Johnny put the remaining ten wolf skins and cured wolf meat onto the wagon in the Stable, then hoisted the flour he had prepared earlier onto his left shoulder and carried a sack full of vegetables in his right hand as he walked toward the cabin ahead.
(He kept the easily portable items like jerky and canned food for himself.)
At this moment, Dutch was setting up a campfire at the door and asked Arthur to gather everyone there.
(If they were inside, no one would be on lookout.)
Seeing Johnny walking slowly toward him, Dutch showed a look of appreciation and then passionately told everyone that he was a good boy.
At Dutch's signal, Johnny first put the things aside and then walked to the campfire, standing there expressionlessly. Dutch gave Arthur a look, and the latter immediately understood and headed toward the Stable.
Before long, Arthur brought that Odriscoll lackey from before in front of everyone. The poor guy, who had been starving for two days, immediately understood what was coming next and was so terrified he wet his pants.
Arthur covered his nose in disgust while giving the guy an Electric Cannon.
"Oh! Dear Gentlemen and Ladies, please allow me to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to everyone here. Because, in the time that has just passed, we have successfully survived that chilling cold!
However, friends, we must believe that a bright future, just like the gradually warming weather, will become more and more brilliant!
But at this moment, a new and serious problem lies before us—that despicable Colm ODriscoll has actually led his rabble to stand brazenly before us, plotting a frantic robbery! I ask you all, in the face of such provocation and threat, can we tolerate it?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a deafening roar erupted from the crowd: "Absolutely not!" At this moment, Johnny's heart was also surging like a stormy sea, unable to find peace.
He had never imagined that Dutch's speech would be so infectious, instantly igniting the emotions of everyone present. Even his own adrenaline began to surge rapidly.
Faster than words can say, Dutch suddenly pulled out the pistol at his waist and fired a fatal shot at the poor wretch without hesitation. With a crisp gunshot, the unlucky fellow collapsed and died on the spot.
Dutch expressionlessly blew the faint smoke from the muzzle and said coldly, "This is the fate deserved by those who dare to oppose me!"
When the passionate speech finally came to an end, people turned and returned to their respective rooms. Just then, Dutch suddenly called out to Johnny, gesturing for him to follow him to his room for a chat. Johnny was slightly stunned at first, then nodded in agreement.
However, his gaze involuntarily fell on the mountain of flour and vegetables nearby, clearly remembering the unfinished work. At this moment, Arthur, who had been quietly watching the situation, stepped forward and said to Johnny with a smile:
"Little Johnny, don't worry, I'll take care of these things." Johnny gave Arthur a grateful look and then followed Dutch with long strides.
Johnny followed Dutch to his room. Inside, Dutch lit a cigar and asked Johnny:
"Little Johnny, Mr. and Mrs. Adler told me they plan to head to a city in the East to buy and run a new farm. What are your plans?"
Johnny then stated that he intended to find his parents' belongings and bury them, with no plans after that.
Dutch stood up with a smile, patted Johnny on the shoulder, and said, "Don't worry, child. I'll have Arthur help you fulfill your wish. So, after burying your parents, would you like to join my Gang?"
Johnny didn't hesitate for a second and immediately agreed. His face was full of excitement, and his eyes gazed intently at the other man, as if he couldn't wait to join immediately.
Dutch was also beaming with joy, his happiness evident. He advised earnestly:
"Johnny, remember you must tell Mr. and Mrs. Adler about your plans. You can't just leave without a word."
After receiving his instructions, Johnny nodded and stood up to leave. At that moment, his peripheral vision caught a book on the table; the title was american purgatory.
His heart stirred, and he turned around, reaching out to pick up the book, and asked Dutch curiously, "Hey, Dutch, so you like reading this book too?"
Seeing Johnny's interest in the book, Dutch's eyes lit up as if he had found a kindred spirit, and he immediately began to talk at length.
The two began to discuss the book's plot, characters, and the author's unique writing style enthusiastically.
When the conversation turned to the author Evelyn Miller, Johnny said even more excitedly:
"I actually know where this author lives! If there's a chance, maybe we could even hold a small reader meet-and-greet, so everyone can interact with the author up close."
Hearing this, Dutch perked up. He happily set down his cigar and said loudly:
"Oh, that's just wonderful! Just thinking about it makes me feel incredibly refreshed. You know, in our Van der Linde Gang, almost no one can understand my love and admiration for american purgatory! I'm so lucky to meet someone with the same taste as me today!"
(The book roughly describes how the author believes America is a land of freedom, but the Capitalist is turning it into hell. He yearns for freedom but appears very weak in the face of the Capitalist's exploitation. He wants to resist, but God made him cowardly when he was created; it's mostly that kind of self-doubt.)
Johnny also said to Dutch with a solemn expression, "I've seen the Capitalist take away farmers' water, and finally their land. I've seen Blackwater Town turn into a machine, fueled by people's broken spirits, shattered dreams, and their very lifeblood.
For a long time, the Capitalist has controlled people's livelihoods and taken everything. While they talk about bandit suppression, they simultaneously control the surrounding Gangs for their own use, ensuring that the money everyone earns is barely enough for subsistence. Now, they aren't even letting the American West go.
Dutch, I declare war! I'm not doing this because capitalism is a thorn in my side, nor because I miss the America of the past. This is a war of the people against an out-of-control social system, and a war against a world in chaos. Do you understand?
We must stop them, defeat them, and tear them apart at all costs. If I need to kill, I will kill; if I need to give my life, I will give my life."