Chapter 174: Different Paths
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After seeing a living behemoth, the rcenaries all left the town during the night, and the town returned to its forr peaceful state. After a few days of peace, Black Eleven, who left the town to collect supplies for Hagan, brought in shocking news. The conflict between Glory rcenary and Tiger of Tawau rcenary had escalated into a full-scale war. Even Shansa and Ellison Empire’s caravans had not been not spared.
The rcenaries who gathered at Moramatch were not the only ones angered by the wrongdoings of the four major rcenary groups. Despite ending in failure, the alliance inspired thousands of other rcenaries. Six large coalitions ford, and more than four thousand rcenaries were on their way to the Transverse Mountains. Their target was very clear. They wanted to drive out the Shansa soldiers. These rcenary coalitions all wanted to expand their power and ensure a position of power for themselves. What could they do to make a na for themselves? Victories and blood of their foes. Therefore, the rcenaries had beco even more thodical and ruthless.
Not only the supplies lines were targeted. Even full size armies were not spared by the rcenaries’ tactics. rcenaries may not have as much people as a full size army, but they mastered elent of surprise. No one knew the mountains as well as the rcenaries, and the Shansa army could not defend themselves against the gorilla strategy of the rcenaries. Shansa Empire was losing n at a staggering rate.
Band of Brother rcenary was a major rcenary group, and was the first to send out spies against Shansa Empire. Due to the chaos in Country of rcenaries and the arrival of Maho Empire’s golden knight Miorich at Blackanis City, the chance of victory for Shansa Empire was very slim. That, and the sudden riots in the eastern coastal region, led Edward the VIII to recognize the improbability of winning the war, and he began to recall his armies.
For Yolanthe, this was amazing news, and he was greatly relieved. This allowed him to put his plans into actions. For Anfey and his companions, however, this was terrible news. The rcenaries that were gathered at Moramatch before knew that Alibaba rcenary was the one that destroyed the Griffins Aerial Squadron, and so did Kumaraghosha. This news had already spread throughout Shansa armies and Country of rcenaries. Alibaba rcenary had beca an almost legendary rcenary group. Sotis too much fa was not a good thing. Anfey was confident that he could defeat a thousand n, but so sources stated that the first group of Shansa soldiers that were recalled had thirty thousand n. What if these n wanted revenge for the Aerial Squadron?
After the news arrived, Anfey and his n sat around in a circle, silently, with their heads down. A few days ago, they had defeated a group of rcenaries and defended their territory. Now, the threat was much greater than a few rcenaries.
To make things worse, Black Eleven and his n were attacked by a group of rcenaries on the way back to Moramatch, and the supplies they bought for Hagan were mostly lost. Only two n made it back to the town alive.
Most of the rcenaries wanted to serve their country, and that was why they were gathered at the Transverse Mountains. However, their leaders had other plans. This was the first and only chance since the founding of the Country of rcenaries that they could challenge the leadership of the four major rcenary groups. If they could make the other coalitions disappear and take their n, then the future Country of rcenaries would be ruled by five major rcenary groups. This made the leaders of the coalitions very excited.
Due to their ambitions, the coalitions had conflicts not only with the Shansa armies, but also with each other. Spies were spotted throughout the coalitions, and there was countless backstabbing. So coalitions even set up ambushes for the other coalitions. This made the situation even more chaotic. The rcenaries were no strangers to tactics like this, but now they were even more reckless. They were willing to do everything for their future. Luckily, these rcenaries were still in the minority, or else Edward VIII would not order the retreat of his army.
Anfey was worried. He knew that he could afford to fight against a proper army, but it was not the right ti to leave the town, either. Dwarves and gnos aside, there were hundreds of people in the rcenary group, each with personal possessions. If they were to leave Moramatch, it would result in a long caravan. That was an invitation to bandits and rogue rcenaries. Even if so mbers of the group stayed behind, the town was surely being watched by other rcenaries. If the few that did leave were surrounded by rcenaries, they were as good as dead.
Everyone was deep in thought when Christian spoke up, "Why don’t we split up?"
"Split up?"
"We put all of our elites into one team. That team will be responsible for getting the rcenaries’ attention. The rest could take shelter in the underground tunnels when the attention was on the other team." Christian paused for a mont before continuing, "Anfey, all the rcenaries know you already. Why don’t you lead the team and make those people think we had all left the town."
"We need soone here as well. I was the one in charge of finding the dwarves and exploring the caves. I know this town," Christian said with a grin. "Take Suzanna with you. It is much more dangerous out there."
"What about here? What if Shansa Empire attacks the tunnels?"
"What Shansa Empire needs to do right now is get their armies back to Shansa safely. They don’t have a lot of ti. I don’t think they can afford launching a full scale attack right now," Christian said. "I won’t try to defend the tunnels. Don’t forget, we have Hagan on our side. If we are attacked, we still have the behemoth."
"Hagan, how much supplies do you have left? How many tis can you summon the behemoth?"
"Once," Hagan said.
Christian frowned and looked at Hagan. Hagan touched his forehead and said, "No, no, I was wrong. I can summon it three more tis."
For soone as observant as Anfey, Christian’s gesture did not escape him. However, he didn’t want to point it out. "It’s not enough," he said.
"I can’t do it more than three tis," Hagan said. "I can make the potion, but I can’t just make behemoth bones."
"If Shansa Empire put you under siege, what are you going to do?" Anfey turned to Christian and asked.
"It’s very unlikely."
"What if it happens?"
"Take Riska with you. You can ambush them."
"Shansa Empire doesn’t have a lot of mages, but there have got to be at least a few dozen in an army of thirty thousand. We wouldn’t even have ti to ambush them."
"That’s a problem for you to solve," Christian said, "not . Take Niya with you. She hates the tunnels. I tried to convince her to go with , but she refused every ti. If she had to spend days down there, she would go mad."
Anfey frowned. Christian’s words sounded like a dying man’s last will, and it made him very uncomfortable. He knew that Christian ca from a wealthy family. Anfey might not have agreed with Christian’s plan, but was impressed that he was willing to take up the responsibility of protecting his friends.
"No. It would be burdenso for to go with him." Surprisingly, Niya rejected Christian’s plan.
Christian smiled and shook his head, but did not say anything else. Proposing this plan might have already tipped off so of the more insightful people about his true intention. He didn’t want it to be more obvious.
Anfey glanced at Niya. Everyone grows as ti goes on and as they accumulate experiences, and Niya was no exception. Anfey had been ignoring Niya, and he was surprised by her mature response.
"Anfey, you have to decide," Black Eleven said quietly. "I think Christian has a good plan. We have to split into two groups. If Shansa Empire really wants revenge, you can save us from the outside. If we are all stuck inside the city, it is over."
"He’s right, Anfey. You have to pick," Zubin said.
"You have to co with . You’ve spent the most ti in Country of rcenaries, and you know this place the best," Anfey said. "Black Eleven, Suzanna, Riska, and I. Just the four of us."
"Shouldn’t you pick a few more?" Christian frowned and asked.
"This is enough," Anfey reassured him.
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