C18 The Battle

Zebediah was acutely aware that the involvement of these adventurers would complicate matters. They undoubtedly had a purpose, perhaps even an ulterior one. He glanced at the individuals he had won over, clenched his teeth, and declared, "Let's descend the mountain together."

The eyes of his companions immediately blazed with fervor, particularly the nine who had just managed to escape. They were thrilled beyond measure. The mountain lord is seeking vengeance for us, they mused.

Meanwhile, Matthew and his group had already started their withdrawal toward the manor. Zebediah had missed his chance, and oddly enough, he found himself relieved.

His relief stemmed not from any trivial matter, but from his previous encounter with an adventurer whose skills were seemingly limitless. Thankfully, at that time, they were not adversaries. Yet, of all the people Zebediah wished to avoid, the adventurer topped the list. He could not shake the memory of that fierce battle, where day turned to night. It was only when the adventurer produced an enigmatic treasure and vanquished the enemy leader that they clinched victory. Even though the adventurer had departed, Zebediah still lacked a strategy to best him.

Matthew and his team hadn't ventured far and were concealed in a nearby forest. The mission was only halfway complete, and the opposition's combat prowess far exceeded their own. They would need to employ cunning to succeed.

Destroying a bandit gang could be achieved in numerous ways, with brute force being the most foolish. Eliminating the gang's leader would simplify matters significantly.

But Zebediah was not an easy target. For instance, Landry's scouting trail had been detected, and Zebediah was now leading his men straight to Matthew's location.

"I didn't spot anyone, but the bodies have been dealt with. They're surely on guard. Let's rest here tonight, and I'll scout again in the morning," Landry reported upon his return.

"Something's not right. They couldn't have had no reaction. This place isn't safe anymore. We should move further back," the man of silence insisted, ever cautious. But it was too late. Matthew and his companions could distinctly hear the clamor of footsteps. Zebediah had found them.

Matthew and his companions were encircled. Zebediah fully exploited his numerical superiority to cut off their retreat completely.

"Attack!" As the old adage goes, enemies' eyes blaze with recognition upon meeting. The clash was immediate, with both sides engaging fiercely. Matthew brandished the Red Flame Battleaxe, gripping the sole treasure card, ready for a do-or-die battle.

"Encircle him," came the command. Armed with formidable weapons, Matthew soon found himself surrounded by three or four adversaries, his gaze turning icy.

To capture the ringleader was to win the battle; without defeating the bandit leader, victory was impossible. Swinging his axe with increasing proficiency and a surge of adrenaline, Matthew carved a path toward Zebediah. He wasn't alone in his efforts; the man of silence, sharing Matthew's resolve, occasionally loosed an arrow, cleaving a bloody trail through their foes.

Zebediah, realizing the adventurer was bearing down on him, knew he couldn't flee. He hadn't risen to power through leniency but through sheer force. Drawing a knife, he advanced to confront the challenge.

As Matthew and Zebediah were poised to clash, Matthew swiftly summoned Leonard and Tyler, tipping the odds to three against one. Yet, Zebediah's swift reflexes and extensive combat experience kept him from being overwhelmed.

Matthew and his allies grew desperate as they surveyed the battlefield, their ranks decimated. Resolved to end the fight quickly, Matthew's axe swings became a blur, but Zebediah parried each strike.

In a pivotal moment, Matthew noticed the enemies freeze. A flash of gold from the man of silence's hand was his cue. Wasting no opportunity, Matthew's axe found its mark on Zebediah's neck, severing his head. As the enemies regained movement, they stared in horror at the sight of their leader's decapitated head. "Run!" someone cried, and the bandits scattered in disarray.

Matthew, Landry, and the man of silence regrouped, their formidable weapons creating a zone where no one dared approach.

Eventually, the chaos subsided, leaving behind a gruesome tableau of severed limbs and a landscape marred by the ravages of battle—a testament to the fierce conflict that had transpired.

"Ding! The mission to eliminate the bandits is complete. Please return to Gourault Manor as soon as possible to share the good news with the lord."

"As a distinguished gold card holder, you've earned an additional 100 gold coins. Keep up the good work."

These system notifications filled Matthew with immense satisfaction, though he regretted not finding a treasure chest. He and his companions made their way back to the manor at a leisurely pace. Matthew and the man of silence prepared for their next challenge: the battle in the Imperial City.

Meanwhile, in the distant Imperial City...

Two figures made their way toward the inner city, one staggering from severe injuries, the other shrouded in a black trench coat—both red name players.

"Useless," a young man scolded the pair kneeling before him, his anger palpable. He was their leader, Jiu Zhao, who commanded dozens of red name players. The two he had trusted most had returned in disgrace. Disgusted, he turned and stormed off.

"Have you heard? They were sent to Gourault Manor because there's a treasure about to be unearthed. They got greedy for the players' cards there and stirred up trouble, and the worst part is, they didn't even win the fight."

"Really? They strut around arrogantly because they're the red names favored by the boss. I bet they won't be so bold after this." The news of the shirt man and trench coat man's hasty retreat spread like wildfire through the organization.

The man in the shirt knelt, consumed by frustration. They had simply been too overconfident; otherwise, they would have succeeded. The trench coat man remained composed, confident that their master wouldn't punish them too harshly, especially once he learned why they were sent to Gourault Manor. The organization was clearly short-staffed, and the combat prowess of him and his shirt-clad companion was not to be underestimated. They were too valuable to be cast aside.

Sure enough, after a few hours, an envoy from their master arrived with orders for them to rise. They were given a chance to redeem themselves: return to Gourault Manor and reclaim the treasure.

This time, a man with a perpetual smile joined their company. Yet, it was this very man, always grinning, who instilled a deep sense of unease in both the man in the shirt and the trench coat man. He was the epitome of a smiling tiger—a sight of his grin while taking someone's life was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine.

They hastened their pace toward Gourault Manor.

Gourault Manor loomed just a short distance ahead.