Chapter 78: 78 Marching Forward

Chapter 78: The Advance

For the entire day, Redal and MacKen were busy assigning specific tasks to the guards and militia. Everyone regarded this expedition with utmost seriousness.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was four o'clock in the morning on the twenty-first.

In the open space of the outer fort, Rowan, Redal, MacKen, Elron, and a group of other superhumans gathered, along with twenty-seven guards and eighty militia members.

All the castle servants were mobilized, distributing freshly baked bread to each person—some for immediate consumption, others to carry along.

After breakfast, everyone stood ready for departure.

Rowan looked at the soldiers before him. Some held crude long swords, others ironwood spears, while a few clutched bone spears or even wooden sticks. As for armor, having an ironwood chest plate was considered fortunate; most were essentially unprotected.

There was no alternative; Rowan couldn’t produce so many weapons at once. He only demanded that these men could intimidate others with their presence, not expecting much combat prowess.

Moreover, the savage tribe across the way wasn’t equipped with weapons and armor for every member either.

He slowly drew the sword from his waist.

This "Flowing Flame Sword" was the reward from the fifth day of the seven-day log-in period. Rowan only brought it out after reaching the intermediate level and being able to release fighting spirit.

Using it could amplify combat skills; a casual swing could unleash flames. Its power was considerable, likely belonging to the category of magical or inscribed weapons.

"Everyone!"

Rowan raised his sword. As fighting spirit infused it, red flowing flames surged along the blade, resembling magma capable of evaporating everything, illuminating the square.

"Depart!"

In the faint light before dawn, this hundred-man army quietly embarked on their journey.

Chahar led the servants up to the tower, gazing toward the direction the troops departed, his eyes filled with blessings and prayers.

The maid Bella, tears in her eyes, asked, "Mr. Steward, will our lord return victorious?"

Over such a long time, the servants had adapted to the new environment, the new life, and this exceptionally tolerant master. They had already regarded this place as their second home.

All of this depended on one person—the castle's master, Rowan. None of them wished for any mishaps during this expedition.

"That is beyond doubt!"

Chahar stated resolutely, "The lord never fights unprepared battles; he will undoubtedly return victorious!"

The mountain breeze in the morning was chilly, and the air was damp.

The soldiers lit all the torches prepared beforehand, forming a fiery serpent across the fields, moving steadily northward along the planned route.

Among them, feelings varied—some were excited, some expectant, while others felt somewhat bewildered. Yet, under the personal leadership of the lord, none contemplated retreat.

Rowan, walking ahead, had already expended all the attribute points and energy essences accumulated from recent sign-ins.

Checking his attribute panel, his level progress had significantly increased compared to when he left Horse Pasture City:

【Level】: 2-Intermediate Knight (51/200); 2-Intermediate Mage (300/300)

Now his mage level was completely full, and his knight level had reached one-fourth.

Although merely an intermediate knight, with the Wind Blade Spell and Fireball Spell as ranged attack magics, his intimidation was no less than that of an advanced knight.

Besides his own improved strength, MacKen had gained two points in cultivation through his training, now reaching 284/300;

Elron, through personal cultivation and energy essence allocation, had reached 211/300 in level progress, qualifying as an intermediate-level light attribute mage nearing the later stage.

As for Commander Redal, restricted by the master-servant contract with Rowan, his strength couldn’t advance further until Rowan broke through to the advanced level—a regrettable situation.

Apart from these allocations, Rowan also carried four Wind Blade Spell scrolls made during this period and sixteen Healing Spell scrolls prepared by Elron, ready for unforeseen needs.

The march was tedious, especially after entering the mountains where the path was rough. Conversations dwindled, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Fortunately, the soon-rising sun dispelled the gloom within the forests, alleviating much psychological pressure.

Commander Redal walked at the forefront, guiding the direction through markings on trees along the way.

Rowan increasingly felt that Redal was indeed worthy of being the legendary commander of the Flame Expeditionary Force—methodical and systematic. The intelligence he obtained saved considerable manpower and resources for this expedition.

Continuing onward, nearing noon, Redal stopped beside a large tree. Rowan noticed the markings on the tree roots differed from previous ones.

"Master, crossing this small hill and proceeding about five miles further will reveal the bamboo forest where the Green Bamboo Tribe resides."

Redal suggested, "Should we rest here to recover our strength?"

Rowan nodded, "Everyone is tired after walking all morning; rest here to regain stamina."

He paused, then continued, "We only need to reach the Green Bamboo Tribe before dusk, so everyone can rest here for quite a while. Arrange for guards and instruct the soldiers not to wander or converse loudly."

Arriving too early would find tribe members out laboring, hindering Rowan’s plan to capture them all and possibly allowing some to escape and alert the Gray Earth and Purple Fruit tribes.

Later, as laborers gradually returned home, they could implement encircling tactics.

While everyone sought places to rest, Rowan ascended the hilltop, gazing northward, wondering how far one must travel to see the northern sea.

Turning back, he realized the distance between Mountain Forest Town and the savage tribe wasn’t as imagined.

From leaving the town to here, it was merely about fifteen or sixteen miles, plus the subsequent five miles, totaling around twenty miles.

When the Wu Mountain Territory Alliance Army failed to completely annihilate this group, their relatively dispersed state might have been one reason.

A greater reason likely was the nobles' belief that after killing the fleeing enemy leader and the remaining remnants hiding deep in the forests, investing excessive effort and funds in further pursuit seemed unprofitable.

Tasks lacking profit and benefit held little interest for nobles.

Time passed gradually. Everyone ate bread, drank water, and after the sun tilted westward, the hundred-man army set off again.

Compared to before, this time everyone moved cautiously, using trees, bushes, and terrain to conceal themselves.

Fortunately, the Green Bamboo Tribe’s fields weren’t distributed here, and they seemed preoccupied with autumn harvests, without patrols. Thus, Rowan’s group reached the bamboo forest outskirts almost without incident.

"Juwit, Sim, lead your respective men along this valley to the east, ambush at your assigned routes. The master and we will wait here for half an hour."

Redal assumed command, "Half an hour later, we will initiate the attack. If incidents occur on your side, have someone run over immediately."

"Rest assured, Commander, even if we encounter anyone, we guarantee they won’t cry out!"

Juwit and Sim pledged confidently, then led their respective teams into action.

The sunset sank westward, and light within the forests dimmed gradually; soon, darkness would fall. In such mountainous regions, laborers would likely return home around this time.

Rowan’s gaze penetrated the woodland ahead, "Juwit and Sim should arrive soon; we must act."

Five superhumans stood first, leading the way, followed by seventy soldiers. Such a troop marching through bamboo forests produced only footsteps—no other noises.

No one spoke, no one conversed; all moved forward in silence, embodying the discipline emphasized during training.

Even superhumans facing a well-trained, well-equipped ordinary army must proceed cautiously.

An ordinary primary knight might engage about seven or eight well-trained ordinary soldiers solo; they weren’t invincible.

(End of Chapter)