Chapter 101: Target of Many Arrows

“Around thirty guards, and about twenty in the patrol team,” reported a jackalman, his voice a low, muffled growl.

“The best opportunity to strike is two hours after their midnight shift change,” said a half-elf. “We should take out the patrol team first.”

Had Wu Qingsong been present, he might have recognized this half-elf. He had recently visited this half-elf’s domain, the Greg Mine, located in close proximity to the Elmons Mine. He was practically their next-door neighbor.

“Signal Rom’s team to join us,” instructed another half-elf.

The jackalman then concealed himself behind a large tree, lifting a torch and waving it toward a distant spot. Moments later, a responding light flickered in that area before quickly extinguishing.

Before long, another group, camouflaged as a typical mercenary team, made their way to a small hill near the town. They ignited a fire and started setting up tents.

“Identify yourselves,” a patrol team of Wu Qingsong’s houndmen swiftly arrived at the scene.

“Just a passing mercenary group,” a half-elf rose from beside the fire. “Is there a problem with camping here?”

Despite Wu Qingsong’s efforts to change perceptions, the houndmen still struggled to shake off their habitual deference to half-elves.

“My Lord, your camp is too close to the town,” informed the captain of the houndmen patrol.

“At this late hour, where would you have us move?” the half-elf protested with dissatisfaction. “Moreover, with just a few of us here, what harm can we possibly do? Is your master so cowardly?”

The hyenamen and mastiffmen lounging around the fire let out low, unrestrained chuckles.

“I demand to meet your master. Even in Riniconia, travelers resting by a fire aren’t chased away. Banning camping on open land outside the city? I’ve never heard such nonsense,” the half-elf argued adamantly. “I didn’t want to bother him because it’s late, but if he’s being unreasonable, then I’m curious to see what kind of person he really is.”

The houndmen soldiers hesitated. Such situations become quite common recently. Wu Qingsong’s strict orders were to prevent anyone from approaching the city walls. Yet, for these adventurers, there was an innate desire to camp as close to the city walls as possible for the safety it offered. In case of sudden danger, the city wall guards could provide protection, and there might even be a chance to seek refuge within the city.

Was it necessary to disturb their lord over such an issue at this time?

After a brief exchange of looks, the leader of the houndmen patrol team declared, “You must leave by early tomorrow morning.”

“That’s more like it,” the half-elf replied, then returned to the fireside.

Once the patrol team left, the warriors, selectively recruited from various mercenary groups, began quietly inspecting their weapons and armor, gearing up for the impending battle.

The half-elf stood and gestured before the fire, which was soon reciprocated by someone at the earlier campsite. 

Their plan was unfolding seamlessly. This operation, long in the making, wasn’t the brainchild of a single person or organization but involved nearly all the influential groups in Esola.

Jealousy was the primary motivator.

Most of them had arrived in this area from nearby regions after the Esola City defense battle. Those who had joined the guard frequently bragged about the direness and ferocity of that battle. But hearing these tales repeatedly had lessened their impact.

Indeed, a horde of fierce insectoids might have killed almost everyone, but the true game-changers were Marquis Osaga, the great mage Lord Quintus, and the two young elves of the Fantali family. These survivors wondered, what did that have to do with them?

Without the timely arrival of the elves, these people wouldn’t have stood a chance of survival, let alone be in a position to exert authority over them now.

While they dared not openly express their resentment towards official personnel, having to carefully tend to them, there were others who had survived the Esola City Defense Battle and gained significant advantages. Among them was the Thirteenth Mercenary Group, a constant thorn in their side.

What especially rankled them was how hard they had toiled, facing massive casualties to collect enough antpeople heads to earn the right to manage a territory. Meanwhile, Wu Qingsong was conducting business with them, trading insectoid heads for food, then buying ant corpses cheaply to craft and sell high-priced armor back to them.

To secure this territory, they had paid nearly every conceivable price, relentlessly striving for more. In contrast, Wu Qingsong’s business flourished, with an endless stream of materials flowing into his base and products being shipped out.

Even Wu Qingsong’s houndmen had begun spending in Esola City and enjoying drinks in the newly reopened taverns during their time off.

Was this to be tolerated?

If it were any of the long-established, renowned mercenary groups, respected and adored by the people, it might have been a different story. But what significance did this Thirteenth Mercenary Group hold?

Out of curiosity, some delved into their records and discovered the group had been formed less than six months ago, further fueling everyone’s outrage.

However, while they continued trading with Wu Qingsong and despised him, what truly spurred their determination was a piece of information from the remnants of the Dark Hand.

“It seems the Thirteenth Mercenary Group has discovered the fortune accumulated by the Dark Hand over decades. They were the first to venture north. Chances are, they’ve even seized assets from the Saint’s Eye!”

These individuals were swiftly abducted and then securely detained.

They weren’t the core members of the Dark Hand mercenary group, but rather employees of the outpost in Esola City. When the insectoid wave erupted, naturally, not a single member from the headquarters made it out alive, and a majority of the outpost staff also perished in the Esola City defense battle.

Being the last survivors of the Dark Hand, they neither had the right nor the capacity to lay claim to the Dark Hand’s assets. Their attempts to volunteer their services to Wu Qingsong were coldly rebuffed. Subsequently, in a drunk state, they started spreading rumors.

The primary question on everyone’s mind was, “How much wealth did the Dark Hand actually possess?”

The Dark Hand mercenary group was a well-known entity, almost a legend in the Esola Hills region. They had managed the Elmons Mine for an extended period. Reportedly, the mine alone netted an annual profit of 20,000 renals. Added to this were the proceeds from the grain fields, marketplace taxes, and earnings from shops, blacksmiths, inns, and taverns. How much could that add up to each year?

50,000 renals? Or perhaps 100,000?

Speculations about this figure grew increasingly fantastical. Eventually, people came to a consensus that the Dark Hand’s treasure had to amount to at least 2 million renals or more.

And what of the wealth of the Saint’s Eye? How substantial was that?

No wonder this Tagraedi appeared so audacious.

Even the new city lord and sheriff were privy to these rumors and had called Wu Qingsong in, subtly suggesting that it was dishonorable and greedy of him to amass such wealth. They implied he should donate at least tens of thousands of renals in appreciation for their consistent support. Naturally, this unrealistic demand was outright rejected by Wu Qingsong, who was unaware of the underlying story.

It was absurd. They had agreed on a yearly tribute of 200 gold sols, and now they demanded tens of thousands out of thin air. Did they think money grew on trees?

These demands left the dignitaries feeling humiliated. 

If not for the Thirteenth Mercenary Group’s prior engagement with Marquis Osaga, they might have considered using the city guard to extinguish them!

Such ingratitude and lack of appreciation, they thought, warranted a stern lesson.

This attitude from the officials soon spread through an informed source.

The leaders of the merchant associations were even more adamant, declaring that those who disrupted the commercial order and ignored the rules deserved to be wiped off the face of the earth.

The plan was simple. Eliminate Wu Qingsong. Regardless of who succeeded him, their goal was the mining rights to the Elmons Mine, controlling the sales of its products, with all gains distributed among the mercenary groups. If necessary, they were even ready to provide an interest-free loan for this mission.

With this, everyone’s hesitations vanished.

For secrecy, only a few of the most powerful mercenary groups were chosen to participate. They assembled two strike teams composed of their most formidable fighters and, disguised as regular mercenary groups, they neared the town controlled by the Thirteenth Mercenary Group.

The remaining force of nearly five hundred personnel lay hidden near the Greg Mine, poised and waiting for the signal to advance.

Yet, every member of the assault teams consisted of a cadre of over forty meticulously chosen, battle-seasoned veterans. They were convinced that their prowess was more than enough to overcome a mercenary group that had only recently formed.

The Thirteenth Mercenary Group?

Unfortunately for them, after tonight, they were destined to be relegated to a mere footnote in history.