Chapter 269: The Barbarian Wanderers
High-level magical equipment?
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted instantly.
In all of Bay Territory, only a few professionals possessed high-level magical gear.
Everyone wanted weapons like those wielded by Beelzebub!
Seeing everyone's excitement, Matthew coughed lightly and smiled, fanning the flames further:
"I'm sure you've all roughly chosen your candidates; now it's time to carefully divide and match them."
"The total number is 1,000. How you distribute them will be up to you."
After saying this, Matthew waved at the others, signaling that the rest would be up to their discussion, and left with a rather pleased expression.
It was foreseeable that this meeting would stir up a special wave of enthusiasm, and the soldiers would be highly "engaged."
Sure enough, as soon as the meeting ended, captains like Beelzebub, Elio, Leon, and Old John launched a round of internal special training.
The captains were well aware that the more of their men were selected, the stronger their command power would be.
This naturally motivated every soldier to get moving!
Each soldier was told that being selected would come with all sorts of benefits.
Upon receiving their mission, the soldiers became excited.
They trained rigorously every day.
Combat training and military skill competitions.
Every soldier gave it their all, eager to be chosen.
The wave of training among the soldiers quickly spread throughout Bay Territory.
Some adventurers sensed something was up and tried to gather information through connections.
Most got nowhere, as the soldiers strictly followed discipline, not divulging anything even at home.
The adventurers' curiosity only lasted briefly before they immersed themselves back into their daily tasks.
After Bay Territory took control of the entire Troll Valley.
Missions involving resource collection, searching for magical plants, capturing stray trolls, and capturing various magical creatures continued.
Although adventurers were curious about Bay Territory's prohibition against senselessly hunting magical creatures, they obediently complied for the sake of gold coins.
Why comply?
The "Lie Detection" and sheer might of the sentry golems were compelling reasons.
Bay Territory offered high rewards for missions, while the cost of living was relatively low; everyone wanted to continue working there long-term.
However, a small group of adventurers, because of their high contribution points, received a summons from Butler Ralph.
"On September 1st, the territory will select 1,000 adventurers to join the Imperial Conscription."
"Each adventurer will receive a reward of 100 gold coins and 100 contribution points!"
Hearing these terms, every adventurer team captain, including Alice, perked up.
Imperial Conscription?
They were all too familiar with it!
For most adventurers, their initial foray into adventuring began with the Imperial Conscription.
Most had recently left their backbreaking farming lives, chosen by territories and lords to join Imperial Conscription forces.
After some basic military training, wielding swords and spears, donning military uniforms, and experiencing one or two easy battles.
They could never go back to their old lives!
After witnessing the "wonders" of the world, few could return to mediocrity.
Upon hearing the mission details, everyone remained confident yet silent, not uttering a word.
They knew well that with Bay Territory's thousands of adventurers.
Ralph specifically sought them out, indicating certain expectations from the adventurers.
"Every adventurer must be at least a Level 3 professional with 50 contribution points!"
Alice breathed a sigh of relief; even if she had to recruit new members, the next few days could meet these requirements.
Still, she remained outwardly calm, as these requirements were fairly simple.
Sure enough, Butler Ralph presented several contracts and said under their scrutinizing gazes:
"However, Bay Territory will soon open its specialty training content, and all who meet the contribution requirements can register…"
"But everyone participating in the training must sign a magical contract to ensure confidentiality…"
Ralph's sudden statement sent a chill through Alice and the others!
Their breathing grew slightly heavier.
To manage so many distinct, skilled adventurers, these captains were shrewd and discerning, if not outright brilliant.
They keenly sensed the rapid improvement of Bay Territory's soldiers—it was astonishing!
They knew there was some hidden secret behind it, but they had all tacitly chosen not to ask or reveal anything.
Now, the opportunity had come!
All the adventurer captains nodded without hesitation, their eyes filled with hope.
Alice, wearing a similar smile, was inwardly shocked!
She suddenly realized that the adventurer captains who had recently sought her out for information were not weaker than those present; some were even stronger, yet they hadn't been invited!
What did this imply?
Bay Territory knew everything!
Seeing Ralph's meaningful smile, Alice suddenly understood and felt reassured, grasping the message behind his gaze.
"Bay Territory specifically summoned us, not the others."
"Clearly, it's because we've been the best performers and have the highest contribution points…"
"And it's also an investment in our development…"
"Not only will our strength significantly improve, but this will also attract more capable adventurers to join…"
Though Alice sensed there might be more behind this, faced with such a great "temptation."
She couldn't resist and didn't want to!
She had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time!
Watching the adventurer captains leave, Ralph didn't know how many of them understood his intentions, nor did he care much.
Adventurers were important but merely tools orbiting Bay Territory; if the tools were unfit or broken, they could be replaced!
After all, Bay Territory's reputation for treating adventurers well was already spreading, and more adventurers would join in the future.
If they didn't seize the opportunity, others certainly would!
Just as Ralph was about to handle other matters, the glowing communication scroll interrupted his plans!
"Barbarian Wanderers on the East Coast?"
His pupils slightly contracted as Ralph grabbed the scroll and hurried to the Lord's study.
Given the time, the Lord was likely conducting experiments, so Ralph had to report in person.
Ralph felt a faint unease in his heart:
"Aren't the barbarians supposed to be in the northeast? How could they have reached the East Coast?"
"Could it be that this time, the Imperial Conscription mission…"