Chapter 1080: Chapter 599: Mission—Annihilate the Pigmen (2)
Normally, shouldn’t I be asking for more detailed information? Why ask about this?
However, this unusual attitude made Laura’s heart tremble. She had long forgotten what concern felt like, and the warmth that surged within her immediately dispelled her weariness.
After all, when she worked under Count Bastia, those people cared nothing for her life, easily resorting to beating and scolding.
Even within the Eagle Flock, the oppression she faced was significant, and the leader even wanted to kill her.
Although the count was shrewd and refined, when she met him with serious injuries at the time, he didn’t have a single kind word; his demeanor remained condescending.
Originally, Laura didn’t feel anything about it, as she’d never been respected in the first half of her life, treated as a tool. Yet now, the difference became apparent when comparing experiences at Hamlet.
"Ah... I’m fine!" Somewhat flustered words came from Laura’s mouth, not out of fear, but simply from an overwhelming sense of being unaccustomed to kindness.
"That’s good to hear. The Beast Lair is extremely dangerous, and you worked hard to bring back this news."
Lance wasn’t surprised by anything strange in the Beast Lair; after all, it was the dumping ground for the ancestors’ experiments, anything could be thrown in there.
Laura realized the importance of the matter and hurriedly supplemented the findings of the other two teams.
Regarding the discovery of the Pigman Weaponsmiths who revealed the source of transformation marks on these pigmen, showcasing their terrifying creativity.
When it came to this, Lance remained calm, but when Laura mentioned the breeding grounds, his expression instantly turned gloomy, fierce killing intent undisguised, speaking almost through clenched teeth.
"These pigmen must die! Leave not a single one!"
Without further words, he turned and began moving towards that direction.
Left alone, the two looked at each other. Though Grendel was displeased that Lance had been disturbed immediately upon returning, she knew the current situation was such that Lance couldn’t stay still.
Whether it was the mysterious and terrifying Meat Mountain or the intelligence and reproductive capabilities displayed by the pigmen, both touched upon the core interests of humanity.
Capturing people for breeding further crossed that man’s line.
She could only nod towards Laura in response.
"Go on, take care of the Lord. Tell him not to worry about matters in town."
Laura nodded in agreement, not giving it much thought before hastily following in Lance’s footsteps, as the Hawk soared into the sky.
Lance was indeed furious, rarely seen with a stern face, opting not for a carriage but a fast horseback pursuit.
Laura, having rushed back from the front lines, naturally prepared a mount, barely managing to keep up. The difference in horsepower was notable, as not everyone could power their horse to its limits; pushing too hard would exhaust the horse.
The second reason was technical skill; Laura, though capable of horse riding, was of average ability, far from reaching advanced expertise.
Thus, she was quickly left behind, further proving the Lord’s anger.
Lance didn’t linger at the outpost or the newly built town, instead rushing on.
Gradually, over five hundred convict laborers were deployed to this area. Over time, labor cleared the roads once ruined by the erosion of the wilderness, evidence that development always continued.
When he appeared at the third stronghold, there was some commotion; his tall figure astride a warhorse looked incredibly imposing.
Yet Lance’s stern features seemed oppressive.
Heroes and Honor Guards camped at the temporary base seemed ensnared by unease and depression.
Partly due to failing missions, betraying the Lord’s trust, and partly from hearing of the horrific scenes in the Beast Lair, overall the atmosphere was gloomy.
Lance’s arrival didn’t change this; instead, it intensified their pressure.
With his gaze sweeping over them, Lance didn’t comfort them as usual; instead, he delivered harsh words.
"I heard everything, that’s why I rushed here. Don’t display that look to me. I want the pigmen dead, not one should remain.
Because this is no longer just Hamlet’s battle with the pigmen; it’s humanity’s battle with the pigmen. They must—"
As he spoke, Lance roared emphatically at them.
"Die!"
Lance didn’t even employ the Enchanting Voice; his words simply gave these already resentful people a reason to vent.
"Kill!!!"
The suppressed anger in the Honor Guard’s hearts bubbled violently, their frenzied screams responding to the Lord’s stance.
The Lord’s will was the purpose of their actions, and the pigmen had to bear the brunt of his wrath.
Except for Boudica, who loved shouting loudly, the heroes were relatively calm. However, they all firmly held their weapons, eager to prove their loyalty through action.
Lance felt satisfied seeing them like this, but didn’t act immediately, instead suppressing their emotions.
"Control your anger. Rationality is our strongest weapon."
Lance dismounted, moving among the Honor Guards, starting to comfort and encourage them. After a round, their state directly reversed, displaying fighting enthusiasm.
"Now, I’m giving you time to rest and adjust your state, ready to act at any moment."
"Yes!"
The Honor Guards responded in unison, highlighting Lance like the moon surrounded by stars.
It was at this moment that Laura finally arrived, witnessing the scene. She knew when she left, the camp was enveloped in negativity, yet now all were brimming with fighting spirit.
Comparing the state before her departure, she could understand why these Honor Guards were so stirred.
After calming the Honor Guard, Lance turned to the heroes’ side.
Lance’s gaze lingered briefly on Paracelsus and Baldwin. They weren’t in the original plan, but there was no time to discuss it now.
"Explain the situation to me in detail."
Each party explained the originally devised plan, consuming the living force of the pigmen from the second position, while they led the Honor Guard in focused training against the pigmen.
Once completed, exploration from the third stronghold, right here, would further distract the pigmen, coordinating with the Honor Guard for surgical strikes on the Beast Lair.
Initially, everything went smoothly until an unknown, terrifying presence was triggered, temporarily halting operations.
They weren’t idly waiting; indeed, they integrated three teams’ new exploratory routes during this time, marking the new map.
Simultaneously researching new plans; Lance’s arrival only accelerated organizing a sufficiently powerful team to venture inside.
"A type of tough pigmen we’ve never seen, according to Laura, these were merely the guards that chased us."
Balistan revealed the Shield pierced by an iron javelin.
Upon seeing this, Lance understood the situation. It was an elite monster from the Beast Lair in the game, known as a Misty Cave Hunter, much more ferocious than the Giant Pincer Tidestealer.
"Your choice was correct. Our advantage is consistent combat capability from comprehensive logistics; not every moment is deadly. Risking without necessity is unwise."
Lance affirmed their decision. Facing casualties in a forced battle would aggravate him more.
"Where have the Honor Guard’s actions reached now?"
"The map is here."
Receiving the map, new pathways were drawn on it, alongside segments illustrating tunnels. It showed how quickly the Honor Guard acted, severing some peripheral roots.
Visible effects of the initial attrition warfare; peripheral pigmen were killed outright.
Inquiry with a few Honor Guards revealed they encountered no pigmen en route, just installing bombs and moving to the next.
As Lance examined the map, he began to prepare...prepare nothing, just go ahead and finish it!
"You just mentioned, amidst that shrill pig squeal, those pigmen went berserk. We just need to utilize this trait.
No plan required. Honor Guard continue to cut off pigmen’s escape routes, tighten from the periphery, preventing their escape.
Meanwhile, everyone follows me down to directly locate the monster, then completely annihilate the Beast Lair pigmen."
