The crowd's mood darkened instantly.
"Release our people, chief! Otherwise, we'll wage war against you. And I assure you, we'll be the winners of that war, undoubtedly!" The burly man's voice boomed across the square.
Charles felt sweat beading on his forehead.
Where was the protector? The situation was spiraling out of control.
Then he spotted it—something massive flying toward them at rapid speed.
'A dragon?' He gulped, eyes widening as he stared at the approaching figure before an idea clicked.
'It could be the Protector's reinforcement,' he thought, glancing at the goblin king who wore a faint smirk as he tracked the flying beast.
'It's really the Protector's reinforcement. A dragon!'
Confidence surged through Charles. He turned to face the players, shoulders squared.
"I will give you 5 seconds. Either leave this place, or I will burn you all down to smithereens. And I mean that literally."
The burly man frowned, scanning Charles's face for any sign of deception.
