Chapter 86

"Alright, but I can't get drunk." Sork, the dwarf, still had a bald head. After the siege, for some unknown reason, he became bald. "I still have to make some parts and improve the firing mechanism tonight, so I can't stay out late with you guys."

"He's always like that, don't take it to heart." Green comforted Zhao Mai.

As they ate, they talked about the recent situation in Nibo Town. The last siege, although it ended with Nibo Town's victory, also exposed the town's weaknesses. This wasn't a problem that could be solved by building higher walls or more defense towers; it required a more robust security system. They realized that relying solely on the loose structure of the guild could save a lot of manpower and improve efficiency in normal times, but it couldn't be strong enough in emergencies. Rewards could only serve as an auxiliary, while obeying orders was the fundamental basis of an army's combat power. Lower efficiency in normal times could be tolerated, after all, no one would die; but failing to exert combat power in critical moments was a matter of life and death. The elders of the town gathered to revise some of the guild's policies and allocate a portion of the shares to establish a standing army.

No one knew the specifics of how it would be done, but they believed it would be announced before the first snow of winter. Since no one knew whether the new policies would be good or bad for current adventurers, most of them were rushing to complete their tasks and get their rewards as soon as possible. Nibo Town was always very busy, with adventurers coming and going like pine trees in the forest, busy collecting food for the winter.

Nibo Town repelled the attack of the Mother of Monsters, the Nightmare Goddess Lamia, but Farmer's Forest couldn't withstand it. It is now a Monster Forest, filled with various strange and unknown monsters, and its scale is expanding day by day. The connection with the Southern and the Wayfarer Community was completely cut off, and no one knew the situation of the druids, so most of the townspeople were pessimistic.

Various monsters use the forest as a base, continuously threatening the surrounding villages, and there have been several instances where monsters even attacked the castle. Wolf Ear Town was almost completely evacuated, with only a small group of people holding out, turning it into a forward base for adventurers. Further south, the Gadoria Barony, under the protection of Baron Pides, became a solid fortress to stop the monsters from advancing south. On the plains, the monsters were no match for the humans with battle formations, but humans also lacked the ability to penetrate deep into the forest to eliminate the monsters. The frustrated baron offered a good reward, and the number of monsters in Farmer's Forest seemed to be increasing, so this direction attracted a large number of adventurers, fighting on the front lines to slay demons and monsters for gold and the welfare of all.

"Actually, I think this is the best time to sell firearms." Green's face turned red, but he couldn't help saying, "Crossbows have already increased in price, and now almost all weapons have, with alchemical materials showing the same trend. He who doesn't manage the household doesn't know the value of firewood and rice; if there's only spending and no income, even a mountain of gold will eventually be spent."

Dwarf Sork burped, feeling that he couldn't drink any more. He suddenly stood up and said to Zhao Mai, "Mentor Mike, I'll go back and finish my work now, and I can listen to your teachings properly tomorrow. You eat and drink to your heart's content, rest well, and Green has arranged everything for you, though I don't know the specifics."

"Alright, go ahead, I'll stay a bit longer."

The dwarf shook his head and walked toward the door. As he pushed it open, the female paladin of Iomedae, Hayal, walked in, and her long legs immediately caught Zhao Mai's attention.

The volume in the tavern suddenly dropped by twenty decibels, and most of the gazes were drawn to the female paladin. Hayal seemed to be used to this, and she looked around friendly and politely before walking straight toward Zhao Mai.

Green covered his mouth and whispered, "Beautiful women can be deceiving, be careful not to fall for it, and it's best not to promise anything."

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