Just like how 'Mane Wolf' Macaro is doing now.
Of course, the battle between mercenaries and bandits is far from being called a war. However, the battles in the Wilderness are quite similar. Brand tightens the reins, lest the dense bushes agitate the warhorse, and turns his head. He sees some shadows in the forest wearing green cloaks and holding large yew bows flashing past. Ordinary people might not even notice these guys.
These, of course, were not Lizardmen. Brand thinks that the Lizardmen in Balrog Forest should logically be a branch of the Jungle Lizard Clan, though their granular skin covered in fine scales is also dark green. These dwarfed creatures are not as tall and robust as the mountain people. Undoubtedly, those were the best hunters among the mountain people—the Forest Shooters.
This is a name given to them by the Cruz people who invaded this place years ago. This name, more than two hundred years ago, was like a ghost haunting the sky over this forest to the Imperial Soldiers but it was a title of honor to the mountain people. It signifies the swiftest hunters, the most accurate shooters, and the best rangers.
"I really wonder where Macaro found these rangers," Brand unconsciously taps the metal ornaments on the reins, thinking silently. He had certainly heard the name 'one of the most outstanding rangers among the humans.' In fact, in the past, or rather in the future, he had fought alongside these rangers for a period, maybe not too long but enough to leave a lasting impression. "Could they have been lingering in this area for a long time?"
With excellent rangers, the mercenary group's work would be much easier.
Clearly, 'Mane Wolf' is quite adept at dealing with opponents—
In fact, Brand understands that during times of lawlessness, mercenaries are far more familiar with their rampant opponents across various areas than the latter are with them.
The members of the 'Grey Wolf' Mercenary Group are exactly . It's not their first or second time doing such work. Hiring mercenaries to combat bandit groups entrenched in the wilderness is a very common thing. The more reputable the mercenaries, the richer their experience. And 'Mane Wolf' Macaro certainly would not be an obscure person.
According to Brand's own view, if players wanted to deal with the Thief Gang, the best idea would naturally be to uproot the enemy's stronghold once and for all. He looks at Macaro's arrangement and realizes that their method aligns closely with his. Moreover, they have an advantage already, having determined the location of the Lizardmen tribe. Finding the Silver Elf ruins in Balrog is a mild hassle for outsiders but for locals, the mountain people's hunters, it's a piece of cake.
Originally, Brand was somewhat hesitant at first, uncertain if he should definitely join the other's risky venture. After all, he could privately hire someone to follow them and act when the opportunity arose. But doing so entails risk, following behind a mercenary group rashly can be seen as a severe provocative act and could trigger unnecessary misunderstandings. The young man didn't want to stir up trouble, thus he thought of using the ready-made clauses in the Mercenary Code.
But looking at it now, he hadn't anticipated that Macaro had so many Forest Passers at his command. This was a pleasant surprise. Of course, it also served as a reminder, thankfully he did not choose to follow 'Plan A', otherwise, an ordinary guide wouldn't stand a chance of not being discovered before the Forest Passers.
He couldn't help but glance at Macaro and Bujia.
'Mane Wolf' Macaro and Bujia both had tense faces. They deliberately let Brand see the Forest Shooters under their command, and it was merely for deterrence. Brand's party of fifteen people in the middle of the team was like a ticking time bomb, causing unease. Still incapable of placing them at the front or the back of the group, as it would be more dangerous.
Of course, if there were the choice, Macaro would certainly choose to throw Brand out directly. In fact, Bujia had given him such gestures multiple times.
But Macaro ultimately shook his head.
He touches the scar on his face, 'Grey Wolf' mercenaries couldn't do things that dishonor the collective honor of their group, even though many mercenary groups do—as do many now well-known large mercenary groups, their past wasn't necessarily illustrious. But he and Bujia both understand that their group is different.
The two men exchange a glance, both simultaneously thinking of that young man, Ecco.
"Is Ecco still at the town?" Macaro asked.
"Forget it, let him be. It's not his fault," the red-haired middle-aged man shook his head with a bitter smile, "We can't say much to him."
"He's doing it for your good."
"He saw through the intrigue on Paper Card but didn't realize we had known it all along. Drake is plotting against us—the idiot has no clue we're also plotting against him," Macaro scoffed, "But the real trouble now isn't that guy, instead, it's the young man in the team. Now I am convinced he isn't with those from Paper Card but it doesn't lessen my worry."
"This is truly ironic, you know." 'Mane Wolf' rarely self-mocked.
But Brand had no idea how much trouble his arrival had caused these two future big shots. Their group had about seventy people heading straight towards the Silver Elf ruins in the forest—if a sneak attack was possible, it would be best, otherwise, this mission might take several days to complete. Clearing bandits in the forest isn't a task completed in one shot.
Only, riding on the horse, he thought about other matters.
He recalled the strategy post on the forum but despite racking his brains, he couldn't understand when 'Mane Wolf' Macaro had any connection with a mercenary group called 'Grey Wolf'. Shouldn't it be 'Mountain Wood Blue'? That type of light purple flower blossoming amidst the mountains in the Southern Territory. Using that flower as the mercenary group's emblem symbolized what? Suddenly, he shook his head to dispel this irrelevant thought, then it felt like a flash splitting through the dark sky and sea. It was like being doused with ice-cold water, making him profoundly recall the connection between this term and a previous word.
Grey Wolf Mercenary Group! Right, Grey Wolf Mercenary Group!
Brand lifted his head, feeling as if an unusual color had tainted the surrounding mountains and forests. Originally, it was just a simple bandit-clearing task, but now it seemed like something was off.
Logically, he saw over seventy members of the Grey Wolf Mercenary Group. Among them, more than half were at Black Iron Level, and one-fifth were at Silver Level, along with Forest Shooters. Such a team going to clear a hundred-odd level 20 Lizardman bandits, where would it still need any strategy? But there must be a problem somewhere in this.
Just as Brand lightly inhaled, he heard Antitina asking from behind.
"Why did you arrange people over there? That's not usual." He almost didn't need to turn around to imagine the noble daughter's frowning face.
"What do you know, little girl." This was Redi's voice.
Brand immediately pictured an angry face.
(pS. If everyone has gotten used to the stable updates last month, this month I will start giving everyone surprises.
As a surprise, I ask for everyone's monthly tickets.)(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com for more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)