Picking Off Enemies

In contrast to this, the Guia Villagers were generally stronger physically and in level, but that was about it. 

As soon as their lives were truly threatened, it was easy for them to just want to run away. A lot of Guia guards were already looking for hiding spots, while some were already thinking of ways to get out of this alive. 

For example, what information could they give—without failing their oaths and getting punished—in exchange for their freedom? 

Sadly, none of them could think of loopholes or sensitive information they were privy to, so the option left was to run. 

Guia Village was the strongest in the region and its people had a sense of pride in that. When outside, they acted a lot like they were nobles, as if other villages were beneath their feet. 

Before this, they had never encountered a challenge at the village level, so Alterra—which had dropped obstacle after obstacle—was something really new to them.