Chapter 43: Spearwind Hills! Fifth Update
Time quickly approached August.
The second phase of the terraced fields in Modo was nearing completion. After the Golem Factory processed a batch of materials, it produced five clay golems and one stone golem. These golems were put to work in the construction, able to easily transport heavy supplies, increasing efficiency by several times compared to human labor. The Fallen Witch and Gloria had recently been engaged in intense research, and Soren had left a spatial beacon on the third layer of the Bottomless Abyss. They planned to collaborate to establish a portal connecting their realm directly to the Bottomless Abyss during this time.
The orders from the Northern Assembly had increased again.
Modo was unclear about what preparations were underway, but it had already ordered three batches of heavy two-handed weapons.
………………
On this day.
With the change of seasons from summer to autumn, heavy rains fell across the land, and the central region of the continent seemed to experience flooding. The Lizardmen expanded their territory along the floodwaters, occupying many submerged areas. However, the south remained relatively calm, aside from occasional sightings of the Fallen Ones, and there were reports of a legendary lich being seen not long ago.
Liches seldom walk among the living.
As the highest tier of undead, they possess endless years to indulge in. The favorite pastime of a lich is to stay in their burial tomb researching.
But!
Recently, it seemed a lich had appeared in the south, capturing the attention of the paladins.
South of the Spearwind Hills lay a dense forest, the territory of the Isabella family, where young nobles would hunt to pass the time.
The heavy rain had just let up.
A group of well-equipped individuals moved along the road, looking robust, even with attendants armed with military crossbows. It was evident they were noble retainers.
“Baron,”
a middle-aged man dressed as a knight rode to the center of the group and said in a deep voice, “Once we pass over the next hill, we will be in our territory. Recently, a gang of roaming serpent person bandits has appeared in the Spearwind Hills.”
“We’d best not rest here.”
Soon, a young noble with a hint of fatigue replied from the group, “Just leave it to Sir Slark.”
The middle-aged knight slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment, but his expression revealed a hint of disdain.
It had only been two days of travel, and he was already this exhausted, unlike the old baron who could slay ogres with his bare hands. The new lord was simply too lacking. His flashy swordplay was merely to attract the attention of noblewomen, and as a knight, he had hardly seen the baron do any foundational training.
The group continued onward.
These guards were seasoned veterans of the battlefield, and even when encountering adventurers one-on-one, they held their ground without fear.
Sir Slark did not worry much about bandits daring to attack them, but out of caution, he still sent forth his trusted aides to scout the situation ahead.
However.
Over ten minutes passed, and still no one returned.
Sir Slark felt something was amiss and quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. He then rode forward towards the front of the group.
It seemed eerily quiet around.
Suddenly, a glint of cold light shot out from the trees on the side, followed by a scream, as a guard fell to the ground clutching his throat.
“Be careful!”
“There are archers ambushed here!”
A chorus of alarm erupted, and soon after, several people fell, unable to rise. From the dense forest, shadows emerged, wielding various weapons. However, their skin, covered in silver scales, and their various armors were what caught the eye. They surrounded the group from both sides.
“Serpent people!”
“d*mn! Serpent bandits!”
The group fell into a slight panic, but quickly regrouped under Sir Slark’s orders, forming a protective formation around the center of the party.
Recently, numerous sightings of serpent people had been reported in the south.
Especially around the Spearwind Hills area, where many merchant caravans had been attacked by serpent people. Many nobles were aware of a gang of roaming serpent bandits, and even Baron Narros had fallen to their hands. It was precisely because of this that they had brought so many guards, but upon seeing the enemy’s numbers, Sir Slark could not help but gasp, a shadow darkening in his heart.
The number of these serpent bandit sc*m had increased.
Along with the serpent people attacking them, many other human bandits joined in, with numbers at least double their own.
“It’s poisoned!”
A guard’s face darkened, visibly faltering, as he spoke tremblingly, “The enemy’s weapons are poisoned!… Be careful!…”
A volley of shots flew in.
Sir Slark dismounted and grabbed a shield to hold it in front, while the surrounding guards also raised their shields, some firing back with crossbow bolts.
More and more people were falling to the ground.
The bandits surged forward like a swarm, and both sides suffered significant losses. Sir Slark carefully watched the serpent people in front of him. The majority of the human bandits were weak; the real danger lay with the serpent people. If he could take down the enemy leader, perhaps this gang of bandits would fall apart on their own.
Found him!
Sir Slark quickly spotted the serpent leader commanding the battle.
He let out a roar, suddenly raising his shield to his chest, directly breaking through the crowd before charging toward the serpent leader with his sword drawn.
As a high-tier knight, he had the courage and strength to directly rush at the enemy’s leader amidst a melee.
A dark glow streaked across!
Sir Slark’s figure suddenly stiffened in place, as two figures appeared in his line of sight, followed by a dagger plunging into his throat.
Wanderers.
Two high-level wanderers.
Hidden among these bandits were even more dangerous foes.
Darkness descended.
Sir Slark’s figure slowly fell to the ground. Before his d*ath, he seemed to hear the sound of the baron begging for mercy, a voice that resembled that of a woman.
………………
The serpent bandits had resurfaced.
This news seemed to have wings, quickly spreading to the nearby areas.
However, this time the ones attacked were not merchants, but the rulers of the Spearwind territory, the nobles of the Isabella family. The incident seemed to originate from the lord’s recent crackdown on a group of serpent bandits, even nailing one of their leaders to a cross as a warning to those lawless bandit gangs. But what was utterly unexpected was that the serpent bandits retaliated wildly against the rulers of Spearwind Hills, directly killing several nobles.
A web of conspiracy was beginning to tighten.
After the first step of the plan was completed, the stage was now set for Adele Isabella. Soren’s shadows loomed over this land, leaving one to wonder whether it would bring terrifying disasters or the second prosperity and hope of Modo.
But there was no doubt about one thing.
Every beautiful beginning is filled with bl**d and slaughter, just as embracing war is the only way to welcome peace!
……………… (To be continued ~^~)
