Chapter 133: Night Raid
Furiously tossing aside the now useless "Hawkeye" scroll, Beverly, filled with anger, glared at the distant hillside and roared:
"This is a merchant caravan? A simple caravan with only four or five hundred professionals? A caravan where only adventurers can fight?"
"Clay golems, heavy crossbows, fully armed guards, heavily armored barbarian infantry..."
"They're almost stronger than the elites of Bloodmoon City!"
"What the hell is Raeld up to? How did he gather this intelligence?"
The rogue standing beside him trembled in fear.
Afraid that with just one wrong move, Beverly might vent his anger by cutting him down with a single sword stroke.
However, he was fortunate. Beverly thought he was still useful and coldly said to him:
"Notify Raeld, gather the others. I want them here by dawn!"
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, the rogue quickly nodded, mounted his horse, and sped off.
The reason Beverly hadn't used "Communication Magic" was to maintain secrecy.
The Netheril Empire's patrols were always watching this area!
Rubbing his slightly swollen wrist, Beverly circulated his combat energy, trying to cleanse and restore the area, accelerating his recovery as much as possible.
He turned his head again, glaring at the small hill hundreds of meters away, whispering to himself:
"Why is the Ser Family investing so much strength and resources into the easternmost part of the Eastern Province..."
"Could it be that they've really discovered that ruin?"
"Impossible... no one but our family should know!"
...
Matthew had no idea that the high-tier warrior hundreds of meters away had mistaken him for a pawn sent by the Ser Family to scout the way.
He was currently listening to Adam Smith tally the casualties.
"Two clay golems destroyed, four severely damaged, affecting their combat capabilities."
"Twenty-two caravan guards killed, six seriously injured, but their conditions have stabilized."
"No other casualties!"
"We killed a total of 472 enemies... no survivors!"
As he spoke those last four words, Adam Smith couldn't help but look up and sneak a glance at the Arcanist, recalling his cold command from earlier:
"Leave none alive!"
With nearly 30 casualties and almost 500 enemies killed,
Even with the advantages of intelligence gaps and the power of gold,
It was undeniable that Adam Smith's defensive arrangements and crisis management had been quite effective.
Matthew nodded and said in a calm voice:
"Well done. Share this news with everyone."
"However, the battle isn't over yet. Arrange for them to rest in shifts."
"Notify all the adventurers that their opportunity to make money has arrived!"
"Announce the 'Defend the Territory' task: kill one bandit, earn 10 gold coins!"
"The bandits that have already been killed will also be counted this way. Spread the word to every soldier and combatant."
Adam Smith couldn't help but feel a jolt of realization at the Arcanist's command. It suddenly dawned on him.
Up until now, he hadn't properly utilized the adventurers.
Clearly, the earlier "assassination" attempt by the adventurers had made him somewhat wary.
"Is the Arcanist reminding me to make use of every available resource?"
Seeing that Adam Smith hadn't left, Matthew unconsciously rubbed his temples, mentally noting the identities of these "bandits."
"Redwood Merchant Guild, Bacon Family!"
"Why that family?"
Even with his past memories, Matthew didn't know much about the Bacon Family.
It wasn't that the family was too mysterious.
Because no matter how mysterious a family is, once they interact with players, sooner or later, all their secrets will be exposed.
But this family had already vanished by the time the players rose to power.
Matthew had encountered a quest related to the Bacon Family in a vast underground ruin.
Due to the high difficulty of the quest and the fact that the rewards weren't particularly attractive, he had simply declined it.
The only impression the Bacon Family had left on Matthew was that they held certain secrets about that underground ruin and were mortal enemies with the Pfizer Merchant Guild.
Stroking his chin, a slight smile appeared on Matthew's lips as he muttered to himself:
"So, even this little corner of the Eastern Province hides so many powerful forces..."
Looking at the crimson moonlight falling over the land, Matthew deliberately avoided gazing directly at the blood moon in the sky.
That was a death wish!
Just as he stepped out of his tent, he heard cheers of joy.
As soon as they saw him appear, the entire camp fell silent.
Matthew glanced at the gathered adventurers and, in a calm and confident voice, said:
"You have one hour to prepare. Join me for an assault!"
The adventurers first tensed up, then their eyes widened, and their minds buzzed.
"We're going to fight alongside the Arcanist?"
"Don't just stand there, get ready!"
"Bring everything—this is our chance to make a fortune!"
"He's really an Arcanist..."
"Keep it down, the bandits might hear us!"
"..."
The adventurers excitedly discussed among themselves, and different adventurer squads were already gearing up.
The commotion from the camp didn't go unnoticed by the bandits.
Beverly cautiously watched the camp, his brows furrowing.
He didn't know what was happening over there, but he had a bad feeling about it.
Cold winds swept through, carrying the smell of food to them.
Drinking cold water and eating stale bread, the bandits felt increasingly bitter.
Usually, they could easily defeat their opponents and then enjoy the food and supplies their targets carried.
But today?
They were stuck wearing cloaks, enduring the cold wind, eating cold rations, swatting away mosquitoes, and sitting in the mud.
Pale red moonlight fell over them.
As far as the eye could see, only the reeds swayed.
The chorus of crickets and frogs only added to the bandits' already irritable mood.
Beverly licked his lips, sensing danger in the air. Hearing the groans of his injured companions around him, he gripped his sword tightly.
If the enemy dared to attack, Beverly would give them a surprise!
Whoosh!
A torch flared up on the left, and Beverly's heart tightened. Just as he was about to shout, another torch appeared on the right.
A two-pronged attack?
Beverly suppressed his urge to charge out, unsure which side was the main force!
Before he could react, more and more torches appeared from the reed fields.
Looking around, it was a sea of flickering lights.
Enemies surrounded them from all directions!
"Enemy attack!!"
The loud shout echoed from the swamp in every direction.
Beverly was momentarily stunned, then saw the dense rain of fire arrows descending from all sides.