196 127. Beasts Invasion? (1/2)

John asked about other important matters to Marsh, ”Any news from the informant?”

Marsh nodded and gave a letter, ”Yes, Interior Minister Taylor has prepared men and all the resources required to make a base here. Those men will be traveling here today to fortify the base.”

John nodded and continued, ”Good, on time as always, Did the informant spoke anything about Jay's Operation.”

Marsh shook his head as he spoke and gave a voice rune to John, ”No, it was Arlen's subordinate who came to deliver information orally that there were no problems as the ghosts didn't let people enter the North-East Zone and cannon results have been over the expectations and their operation is going really well. Minister Jay particularly mentioned that the Runic Canons were quite handy and their results were over the top. He feels that they can even fight a group of dragon knights with this cannon. Here is the voice rune which is addressed to you.”

John nodded as he got the gist of the current situation after hearing the rune, ”Hmm... Okay, prepare to fortify the base. Tomorrow we will be hunting them near their base If they come out of that den. We can't let them relax.”

The next day there was a furor at Jim's Base when his men didn't return.

Jim asked his subordinate with a grave tone, ”What happened, why has not a single guy return yet? what happened to their operation?”

The subordinate answered cautiously, ”Sir, today a horse carriage came with a few dead bodies came and it looks like, those were our men who went out to raid them at night. It looks like there is a serious situation.”

Jim asked with a grave tone, ”What sort of situation?”

Subordinate gave a report from their spies, ”Some of our men are being paraded naked inside North-frontier city and the trade routes. It looks like even Captain is also present among those men. We just got this information from our trader spies. What do we do?”

Jim was completely furious as he heard this news, ”They dare to humiliate us in such a way. They certainly are looking for death. Prepare our men to raid their patrols. I can't let this pass away.”

Joss knew about the incident and knew that Jim would get angry, He spoke in a calm manner, ”Don't get sucked into the pace of our enemies. Who knows they might be intentionally provoking us to take action. We already know the fate of our men from last night, right? You don't want to ruin the whole plan, right?”

Hearing Joss, Jim thought a bit and replied with a calm, ”It seems this is likely the case. Okay. I will listen to you for a while. However, they need to be taught a lesson. Our men would lose morale slowly if don't do something.”

There wasn't a big reaction from Jim as he thought about it but currently, his men were being humiliated in the North-frontier city day after day. He was barely able to keep his anger in check.

During these 2 days, John had completely built a base as they were patiently waiting for their enemies to come out.

During these 2 days, whenever Jim's men headed out to raid near NF City, they were always being hunted by John and his men. They never understood how John and his men were able to spot them so early from a distance which led to their ambushes. While their own ambushes failed whenever they regrouped as Anak's men always knew about their positions.

Not a single man was able to survive the onslaught of Anak and his men. A lot of Ordinary Mercenary groups lost their men in big numbers during these 2 days. The mood around North-frontier city was getting better day by day after the robbing incidents were reduced.

One of the old men spoke as he looked at the frequent border patrols, ”It feels so peaceful these days.”

One of the commoners laughed and spoke, ”Yes. Did you too read the latest paper about the parade of those mercenaries.”

Old man, giving a cheeky smile, spoke, ”Nah, I actually attended it yesterday.”

After 2 days, Jim read one of the newspapers to get some political news of North-frontier city and their movements, He roared as soon as he saw an article, ”What is this bullshit written in this newspaper? Who is this guy Ealdron? He needs to be taught a lesson to humiliate Goldrush mercenaries.”

He was fuming after watching a sketch of his subordinate and his men who were being paraded almost naked by the army men inside NF City.

Jim fumed as he continued, ”I can't take this humiliation any longer. We need to act, we can't wait any longer for the ballistas to arrive. That enemy general is frigin arrogant after beating 300 of our men. I will show him what is a real army.”

Joss sighed as he saw Jim. He knew that this would happen as soon as Jim read the newspaper but he couldn't stop him, he explained, ”You see you are only going to get more provoked if you read that news. We need to endure for some time before we make a thorough plan. They are provoking us, can't you understand that?”

Fuming in anger, Jim roared at Joss for his cowardice, ”So you mean we should sit back like ducks fearing those Ballistas without doing anything? Our name will be ruined if we don't do anything after so much humiliation. The whole nation knows about these incidents already and you want me and my men to endure? The morale of our men increased just recently because of the arrival of the Royal army but how is it now? Since they can parade our men and humiliate us daily. We might as well as kidnap their men and parade them naked over here. This time I have a plan which will make sure that they can't use their Ballistas.”

Joss furrowed his brows and answered, ”Well, I ain't sending my men if you are persisting. I ain't stopping those who want to go. As for that Ealdron guy, he is protected by Secret service already. Do you think others haven't tried to kill him and make an example? Prince Hector tried a lot as well only to end in failure with his men being found in the trash. Most of the Journalists are already protected by Ghosts.”

Jim tried to intimidate Joss as he roared, ”Fuck it, then, I am going alone if you don't intend to join me. I will show them how it is done.”

Jim's men and some mercenary groups decided to join him after facing such humiliation day after day. Many men were present from their groups in the previous raid during that night.

Jim mocked him and went to make preparations, ”Hmph... You can sit all you want. We ain't attacking their base. We will go past it and attack the traders and village. Lets see if those guys come to save the villages or not. You can rest easy for now. Don't come crying if we keep all the glory and loot.”

One of the leaders of Mercenary groups spoke, ”Yes, we can't take this lying down, we already lost enough men to that barbarian General, Anak, he must be taught a lesson. Just previously he humiliated us by killing all of our men fighting single-handedly in an ambush. Who does he think he is? I can't even bear to watch him in my presence.”

Hearing him, a lot of other guys joined him as well, ”Yes. We can't let this slide. We have to take a stand, now or never.”