Chapter 67 - Enemy Attack

“Huh…” Gro was somewhat stunned. Richard’s words were so blunt that they made him feel a little uncomfortable. But he knew that Richard was telling the truth. There are no free lunches in the world. Why should a person devote themselves to you without reason? Unless you offer something of equal value.In fact, this was a relatively good outcome. After all, he was currently at a disadvantage, and Richard had not chosen to make an exorbitant demand by taking advantage of the situation but had instead opted for a relatively fair trade. Of course, even so, the list of materials and their quantities on the scroll were nontrivial.

This truly was a trade.

Gro pondered and then realized there weren’t many options to choose from, since the current situation was either poverty or death.

The noble at his side didn’t see it that way and felt somewhat indignant. In their eyes, Richard, the wizard, had gained the friendship of a noble prince. Wasn’t that enough? When the time came, wouldn’t he acquire anything he wanted? Acting so mercenary now, didn’t they think it a bit short-sighted?

Richard stated that this so-called friendship with a prince really wasn’t that significant. After all, he himself had once been a prince and in fact, if he wished, he might have become king. Compared to elusive things, he preferred to have some tangible materials at hand because his goal in this world wasn’t to make connections with or curry favor with any “big shot” but rather to…analyze the world.

Many nobles wanted to advise Gro to refuse Richard’s offer, to go down fighting if need be. If that wasn’t possible, they at least wanted to haggle with Richard, to make sure he didn’t have it too easy.

As a prince, Gro had his own considerations and, after taking a deep breath, he looked at Richard and said, “Lord Richard, I accept all your conditions and agree with all your arrangements, as long as you can help us break free from this predicament.”

“Very well, a pleasure doing business.”

“Uh, a pleasure doing business.”

The camp that followed was quickly set up under Richard’s arrangements.

According to Richard, it was crucial to establish the best defense before the attack of the encircling army arrived.

But the defenses that were finally constructed felt very problematic to the many nobles.

Following Richard’s arrangements, the entire camp took the shape of the character “口” (mouth).

Trenches were dug on three sides, and beyond that, a large number of horse pits were excavated to hinder the enemy’s advance. Then, the illuminating torches were extinguished, the darkness as if it were the Ghostly Realm.

Only at the front of the camp were the torches still lit, their light shining bright and clear. Moreover, there were no trenches, horse pits, or other traps placed there. Instead, there was a broad and smooth path left open, as if to specifically tell the enemy that this was the best way to attack, that with a single charge, they could break into the camp and end the battle.

Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Gro’s authority, all the nobles would have objected on the spot to Richard’s setup, for it seemed almost like the actions of a traitor, worse than having no defense at all.

But Richard offered no explanation, and after implementing his arrangements, he had people bring a large number of arrows into a tent and spread them out on the ground. Squinting his eyes, he carefully selected one quality arrow after another with similar specifications. Taking a small knife from his chest, he gently whittled the arrow shafts, making all of the arrows uniformly identical.

One, two, three…

By the time Richard crafted the thirty-third arrow, he raised his head and looked outside the camp, sensing something.

He rose and stepped out.

Outside, Gro, the Nobles, and the Soldiers had already assembled in tense anticipation.

Nightfall descended.

The night seemed like a shy maiden, and the darkness was like the thin veil she wore. Glancing out from the campsite, with the help of the firelight, one could see vague clusters of shadows in the forest—trees and dried-up shrubs—like patterns adorning the skirt of the night maiden’s veil. But if one wanted to see more clearly, to peer through the dark veil to behold the smooth body of the night maiden, that proved difficult. After all… the night was shy.

As the night continued to be coy, the tension and vigilance in the hearts of those at the camp intensified.

Sounds of hooves, footsteps, and various rumbles were approaching from the far end of the forest, growing increasingly nearer.

Finally, before the gazes of everyone, the silhouettes of the enemy appeared.

At first, they were vague and indistinct; all efforts to make them out clearly were in vain. The enemy was like ants crawling over the body of the night maiden, hidden beneath the veil, fleetingly visible, inflaming a secret animosity in observers.

Inevitably, the ants emerged from beneath the veil, and their figures shattered the darkness—a large group materialized in front of the campsite. Attempts were made at other points to approach, but were met with screams as attackers either tripped over pit traps or fell into ditches. In the end, aside from a small number who surrounded the camp to prevent any escape attempt, the majority converged before the camp. Of course, no one wanted to navigate a land riddled with traps instead of open terrain.

At last, an army of over three hundred men appeared in front of the camp, mostly Cavalry. Including those left guarding the other three directions, the enemy numbers could likely exceed four hundred.

A heavy weight settled in everyone’s chest, tension strung high in their hearts.

In the almost solidified air, under the oppressive atmosphere, the Nobles looked to Gro, and Gro turned his head towards Richard.

Richard, however, shook his head, giving Gro a look that said, “It’s not the time yet.”

Gro hesitated, unsure of what to do, but there was no turning back at this stage. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, confronting the enemy.

Forcibly calming himself, he began with an authoritative tone, “Who are you people? Do you not know you are facing the Second Prince of the Jade Kingdom, the future Duke? Your actions already constitute a rebellion. Do you understand that?

I don’t care who has deluded you, but if you disappear from my sight now, I’ll pretend I never saw you. Otherwise, half of you will be sent to the Gallows, and the other half to the Fire Rack!”

A cold laugh emanated from the enemy troops, and a knight clad in Black Armor with his visor drawn rode out from their ranks, declaring sternly, “I brought my men here, unaware of any Prince, Nobles, or anyone else from a Kingdom. All I know is that this place harbors a nest of Thieves who fled across the border from the fiefdoms.

My orders are to exterminate these Thieves. Maybe later I’ll be sent to the Gallows or the Fire Rack, but that’s a matter for another day. Right now, what I need to do, is to exterminate these Thieves!”

By the end, the knight in Black Armor’s voice was nearly a roar, whether out of excitement or a desperate attempt to mask his fear was unknown.

The knight in Black Armor didn’t waste words; with a mighty “clang” he drew his sword, swung it forcefully towards the camp, and issued the command, “All units! Attack!”