Chapter 5: Deserter

Capturing enemies alive can actually earn experience.

Alexander was pleasantly surprised. He had Viktor and Otto watch over the two half-dead bandits, while he entered the cave himself. The cave was not large, with a campfire in the middle. Behind the campfire was an old, dilapidated carriage, with a person tied up on top of it.

The person looked at Alexander eagerly, and even a fool would know that Alexander was there to rescue him. No need to guess, this was probably the merchant's brother.

Alexander stepped forward and used his sword to cut the ropes. The man immediately broke free and sat up.

[Quest Completed: Rescued the Merchant's Brother]

[Experience +100, System Coins +100]

[Level Up]

Alexander was excited. Along with the two bandits he had killed, he had just leveled up. He opened the panel to check:

[Level]: 3

[Strength]: 8

[Agility]: 8

[Intelligence]: 6

[Charisma]: 5

[Available Attribute Points]: 1

[Experience]: 0/400

[System Coins]: 100

He gained an additional attribute point. Without hesitation, Alexander allocated it to Agility. When he had been ambushed earlier, the reason he hadn't been killed, apart from Otto's help, was also due to his increased reaction speed.

To ensure his survival, Agility had to be increased.

After allocating the point, Alexander's attributes were:

[Level]: 3

[Strength]: 8

[Agility]: 9

[Intelligence]: 6

[Charisma]: 5

[Available Attribute Points]: 0

[Experience]: 0/400

[System Coins]: 100

At this time, others also started to rush in one after another, indicating that the bandits outside had already been cleaned up.

This operation was truly very successful; the entire troop did not have a single casualty, although quite a few were injured. The main reason was the fierce Saint Martin swordsman. Charging forward with a large shield, they were like war gods, unstoppable.

Alexander watched, mesmerized. He thought to himself that it would be great if he could have such a unit someday.

Soon after, Lord Harley also walked in. He looked at the unharmed hostages and grinned. Then, he began to distribute rewards. According to the agreement, Alexander and his group received 20 denarii each.

They were overjoyed at receiving this money, after all, it was no small amount.

Others also received rewards.

Lord Harley watched everyone's happy faces, his satisfaction deepening. He wouldn't tell this group of laborers that the merchant had given him a total commission of 500 denarii. He handed out just over a hundred denarii to these simple-minded, well-built fellows, keeping the rest for himself.

As for how much profit Lord Harley made, Alexander didn't know. What he did know was that accumulating ransom money was no longer the most important thing. It was time to purchase some equipment, arm himself, and also equip his two companions.

Back at the camp, he first bought himself a piece of **Beast Leather Armor** for 50 system coins, with a defense bonus of +3. Then he purchased a pair of **Beast Leather Pants** for another 50 system coins, also with a defense bonus of +3. He didn't use system coins to buy equipment for his two companions, as it was better to keep the system store a secret for now. Instead, he gave all 20 denarii to Otto and Viktor, instructing them to buy some equipment.

Otto and Viktor went to the blacksmith and bought two rusty iron swords and two simple wooden shields. Although a bit shabby, it was a step towards standardization. At least they had swords and shields now, making them somewhat like swordsmen.

In this era of low productivity, it was understandable that weapons were expensive. Surprisingly, the two of them were reluctant to let go of their new weapons. Alexander shook his head helplessly at the sight of the heap of junk metal and said, "With these weapons, we'll have the enemy dying of laughter on the battlefield before we even engage." 

In Alexander's view, this equipment was only for dealing with bandits and thugs. Indeed, most of their tasks involved suppressing such groups. Lord Harley didn't even show up, just gave Alexander and his group a location and let them handle the bandits themselves. This relieved Alexander, as their opponents were just a bunch of ragtag individuals; as long as they weren't regular soldiers, it was manageable. Dealing with bandits was also straightforward, especially with Saint Martin swordsman leading the way. Just encountering Alexander's group would likely spell doom for most ordinary bandits.

This rapid success also led to Alexander's experience skyrocketing to 110/400. However, ordinary bandit suppression missions no longer triggered tasks, and the system coins remained unchanged.

Until a small accident happened during a bandit suppression. It wasn't a big accident, it just almost rolled over.

Before embarking on this mission, they had assumed their target would be a group of ordinary bandits, perhaps just bullying farmers for fun. However, upon reaching the area where the bandits were rumored to be active, they realized something was amiss.

Across from them stood only seven individuals, but their equipment was anything but ordinary. Alexander immediately recognized it as standard gear from the Kingdom of Saint Martin. Judging by their equipment, the opposing force consisted of three Saint Martin swordsmen, two Saint Martin infantrymen, and two Saint Martin conscript crossbowmen.

"Damn it, they're deserters."

For this operation, the Lion Clan had only deployed two Saint Martin swordsmen, five Saint Martin infantrymen, and ten foot soldiers. On paper, their strength was indeed superior to the enemy's, but the presence of two conscripted crossbowmen introduced significant uncertainty into the battle.

Upon seeing their pursuers, the enemy initially seemed nervous. However, their expressions turned disdainful when they caught sight of the chaotic equipment of the foot soldiers. After all, the combat effectiveness of regular soldiers far surpassed that of foot soldiers.

"Will you clear the way for us, or shall we kill you and pave our way with your corpses?" the enemy taunted arrogantly.

On Alexander's side, one of the Saint Martin swordsmen glared and shouted, "You bring disgrace to the proud Kingdom of Saint Martin, you cowards."

One of the deserters retorted, "Cowards? I've killed more enemies than your family and friends combined. Yet, all we seek is to survive. You, who have never experienced despair, are not worthy to call us cowards!"

The Saint Martin swordsman responded, "So be it. I shall mete out punishment on behalf of the supreme honor of Saint Martin warriors, to punish you for defiling the glory of warriors."

The deserter chuckled, "Fools who don't know their own limits, attack!"

Whoosh...

Whoosh...

Two crossbow bolts suddenly shot out without warning. One of the Saint Martin swordsmen was struck through the throat by an arrow, while the other swordsman managed to dodge, albeit with his arm grazed.

Before they could retaliate, two key players had already been incapacitated.

"Don't let them reload, charge!"

The injured Saint Martin swordsman shouted urgently as he noticed the enemy crossbowmen preparing to reload.

Alexander and his companions quickly responded, raising their shields and charging forward.

The deserters, disdainful of the motley army before them, drew their swords and met the charge head-on.