area51novel Page 57
Page 57
[Battle over, you have won.]
[Our casualties: None]
[Friendly casualties: Swadian sergeants (2 wounded), Swadian infantry (3 wounded, 3 dead)]
Enemy casualties: Orc Boy (67 dead), Orc Leader (1 dead)
The loot has been automatically added to your inventory.
Just as Liu Tianyu led his troops to the battlefield, the system notification sounded, and then he saw a scene of utter devastation.
"what?"
Hearing the system voice in his ear, Liu Tianyu was dumbfounded.
No, according to this situation, shouldn't it be that he leads his army like a protagonist descending from the heavens, and then commands everyone to sweep away the enemy like autumn leaves in the wind?
But why did he hear the system notification that the battle was over as soon as he arrived at the battlefield?
He couldn't help but glance at the battlefield. Well, if it were based on the village setting in the game, his divine intervention would indeed be necessary.
After all, in the game, the allied forces supporting the village are usually just ugly, misshapen farmers.
But the current village of Tedesamashi is a village that has been visualized by the system, and it is full of real troops!
Mighty and imposing Swadian knights, well-equipped Swadian soldiers, Swadian snipers armed with heavy crossbows...
If even a force like this couldn't handle a few dozen invading orcs, then Liu Tianyu would have to doubt whether the Swadian knights, Rhodok archers, Nord royal guards, and other personnel he had brought could turn the tide of battle.
"Your Excellency, the village of Tedesamahi welcomes you. Please forgive us, we have just been through a battle, so we are not in a very presentable state. We hope you will understand!"
Just as Liu Tianyu was surveying the battlefield, the village chief of Tedesamashi Village, who was cleaning up the battlefield nearby, quickly noticed Liu Tianyu. He hurriedly rode over and then bowed to Liu Tianyu with his hand on his chest.
"Village chief, there's no need for that. Rather, your fighting strength is far beyond my imagination. A group of invading orcs are as weak as children in front of you."
You all fought exceptionally well in this battle, and I am very pleased. The Swadians' reputation as invincible in open field combat is truly well-deserved!
Liu Tianyu rode the Snow Shadow over, smiled broadly, and shook hands with the village chief of Tedesamashi Village, whose hands were covered in arm armor, praising him without reservation.
"Hehe, Your Excellency, the people of Tedesamashi Village should be almost ready to prepare tonight's banquet. Please move to the village center first. After the villagers and I have cleaned up the battlefield, we will hurry back to the village center."
After all, the scene here is truly an eyesore for your noble eyes.
The village chief of Tedesamahi smiled knowingly and then quickly pointed out the way.
"Great, great, perfect timing! I'd love to try out the differences between Swadian and Sarranid cuisine!"
Seeing the village chief's enthusiasm, Liu Tianyu felt regretful that he hadn't been able to get his sword stained with blood, but since he was already there, he had to accept the village chief's hospitality.
Perfect timing! Tedesamashi Village is the last village rewarded by the system. After visiting it and recruiting some soldiers, you can return to Stormwind Territory.
Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Earth-Shattering Storm Territory
Time flies, and soon two months have passed in the blink of an eye. The snow on the Stormy Plains gradually melts under the warm sun.
What was originally a snow-covered field turned into a muddy road that was difficult to traverse, and then, under the sunlight, it gradually became a dusty road that allowed horse-drawn carriages to pass through without hindrance.
On the main road of the Stormy Plains, a horse-drawn carriage loaded with goods is traveling along the dusty road.
A well-dressed rancher sat in the back of a carriage, personally guarding the goods he had painstakingly acquired, preparing to head to Stormwind Territory for a transaction.
The two mercenaries he hired to drive the carriage at the very front were his own men, hired to protect him and the cargo.
Bandits are rare on the Storm Steppe, but its most distinctive feature is the ever-present and seemingly endless goblin population.
Those ugly little monsters that hop around can be easily dealt with by any adult if there's only one of them. But the biggest problem is that goblins, like hyenas, tend to move in packs.
Therefore, hiring mercenaries to protect oneself is perfectly normal.
Rather, the rancher, being a seasoned merchant trading with Stormwind Territory, had been doing business with them for several years and knew the routes and dangerous locations by heart.
"Rancher, something's not right!"
"That's right! Rancher, we've been walking on the main road for ages and haven't encountered any goblins yet. That's not normal!"
The two mercenaries driving the carriage at the front felt uneasy looking at the unusually calm road ahead.
"I was wondering if there might be a goblin ambush ahead. After all, these little guys love to send out wolf riders to hunt down ranchers like us when the snow melts, in order to bolster their lair."
The rancher's expression turned serious after hearing what the two mercenaries said.
"Dong dong dong..."
Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, a series of loud tremors, growing louder as they approached, instantly made their hearts leap into their throats.
"That voice, could it be the goblin wolf riders?"
The rancher instantly became like a frightened bird, cautiously questioning the two mercenaries in front of him.
"No, that's not it. A wolf's weight and size can't produce such a sound. It sounds more like a herd of horses."
A bead of sweat trickled down the forehead of the mercenary driving the carriage, but he still calmly analyzed the situation for a while.
Soon, a group of about twenty fully armed and well-equipped knights appeared before them, instantly dispelling all their doubts.
But soon, new doubts arose in their minds: who were these knights?
After all, Stormlands is notoriously poor, so where would they get the money to support so many knights?
Moreover, their equipment is so excellent that it is comparable to that of Count Axel's knights!
"You're traveling merchants heading to Stormwind Territory for trade, aren't you?"
The leading Swadian knight stepped forward and asked the rancher.
“Ah? Yes! Sir Knight, I am the rancher of the Black and White Cattle Ranch in Sanhe Village outside Axel City. I am an old acquaintance of Viscount Stormwind, and I am currently trading vegetables, fruits and crops for Stormwind Territory.”
Upon hearing that the Swadian knight seemed to have no ill intentions, the rancher quickly nodded.
“We are currently patrolling Stormlands to ensure the main road is clear. Since you are merchants here to trade, let us escort you back.”
Upon hearing the rancher's words, the Swadian knight nodded and then waved to the Swadian knights behind him.
Soon, the twenty Swadian knights split into four groups and guarded the carriage, giving the rancher and the two mercenaries a great sense of security.
"..."
The two mercenaries gave the rancher, who was still in a daze, a strange look in their eyes.
"Quickly, employer, tell me in detail what your relationship is with Viscount Storm. How come you have such elite knights to act as your guards?"
"Yes, employer, I think these knights are all at the level of bronze-level adventurers. And yet, they came all this way to protect you. Could it be that Viscount Storm is actually yours..."
The two mercenaries began to tease the rancher with mocking expressions.
After all, with the protection of twenty bronze-level adventurers, the journey would be smooth sailing unless they encountered high-level monsters!
"Would you believe me if I said I'd only met Viscount Storm a few times? Actually, I don't even know what's going on now."
After all, this time of year is usually when goblins are most active. The soldiers of Stormwind Territory are lucky if they can even keep the goblins away from patrolling.
Most importantly, I remember Stormwind Territory never existed before. What happened there this winter?
The rancher took a deep breath, quickly calming his muddled mind, and explained to the two mercenaries.
The two mercenaries looked at him with a knowing look. What kind of joke are you making? You've only met him a few times. Do you think Viscount Storm would send knights to protect you?
However, this is not impossible, since he said from the beginning that he was an old acquaintance of Viscount Storm, which is why these knights suddenly decided to protect him.
If they happen to meet the real person later, they must quickly distance themselves from the rancher to avoid getting into trouble.
"My lord knight, may I ask what the current situation is in Stormlands? Why is it early spring now, and there is still no sign of goblins?"
"Well, I didn't mean anything by it. After all, without goblins, it's much safer for us merchants to do business in Stormwind."
The rancher sat inside the cargo wagon, cautiously asking the Swadian knight at the head of the group a question.
"You haven't been to Axel City or Stormwind Territory during the winter, have you?"
Upon hearing the rancher's words, the Swadian knight did not answer him directly, but instead asked a question in return.
"Ah? Yes, during the winter, I stay on my ranch. Once the snow melts, I start arranging for freight wagons to come to Storm Steppe to prepare for business."
Upon hearing the Swadian knight's words, the rancher saw no need to hold back and revealed everything.
"Last winter, the Viscount went to Axel City and, together with the Earl of Axel there, issued a joint commission to the Adventurers' Guild to wipe out the goblins of the Stormy Plains."
Goblins usually stay in their lairs during the winter. With the help of adventurers, the Viscount led us on many expeditions, destroying no fewer than forty goblin lairs and killing or capturing more than three thousand goblins and orcs.
In the present-day Stormy Plains, goblins are practically extinct, if not vanished.
The Swadian knight explained calmly.
"This……"
The rancher was stunned; he felt like he was listening to a fairy tale.
No, the problem that has been troubling Stormwind for so long has been solved just like that?
Moreover, with such a large number of goblins and orcs, the number of adventurers who would be tasked with dealing with them would be astronomical. After all, it is common knowledge that apart from the Goblin Slayer Squad, no adventurer takes goblins seriously.
If we want to get adventurers to come out, we'll definitely have to increase the bounty. But given the state of Stormwind, where would we get so much money to issue bounty requests?
However, if Stormwind Territory suddenly gains such elite soldiers, perhaps there will be no need to rely on adventurers.
Thinking of this, the rancher couldn't help but glance at the Swadian knights who were protecting him in the center.
"Okay, here we are!"
After a long while, the leading Swadian knight suddenly spoke.
"This……"
What comes into view is a wooden city wall standing on the plain. The wall is about 6 meters high and made of pure wood.
At the southeast, northwest, and southwest corners are 9-meter-high watchtowers. The connection between the city wall and the watchtowers is made of extremely sharp wooden stakes, and each watchtower is equipped with a very intimidating crossbow.
The city gates are divided into east and west gates, both made of incredibly sturdy oak. Behind each gate are two large wooden bolts. Once the gates are closed, it would be very difficult to break through them without engineering equipment or spellcasters.
"Is this really still Stormwind Village? Where are the dilapidated wooden fences? Where are the old walls? What's going on with the city gates, the walls, and the watchtowers?"
The rancher was truly bewildered. If the original situation was still within acceptable limits, then the current upheaval in Stormlands made him wonder if he had fallen under some kind of illusion.
In just two or three months, and even in winter, Stormwind Territory actually demolished the wooden fences and walls and built a magnificent city wall. Even a silver-level mage couldn't do that, right?
In any case, according to the rancher's knowledge, a silver-level adventurer should not have the ability to complete such a huge project within three months.
However, Stormwind Territory now truly lives up to its name as Stormwind Town on the map. Originally, Stormwind Town was a joke, but now it's a fitting description.
"Hmm? What's that one by the city gate?"
Just as the rancher was marveling at Stormridge's stroke of genius, a familiar figure quickly caught his attention.
Chapter 80 It's mating season again.
Wow, it really is you?
Looking at the familiar figure in front of him, the rancher almost didn't recognize him, or rather, he was somewhat afraid to recognize him.
He wasn't wearing his signature tattered armor, nor was he wearing his scarred helmet, nor was he carrying his signature small round shield and short sword.
Instead, he wore a magnificent black suit, luxurious yet not gaudy, with a black phoenix emblem on his chest, signifying his status as a retainer of the Black Phoenix family.
"It's you~"
Upon hearing the familiar voice of the rancher, Yak couldn't help but turn his head and stare at the rancher.
White hair, scars, a cold and stern face—the rancher was certain that this was the goblin slayer who had been staying in his house all along.
Why isn't Goblin Slayer wearing his signature tattered gear now? Instead, he's dressed in a luxurious suit and exudes an air of nobility. What happened to this kid?
"Ark, is that traveling merchant someone you know?"
Lord Havaha Akavi, who was chatting with Ark at the city gate, asked Ark a question.
He didn't know the rancher. In the past, when the rancher came to Stormlands, it was Lucy who received him. In the last two years, it was Liu Tianyu himself who received him. They may have passed each other by, but the two of them really didn't know each other.
Akavi is now wearing a similar formal suit to Ark, except that the emblem on his chest is a pair of jet-black phoenix wings. After all, he has officially entered the ranks of nobles, and as a noble, he needs his own emblem as a symbol.
However, even though Akavi already possessed an independent emblem, he did not want the entire unique emblem to be estranged from Liu Tianyu. Therefore, he asked Liu Tianyu to allow him to use the wings of the Black Phoenix as his emblem.
Liu Tianyu had nothing to say about the old minister's request, especially since Akavi was trying to show him favor, so there was even less reason to refuse.
As for why they were all wearing formal attire instead of armor, it was naturally because Liu Tianyu said he wanted to summon his vassals and hold a banquet for them.