Chapter 80: Chapter 80: A Special Way to Pass a Message
After finishing his inspection of the rice paddies, Duane went for a tour of Lingang Village.
When he saw Hardy’s large, empty courtyard, Duane decided not to return to Broken Wave City after all.
He had Owington and Jasmine lead a few people to clean up the rooms and decided to stay directly in Lingang Village.
It was closer to the south, which would save him from traveling back and forth.
The night passed peacefully.
Whether it was because there was enough food in the river or because the Frog Fish Monsters hadn’t discovered the human village to the north, they currently showed no intention of attacking.
The next morning, all three of Duane’s squads had assembled. Even the thirty militia members recruited over the past few days were brought over.
The official Guard Squads were all clad in armor, carrying weapons and shields, looking every bit the part of elite soldiers.
The militia, on the other hand, looked rather shabby. Most of them not only lacked proper-fitting armor, but they didn’t even have decent weapons.
A few were even carrying curved blades meant for cutting firewood.
However, their expressions were full of excitement, as if they were about to do something truly extraordinary.
Duane, of course, had no intention of sending these militia members to their deaths.
He had gathered them purely to let them gain some experience and build up their courage in preparation for future actions.
"Kaelon, what are you doing here?"
Duane saw Kaelon, who didn’t look well, and Benur beside him.
Having gone through a similar ordeal, the two of them seemed to have grown a bit closer.
"With the Demon Beast invasion, I was worried for your safety, so I came."
Duane praised his sentiment and couldn’t help but pat his shoulder. "The operation is imminent. You need to get well soon."
Kaelon paused, then, as if he’d understood something, nodded solemnly.
"Even if it’s just to vent the anger in my heart, I’ll get myself back in top condition!"
In truth, the injuries from his last duel had already mostly healed.
His current poor state and the severe dark circles under his eyes were purely from a lack of food.
Lately, the mere sight of food made him want to vomit.
"Kaelon and Benur, you two won’t be on the front lines today. Stay in the rear with the militia and observe."
"Alright."
Before long, the men from the Broken Wave Gang arrived.
The twenty-man team was led by Gaius. Duane also spotted Hardy, Kubatu, and Iron Hammer, as well as several of the Basic-level Warriors who had been subdued that day.
It seemed most of the Broken Wave Gang’s elites were here.
Gaius dismounted and bowed to Duane, his demeanor extremely respectful.
"Good day, Baron. On the orders of our leader, Bard, I have brought the elites of the Broken Wave Gang to answer your call. During the operation, we will be completely under your command!"
He deliberately emphasized the last part of his sentence.
Duane understood. Bard was likely indicating that Gaius’s men would cooperate even if the operation was against the Holy Hand Association.
"Good. You and your men rest for now. We’ll discuss the plan of action once the people from the Holy Hand Association arrive."
Duane added, "Our priority is to clear out the Frog Fish Monsters threatening the village."
"As you command."
Gaius led his men aside, resting while observing the Baron’s troops.
Compared to a month ago, he felt that the men under the Baron’s command seemed to have grown much stronger.
This strength wasn’t in their power, but in their spirit. He saw cohesion and impressive readiness.
Looking back at his own side, the quality of their troops was several levels lower.
After returning last time, Gaius and Bard had a long talk.
The Baron had now established a firm foothold on Black Forest Island. Considering his background, they had little chance of turning the tables.
’Pledging allegiance seems to be a good option.’
Just as Gaius’s thoughts were wandering, the people from the Holy Hand Association arrived.
The leaders this time were once again Simone and Kalina, who were old acquaintances of Duane’s by now.
Although he recognized the two of them, Duane didn’t know most of the people they had brought.
"Baron, we meet again!"
Kalina took the initiative to bow. "Daniels sent Simone and me to support you."
Duane nodded in acknowledgment. "The Broken Wave Gang sent one Advanced Warrior and three Middle Level Warriors. What’s your configuration?"
Kalina was slightly stunned. ’Why would the Broken Wave Gang commit so much?’
She quickly recovered. "Even if the men you mentioned ganged up, I’m afraid they would be no match for Simone."
Gaius snorted coldly and said mockingly, "What, did the Holy Hand Association only send Simone? Where’s Uleir?"
"Tsk tsk. Back then, you were as timid as a little puppy, too scared to even try and hold my hand."
Kalina laughed. "Gaius, since when did you learn to talk so tough?"
"You!"
Duane quickly stepped in to stop the argument. ’I really can’t figure this Kalina out,’ he thought. ’How does she have entanglements with so many men?’
’Could she be the social butterfly of Black Forest Island?’
"Just tell us your combat strength so we can make better arrangements."
Kalina shot Gaius a disdainful look before replying.
"Besides Simone and myself, an Intermediate Mage, the Holy Hand Association has also brought Middle Level Warrior Harry, two Basic-level Warriors, and the remaining fourteen are all well-trained fighters."
Clearly, the overall strength of the group from the Holy Hand Association was inferior to that of the Broken Wave Gang.
Duane nodded and looked at Raymond. "You arrange the attack force."
"Yes, my lord!"
Raymond stepped forward and began to recount the situation from the previous day when he had probed the Frog Fish Monster swarm.
Duane listened from the side, his gaze falling upon Simone.
The Advanced Warrior, who wore a full beard and already looked weathered, now appeared even more world-weary. His beard didn’t even seem to be groomed.
At that moment, Simone’s gaze also turned toward Duane.
It was an expectant, urgent gaze, as if he had a great deal to say, which struck Duane as odd.
Suddenly, Simone’s eyes flickered downward, and Duane’s followed.
He saw that the man seemed to be holding something rolled up in his hand.
Just then, the leather wine pouch at Simone’s waist fell to the ground.
He bent over to pick it up.
Kalina glanced over, but she couldn’t see anything from her angle.
But from Duane’s perspective, it was a different story.
He clearly saw the Fighting Qi at Simone’s fingertips create a small hole in the ground, and the object in his hand smoothly slid into it.
As Simone picked up the wine pouch, a casual flick of his hand disturbed the dust, perfectly sealing the hole.
Simone straightened up and looked at Duane again with that same intense gaze.
Duane was stunned by the sight. ’What kind of maneuver was that?’
Nevertheless, he gave a slight nod to show he had seen.
Only then did Simone finally seem to relax.
Raymond’s briefing continued for some time.
Finally, he decided on the assignments.
The twenty men from the Broken Wave Gang would form the main assault, while the entire Holy Hand Association contingent and twenty men from the Lord’s forces would provide support from the flanks.
The remaining men would form a perimeter to ensure the Frog Fish Monsters had no escape route.
Duane had no objections to this arrangement.
He only made one point: as a Middle Level Warrior, he would also be joining the battle.
’After all, in a world like this, you can’t get by without experiencing life-or-death combat. This campaign to exterminate the Demon Beasts is a perfect training opportunity for me.’
’Besides, my Mastery Level Basic Swordsmanship and Spirit Swordsmanship will only improve quickly through actual combat.’
Raymond didn’t refuse. He could only ask the out-of-sorts Kaelon to stay by Duane’s side and protect him.
While the three parties went to prepare their men, Duane casually walked over to where Simone had been standing and discreetly retrieved the object he had buried.
It was a piece of paper rolled into a cylinder, clearly meant for transmitting some kind of secret message.
Duane was extremely curious. What could Simone possibly want to tell him that required such caution and this peculiar method of delivery?
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