Witch Hunter Rhapsody

Chapter 19 On the Eve of the Siege

The Flying Eagle Knights travel along the forest paths.

They were in groups of three, with the better-equipped person leading the way and the less well-equipped person providing cover on either side.

Dozens of such squads were spread out, but there was a way to ensure that each squad could see the other squad.

This was Vitas's arrangement; trying to advance in such a forest by relying on a unified formation was unrealistic and would only slow down the progress.

Mercenaries are not professional soldiers, at least not the soldiers of the Flying Eagle Knights that Vitas is currently cooperating with.

Leon and Helena are trying their best to learn Vitas's plan, and Vitas is quite generous in telling them what to do.

"Places like this are perfect for fighting. This slope can effectively hinder the charge of those tall beasts; in human warfare terms, it can stop a cavalry charge."

Vitas pointed to the surrounding terrain.

"When marching, try to find flat terrain. The front column should have a way to communicate with the columns behind. You don't have many people. When the number of people increases, the baggage and supplies will need to be guarded by dedicated people."

"Mr. Vitalius, how many people were in your previous team?"

"Nearly two thousand people, these are the core members. We sometimes hire some support staff. But the core combat personnel are still the same people."

Two thousand people? That's unbelievable!

Even when Vitas recalled it, he found it hard to believe that he had actually created such a large knightly order.

In terms of numbers, only the professional armies established by nations can surpass their own; among free mercenaries, there are few knightly orders that can outnumber them.

"It's really strange that we've never heard of the knightly order you used to serve!"

Vitas, on the contrary, took it quite well.

"There are many people in this world who never even leave their village in their entire lives, and it's not that they don't know it."

Vitas himself was also completely ignorant for the first eighteen years of his life, only realizing how vast the outside world was after leaving his family.

In this vast world, it's perfectly normal to have things you don't know.

"Hey Helena, don't try to find out about Mr. Vitalius's past. It's very impolite."

"Tsk, Leon, shut up!"

Helena knew that Vitas and his former companions had experienced some rather tragic events.

It could be a complete break, or even total annihilation. Out of respect for Vitas, Helena didn't make it public, but Leon didn't know, otherwise he wouldn't have said such a thing.

Sure enough, Helena noticed a slight change in Vitas's expression, but ultimately said nothing.

Helena then glared at Leon with an even more stern expression.

Leon felt quite resentful, his eyes twitching, and the conversation between the three ended there.

"Alright, let's set up camp now."

Vitas looked around. They had arrived at the place where they had previously observed Guros. According to the information obtained from the previous search by the Hell Scouts, Guros's lair was still about thirty miles away.

Let's set up camp first.

"Make sure the camp is reinforced, and sprinkle animal-repelling powder outside. I remember reminding you to buy plenty. I don't want to fight those bats and sheep again."

"Actually, it's not impossible. The bats and sheep we brought back last time made quite a bit of money."

The speaker was one of the few members of the Flying Eagle Knights who Vitas had some impression of. His name was Francis, but he had forgotten his surname. He was the mercenary in charge of selling the spoils of war. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties, in the prime of his life.

"We should complete the main objective first. If we have to kill those monsters along the way, we can naturally consider them as extra loot."

"Haha, you're really serious! I was just joking!"

"Old Francis, even we're finding your jokes a bit hard to stand!"

The members of the Flying Eagle Knights began preparing dinner with laughter and chatter. A campfire was lit in the center of the camp, and Vitas arrived at the edge of the camp.

The tent was surrounded by ropes with bells hanging from them. Vitas squatted down and weighed the bells in his hand. Fortunately, the breeze couldn't move them, and even if it did, it wouldn't make a loud noise.

He had seen some novices who camped out setting up similar warning devices, but the bells were blown by the wind all night and served no purpose.

At least in this respect, they have considerable experience.

"Vitas, come and eat!"

If you're sleeping outdoors, the food won't be particularly plentiful due to the need for carrying and cooking. It consists of coarse and hard black bread and beef jerky that's just as hard.

Throw the meat into water and boil it with a little salt; it can barely be called meat soup. Each person scoops a bowl and eats it with bread. If they think it's not flavorful enough, they spread on the jam or something they brought with them. This is enough to get by in the wild.

Vitas didn't receive any special treatment, but of course, he was happy with it.

More than thirty people gathered around the campfire and the large pot, chatting and laughing.

Helena and Leon sat on either side of Vitas. Vitas removed his helmet and gauntlets, and Helena felt that without that hideous and eerie helmet, Vitas's armor looked much more dignified and righteous.

"However, this forest isn't as dangerous as I imagined. We've walked for so long, and no wild animals have come near us."

Vitas simply shook his head, his expression serious, in response to the others' jokes and laughter.

"It's just because we have more people now. The beasts follow their instincts and won't recklessly attack us because we outnumber them."

Vitas added.

"But the beasts whose territories have been violated will certainly not let this go unpunished, which is why I'm telling you to keep your distance. If you spread out too much, you'll be attacked by the whole pack."

These words caused everyone around to look around in fear.

It's as if a deadly beast could appear at any moment in this dark forest.

Vitas said slowly.

"If we fight Guros, they might get involved too. Then we'll face an unexpected battle, which is no joke; people will die. Of course, I personally hope there won't be any casualties, but just in case, let me ask you first, how many of your comrades have you lost?"

Vitas looked at everyone with a sad and serious expression, while Helena and Leon's faces darkened.

"All five of them were among the first to join us in founding the Flying Eagle Knights; they represent our most painful memories."

"I'm so sorry."

Vitas lowered his head and pounded his chest with his left hand.

"It's alright, you're just doing this for our own good."

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy. Everyone quickly finished their food and then returned to their tents to rest.

Vitas did not use his own hut ring; he lived alone in a small tent.

As the night deepened, Vitas woke up once again.

He sighed and put on his helmet and gauntlets.

Even with upgraded equipment and the Eagle Knights' willingness to follow orders, they still weren't entirely confident in killing that many Guros.

In that case, Vitas has to do something.

Vitas would do everything he could to maximize the success rate of his hunts.