The victory of a religion in another world is so easy?

Both sides are now on a high slope, separated by a small stream that only reaches knee-deep. The stream can only slightly hinder the army's advance, but it is still considered terrain that is advantageous to the defenders.

Moreover, if the enemy tries to charge, they will switch from equal altitude to low ground. Nowadays, the slingers of the Fengrang Mercenary Group have all been replaced with archers.

As long as they charge in, a few volleys of arrows can still reduce the enemy's numbers significantly.

I'm afraid the other side is reckless.

After receiving Tanl's letter requesting help, Count Black Brown opened it, read it, and then placed it in the tidying area to the side.

He had roughly figured out the origins of this mercenary group. They came from Crescent Moon Territory and were probably driven to desperation by the war, which is why they became mercenaries.

Their weapons and equipment, as well as the commander's intellect, were all highly appreciated by Count Black Brown. He was truly surprised by the quality of the mercenaries. In other times, he might have even tried to recruit this mercenary leader, Tanl.

But none of that matters now. What he needs now is the troops to fill in the gaps. As long as they complete their mission well, he, as a nobleman, will not renege on his payment of the commission. The only question is whether they can survive.

Earl Black Brown was well aware that Marquis Green Leaf was plotting something, so he had already arranged for another army. There was more than one passage from Black Brown Territory to Green Leaf Territory.

Now that it has been confirmed that the Marquis of Greenleaf has committed troops to Tan'er, he can take a different route and strike directly into the heart of the Marquis of Greenleaf's territory.

Just as Count Black Brown set off to take a detour and launch a surprise attack, the conflict in Tanl officially broke out.

The opposing commander was clearly well aware that while his individual mercenaries were capable of fighting, they were no match for a group of pigs when they attacked together. Therefore, he only deployed two mercenary groups, one in front and one behind.

Tanl's heart sank slightly; the reply he received from the Black-Brown Earl was to remain steadfast.

Although he was given another two hundred men, it is estimated that there will be no more reinforcements.

But as for withdrawing troops, regardless of whether the five hundred or so Black Brown Earl's direct troops agree, mercenaries have no right to disobey orders as long as their employer has paid them.

Moreover, Earl Black Brown isn't particularly ruthless; now that he's fighting 650 against 1400-1500, the pressure has been greatly reduced.

"Loose the arrows!" With Tanl's command, the archers drew their bows and released arrows, raining down on the charging soldiers as if they were free.

Tanl didn't know the origins of these mercenaries, nor did he know if they were simply dragged onto the battlefield for a meal.

If he were still the old Torch Church paladin, he might have thought such a conflict was pointless and cruel.

But now, there is no mercy or justice on the battlefield.

The power to annihilate the enemy is the same as the mercy to one's own people; for every enemy killed, the casualties of one's own soldiers will be reduced.

Although the stream was only knee-deep, it was still effective in slowing down the opponent's charge, thus increasing the impact of the arrows.

After two or three volleys of arrows, most of the mercenaries at the forefront were killed or wounded and began to scatter. The deserters were then killed by the overseers in the rear. Tanl didn't even notice what their flag was. Just like that, a mercenary group was gone forever.

Without Rand's "Reference on the Use of War Strategy" and without the favor of Earl Black Brown, the Fengrang Mercenary Group might have met the same fate as these mercenaries who were used to consume arrows.

Then came the second and third waves of mercenaries, some carrying large shields, but the spearmen and halberdiers waiting on the riverbank would show them that even after crossing the stream, getting ashore would not be easy.

Tanl no longer needs to refer to "Reference for the Use of War Strategy". He can recite this booklet by heart even if it is upside down. Every time he thinks about it, he can't help but marvel at the amazing wisdom of the Envoy Rand.

……

At the hideout, Rand was also busy. Adventurers were gradually arriving at the resort, and various matters needed to be started.

Rand was still wondering if mixing the juice could remind Tanl and the mercenary soldiers of the taste of home, even though they might have never tasted this kind of juice before.

The package sent to Tanl contained plenty of sugar and spices, enough for all the mercenaries to have a cup. When they return, they can enjoy it at cost price.

It's just a matter of how many people will come back. In fact, not only Tanl, but Rand can also remember the name of every soldier who went to Blackbrown Territory. These people were all trained by him personally, and he hopes that none of them will return.

Of course, Rand knew that this was impossible. As the mercenary group's strength grew, the situation in the Frostmoon Kingdom became increasingly tense, and the mercenary group would inevitably have to participate in this conflict.

Casualties are inevitable.

However, if the Fengrang Mercenary Group can join, there will be a chance for the Crescent Moon Territory to become autonomous. After all, after the reshuffling, there will be a lot of territories available, and those greedy nobles will no longer need to focus on this poor and remote place.

If it weren't for the White King's support and the fact that Crescent Moon Territory itself is still quite strong, it might have been wiped out by the nearby nobles long ago.

The pace of development must be accelerated again and again.

With the autumn harvest approaching, various matters need to be addressed, but the most important thing right now is to seduce Elsa.

Rand prepared a map of the ruins and placed it in the most conspicuous place in the sacrificial chamber. He would bring Elsa over to see it from time to time and occasionally mention the map.

Rand estimated that Elsa could tell that he had deliberately placed the map there, but Rand knew very well that her kleptomania was not something that reason could stop.

Chapter 56: The Torch Church's Another Mediation and Adventure Underway

Rand tapped the small blackboard and wrote today's lesson on it: first aid and hygiene.

Rand pointed to the brass utensils on the table, which he had taken from the lab table Ellie had bought: "This is for distilling alcohol."

"You don't need to know how to make distilled alcohol. Just know that, apart from the alcohol rationed at the hideout, none of it can be used to clean wounds."

Low-strength alcohol will only cause wound infection, and is even worse than water.

Looking at the believers listening attentively below the stage, Rand thought to himself that when he was in school, he was not even a tenth as attentive as these people.

“If there’s no medical alcohol provided at the hideout, then you can use water and then wrap the wound with boiled gauze,” Rand continued. These people would later become junior officers and village officials, forming the foundation of Rand’s rule.

In this era, the aristocracy's rule over the lower classes was very primitive, consisting only of collecting land rent or conscripting militia, a practice that Rand called inefficient.

Rand's religious rule will affect every aspect of life. It's not apparent when the population is small, but as the population grows, the war potential of a stronghold will be several times greater than that of an ordinary noble territory.

After class, Rand passed by the office with practiced ease. The office was now separated from the sacrificial chamber by several partitions, and there were more people there now.

Some talented individuals who are quick at reading and doing math have been assigned to train. Although they are currently only hindering Ellie and Olena, making them busier, they will play a positive role once they become more familiar with the process.

As Ellie and Olena's workload increased, Rand had to come and help as well.

Rand's workstation was by the window. After sitting down, he picked up a file, looked at it, and asked Olena next to him, "Where did this intelligence come from?"

Olena smiled, glanced at Ellie, and said, "Ellie has bribed the eunuchs of nearby nobles, so information about a certain high-ranking noble in the area will now be available to us simultaneously."

Rand thought the probability was very low, but since Olena had said so, he couldn't expose her, so he pretended to believe her: "So the Torch Church is planning to intervene again?"

Since the discovery of gold mines in the Southern Kingdom, the two countries, which already had territorial disputes, were on the verge of a fight. If the intelligence was correct, the Torch Church once again chose to mediate.

In fact, if it weren't for being on the opposite side of the Torch Church, Rand would have greatly admired the Torch Church's ideals.

The Torch Church upholds order and peace, and practices it without any pretense.

They would still intervene in matters that had nothing to do with them, hoping that people on the mainland would maintain peace and reduce internal strife.

But given the current situation, it is destined to be relegated to the dustbin of history.

There are already many conflicts among the humans on the continent. Previously, the existence of the Church of the Blood of Nourishment was used to forcibly suppress these conflicts. Now that the greatest enemy for unification has disappeared, if the Church of the Torch still wants to forcibly maintain peace, then it is destined to stand in opposition to all human monarchical states.

The country that is invaded and suffers losses wants revenge, while the country that was invaded and forcibly mediated wants more, and the conflict will only intensify.

Starting with this forced mediation of the gold mine war, the Torch Church's influence in the human kingdoms will gradually weaken.

This will also leave room for the Rand's Goddess of Abundance cult to develop.

In fact, the order upheld by the Torch Church is also problematic, because this order is based on the exploitation of serfs and free people by the nobility. As productivity develops, the Torch Church will gradually weaken. However, now that it has taken the initiative to interfere in the politics of human nations, it will only suffer misfortune sooner.

Rand took another document. Since it was autumn, Ellie had put on a sweater, which made her look much calmer, but you could still see her liveliness and energy in her bright, sparkling eyes.

Olena always wore a form-fitting outfit, which made it easy for her to get into battle at any time, but it also made her figure stand out.

Adventurers are currently gathering at the Adventurers' Resort, and it is estimated that the first team to explore the ruins will set off soon.

Such complete facilities gave these adventurers, who were unaware of the specifics of the ruins, a lot of confidence. At least they could confirm that the managers here intended to operate it for a long time, which meant that the wealth inside the ruins was not small.

Even before the adventurers go down to explore, the hideout is already profitable, since all the food, clothing, shelter and transportation are consumption.

Without houses, these adventurers, who are used to sleeping in the open, might just set up a tent and go. But since there are places to stay, taverns, and blacksmith shops, those adventurers who are financially well-off will naturally not be too stingy.

However, the mixed juices aren't selling very well right now. Before they can acquire wealth from the ruins, there aren't many adventurers willing to spend money to experience luxury drinks.

However, the financial deficit of the den has shown clear signs of reversal.

……

At this moment, Elsa was wearing close-fitting leather armor, her whole body completely covered.

She stared silently at the map of the ruins in her hand, biting her lip.

Elsa was 90 percent certain that the map of the ruins was deliberately placed there by the lord named Rand to lure her in, and that taking it would inevitably lead her into his trap, but she still couldn't resist stealing it.

From a young age, she was blessed by an unknown deity. Her skillful hands gave her extraordinary talent and abilities, but along with them came the malice of this deity. Elsa could not control her desire to steal.

"This is probably how my life will be," Elsa thought dejectedly as she watched herself fall into the trap of the greedy, heartless lord.

Returning the map of the ruins now is pointless; we can only take it one step at a time.

However, Elsa didn't understand why Rand did this. Was it to make her steal valuable treasures so that she could control her forever? But judging from Rand's behavior after she stole her underwear, apart from being greedy for money, she didn't seem like such an evil person.

Before the group of adventurers set off, Elsa took the map of the ruins and entered the ruins.

At the entrance to the ruins, traces of an explosion and dried blood remain. According to the staff at the resort, Lord Rand personally slew a golem taller than a mountain and a serpent longer than a river.

Although Elsa was reluctant to believe it, there were indeed undried serpent bones placed above the resort, at the entrance to what Rand called the sacrificial chamber.

Is this really something that can be done by one person's great power? The Lord of Rand was clearly sneaking up behind her and stealing from her, yet he couldn't even notice in time.

According to the map, the ruins have ten levels, each containing different buildings, knowledge, and wealth.

The treasure marked on the route map was on the first level, the level closest to the surface. Elsa cautiously entered the first level of the ruins.

As a thief, she is proficient in all other professional skills except for her thieving skills, which is the reason why she has been able to work alone for so many years.

The first level of the ruins is very spacious, larger than the Adventurer's Resort and the village on the upper level combined, and looks like a remnant of some ancient civilization.

Is the White King's family history really that long? It's even connected to ancient civilizations.

Now she was starting to look forward to what the treasure on the map might be.

Chapter 57 Rand could also be a master at torturing Lysa (probably).

Although Elsa has mastered most of the thief's class skills, she prefers stealth, flanking, and assassination to poisons, smoke bombs, and bombs.

If thieves were to be categorized into different schools, she would likely fall into the category of assassins who lean towards martial arts.

The first floor is a marble structure, filled with patrolling mechanical guards and traps, but none of these pose a challenge to her.

After bypassing all the traps and guards, she arrived at the treasure chest.

A mechanical guard, much larger than the others, was crouching in front of the treasure chest.

After all, there are bound to be difficulties before a treasure chest, even though the style of this treasure chest is completely out of place with its surroundings.

Elsa hesitated greatly. This treasure chest was obviously too conspicuous here! Wasn't this just a deliberate trap?