36 Chapter 35, Scheming against each other_1

Though his connections increased by one, Hudson couldn't feel happy. Compared with his previous social interactions, the price he paid this time was too heavy; his purse was getting thin.

If he had further ambitions for his territory, then he would undoubtedly need to keep spending. On the battlefield, not only were the fires of war ever-present, but so were human relations and worldly wisdom.

If he didn't have the power to gain a reputation instantly, then he would need to build good relationships. Having these relationships might not necessarily guarantee success, but not having them would most likely lead to failures.

The idea of "making money" resurfaced in Hudson's mind. He churned out one plan after another, but none of them were suitable.

After checking them over, Hudson helplessly found that robbery was currently the most suitable method for getting rich quickly.

Glancing at the slow-moving grain convoy, Hudson had to temporarily put aside this idea. With the rebels appearing now, it wasn't clear who would be robbing whom?

Walking along the path, Hudson's face suddenly turned pale. There were birds hovering without descending. If he could not figure out the problem now, that would mean he had learned nothing from the military tactics he had studied.

Without any hesitation, Hudson ordered, "Stop moving. Set up camp and be on high alert for enemy ambushes."

There was no way to run. With the burden of provisions and supplies, Hudson did not believe he could outrun the rebels.

If he abandoned his supplies and ran, not only would his noble title be at risk, but the entire Fifth Army would also be put into danger due to his actions. He figured these people would probably chase him across the continent for the rest of his life.

Hudson, who did not want to live in exile this early, felt it was necessary to continue struggling. After calming down, the beating of Hudson's heart finally slowed.

The Allied Forces had Gryphon Cavalry. If a large group of rebels had infiltrated, it would be impossible to evade the eyes in the sky.

Serf soldiers may be incompetent, but there were still over four thousand of them. As long as they did not fall into enemy ambushes, they wouldn't shy away from small rebel forces.

Hudson didn't believe that the sneaky Skeleton Society could train something as elite as the Crimson Knights' Brigade in such a short time.

Military training was a skill. On the Continent of Aslante, where knowledge was strictly controlled, these skills were passed down from father to son.

Even if the Skeleton Society could recruit some talents in this area, they couldn't be too powerful. After all, the Skeleton Society was unable to provide them with practical training. Just a few theories couldn't make them experts.

Starting from the time when the Skeleton Society first rebelled, the time they had for training could be at most two or three months.

In such a short time, there was basically no possibility to create an elite force from nothing.

Who could help that this was the Extraordinary World?

No matter how well ordinary people were trained, they could not be considered true elites. Like the renowned Crimson Knights' Brigade, even the most regular soldier was a ranked warrior.

Everyone was on the same level, the difference is just between laughing at someone who walks fifty steps for a shortcoming when you have the same shortcoming but at a hundred paces, Hudson thought he could give it a try.

...

"High Priest, we've captured two enemy spies."

Upon hearing the report from his men, the elderly man in a gray robe turned green with anger. He was part of those preparing for an ambush, and capturing enemy spies meant revealing their position. Didn't it?

Being angry was meaningless. People with his "intelligence and courage" were few and far between in the Skeleton Society.

This ambush was actually a last-minute decision. If word hadn't reached him that the main forces of the Fifth Army had rolled out together, he would not have taken out the two thousand "elites" who had less than two months of training to launch an ambush.

Reality proved these people were not ready for the task. Despite repeated orders not to raise their heads, the enemy sent out two spies and managed to lure them out.

In unawareness of the trouble they'd caused, they still came to "ask for credit". If it wasn't for the urgent need for manpower, he would really like to slap this annoying guy to death.

Looking at the unharmed spies, the man in the gray robe let out a sigh of relief. Being captured without any injuries meant there was probably no resistance, showing they didn't have a firm resolve.

"Very good, I have recorded your merit. After the fight, I will reward you accordingly. Keep those people here. You can leave now.

Rick, distribute the courage potion and tell the soldiers to take it only after I give the order."

While speaking, the man in the gray robe's eyes suddenly emitted a green glow.

With just one glance, the two spies, who were still in a state of confusion, seemed to have lost their souls, their eyes were dull, and they knelt down towards the old man.

"Master!"

Hearing this address, the man in the gray robe smiled slightly and kindly asked, "What are your names?"

"George!"

"Gaddy!"

Seeing this scene, the rebel leader who initially wanted to claim more credit broke out in a cold sweat. He gave a trembling salute, turned around and hurried away.

Now he finally understood why his colleagues in the society were afraid of the "kind-faced" High Priest in front of him.

This strange and mysterious ability was enough to frighten anyone who saw it!

...

"Regiment Commander, everything in the jungle is normal. There were just two wild deer fighting, which we've taken care of. Here are the spoils of our battle, exactly the tribute for…"

Pointing at the two deer lying on the ground, Gaddy was excitedly explaining; unfortunately, this long-winded excuse obviously couldn't deceive Hudson.

Could two deer fighting cause the birds to hover indefinitely in the sky? It seemed only ignorant country bumpkins who hadn't received any military education might believe such a thing.

If they had to make up an excuse, they should at least make it sound plausible - like magical beasts fighting. But if it really were magical beasts, these two wouldn't be able to return unscathed.

The possibility of bribery was unlikely as these two men were randomly selected by Hudson. To coincidentally come across two traitors would be too much of a celestial coincidence.

Besides, bribing serfs to become traitors was such a brainless act that only someone completely drunk would commit.

Looking at the expressions of the two, they did not seem to be lying. A lightbulb moment struck Hudson, and he instantly understood.

Only extraordinary power could explain how two people could be controlled in such a short period.

What tactics the enemy was using, Hudson didn't know. All he knew was that his rationality was telling him to avoid meddling.

"Okay, leave the things here. You two should rest first. After I've eaten, the troops will continue marching."

Watching the two men leave, Hudson sneered. Sure enough, they were being controlled. Who didn't know of Regiment Commander Hudson's rules? How could it be possible to continue the march after setting up camp?

Let's wait, and wait as long as needed. It would be best to stall until tomorrow and see who can outlast who.

He glanced at the deer on the ground and shook his head. Although venison was delicious, he dared not eat something of unknown origin.

There were many ways to harm people in the Extraordinary World. Who knew what kind of tampering had been done to the two deer sent by the rebels.