Counter-attack

The peril of Lulon Kingdom was nigh with the invading force already ransacking most of the coaster cities of the east. Few of the northern states and cities were safe because of the mountainous topography.

The village where Noah was the safest, Alastair already predicted it which was why he decided to reside in his hometown. It could let them to survive longer than anyone else while he too protected his friends and family.

He never expected that his daughter would round up in a bloody battle with the nobles but he wasn't that worried about it. The nobles would be destroyed soon enough when the Seracin's invade. But now that he gotten the news about the princess, he was in a dilemma.

Regardless, they were about to take the first step which was to make a way for them to get down the mountain safely and repelled Sablethorn's forces. He could think about everything else after accomplishing this mission.

When the bout between Noah and him commenced that was to eliminate the nearest monster dens, few people were planning their own attacks. Young lord of Sablethorn who pushed back to the base of the mountain gathered his own men to take revenge for humiliation he suffered last week.

" Chaucer? Did you have any word regarding the Flame Emperor? Is he still hiding inside the village?" Young lord asked.

" That seemed to be the case my lord. With his disciples injured, he had no choice but to rely on those pesky rebels especially on that witch's power!" He was fuming with rage.

Years of planning was ruined and Chaucer would be held responsible by the Merchant Union. He had no way out of this that's why he had to stay with the young lord hoping to gain something out of it in the end.

He paid a heavy price and is not crippled. Before fleeing he did retrieve his severed hand but after a week, he had no choice to bury it as it was beginning to rot. As far as Mera's power was concerned, it had a limit that any detached limb had to be treated within few hours or else the treatment would fail. He had to take revenge on that unknown sorcerer!

 " Young lord, we failed to scale the mountain. For some reason the monsters are relentless and our army suffered few casualties. We would need much larger force if we are to clear the roads." The first Knight captain informed him.

Young Sablethorn was aware of the presence of ferocious monsters in the forest. Merchants would often ask to lend few knights to traverse area around their territory but even then, this phenomenon was strange. 

" Maybe because of Seracin, they are migrating? That seemed to explain why our forces are suffering defeat. They dare not to come out of the forest because they don't have any cover in the wide grassland surrounding the mountain. I think lord should ask for more renforcement and thin out their numbers before there is a monster tide threatening the city." The second knight captain put forward his hypothesis.

" No, that would leave a way out for those bastards. We have to choke them out as well as direct some powerful monsters toward their village. With their little numbers, we would be killing two birds with one stone." Sablethorn added.

He was adamant to capture Mera, the lust had blinded his judgement still being a Commander he could come up with a effective plan to encircle their enemies. It was unsure whether the little village would survive a monster tide but he was willing to try it!

Chaucer's eye lit up, he had the perfect person for the job.

" Young lord, why don't we invite some experts?"

" Are you serious? Those sorcerers are unreliable! Do you want them to betray us again?"

" No lord, I wasn't talking about them. I happen to learn that Silver Star had taken refuse in Sablethorn's territory."

" Thieves guild owner? Why didn't I hear about it?" Sablethorn asked. Thieves guild had been a nuisance of nobles for decades. Being of their mysterious background and widespread influence, no one even the Royal Knights were able to capture the mysterious owner.

Now Chaucer was mentioning the owner's name so casually? There must be some relation between them and the Merchant guild. He squinted his eyes waiting for Chaucer reply.

 On the other hand, Chaucer immediately knew that his dumb lord was thinking. Anyone that sided against these nobles or even helped their enemies were to receive harsh punishment that included the capital and death by hanging so he had to use his words correctly.

" Forgive me my lord!" He kneeled down which was rare because up until now, he acted as his partner in crime. He would butter him up but never let go of the ego but now he was kneeling in front of the young lord?

He was willing to do anything as long as he obtained the mystical medicine along with the incense making technique of the village. Beside, the merchant guild wouldn't let go for his failure which was why he came up with a perfect plan to get rid of both of his enemies in one fell swoop! He hid his smile and came up with a perfect story that even Count wouldn't be able to see through!