Chapter 337: Breaking Through the Frontlines
"We're leaving. If you wish, you can come with us."
Chris shouted upward, but the people merely waved at him and continued to prepare for battle.
"Stop shouting. They won't abandon their families' heritage or the castles and cities they've rebuilt."
Alice didn't deny that some lords behaved admirably, but unfortunately, their shortsightedness kept them from seeing the impending danger.
Even so, since they had fought together, the other adventurers informed them of the basic situation before leaving.
Most of the nobles decided to stay, still choosing to trust in themselves.
However, there were nobles who trusted the adventurers' strength and reputation, entrusting some of their heirs who couldn't escape in time to the adventurers for safekeeping.
After consulting with Matthew, the adventurers generally accepted these escort missions.
Consider it a favor for the future!
Surprisingly, some nobles chose to temporarily abandon their defenses.
They packed up their valuable treasures but left behind food and cumbersome resources.
It was then that they realized how much Bay Territory valued food.
You don't want it? Then it's ours now!
As Angela put it:
"Consider these resources as payment for the mission."
"Bay Territory never takes advantage of others in a crisis!"
This approach was a bit unconventional, even leaving most adventurers puzzled.
Even among nobles bound by generations of alliances, distrust and vigilance were common. Instances of one noble seizing another's resources were too frequent to count.
If even nobles behaved this way, how could a pragmatic faction like Bay Territory be any different?
"Haha, Bay Territory isn't foolish—they're building a good reputation!"
"A good reputation? Is that worth tens of thousands of gold coins?"
"Tch, do you think Bay Territory cares about tens of thousands of gold coins?"
"While they didn't plunder outright, they still gained tangible benefits."
"But when this is all over, won't others feel resentful over their actions?"
"On the contrary, Bay Territory saved other nobles without exploiting them. No one can fault them for this."
"Exactly! Bay Territory has shown they can reclaim territory. Who knows? In the future, some weakened noble heirs might seek their help."
"That's relevant to us too. The better Bay Territory's reputation, the more missions we'll get!"
"Heh, true enough..."
"..."
These were just the surface-level observations.
Many adventurers appreciated Bay Territory's principles.
In the face of such enormous temptation, Bay Territory managed to resist.
This gave the adventurers confidence that their own interests would also be safeguarded.
It was because of this trust in Bay Territory.
That when they heard Bay Territory planned to break through the encirclement head-on.
They voiced no objections, instead displaying great enthusiasm.
If it could succeed, there might even be bigger rewards!
Moreover, Bay Territory issued a new breakout mission.
Nervous noble heirs watched the excited adventurers, bewildered and worried about their state of mind.
But before they could regret it, more and more adventurers heeded Bay Territory's call, gathering on the Carl Plains.
Bay Territory was truly going to break through the frontlines!
The blood moon hung high, its twisted light covering the land.
The howling cold wind stung their faces.
In the overcast skies, Yaya's enormous five-meter-long body hovered silently.
Behind her, Matthew observed the wolf riders converging in their direction. He gently patted her scaled hide and remarked:
"I wonder which orc clan took on such a daunting task."
With a sharp gaze toward the horizon, Yaya grinned and said:
"Ya, it must be one of the smaller ones. Otherwise, how would they get pushed around like this?"
Below them.
Wolf rider patrols, arranged in units of 100, spread across the vast plain, gradually advancing toward the center.
Behind them, a force of thousands of orcs waited for them to find their target.
These soldiers were unlike the marauders roaming the Carl Plains.
Each was clad in armor, wielding sharp weapons, with powerful physiques and intimidating auras.
Even under the blood moon's crimson light, their ferocity remained undiminished.
These elite orcs!
Were actually losers in their clan's power struggles!
Observing them, Matthew calculated in his mind.
He still concluded—**the advantage is mine!**
Matthew gave the order to attack.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
A volley of arrows shot out from the dense reeds.
Poison-tipped crossbow bolts caused devastating casualties.
The clustered wolf rider scouts were immediately struck hard, with 40 to 50 falling in an instant.
Before they could react, spinning fireballs emerged from the darkness.
Exploding above their heads with a deafening roar.
The pitch-black night sky was momentarily illuminated by the flames.
Panicked wolf riders immediately raised the alarm.
"Beep! Beep!"
The shrill sound of bone whistles spread, alerting the waiting orc elites.
They rushed toward the assaulted wolf riders with all haste.
Other wolf rider patrols in the vicinity also charged in at full speed.
From the dense reeds, a continuous rain of crossbow bolts emerged.
Even though the charging wolf riders had spread out, many still fell to the poison-tipped bolts.
To quickly dispatch them, adventurers had applied deadly toxins—a contribution from some of their own recipes.
Bay Territory sold these supplies at modest prices to ease the adventurers' burden.
Despite this, a portion of the profits was allocated to those who contributed the recipes.
This significantly boosted their enthusiasm.
Many adventurers prospered as a result, inspiring others to join in.
Now, Bay Territory's generosity was paying off handsomely.
The increasingly skilled adventurers swiftly took down the wolf riders.
The swaying reeds unnerved the approaching orc soldiers.
Wolf riders dared not advance recklessly, glaring at the reeds with hostility.
They struggled to calm their mounts, maddened by the scent of blood.
They waited for the orc elites to approach, confident they could crush these hidden enemies with sheer force.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A rhythmic pounding grew closer.
At first, the orc soldiers dismissed it.
Until they saw the towering, heavily-armored soldiers, taller than them by over a foot, marching in perfect formation.
An indescribable sense of dread crept into their hearts!