrate his standing. By moving aside and dropping the daggers she used earlier next to her, it became crystal clear.
Clara narrowed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she slowly knelt on the ground, and picked up the daggers.
Her previous timidness vanished in a puff as she held the daggers tightly.
Looking at the sharp glint reflection of the dagger, Clara slowly advanced forward, approaching the lifeless Rolph.
Although lifeless, Rolph held a brief smile on his face, almost as if he wanted Clara to end his life already to free him from the world.
To be constantly tortured and healed repeatedly, there was a limit to how much one could handle such a situation.
"Die!" Clara muttered that one word as she lifted her dagger and delivered a killing blow.
However, it wasn't a one-and-done deal, given Rolph's strength was still superior. Nevertheless, less than 5 minutes later, Rolph's vitality had seemingly lost any sign of life.
What followed was a notification prompt about Xu Feng killing a rebel leader.
He might not have been the one who delivered the killing blow, but the weapon was lent by him and the one who killed was Clara, an NPC.
Therefore, Clara's situation was a bit different from OneManMedia's as it would affect the reward order. OneManMedia was a player, so if he delivered the killing blow, then Xu Feng would have received very little reward.
"Congrats on ending Rolph's life." Xu Feng subsequently commented in a deadpan tone.
"I won't say any cringe line about moving on and forgetting about the past, but I will say one thing as a reminder. Don't rely on others and ensure destiny is in your hand." He added, sounding very cool.
Stunned, Clara returned the daggers to Xu Feng and inquired, "Does that mean I can't rely on you to get citizenship status?"
"..."
Faking a cough, Xu Feng had to correct his speech, "I mean after you become a citizen. Life doesn't get easier, so don't be complacent."
"I see…"
"Anyway, I believe everyone rested enough, so let's quickly return to Riverwood Town to get you all registered." Xu Feng announced.
Clara and the other women didn't have any problem with the arrangement. They were already glad that they had somewhere to go and see the daylight, as well as getting revenge with their own hands.
Seeing that there was no objection, Xu Feng nodded his head and began guiding them back.
Although he could use a Return Scroll to bring them all back to Riverwood Town, he decided against it.
After all, the town itself was still overcrowded thanks to Gentle Wind's guild recruitment. Not to mention, with these women looking very frail, it would attract a lot of attention.
'Clara and the rest have enough troubles already.' Xu Feng thought.
He was pragmatic, ruthless, manipulative, and many more, but there was a borderline that he would not cross.
The moment that borderline was crossed, then he could no longer consider himself as human. With that in mind, they began traveling.
Time passed by swiftly, and soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Riverwood Town.
However, just like Xu Feng had predicted, the crowd was overwhelming, frightening the other women aside from Clara.
"Wait here for a while." Xu Feng instructed, running ahead toward an NPC guard.
"What is it?" The NPC guard asked doubtfully.
"I'm a Baron." Xu Feng calmly responded.
A few seconds later, the NPC guard recognized his status and saluted, "What can I do for you, Baron—"
Before the guard could shout his name out, Xu Feng halted him and whispered, "I have a group of people that are with me. I need a secure path for us to get to the Town Hall. Is that possible?"
"Uhh…" The NPC guard was in a dilemma.
For such an action, it would involve a lot of problems, especially when there were an overwhelming number of adventurers trying to enter and leave the town. A strict protocol had been implemented to prevent the possibility of crimes.
"Sigh, those people are in assistance with the ongoing insurgency." Xu Feng lamented softly. "If we were to delay any further and the situation festered harder, then it would be a headache."
Instantaneously, the NPC guard smiled brightly and responded solemnly, "Please wait for a moment. I'll ask my supervisor to prepare a secure pathway for you."
Watching the NPC guard turn around and leave in haste, Xu Feng almost felt bad for him.
'Ahh, these NPC guards are way too gullible.'