Chapter 2302 - 99: Crow's Prophecy II_3

"The widespread martial law and heavy religious taxes led many to abandon their lands and become refugees, fleeing south to seek opportunities to reach Kapuka or Rodell — the only chance for the escapees. But more froze to death on the migration route, with only a few who didn't wish to die, banding together to resist the oppressive rule of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary. Some Invokers who had suffered during the first phase at the hands of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, unwilling to tolerate the Sanctuary's actions, joined these people. This is the origin of the 'refugees'."

Fang Hong listened with his mouth agape; he never imagined that in the year since he left Traveler's Rest, there had been such drastic changes in the Northern Territory. Or to put it bluntly, a decay — if Shaya's words were true, the rise of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary brought disaster to the entire Tarun, not vitality.

"Has no one on the community ever talked about this?"

Shaya glanced at him, "Because the Super Competitive League doesn't allow people to discuss, all related content has to be approved before it can be published. Besides, this is the concern of the Natives; most Invokers also don't care about it."

Fang Hong was a bit surprised because he knew that the community was not managed by the Super Competitive League now, but by Stargate Port's military personnel interfering. There was no reason for the military to suppress discussions on behalf of the Super Competitive League.

He suppressed this doubt, deciding to ask Su Changfeng later what was going on.

However, he could generally understand the stance of the Descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance — the Crow's Claw Sanctuary's 'tolerance' towards Invokers is more of a tacit agreement reached with these two major organizations, where they divided their spheres of influence and jointly carved up the Northern Territory as if it were a cake.

Ever since the Super Competitive League published new rules based on the 'lesson' from the Dragonfire Guild, they have continuously derived benefits from it.

And as long as the Super Competitive League continues to play the lackey to Lord Praetor of Elpaxin, wanting to engage in the political turmoil of Colin Ishurian and reap benefits from it, they will maintain their current actions.

The only confusion now is, what force allowed the Crow's Claw Sanctuary to reach this stage and become one of the players at this table.

Fang Hong knew that the most crucial party's attitude here should come from Elpaxin — because generally, the attitude of the Chief Praetor from Elpaxin represents the attitude of the Kingdom. And from the rise of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, Elpaxin seems to show a kind of laissez-faire attitude.

He couldn't help but recall his previous speculation about the origins of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, wondering which side was really supporting it.

But regardless of the reasons, this signifies that the presence of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary in the Northern Territory has become a fait accompli, with tacit approval from three parties.

This also means that the Free Summoner, while helping refugees resist the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, is actually also resisting the Super Competitive League behind it — even the domestic two major Guild Alliances. And judging from Shaya's situation, they probably don't have many 'companions.'

This is understandably so; not everyone is willing to stand out at this moment, especially when those they help are seen as having a somewhat delicate situation — the Crow's Claw Sanctuary claims that many among them are controlled by the dark faith; although it's not necessarily true, it also might not be false.

Fang Hong was silent for a long while, not optimistic about these people's situation.

Because the primary contradiction in the Northern Territory now is not the oppressive rule of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, but people's urgent need for safety assurance. Under the broad threat of Nikopolas's henchmen looming over the entire Northern Territory, the position of the Crow's Claw Sanctuary here is almost unshakeable.

In such a situation, people can even tolerate sacrificing another group's interests, after all, among those captured by the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, indeed, some are 'Hosts' of the Shadow People.

In the absence of authoritative power, the Crow's Claw Sanctuary, which alone holds knowledge of distinguishing 'them,' is also the only force people can rely on.

And in response to the growing threats, the Crow's Claw Sanctuary indeed seems to have a need to bolster itself, as to whether this process is just, for now, it is not the mainstream voice. Fang Hong certainly understands it is abnormal, but he also realizes there are matters in this world not simply argued with right or wrong —

This is something he learned after paying many costs.

Understanding is one thing, but it doesn't equate to agreement —

Unless fundamentally solving the issue — making the threat of Nikopolas disappear or the Crow's Claw Sanctuary vanish, no one can change the current state — Fang Hong certainly cannot. But as a friend, if he could extend some help to these people within his capacity, he wouldn't refuse.

Though he only briefly met both sides, he had a fairly favorable impression of that young Ranger and Shaya's explanation cleared up numerous puzzles for him.

"So you rescued Little Kong and others from the Crow's Claw Sanctuary," Fang Hong realized the reason for this meeting was because the other side wanted to see him, "How is his condition now?"

Shaya shook his head: "He is severely injured, in a very bad state, might leave this world at any time..."