Volume 3 Chapter 14: The Fish Takes the Bait

  At the same time, in the bandit camp.

  "What, only a dozen guards?"

  Upon receiving the report from his subordinate, Jerek exclaimed in surprise.

  He was the leader of one of the gangs that roamed outside Hadinton, and this time he received intelligence from his informants that a batch of valuable goods would be transported out of Hadinton. He was overjoyed and immediately led his men to come and prepare for a big haul.

  However, the other two bands of robbers would naturally not let go of this opportunity. Therefore, the three bands of robbers gathered together to prepare to divide up the spoils.

  At this time, two other robber leaders, Dennis and Matthew also walked over. Jerrek couldn't help but say: "I'm saying, with so few guards, isn't it a bit off?"

  "Doesn't surprise me," said the leader of Matthew's bandits. "Don't forget, how many men does Haddington have in his garrison? Even if they all came out at once, we could still take them down, so they had to sneak out under cover of night to avoid being robbed, and naturally they couldn't bring many guards."

  "Hmph, you're not afraid when there are many people, but you're afraid when there are few? If you have a small heart, then hurry up and roll out, I don't mind having fewer people to share the money with." Another bandit leader, Dennis, sneered.

  This camp, where three bands of robbers have gathered, is his. Due to the geographical advantage, all large shipments leaving Haydenville inevitably pass through this main road, so naturally they will pass under his nose, and Dennis has always felt that these goods belong to him. As for Jerek and Matthew, those two guys who came to share the money, he was of course very dissatisfied with them.

  "What did you say?" Jerick's face turned red with rage.

  Matthew saw the situation and hastily advised: "Guarding this oil-free city, everyone has not opened for a long time. Fortunately, they encountered a batch of oily goods, which should be shared together."

  "As he spoke, his voice sank slightly: 'Don't forget how we promised that big man. In any case, we can't have internal conflicts, lest something bad happens.'"

  When he mentioned "that person", Dennis and Jerek's faces changed, and their anger dissipated.

  "Who says I'm afraid? I just thought that Haidington and those guys would at least hire some mercenaries, so this time I brought all the brothers out, leaving only a few to watch the camp. Who knew it was just for dealing with a dozen or so people, what a waste."

  Matthew also said: "I'm the same, I would have brought less if I had known earlier."

  "Really? I think you're afraid that there won't be enough people, and then you won't be able to grab it from me. Why bother speaking so hypocritically?"

  "This time, even Matthew couldn't take it anymore. He angrily said: 'Dennis, are you trying to pick a fight?'"

  Dennis smiled and took a step back: "Don't worry, I was just kidding. I heard that Haidington has just arrived with a group of people, this batch of goods is theirs."

  Jerek said, "I've also heard that they're some merchants who couldn't make it on the Mojina continent and came here to strike gold. But recently, they seemed to have had a huge conflict with the locals in Haidington, and apparently even threatened to take us down."

  Matthew snorted, "It's not the first time someone has said that. Unfortunately, it's a group of fools who don't even understand the situation, and they dare to transport such precious goods out so casually. Such people are failures wherever they go."

  "But those guys actually have a sea ship. If that person hadn't strictly forbidden us from plundering the town, then if we could seize that ship, we would really make a fortune." Jerek said with a regretful face.

  "Come on, in a little while we'll have reached the deadline we agreed with him, and then we can leave this damn place. The things we've been snatching bit by bit over the past year, plus the commission he paid us initially, aren't we still not making enough? Why bother to stir up more trouble?"

  Jerek nodded repeatedly: "I was just saying, this kind of ghost place, I've had enough."

  At this time, another bandit scout ran over: "Boss, that horse carriage is almost at the mountain pass."

  "Let me go." Jerrek excitedly rolled up his sleeves.

  "Dennis also said: 'This is my turf, no need for you two to get involved, just leave it to me.'"

  "What's that supposed to mean? Don't you trust me?" Jerek's eyes narrowed.

  "Of course not," Dennis said calmly, "but this kind of thing has to be done by oneself in order to feel at ease."

  Just as the two were about to quarrel again, the relatively calm Matthew hastily said: "Alright, we'll each send a batch of people to Jerek, and the others will wait here. This is probably our last vote for cooperation, no need to start unnecessary disputes."

  "Hesitating for a moment, Dennis reluctantly compromised: 'Alright, then we'll each send 20 people...'"

  "No, 70 is enough, just make up 200 people." But Matthew said.

  Dennis was taken aback: "200 people? Why so many?"

  Matthew shook his head: "There's no particular reason, but anyway we've all come, and it's better to send more people than not."

  "Alright then." Dennis reluctantly agreed.

  As he spoke, he was about to go gather his men, but Matthew grabbed him again: "Let Jerek take all the cavalry and don't let that carriage get away."

  Dennis looked at him with a puzzled expression and finally nodded: "Okay, let's do it your way."

  Jerek had already grown impatient and soon led 200 bandits, leaving the camp in a mighty rush towards their destination.

  "Hey, there are still quite a few people."

  At the top of a large tree outside the bandit camp, Bast sat on a branch, looking far away at the troops pouring out of the camp.

  After those robbers all left, she jumped down from the big tree.

  "What's up?" asked Raymond, who was waiting under the tree.

  "Sir, the enemy has mobilized, with about 200 men, including around 60 cavalry," Bast said.

  The bandits were not horse thieves and there weren't many cavalrymen, and they basically served as scouts and messengers. So the three bands of bandits added up to only 60 riders, but the number was already equivalent to Raymond's side, which was an extremely big surprise for them.

  "Indeed, Raymond exclaimed in surprise: "200 people? And cavalry? This is troublesome, it's a lot more than expected. There are actually such cautious guys among the enemy."

  Raymond's original plan was to use the carriage to lure out some of the enemy, and when they clashed on that side, they would also launch a simultaneous attack on the enemy camp. After Rutz took care of the bandits who had left the camp, he would immediately come to support them, at which point they would attack from both sides and wipe out the enemy in one fell swoop.

  However, I originally thought that the bandits would send out at most around a hundred people, but as a result, there were more than twice as many as expected, and the number of cavalry was also considerable. Although Rud should be able to handle it, he will definitely have to put in quite some effort.

  "What should we do now?" Shawn asked anxiously as he saw the situation had changed.

  "......" Raymond didn't answer, he gently tapped his forehead with his fingers, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

  For a moment, he smiled: "With Lutz here, there's nothing to worry about. Let's get started."

  Although he knew Raymond's plan, Shawn couldn't help but waver when he saw the enemy had such a solid camp and so many people. He couldn't help but say: "Lord Raymond, forgive me for speaking straight, even if we send out 200 people, there are at least 400 to 500 people in that place, plus that camp, do we really have a chance of winning?"

  "Believe me, we're going to win. You're here to protect Haidington, aren't you? So show some courage."

  Sean hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "Alright, let's do it your way!"

  "And you?" Raymond turned to Harlot.

  "Halt! Don't look down on people, boss. The brothers have long since decided to follow you to the end."

  "Bastet, as I told you before, once we're inside the camp, use these things to take good care of them." Raymond handed a bag of stuff over to Catwoman.

  That was the secret weapon he had bought from Reid at a great price, and it was also his greatest reliance on defeating the enemy.

  Bast nodded and took the bag, heading towards the enemy camp. The two sentries on the watchtowers had already been taken out by her.

  Watching Bastet lightly flip over the outer wall of the camp, Raymond said to Shawn: "Divide your men into two teams. When chaos appears in the camp, the archers will occupy high places, and you will lead the main force to launch a counterattack from behind."

  "Understood." Shawn nodded.

  "Raymond said to Harlot again, 'You follow me to attract the enemy's main force from the front, and after Basset opens the door, rush in directly. Cooperate with the defending team to attack from both sides, and take advantage of the opportunity when the enemy is in chaos to give them the greatest blow.'"

  "Don't worry, brothers will never let you down." Harlot said confidently.

  "Alright, let's move." With Raymond's order, both sides immediately separated and headed towards their respective positions.

  A dozen cavalrymen escorted the carriage, galloping on the highway under the night sky. In order to show weakness to the enemy, most of the 50 cavalrymen were in the second team following behind, and these dozen cavalrymen were responsible for the most dangerous task of luring the enemy.

  This was the main road to Headington, once thronged with merchants and travellers, but now, owing to the depredations of those robbers, hardly a soul is seen.

  Glen rode alongside the carriage on its left rear side, looking at this once prosperous road with a heart full of emotion. He grew up in Haydenville and had a deeper feeling for the decline of the town than others, so he hated those bandits even more.

  So when he heard that they were finally going to take action against those bandits, he immediately chose the most dangerous task of luring the enemy without any hesitation.

  At this time, two long and narrow mountain slopes appeared in front of us. The road passed through the gap between them, looking from a distance as if it was being pinched by the two mountains.

  Upon seeing the hillside, all the cavalry immediately became spirited. Because according to Bast's transmitted intelligence analysis, that was the most suitable place for an ambush in the vicinity, especially with its special terrain, once the front and rear exits were sealed off, this carriage would be unable to escape even if it grew wings.

  So, it was certain that the robbers would make their move there.

  As they gradually approached the valley, everyone became more and more tense. Even the carter's voice, scolding the horses, had a hint of trembling. Several impatient cavalrymen even quietly put their hands on the hilt of their swords.

  In an instant, the carriage galloped into the valley, surrounded by a deathly silence, with only the sound of horseshoes striking the ground echoing in the air. The night wind swept through the trees at the top of the mountain slope, making a rustling sound that made one's heart skip a beat.

  Because he knew very clearly that he would be attacked, the calm time before the attack became a kind of spiritual torture. Gren's palms were already full of sweat as he gripped the reins tightly, and he had to take deep breaths to try to calm himself down.

  "Don't panic, whatever you do, don't let the enemy see any weakness." The leader, a seasoned veteran, turned around and rebuked in a low voice.

  At this moment, suddenly and without warning, a faint whistling sound came from the air, and at the same time an arrow was stuck in the old soldier's chest, and he fell off his horse.

  Because things were too sudden, although everyone was prepared, they all stunned for a moment. In this brief moment of distraction, dozens of arrows arrived in quick succession, and the sound of "thud thud thud" echoed continuously. On the carriage panel beside Gren, several arrows had already been nailed, and at the same time, two cavalrymen fell from their horses with a miserable cry after being shot by arrows.

  "Enemy attack!" Only a few seconds later, everyone finally reacted, and Grenn hastily shouted loudly.

  At this moment, accompanied by the soft whistling of arrows breaking through the air, a large group of bandits emerged from the slopes on both sides and rushed down.

  Although they lost three men at a glance, the situation was still within their plan. Next, Gren and his men were to pretend to be afraid and not dare to fight back, and hurry to escape before being blocked, and then reunite with the other 30 cavalry behind.

  Then, they killed back from behind together with the person in the horse cart, and annihilated all the robbers who came to raid.

  Just then, two unexpected situations arose.

  Firstly, there were many more bandits than expected. Secondly, the enemy also had cavalry!

  As the sound of horseshoes echoed, dozens of riders charged in from both front and back of the valley. Gren's attempt to escape quickly before being intercepted was completely destroyed.

  "What...what to do?" Seeing that escape was hopeless, many people completely lost their footing.

  At this time, Gren turned calm instead, he drew his sword and shouted: "Calm down, prepare for battle! Don't forget what we came here to do!"

  After all, those who dared to participate in the enemy's temptation had already gained a certain degree of awareness. Upon hearing Gren's shout, the crowd calmed down and immediately heard the sound of clashing steel, they also drew their weapons, preparing for a desperate battle.

  Although they were in a desperate situation, Glen still had hope in his heart. Because they still had 30 companions outside the valley, and that person in the carriage...

  At this time, as the robbers on the hillside rushed down, the arrows gradually fell. At the same time, the cavalry on both sides also rushed forward, completely surrounding the carriage. They let out frightening shouts, waving their long swords and making all sorts of intimidating gestures.

  Glen and his companions gripped their weapons tightly, gathering around the carriage, vigilantly watching the enemies surrounding them. At this moment, everyone understood that there was no other way out except to fight to the death.

  Suddenly, the enemy soldiers parted, and a tall, burly bandit rode out on horseback - it was Jerek.

  He looked at Glenn and the others with disdain: "You're really a bunch of fools, thinking you can sneak out the cargo. But I admire your courage, if you hand over your weapons and surrender, I might spare your lives."

  "You bastards, what have you done to our hometown?! Today we're going to make you pay for it!" a cavalryman shouted in anger.

  Jerek was taken aback, then burst out laughing disdainfully: "Brothers, did you hear that? These guys want us to pay the price."

  The gangsters immediately burst out laughing.

  Just as Jerek was laughing uncontrollably, a loud crash suddenly rang out and the entire carriage of the horse-drawn vehicle burst open, with a huge black shadow rushing straight at Jerek.

  "Among them, Jerek was the first to feel a gust of wind hit him. He didn't even have time to say a complete word before he and his horse were swept into the air, and a bloody rain splashed out."

  Boom... As the human horse corpse crashed into the crowd more than ten meters away, a pitch-black terrifying monster let out an earth-shaking roar that was almost deafening.

  The bandits' horses were startled and suddenly stood up on their hind legs, throwing the people off their backs to the ground.

  "Kill!" The opportunity was too good to miss, Gren immediately raised his weapon and charged towards the bandits with his companions.

  In the valley, suddenly there was great chaos.