Chapter 153: Gnolls and the Military Camp
Over the course of three days, Wade followed Mien’s transport convoy through several blocked checkpoints. After passing several castles situated at narrow mountain passes, they arrived at the vast Hewitt Plains. The continuous journey left even the horses panting heavily.
At noon, the July heat waves distorted their vision. The scorching sun made sweat pour down everyone’s faces. The knights kept wiping their brows, exhausted and drowsy, their eyelids nearly too heavy to keep open.
“Gnolls ahead!”
The sudden shout startled everyone. A pack of gnolls blocked their path. In the Hewitt Plains, goblins and gnolls were relatively common monsters. These creatures would often ambush near roads to rob passing merchant caravans and adventurers.
Previously, Helburg’s knight brigade would sweep the plains every month to clear out reported goblin and gnoll nests to maintain territorial order. But now, this land had completely lost all governance. However, this was their first monster encounter since entering the plains.
The gnolls didn’t look well either, coughing violently with snot and drool smeared across their furry faces, howling incoherently. Even goblins and gnolls couldn’t escape the plague’s effects.
“Archers!” Mien shouted. “Those gnolls are infected with plague! Don’t let them get close – loose arrows now!”
Mien and the knights pulled their horses’ reins and grabbed their longbows. Their hands trembled slightly – after three days without rest, their bodies felt like they were falling apart, making their movements sluggish.
The gnolls charged toward the wagons with foul-smelling breath, their loose flesh wobbling on bony frames as they ran weakly. The knights fired, but a sudden gust of wind blew their arrows off course.
Among the gnolls was a spellcaster – one wielding a human skull staff and wearing a straw cloak. It roughly channeled magic to deflect the arrows.
“Damn it!” Mien’s heart tightened. “Pull the wagons back! Everyone else dismount with me!”
Fighting gnolls wasn’t difficult, but he had to ensure these medicinal herbs reached camp uncontaminated. If arrows proved ineffective, they’d have to fight in close quarters. The plague carried by these gnolls filled everyone with dread – no one wanted to get infected.
Yet under Mien’s command, the knights still dismounted and drew swords and shields. However, exhaustion had made Mien forget one thing – their party included a temporary addition. He’d nearly forgotten about Wade, who for three days had neither spoken nor asked questions, silently following at the rear. If you didn’t look back, it was as if he wasn’t there at all.
When exhausted, human reactions and thoughts become as stiff and slow as wood. Had he remembered Wade – or trusted him – the correct approach would have been to spread out and create space. But the inconspicuous ranger had completely slipped his mind.
Even unable to shout, Wade had ways to communicate amidst the chaos. He waited until the wagons turned and the crowd dispersed before moving to the front and raising his wooden bow.
When the highland horse with light red fur appeared at the front, when Mien saw that uniquely crafted bow with lush green leaves growing from its limbs, he suddenly remembered – a Silver-rank ranger had joined their group.
What followed was a blast of wind. The mounted ranger plucked a leaf from his bow’s edge and fired a spiraling magic arrow. The gnoll formation shattered instantly. Even with the gnoll spellcaster straining every ounce of magic, it couldn’t deflect the shot.
The wind flattened the plains ahead as suddenly sprouting branches restrained the gnoll warriors. The spellcaster took an arrow straight through its skull.
Mien stared blankly at the gnolls for several seconds before snapping back to reality and ordering others to finish off the remaining enemies. Soon, they eliminated the entire gnoll group.
The wagons circled around as knights pushed wheels through the rough plains to bypass the scene and continue forward.
“Good thing you were here,” Mien said, riding alongside Wade. “Thank you for your assistance – we’d have been in real trouble otherwise.”
Wade nodded in acknowledgment.
“We’ll reach camp before nightfall,” Mien exhaled, still recalling that stunning arrow shot. Truly worthy of the Iron Mask who crossed Kunad Kingdom alone and earned his reputation – living up to the legends.
“There we can rest. Regarding Helburg’s internal affairs, I’ll gather more information for you. The city gates are completely sealed – infected people can’t enter or leave, and camp personnel can’t enter either.”
“For your safety, I wouldn’t recommend entering the city. But since you’ve resolved to join us here, you must be prepared.”
“At camp, I’ll make inquiries for you. Tell me your family members’ names – I’ll try to locate them.”
Wade nodded again.
Mien placed his right fist over his left shoulder and bowed slightly in salute, which Wade returned in kind.
The closer they got to Helburg, the wider the road became. The convoy sped up, crossing a stone arched bridge along the main road.
At dusk, black city walls came into Wade’s view – so tall they blocked the setting sun, appearing endless. Beside the walls flowed the lower reaches of the Milat River from Opal, where the transport docks were located.
Previously, merchants, adventurers and travelers constantly streamed through the gates. Even at night, the area bustled with noise and stationed guards everywhere. But now, the stone gates stood shut, even the bridge drawn up. Only heavily armored knights stood guard outside like jailers.
Wade recognized them as the church’s paladins – each breastplate engraved with a cross.
The camp Mien mentioned was on the opposite riverbank, several miles from Helburg in the wilderness. Sharpened logs planted in mud formed a palisade, with paladins stationed everywhere.
Wade suddenly worried – would his disguise be detected by these holy knights? He’d never interacted with church personnel before, always avoiding paladins and priests during his travels.
Fortunately, the paladins didn’t inspect them directly. Another group of kingdom knights escorted them to empty tents elsewhere. Since they might carry infection, they weren’t permitted into the main camp yet. They’d need observation to confirm their health before being cleared.