Chapter 64

After three days of leaving Roland Village, as the sun began to set, the Lester Viscount's Knights finally arrived at the hill they aimed for and set up camp. This location was where they planned to build a new settlement, not far from the barbarian village. According to the initial plan, they were supposed to arrive on the first night and use the materials they brought to construct a simple protective fence. However, due to repeated lizardman attacks, their progress was completely stalled, and the knights had to camp in unplanned locations, suffering further attacks from magical beasts, leaving them in a state of extreme fatigue.

"Tonight, we will focus on recovering from our fatigue, and at dawn tomorrow, we will launch an attack on the barbarian village."

On the hill, after the military council was concluded, Narech, along with Sir Radyard, returned to the tent and informed Al and Craig, who looked anxious.

"Is that so... It's strange that the barbarians are attacking so much. Do you know the reason?"

"Lord Oliver also felt uneasy about this. However, we cannot cancel the operation just because we are uneasy. Various opinions were raised, but in the end, it was decided that we will proceed cautiously tomorrow. At least we are on a high ground, which gives us an advantage. We will leave the guard duty to the adventurers and rest tonight to prepare for tomorrow."

The expedition involved over 200 people, including knights, squires, and porters. Furthermore, preparations were underway for the villagers and guards to move in after the successful extermination. It was difficult to cancel the operation without a solid reason. Additionally, it was unclear why a group of about ten barbarians would attack such a large military force.

"Perhaps they are being pursued by some terrifying magical beast."

Sir Radyard, looking tired, wiped his sweat-soaked face with a cloth Craig handed him and muttered. Al nodded, understanding this.

"Then, we need to conduct a thorough investigation of the area."

"Yes. But don't overdo it. You need to be in top form tomorrow. Wald and Emerson will be investigating the village and the surrounding area."

Al nodded lightly. He didn't intend to stay up all night, but he wanted to create a map of the target village. Sir Radyard agreed with this. Al thought it would be good if the mages could cooperate on such investigations, but from previous conversations, it seemed unlikely.

Leaving the preparation of Narech's meal to Craig, Al borrowed a desk at the edge of his tent and spread out a piece of parchment. Using the Floating Eye spell to create a magical eye, he sent it in the direction of the village, using the Perception Enhancement spell to improve its night vision.

The barbarian village stretched 200 meters along the Holden River, with about 100 dilapidated huts made of wood, cloth, and mud bricks. Goblins and lizardmen could be seen around the huts, but not in large numbers. However, where the river curved and the flow slowed, the water was stagnant, and there were numerous lizardman eggs and small, lizard-like hatchlings.

"What's the condition of the ground around here? Can horses pass through?"

"Hmm, the areas with many hatchlings and eggs seem quite muddy. If you're not careful, you might get stuck."

Al repeatedly described what he saw and asked questions while drawing the map on the parchment. Al's tone became casual, but Craig, judging it an emergency, remained silent.

"Are there any higher-level beings?"

"So far, I haven't found any... But I just discovered a group of about 100 goblins gathered in a square near the village. There are two large goblins, the largest I've ever seen. Are they hobgoblins? And there's one with red skin next to them. It's not very large... Could it be a goblin mage?"

Hobgoblins are about the size of a human child, standing about 1.7 meters tall, not much different from an average human. However, the ones he saw were much larger, standing about 2 meters tall. A goblin mage is a goblin capable of using magic, also a higher-level being like a hobgoblin.

Narech and Sir Radyard exchanged worried glances. Two giant hobgoblins and a goblin mage were formidable opponents.

"What are those groups doing? And earlier, you said there were few barbarians in the village..."

"Yes, the group looks like they are preparing for a large-scale hunt or war. There were many lizardman eggs and hatchlings along the river in the village, but not many adult lizardmen or goblins. According to the information, there should be 100 lizardmen and 300 goblins in the village."

Lizardmen are oviparous, and the 30 cm-long lizard-like hatchlings grow up in the water, reaching 1 meter tall in about half a month and then living like adult lizardmen. They are a dangerous barbarian race that can multiply rapidly if there is enough food. In the past, when the border city of Lester was built, the bodies of many barbarians were abandoned in the river, leading to an abnormal increase in their population, almost causing the city to collapse.

"Are the goblins planning to attack us? No, that's..."

Narech said this, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe it. While it might be possible for legendary higher-level barbarians like an orc general or ogre king, goblins lack the intelligence to organize an attack as a military force.

"I've heard that goblins can evolve into a higher-level being called a goblin slayer. A goblin slayer might have the ability to lead an army."

At Sir Radyard's words, Al repeated "goblin slayer," a name he had never heard before. However, Sir Radyard was an experienced knight, so it was unlikely to be a complete lie. Moreover, goblin species over 2 meters tall do exist.

"Anyway, just talking here won't help. Sigmund, go to Lord Oliver's tent and tell him that our squire's uncertain reconnaissance suggests that the barbarians might be gathering in a square near the village. Add that I believe this information should be confirmed by Sir Wald."

Sigmund glanced at Narech, who nodded, and then ran off.

"Based on the map Al drew, if they attack directly, it will be about an hour. Everyone has barely slept for the past three days. Being attacked in this situation will be very difficult... Al will have to use more magic actively. In this situation, even Sir Emerson won't say anything. However, I never expected it to come to this. It's as if the knights were deliberately exhausted..."

Sir Radyard stared silently ahead, deep in thought.

"Could the attacks along the way be part of their strategy...?"

At this, Narech shook his head in disbelief.

"Is such a strategy even possible? The lizardmen who attacked us numbered over 200 in total, and most of them were defeated by our knights. Sacrificing so many of their own..."

But Sir Radyard bit his lower lip and looked down. After a deep breath, he looked firmly at Narech.

"Sir Narech, you are still too naive. It's impossible for humans, but barbarians lack human hearts, which is why they are barbarians. We cannot rule out the possibility. However, it's questionable whether they could come up with such a plan. Thanks to Al, we have discovered their presence. If we had been ambushed, it would have been very dangerous, but we have 20 knights. We can still turn the situation around."

Narech nodded strongly at Sir Radyard's words.

"I will go and inform the knights and squires I know. Sir Narech, please eat and prepare for the next battle during this time. Craig, assist Sir Narech. Al, come with me. I need you to use the Light spell to illuminate a place."

Sir Radyard said this and hurried out of the tent, as if time was running out. Al quickly followed him.

Thank you for reading.

I plan to post twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, at 10 AM. I appreciate your support.

Thank you for correcting the typos. I always find it helpful.

I would be very happy to receive likes, ratings, and comments. Please feel free to leave them. Thank you.