19 A certain scouting party

"Ligert, from here we can see that they have lowered their defenses," The archer Dakota told me.

"I know, I used to work there once. It's no surprise that they are an easy target," I responded.

"Yeah, there are almost no guards on lookout. There isn't even anyone guarding the gate, but why? What's the point of leaving themselves open to an attack like that?" The tank, Velleld asked.

"Could it possibly be a trap? Maybe the noble is expecting us?" The priest Botaa asked.

"I highly doubt it's a trap, after hearing Ligert's words how can that noble possibly be hiding strength?" The thief Chiko asked. Chiko was the only non-human here, he was part of the cat-tribe. They are humans with a few cat traits like ears and tails, what makes them different from Cat-beastmen is that they can transform into cats. Which helps them sneak around, making them naturals at thieving.

"I don't know, to be honest, the noble didn't seem to be concerned about the safety of the city. It might be possible he had some sort of backup," I told them, they all looked a little paranoid.

After waiting for a little while the other scouting parties returned. "Captain! It is as you said, sir! Their defenses are low and we couldn't find a hint of any secret backup," The first scouting party reported.

"We couldn't find anything either in the surrounding areas, only workers that were fed up with the noble's rule," The second party reported.

"The defense on the inside is weak as well and most of the guards were against the noble. Some were even planning on deserting," The third scouting party reported.

"Thank you, we'll have to report this to the commander," I said to them.

"What should we do about the people that want to leave the city?" Botaa asked me.

"I'll leave that decision to the commander. However, it would be great if he would spare them," I responded. "Alright, let's report back to camp," I ordered the scouting parties.

"NOT SO FAST!" A guard appeared out of nowhere and with him followed around 14 people. "We won't let you return with that information,"

The scouting parties were easily intimidated by this group of armed guards. Since we were scouting parties we didn't bring any good armor or weapons. Some of us didn't even have a weapon.

"Give up now and we might spare your life-!" The guard was interrupted by an arrow fired straight in his comrade's face.

"How did I miss that?" Dakota asked herself.

After one of the guards died the other ones started to attack us. I and my squad quickly responded with violence.

Velleld easily distracted the guards with his giant body and fearsome attacks. Dakota was continuously firing off arrows in the guards' heads. Chiko sneaked around them and executed the ones that didn't pay attention. While Botaa was distracted healing Velleld, I took out the people that tried to kill him.

It didn't take long before all of the guards were lying face down in the dirt. "I didn't expect to be ambushed like this," Said Botaa who was suffering from mana exhaustion.

"Sorry you had to heal me so much, Botaa," Velleld said to him.

"It's fine, I overdid it with the healing as well," Botaa responded.

"Are they dead?" One of the people in the scouting party asked.

"Pretty much," Chiko said poking one of the bodies.

"Should we return now?" Dakota asked.

"Yes, it was what we were doing before we got ambushed," I answered.

We started walking back to the others, the other scouting parties quickly followed us.

* * *

"So, you were right about the defenses becoming weaker and weaker," Ubel said when he got the information. "However, I think we chose a good time to attack. After a while, when they have managed to earn money they will start improving on their defenses again."

"Commander, there are several people in the city that are planning on deserting," I told him.

"Your old comrades, right? Well, if they surrender, we won't kill them. Unless they are a threat to us," Ubel responded to my question.

"Thank you, commander."

"No problem," Ubel said and raised himself from the chair he sat on. He walked outside the room we were in and onto a stage outside, where he could see the whole army in front of him.

"Everyone! Today is the day we shall attack the city called Hartbrunn!" Ubel announced to the army.

"There are a few rules you'll have to stick to during this conflict. One, don't kill anyone that surrenders! Two, I want the city in one piece, so don't destroy all of it! Three, make sure to stay alive!" The army responded with cheers and roars.

"Now, we have gotten information from our scouts just recently. The information is as follows: their defenses are weak and the noble is currently focusing on the economy on the city. Making this the perfect time to attack, I want you to keep that in mind as you step into the city," He continued.

This was basically an order to prepare for the attack. I and my squad were still sitting in the meeting room watching the speech from up close.

"Wow, is the attack starting this soon? I thought we were going to rest for one more day," Chiko said.

"Well, he said depending on the information received that we might attack earlier than planned," Botaa responded.

"I for one don't mind, it just means I'll be able to blow off steam one day earlier," Velleld followed.

"Well, we did fight those guards off relatively easily, so I don't think anyone in this army will struggle against them to be honest," Dakota said.

"Let's not underestimate our enemy here, it isn't entirely confirmed that they don't have a hidden force," I told them.

"I guess, you're right. We'll still have to be careful when fighting later," Chiko said.

"""Agreed""" The rest said in sync.