Before the smoke and dust of the battle had completely dissipated, Field began to calmly command the clearing of the battlefield.
"Drag the bodies aside, and bandage the wounded first." Field's voice was calm, but everyone heard the majesty.
Bagra dragged a killer's corpse, with an excited smile on the corner of his mouth: "Master, these guys are really well equipped! "
Field nodded, but he was thinking about the loss. Although this battle was won, the price was not small.
Five slaves died and three were seriously wounded.
The original team of twenty people now only has fifteen movable ones left.
Field looked at the corpses of the slaves, feeling a little complicated. Although they are just "property" bought with money, after all, they die to protect themselves.
"Prepare the pyre." Field ordered, "Cremation." "
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Cremate? This is the treatment only available to nobles!
"Master, they are just slaves..." a human male whispered.
"They are warriors who died for me." Field interrupted him, his tone unquestionable, "The dead are great." "
The slaves looked at each other, and their eyes flashed with a strange light.
This young master is really special.
The fire soared into the sky, and five bonfires engulfed the bodies of the dead. Field stood in front of the fire, silently watching the flames dance.
Lina walked up to him and whispered, "Master, you are a good person." "
"Good guy?" Field smiled bitterly, "Good people can't live now." "
While the cremation was taking place, Field asked Bagra to drag the killer who had been captured alive.
The guy had just been blinded by Lena's left eye with one paw and was now moaning in pain.
"Wake up." Field kicked the killer in the ribs.
The killer screamed in pain and opened his right eye.
"Do you want to die or live?" Field looked at him condescendingly.
"I... I..." The killer's voice trembled.
Field's mind moved, and he dripped a few drops of blood on the killer, activating the temporary soul contract.
In an instant, the killer felt the pain from the depths of his soul.
"Ahhhhhh Screams echoed through the night sky.
Ten seconds later, Field stopped torturing.
"Can you talk properly now?" Field crouched down and looked at the killer at eye level.
The killer's whole body trembled, his eyes full of fear: "I said... I said..."
"Who hired you?"
"Yes... is the butler of the city lord's mansion, Lord Black..."
"How much is the reward?"
"A thousand gold coins... Two thousand live..."
A thousand gold coins? Field sneered in his heart. This Ryan really spent a lot of money.
"How many more people are chasing me?"
"No... I don't know... Lord Black said he would notify all mercenary groups and bandits along the way..."
Field nodded, the basic situation had been figured out.
"Last question, what are the dangers on the way to the Night Leader?"
The killer swallowed: "There must be an ambush on the road... But if you go to the Whispering Forest..."
"What's wrong with the Whispering Forest?"
"There... There are monsters there..."
Monster? Field frowned.
At this moment, Captain Connor came over with a few cavalrymen.
"Master Ezera." Connor's tone became very respectful, "The battle just now was so exciting!" "
Field looked at Connor and noticed that the middle-aged cavalryman's eyes had completely changed.
Before, there was contempt and sympathy, but now it is full of admiration and loyalty.
"The captain has won the award." Field said politely.
"No!" Connor shook his head excitedly, "Your courage and wisdom have conquered me!" From today onwards, I, Connor Tekken, am willing to be loyal to you! "
Saying that, Connor actually knelt down on one knee and made a knight's allegiance salute!
Damn! Field was shocked. Is this guy really playing?
Several other cavalrymen followed suit and knelt down.
"We are willing to follow Baron Field!"
Baron? The corners of Field's mouth twitched. When did you become a baron?
But this title does sound much more domineering than "young master".
"Get up." Field stretched out his hand to help Connor up, "We are partners, so don't be so polite." "
Connor's eyes turned red with emotion: "Your Excellency, you are so kind!" "
"That's right, Captain Connor." Field pointed to the killer, "He said there is an ambush on the road, what do you think?" "
Connor frowned: "It's really possible." The Drakul family has a lot of influence in this area, and it is not a problem to buy a few mercenary groups. "
"Is there any other way to go?"
Connor hesitated for a moment: "Yes, yes, yes..."
"Say."
"You can take a detour to the Whispering Forest, so you can reach the Night Realm directly and avoid all the roads."
"But?"
"But the Whispering Forest is dangerous, there are many monsters in it. And..." Connor lowered his voice, "It is said that there are still some unclean things. "
Unclean stuff? Field's heart moved.
He activates the system map to see what is going on around him.
Soon, the map showed the outline of the Whispering Forest. To Field's surprise, there were actually several green spots of light flashing in the forest!
And one of them is particularly bright!
[System prompt: High value target detected]
[Suggestion: Enter the Whispering Forest to explore]
"Just go to the Whispering Forest!" Field decisively decided.
Connor was stunned for a moment: "Baron, are you sure?" It's really dangerous there..."
"Wealth and danger are sought." Field patted Connor on the shoulder, "And it's not safe on the road now, instead of being chased, it's better to take the initiative to challenge." "
Connor thought for a moment and nodded heavily: "You're right! The wisdom of the baron is truly extraordinary! "
"Get ready to turn!" Field ordered, "Target: Whispering Forest! "
After clearing the battlefield, Field began to reorganize the team.
The first is equipment distribution. These killers are indeed well-equipped and just arm their men.
"Bagra." Field handed the black armor to the bearman, "This is your reward." "
Bagra's eyes were almost popping out of excitement: "Master, this... This is too expensive! "
"You were the bravest just now and deserve the best equipment." Field said, "But correspondingly, your responsibilities are heavier." From today onwards, you are my first chief of guard. "
Chief of the Guard? Bagra trembled with excitement. From slave to chief guard, this is simply a earth-shaking change!
"Thank you, master! I, Bagra, swear to protect your safety even if I die! "
The other slaves who participated in the war were also given weapons and equipment, although not as luxurious as Bagra, but much stronger than before.
Field also set up a simple military system: 1 chief of guard, 2 company chiefs, and 4 corporal commanders.
Although there are only a dozen people in total, none of the structures that should be in place are missing. Only in this way can truly militarized management be established.
On top of that, Field announced a reward and punishment system:
"Those who perform well can be promoted and raised, and even get free citizen status!"
"Those who escape from battle will be executed directly!"
"Those who disobey military orders will be whipped twenty times!"
Rewards and punishments are clear, and this is the king of managing the army.
Everyone was so excited. In particular, the promise of "freedman identity" is more tempting than anything else!
After the reorganization was completed, the team began to march towards the Whispering Forest.
The night is deep, and the moon is obscured by clouds from time to time. The surroundings were a little strangely quiet, only the sound of horses' hooves and wheels echoed.
Field sat in the carriage and looked at the system map again.
To his surprise, the green light spot representing Lina became brighter, and the edges still glowed with a faint red light.
[System prompt: The target has experienced combat baptism and is awakening its potential...]
[Current rating: B+ (rising)]
B+? Field's heart moved. It seems that after the battle, the "value" of this girl is indeed increasing.
Does that mean that if she is given more fighting, the rating will continue to rise?
If that's the case, then the monsters in the Whispering Forest might be the best whetstone!
Field looked at Lena, who was sitting on the other side of the carriage.
At this time, she was no longer the beast that only roared. Although still vigilant, there was a hint of dependence and trust in his eyes.
What's even more interesting is that she is clumsily mimicking Connor's wiping of the weapon, seriously wiping the dagger captured from the killer with a rag.
"Well done." Field praised.
Lina raised her head, a hint of joy flashing in her red eyes: "Master taught me!" "
Teach her? Field was stunned for a moment, when did he teach her this?
"I saw you also wiping your weapons just now, so I learned to do it." Lena explained.
I see. Field's heart surged with warmth. This girl is quite observant.
"If you don't understand anything in the future, you can ask me directly." Field said.
"Hmm!" Lena nodded vigorously.
At this warm moment, Connor's voice came from ahead:
"Lord Baron! In front of you is the Whispering Forest! "
Field poked his head out and saw that the dark forest in the distance was like a huge monster, waiting for its prey to fall into its trap.
The edge of the forest was eerily quiet, and there were no insects or birds. Occasionally there were a few strange noises that sounded creepy.
"Everyone is on alert!" Field ordered, "Get ready to enter the forest!" "
Just as the team was about to step into the forest, Connor suddenly grabbed the reins: "Wait! There is a situation ahead! "
Everyone was nervous.
Connor rolls over and dismounts and walks to a huge corpse.
It was the carcass of a bison, but it had been gnawed beyond recognition. The most terrifying thing is that this bison is at least three meters long, but it was actually bitten into two pieces by something!
"This wound..." Connor's face was solemn, "It's not like an ordinary beast can cause it." "
Field also jumped out of the carriage and took a closer look at the body.
The edges of the wound were extremely irregular, as if they had been bitten by some huge sharp teeth. And judging by the freshness of the bloodstains, the bison died for no more than a day.
"It looks like the enemy we are going to face is more terrifying than we imagined." Field muttered to himself.
But strangely, instead of fear, there was a surge of excitement in his heart.
Monster? Just try Lina's strength!
And the system map shows that there is something more valuable waiting for him in the depths of the forest.
"Into the forest!" Field did not hesitate to give the order.
"Baron, why don't we think about it again..." Connor was a little worried.
"There's nothing to think about." Field patted the long sword on his waist, "It's a dragon or a snake, just pull it out and take it for a walk." "
The team slowly drove into the Whispering Forest.
The surrounding trees are tall and dense, covering the sky and the sun. The moonlight casts mottled shadows through the branches and leaves, creating an eerie atmosphere.
What is even more disturbing is that strange sounds come from the forest from time to time:
"Woowoo..."
"Rustle..."
"Hoho..."
These sounds neither like beasts nor humans, but more like... What is not of this world.
Lina clutched the dagger tightly, her red pupils vigilantly scanning her surroundings. Her wolf ears rotated from time to time, catching any suspicious sounds.
"Master." She whispered, "There is a lot of danger here." "
"How dangerous?" Field asked.
Lina thought for a while: "Much better than those killers." "
Stronger than a professional killer? Field's heart tightened. It seems that this trip to the forest will indeed not be easy.
But on second thought, strong enemies are challenging!
And maybe something good can come out of these monsters.
[System prompt: Enter the special area: Whispering Forest]
[Warning: This area is highly dangerous, please act with caution]
[Mission Trigger: Conquer the Whispering Forest]
[Reward: Unknown]
Conquer the Whispering Forest? Field's eyes lit up. It seems that the system also thinks that this forest is in trouble.
"Everyone stays in formation!" Field ordered, "Report any abnormalities immediately!" "
The team moved slowly through the forest, and everyone tensed their nerves.
Suddenly, there was a loud scream ahead:
"Hey————!"
The voice was low and eerie, sounding like a demon from hell roaring.
Everyone was startled, and the horses began to restless.
"Steady!" Field shouted, "Don't panic! "
But as soon as the words fell, more strange screams came from the depths of the forest, one after another, as if responding to the first roar.
"Damn!" Field scolded in his heart, "This is a stab at the monster's nest!" "
But at the same time, the fighting spirit in his heart was also completely ignited.
Well done! Just try the combat effectiveness of the new team!
"All on alert!" Field drew his long sword, "Get ready to fight!" "