Local Militia and Counter Attack!

" Are you sure you want to do this?" Mera asked seeing Samuel line up his group in a straight file.

" Yes. Is everyone else ready?" Naoh asked. It was going to be a joint operation with local hunter and village people that were unhurt during the skirmish along with others who recovered.

The village only had about fifty people including six that trained under his so there were not a lot of volunteers for the clean up mission.

" We were only manage to pull ten people. Few of them are mildly injured which means they can only shoot arrows from afar. I asked Felix but he wanted to stay with his disciples but agreed to help if situation got out of hand. I am sorry-"

" Don't worry about him. I will protect him." Alastair interrupted. He was going to lead these ten people and for some reason felt confident, they would be able to go through with the mission.

" Old man, I don't need you protection. Just stay behind and let my team handle everything." Noah could see from their weapons, they weren't going to make much of a difference. Few of them had spears with wooden shields on their back while others were carrying bows and arrows.

He knew this world was primitive but they couldn't be compared to those knights that were wearing shiny armours. He didn't know how these people were going to help him, they almost be used as cannon fodders.

" You might say it but you never know what's we are going to face out there. These mountains are dangerous and unpredictable because it's filled with migrating monsters. We have accounts of some of them that likes to stay in their base but other than that, everything else is a game of chance."

Noah already know what he was talking about. It was about the legend why their ancestors settled at top this mountain. Back then, there was no set road which meant anyone trying to harm them would have to go through the deep forest.

Their enemies suffered heavily facing different type of monsters ultimately giving up on pursuit. Their ancestors were lucky to be able to reach the mountain and after many generation, the chief decided it was time to connect to the outside world.

They slowly and gradually trimmed down monsters population along a single line getting it down enough that it became safer to go down the hill. These animals instinctively avoided the clear road but they would still face them if their numbers get out of control.

Hence, a system was put in place to regularly check their numbers. It was mostly left to the merchant and the mercenaries that occasionally came to their village to get their exotic medicine and fragrances.

It was a excellent deal for them since they could exchange regular supplies that the village lacked bartering it for higher value goods produced by the village. The status quo stood for generation after villager got a taste of outside goods.

They didn't have the numbers to do the business themselves so others were left to clear small occasional monsters. There was also a fear that the local lord would snatch back their land the kingdom changed multiple times when their ancestors first settled on the mountain.

Now that they were facing unprecedented catastrophe, if they didn't take care of the monsters. They would have to pay heavy price to leave the mountain top essentially smothering their economy!

" Alastair! Don't try to scare him!" Mera shouted.

" A-alast....you promised you will call me father." He was immediately defeated.

" Since you are so confident. Why don't we have a bout?"

" ho, are you challenging me?" Alastair pulled out his big ass sword smashing it on the ground. It was still in it's sheath still that thing looked heavy.

" I have to remind you, I was a renowned knight commander. If not for my daughter, I would have taken care of these puny monster myself!" Noah had to admit he looked cool.

His rusty armour was shining probably because he cleaned everything up or asked local blacksmith for help. Still he looked much better than the first time he met him in the cave.

" Why not? Didn't you tell me scouts located two monster bases already? Why don't we see who clears it the fastest."

" But because of different monster variant, how could we call this-" Alastair saw him smiling ear to ear.

" That's why, I will leave the choice to you so that you wouldn't whine about it later. I will take six of my people and you can ask others to follow you."

" What? Why are you dividing your forces? Shouldn't you be working together?" Mera exclaimed. She didn't want them to endangers others over their childish feud.

" It will be fine. I will be in the vanguard and we will not venture deeper inside the forest."

" I agree. Unlike others, the kids under me are still inexperienced. I want to take things slow and let them have some battle and figure out how they perform under pressure."

Noah didn't coin the duel solely over his pride. He wanted to test their week long training and see if they were really cut out for the job.

" Fine. I will come with you-"

" No! It will defeat the purpose. Beside, if something happen to you, everyone will be at a disadvantage. it's better for you to stay here in case someone gets injured." Alastair immediately shut her down.

He didn't want her daughter to face danger because no matter how strong she was, her abilities were related to healing.

Two men nodded and returned to their respective groups. They were gathered at the entrance because there was only one way out of the village.

Noah looked at his six man team, over the week he had kited them with latest protective gear and a tight suit that could block most of the knife stabs.

They were beginning to resemble the special forces that he used to run around with. They still had a long way to go but at least they were holding their weapon upright with a glare in their eyes. Just how he liked it.

" We are moving out!"

""" Yes sir!"""

The peril of Lulon Kingdom was nigh with the invading force already ransacking most of the coaster cities of the east. Few of the northern states and cities were safe because of the mountainous topography.

The village where Noah was the safest, Alastair already predicted it which was why he decided to reside in his hometown. It could let them to survive longer than anyone else while he too protected his friends and family.

He never expected that his daughter would round up in a bloody battle with the nobles but he wasn't that worried about it.

The nobles would be destroyed soon enough when the Seracin's invade. But now that he gotten the news about the princess, he was in a dilemma.

Regardless, they were about to take the first step which was to make a way for them to get down the mountain safely and repelled Sablethorn's forces.

He could think about everything else after accomplishing this mission.

When the bout between Noah and him commenced that was to eliminate the nearest monster dens, few people were planning their own attacks.

Young lord of Sablethorn who pushed back to the base of the mountain gathered his own men to take revenge for humiliation he suffered last week.

" Chaucer? Did you have any word regarding the Flame Emperor? Is he still hiding inside the village?" Young lord asked.

" That seemed to be the case my lord. With his disciples injured, he had no choice but to rely on those pesky rebels especially on that witch's power!" He was fuming with rage.

Years of planning was ruined and Chaucer would be held responsible by the Merchant Union. He had no way out of this that's why he had to stay with the young lord hoping to gain something out of it in the end.

He paid a heavy price and is not crippled. Before fleeing he did retrieve his severed hand but after a week, he had no choice to bury it as it was beginning to rot.

As far as Mera's power was concerned, it had a limit that any detached limb had to be treated within few hours or else the treatment would fail. He had to take revenge on that unknown sorcerer!

 " Young lord, we failed to scale the mountain. For some reason the monsters are relentless and our army suffered few casualties. We would need much larger force if we are to clear the roads." The first Knight captain informed him.

Young Sablethorn was aware of the presence of ferocious monsters in the forest. Merchants would often ask to lend few knights to traverse area around their territory but even then, this phenomenon was strange. 

" Maybe because of Seracin, they are migrating? That seemed to explain why our forces are suffering defeat. They dare not to come out of the forest because they don't have any cover in the wide grassland surrounding the mountain. I think lord should ask for more renforcement and thin out their numbers before there is a monster tide threatening the city." The second knight captain put forward his hypothesis.

" No, that would leave a way out for those bastards. We have to choke them out as well as direct some powerful monsters toward their village. With their little numbers, we would be killing two birds with one stone." Sablethorn added.

He was adamant to capture Mera, the lust had blinded his judgement still being a Commander he could come up with a effective plan to encircle their enemies. It was unsure whether the little village would survive a monster tide but he was willing to try it!

Chaucer's eye lit up, he had the perfect person for the job.

" Young lord, why don't we invite some experts?"

" Are you serious? Those sorcerers are unreliable! Do you want them to betray us again?"

" No lord, I wasn't talking about them. I happen to learn that Silver Star had taken refuse in Sablethorn's territory."

" Thieves guild owner? Why didn't I hear about it?" Sablethorn asked. Thieves guild had been a nuisance of nobles for decades. Being of their mysterious background and widespread influence, no one even the Royal Knights were able to capture the mysterious owner.

Now Chaucer was mentioning the owner's name so casually? There must be some relation between them and the Merchant guild. He squinted his eyes waiting for Chaucer reply.

 On the other hand, Chaucer immediately knew that his dumb lord was thinking. Anyone that sided against these nobles or even helped their enemies were to receive harsh punishment that included the capital and death by hanging so he had to use his words correctly.

" Forgive me my lord!" He kneeled down which was rare because up until now, he acted as his partner in crime. He would butter him up but never let go of the ego but now he was kneeling in front of the young lord?

He was willing to do anything as long as he obtained the mystical medicine along with the incense making technique of the village.

Beside, the merchant guild wouldn't let go for his failure which was why he came up with a perfect plan to get rid of both of his enemies in one fell swoop! He hid his smile and came up with a perfect story that even Count wouldn't be able to see through!