Chapter 189: Kaman's Greed
"Whew... The family has sent word: prepare for war and get ready to strike."
Ignoring the "other" talk, Brown explained the situation to Hawk truthfully.
Hawk wasn't surprised by this; he knew the Carlisle family well and knew they wouldn't let such a loss go unanswered.
Otherwise, the Carlisle family wouldn't have made such a name for themselves in the fiercely competitive Bloodmoon City and secured such a significant share of the ruins market.
However, when it came to the mysterious Bay Territory, Hawk didn't take it lightly. Instead, he patiently asked:
"What does the family want us to do? What is our assigned task?"
Brown licked his lips as he watched the soldiers quickly gathering and carefully assessed the military force at his disposal.
"With 300 elite soldiers added, I now have 800 well-trained elite soldiers and can muster about 2,500 ordinary soldiers."
After thinking over the task assigned by the family, Brown hesitated for a moment before replying:
"The family's reinforcements have already entered the Misty Swamp and will arrive by noon tomorrow."
"If the Bay Territory chooses to lead their troops to intercept them, we will flank them from both sides and first crush their fighting force."
"If they remain inactive, we can use our numerical advantage to surround Murloc Castle."
"At that point, we don't need to attack. We'll wait for the reinforcements to join us and then decide whether to launch an assault or directly strike Bay Territory."
One must admit, Brown was highly valued by the Carlisle family and entrusted with important duties due to his sound military strategy.
At least he didn't assume.
That the remote, impoverished Bay Territory posed no military threat to him!
Brown maintained a clear-headed outlook.
He recognized that Matthew, as a member of the Ser family and a rare Arcanist who commanded a powerful dragon, was no ordinary adversary.
The Carlisle family had researched Bay Territory's military engagements.
They believed that the story of "400 to 500 soldiers defeating over a thousand trolls" was highly exaggerated.
It was likely blown out of proportion to better promote the territory.
However, Brown also acknowledged that Bay Territory's soldiers had likely fought against trolls.
Simply having experience in such combat made them a force to be reckoned with.
Hawk's defeat had also served as a wake-up call.
The harassment by Bay Territory in recent days had placed considerable pressure on him.
As a result, Brown abandoned any illusions and obediently followed the family's orders.
Brown's self-awareness led him to make the safest decision, but it also cost him the chance to defeat Bay Territory.
He could never have imagined just how powerful Bay Territory's military truly was!
...…
May 10th.
The weather was clear.
The scorching sun dispersed the fog over the Misty Swamp.
The Misty Swamp, usually shrouded in mist, was now visible to the soldiers.
A fully armed army was swiftly marching through the swamp.
It was the Carlisle family's reinforcements!
Two hundred well-trained cavalry led the way.
In the carriage positioned in the middle of the cavalry formation, two men were observing the surroundings and discussing their battle plans.
"It's just as Clark said. The seer behind him is quite impressive!"
Tres Carlisle, a burly man, squinted slightly as he recalled the young and cold face, feeling that the man had ulterior motives.
He had been somewhat skeptical of the intelligence provided by Clark from the Pfizer Merchant Guild.
But now, it seemed to hold some merit!
However, Tres still harbored doubts about Clark's intentions!
"Hahaha, no need to worry. It won't be long before our application to join Big Apple City's merchant guild is approved."
"When that happens, we'll be on equal footing with the Pfizer Merchant Guild in terms of status."
"We might suffer some losses, but they won't dare to openly act against us!"
The speaker was a cloaked high-level spellcaster, Kaman.
Raised by the Carlisle family from a young age, Kaman had been chosen by the Red Tower of Serwindon at the age of 11 as a Level 2 Mage.
After 15 years of study and growth, Kaman had become a mid-level peak mage.
Having repeatedly failed to break through to become a high-level mage, exhausting many resources and potential, he was forced to leave the highly competitive Red Tower.
Lacking resources, wealth, and heritage, Kaman had no choice but to accept employment with the Carlisle family as their family's mage advisor.
With the strong support of the Carlisle family.
Kaman successfully broke through and became a high-level mage at the age of 50, becoming the Carlisle family's third high-level spellcaster.
Before today, Kaman had little interest in the Carlisle family's military conflicts, preferring to spend his time in the laboratory.
The only reason he had accompanied the Carlisle family's reinforcements to the Misty Swamp.
Was because of the news that Bay Territory had a real dragon!
The western continent was filled with vast, uninhabited wilderness, and only one-third of the land had been developed or explored by humans.
The number of dragon-blooded creatures was staggering.
From wyverns, giant dragons, and wind serpents in the sky.
To land dragons, thunder lizards, and the countless kobolds on the ground.
To sea turtles, dragon crocodiles, and hydras in the water. These dangerous magical creatures were said to all possess dragon blood and power.
However, while dragon beasts were relatively common, true dragons were incredibly rare!
Although dragons no longer ruled the earth, many true dragons still roamed the land.
Some powerful true dragons had even openly established their own territories and kingdoms, becoming the undisputed rulers of their regions.
True dragons wielded immense power and untold wealth.
Any faction that could claim a true dragon would experience rapid growth and opportunity.
However, the Netheril Empire was an exception!
The terrifyingly powerful Arcanists wielded unparalleled wealth and strength.
In their eyes, a true dragon was merely a powerful individual creature.
Some Arcanists had even captured true dragons to use as experimental subjects.
If not for one Arcanist going too far and capturing a highly potential adult red dragon for experimentation.
Which led to the intervention of three demigod-level ancient red dragons.
That "unlucky" Arcanist was no match for the three ancient red dragons and had his body destroyed, falling into a deep slumber.
Fearing the strength of the Serwindon Council and the ten or more Arcanists.
The three demigod-level ancient red dragons, after wreaking some havoc, took the adult red dragon and left.
But the catastrophic consequences of their actions were irreversible.
The Arcanist's territory suffered heavy losses, with nearly a million deaths.
His family's elite forces were wiped out, and they never recovered.
As a result, the Serwindon Council issued a decree.
"The capture of true dragons is forbidden. Violators will be hunted by the Netheril Empire!"
Kaman's thoughts were simple: capturing a true dragon was unrealistic!
But killing a true dragon? The dragon's blood, scales, and even meat would all make excellent magical materials!
With that, Kaman was confident he could break through his current limits and become a transcendent mage!
As for angering the Ser family and its allies by killing a true dragon, Kaman no longer cared.