Chapter 128: Bandits and Nobles

  Horal was a bandit, but he was also a noble’s guard.

  Most of the time, he could easily switch betweewo identities.

  Of course, Horal wasn’t one of those bloodthirsty killers who didn’t blink at taking lives.

  The orders they received from above were usually just to stand in line and charge forward a few times during the battle.

  As long as the other side surrehey wouldn’t go overboard with killing; after all, they wouldn’t be rewarded with more than a few silver s anyway.

  This time, though, Horal had a gut feeling that something was off.

  First, they had waited in the mosquito-ied reed beds for two or three hours, with no sight of their target, and lost weight in the process.

  Feeling a sharp sting on his neck, Horal quickly spped it.

  With a soft "spt," he winced, looking at the blood on his fiips, and cursed under his breath:

  "Damn pce, gon sucked dry sooner or ter."

  "Quiet, or you’ll catch a whipping ter!"

  His panion quickly pulled him aside, nervously sing the surroundings. After seeing the others scratg and swatting at is too, he rexed slightly but still shot Horal an annoyed look, muttering:

  "This time is different from the others. Our oppo isn’t easy."

  Nodding obediently, Horal kly who their target was this time.

  The Thorn Caravan's ret activities had caused quite a stir in Blood Moon City.

  Just as the two were about to tiheir versation, a loud call rang out:

  "Everyoher up, rest for 20 minutes, and then we move out!"

  The bewildered bandits emerged from the reed beds.

  Many grumbled about waiting for hours in the sweltering sun, being bitten by mosquitoes, and still not seeing their target.

  They could’ve just called it a failed mission and moved on.

  But now?

  They had to set out again?

  Tired and frustrated, they couldn't help but pin a little.

  Still, their pints remained just words; they wouldn’t dare disobey orders from above.

  After all, bandits were still bandits!

  ......

  As dusk fell, Adam Smith, who had been w hard all afternoon, exhaled deeply.

  Looking at the nearly finished wooden walls, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

  He was thankful he had unicated with the lord rather than making decisions on his own.

  Even though every time he returo Bay Territory, he said progress, he still hadn’t fully grasped the speed of its stru.

  Until now!

  In just oernoon.

  Fifty barbarian soldiers, five hundred kobolds, and twenty s.

  In just four hours, they had built a 400-meter-long, 4-meter-high, and 2-meter-thick wooden wall.

  At each of the four ers, they had structed 6-meter-high watchtowers.

  O crossbows were mounted oowers, a genuine sense of security washed over Adam Smith.

  He instinctively lowered his head and carefully observed the kobolds scurrying through the trenches, feeling an overwhelming sense of amazement.

  "To think someone could trol kobolds to work so effectively and train them so well—only the lord could achieve that."

  The future certainly looked bright!

  Seeing the outer defenses nearly plete, Matthew Adam Smith, signaling him to move everyoo the camp.

  The refugees were the first to enter.

  Kobolds carrying tools poked their heads out of the underground tunnels, only to quickly retreat baside.

  The sight before them left the refugees deeply shocked.

  Before they could fully process what they were seeing, Captain Mellen called out:

  "Move the carriages to their designated camp spots, pitch your tents in the marked areas."

  "Don’t worry about the kobolds; they obey the lord’s ands and are loyal, trustworthy servants of Yaya!"

  "In fact, once you spend enough time around them, you’ll see how ‘obedient’ they really are."

  "But remember, don’t try to bully them, or you’ll lose your ce to join Bay Territory!"

  "..."

  As Captain Mellen gave instrus and the refugees watched the hardw kobolds, they were filled with awe.

  They couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for the mysterious lord they had never met.

  Power and mystery were the best tools for a lord to and his people!

  Carriages were soon moved to the cleared ft ground.

  After nearly ten days of training and two days of practice, the refugees quickly got to work.

  They started by taking i repellent powder from the carriages, sprinkling it around the areas where the tents would be set up, and clearing out any remaining weeds.

  Tents were swiftly erected, soon filling the entire inner slope of the hill.

  Once all the carriages had been brought ihe camp.

  The adventurers ory duty outside were also called back.

  But just as this was happening, the sound of fierce shouting and battle cries erupted from the distance.

  A signal fre shot up into the sky, bursting into a brilliant light.

  It was the emergency signal Adam Smith had given to the adventurers!

  Matthew turned his head toward the eastern reeds, where nearly a thousand enemies were charging out.

  Matthew instantly reized them as enemies because they were chasing down the adventurers.

  Fortunately, these adventurers were experienced and had already begureating before the attackers got close.

  Clearly, their battles with trolls in the Dark Forest had sharpeheir instincts.

  This allowed them to detect the enemy early areat in time.

  Standing on the wall, Adam Smith saw the approag enemies and, instead of panig, surprisingly rexed, even cursing angrily:

  "Foolish dogs who don’t know what they’re up against, daring to make a move against us."

  Venting his frustration briefly, Adam Smith quickly regained his posure and began anizing the defense:

  "Inform all refugees to stay iheir tents and not e out unless we issue a new and. Anyone who disobeys will be killed on sight!"

  "Get the pushcart workers to unload carriages 20 to 40 and distribute equipment to the trained individuals. Quickly form a defeeam."

  "Assign four soldiers to each watchtower and ehey bring plenty of crossbow bolts."

  "Keep wat the other three sides for any suspicious activity."

  "Tell the returning adveo focus on defending the other three walls. We’ll hahe frontal assault ourselves."

  "Announ emergency reward—one gold for every enemy killed!"

  Orders were quickly dispatched, and the experiehorn Caravan members sprang into a.

  The initial chaos within the camp began to settle, as a sense of calm took hold uhe leadership, with only a trace of ay lingering.

  Just as Adam Smith was direg soldiers to transport defensive supplies.

  Three or four shadowy figures, as swift as lightning, closed in on him. Their ons gleamed with a cold light, bringing deadly i!

  Another decapitation attempt!

  AnnouA big thank you to [hawai661] and [er] for joining my Patreon! Your support means a lot to me.

  FAL