The early morning sunshine dispelled the darkness in the forest and took away the worries lingering in everyone's minds.
After the battle last night, everyone was busy cleaning up the battlefield, and at the same time, they had to be on guard against the enemy's comeback, so most of them did not continue to sleep.
Now that the sun came up, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, and some who were really tired and sleepy began to catch up on their sleep.
Some mercenaries began to prepare breakfast, while the regiment leader Salu was still arguing with the businessman Oliver about the issue of casualty pensions.
In fact, the two parties had already reached an agreement on the standard of compensation before setting off. The reason why they were quarreling now was entirely because of an unlucky man who was accidentally killed by one of his own people.
Oliver insisted that this guy was the responsibility of the Firefox Mercenary Group and he should not be the one to pay the pension, so he quarreled with Saru.
Colin had nothing to do with himself at the moment and was squatting next to a fire, leisurely drinking "water" from the kettle.
The rising sun was a bit dazzling, so Colin lowered the brim of his hat a little, almost completely covering the upper half of his face.
Then, he took out the parchment and crossed out the sentence he wrote yesterday [Human blood can help advance].
Because he discovered that the blood secretly obtained from a thief's corpse last night had no effect on his strength. Just like deer blood, apart from satisfying his appetite and replenishing his energy, it was not at all like the blood of Knight Carter. Effect.
Perhaps the blood of ordinary people has no effect, and it must be the blood of professionals to help advance.
Moreover, I'm afraid it would require the blood of a higher-level professional than myself to be effective.
Thinking of this, Colin unconsciously glanced at the only second-level warrior here - Captain Saru.
Then he shook his head again.
Let's not talk about whether he can beat Saru.
Even if he could beat him, he didn't want to kill an innocent person just to advance quickly.
Colin felt that he still had some limits.
While thinking wildly, Colin discovered that the dispute between Oliver and Saru over there had finally ended.
The chubby businessman was walking towards Colin with a somewhat unhappy expression, as if he had not gained the upper hand in the dispute just now.
"That's such a difficult guy!" After approaching, Oliver glanced at Saru's figure and complained to Colin.
Colin suddenly burst into laughter when he saw that this businessman who had so boldly said yesterday that he would sponsor an army of his own was now so obsessed with spending money because of a mercenary's pension.
"Forget it, let's just calm people down. After all, we still have a long way to go before Falling Eagle City. Breaking up with the Fire Fox Mercenary Group at this time is not a wise choice."
"I know. If I hadn't considered this, I wouldn't have given in to that old guy Saru!" Oliver obviously understood this, but he was still unwilling to do so and complained a few times in a low voice.
"Would you like to try the dried meat I brought? It's much better than bread." Then the fat businessman became generous again.
Colin accepted Oliver's kindness with a smile and started chatting with him casually again.
After everyone finished breakfast and rested for two hours, the caravan packed up its tents and prepared to set off again.
At this moment, Saru suddenly stopped everyone, then lay down on the ground and put his right ear to the ground.
Colin frowned slightly when he saw this.
His hearing during the day was far less than at night, and he didn't hear any unusual movement at all.
But Saru over there suddenly jumped up from the ground and roared: "Horse! The sound of horse hooves! Quick! Everyone, be on alert immediately!"
With Saru's roar, the entire camp suddenly became a mess.
Oliver's face also turned pale instantly.
He knew the seriousness of the matter.
This time is different from last night's attack. The thieves group can't afford horses. If the people coming now are enemies rather than friends, I'm afraid it will be very troublesome...
"Tap tap tap..."
As time passed, Colin finally heard the rapid sound of horse hooves.
The ground began to shake slightly, which made the mercenaries in formation even more panicked. Even the roar of the bearded Saru could no longer calm them down.
Colin squinted his eyes and saw a thin gray line suddenly appeared in the forest not far away, rushing towards the camp like a sharp arrow.
This is a troop of cavalry!
The number of cavalry was not large, only about twenty.
But looking at their overwhelming momentum, Colin had no doubt that as long as the opponent charged, the defensive position that the Fire Fox Mercenary Group had put together would immediately collapse.
This is the terrifying oppression of the King of War in the Cold Weapon Age!
Boom!
The earth is roaring.
The cavalry was approaching.
The mercenaries were trembling.
Oliver closed his eyes in pain.
Saru is holding a huge half-body shield and stands at the forefront of the defense line, like a rock.
Colin ignored the dazzling sunlight, sighed helplessly, lifted up his three-cornered hat, and drew out the one-handed sword from his waist.
Just when everyone was preparing to fight to the death, the surging cavalry team suddenly stopped about thirty meters away from the camp.
"Eh-"
Amidst a series of horse cries, twenty war horses stood in the sky.
Good horsemanship!
Colin couldn't help but admired in his heart.
At the same time, his tense mood relaxed slightly.
The other party should no longer be an enemy.
However, judging from the way they rushed over without slowing down, and the sudden stop like a show of skill at the end, it was obvious that they wanted to give the Firefox Mercenary Group a showdown.
Therefore, I am afraid that the other party may not have much goodwill.
Oliver, a shrewd businessman, obviously noticed this, so instead of taking the initiative, he motioned to Saru to negotiate.
Saru was helpless. After all, he was on commission and had the obligation to solve any troubles Oliver encountered along the way.
So, he had no choice but to put down his half-shield and sword, stepped forward empty-handed, and shouted loudly:
"Friends across the way! I am Saru, the leader of the Fire Fox Mercenary Group. I am escorting some goods from the Tulip Chamber of Commerce to Fallen Eagle City. Is there anything I can help you with?"
The cavalry team on the opposite side showed no reaction, as if they had suddenly turned into sculptures.
There was silence in the forest, the wind seemed to have suddenly stopped, and the air was so heavy that it was suffocating.
Saru suppressed the fear and anxiety in his heart and continued to move forward.
After taking a few steps closer, he finally saw clearly the badge on the chest armor of the leading cavalryman, and he gasped in shock: "Your Excellency, you are a knight of the Saint Hilde family?"
Saru's loud voice also reached the rear, and a suppressed commotion suddenly broke out among the mercenaries.
But at the same time, everyone involuntarily lowered the weapons in their hands to the ground, as if the name "Saint Hilde" had a terrifying magical power that made people dare not be enemies with it.
Yes.
In the northern reaches of the empire, the name Saint Hilde was a symbol of absolute authority.
Not even the imperial family has such terrifying appeal and influence here.
"Kaka."
The leading knight finally made some movement. He lifted his helmet visor, revealing a pair of cold eyes. He nodded towards Saru, acquiescing to his identity.
Then, he took out a roll of parchment from the cloth bag in front of the saddle, threw it at Saru's feet, and at the same time, announced in an unquestionable tone:
"By order of the Marquis Charles, son of the Duke of St. Hilde, you have been urgently called up."