171: Ambush the Cultists (4,000)

Chapter 169: Ambushing Cultists (4000 words)

This morning, Godwin personally led his subordinates towards the north of Lookout Fort.

His companions included Bruce, Philip, and the followers of the Bastet Church and the Mother Earth Church.

Godwin knew that Commander Jafar would never risk his men to rescue a group of refugees.

So, he bypassed Jafar and went directly to Juan and Letizia.

These two had also made significant contributions in the operation to clear the Corrupted Lands.

Godwin could tell that Juan was acting purely out of his duty to the Church.

But Letizia was different; as a priest of Bastet, self-interest was their inherent nature.

Like the Commander, Letizia also wanted to leave this godforsaken place by earning merits.

Godwin exploited their individual desires.

Another reason was that one of the Bastet Church's methods for attracting followers was to take in orphans and women in distress.

Godwin promised the female priest that she could freely select personnel from the refugee group.

As for the Mother Earth followers led by Juan, they came to help purely out of their kind nature.

The group arrived at a forest around noon.

The female priest was unaccustomed to traveling so lightly.

She handed the army, composed of Church followers, over to her Bending Blade dancers and rode alongside Godwin.

Through their interactions over the past few days, the female priest realized that this former nobleman was a 'smart man'.

If Arthur was a fierce wolf in priest's sheep's clothing, then Godwin was a venomous snake hidden in the grass, willing to do anything to achieve his goals.

But he was still a man after all.

No, perhaps it should be said, he was just a human.

The female priest's lips curled slightly; as long as there were people, there would be desires.

And the priests of Bastet were most skilled at manipulating desires.

Ever since witnessing Arthur's abilities, Letizia and Juan both agreed that this young Baron was no ordinary individual.

The female priest's goal was simple: to use Arthur's power to climb higher and reclaim everything she had lost.

Thus, seducing Arthur's close retainers became one of her means to achieve her goal.

These past few days, she had always stayed by Godwin's side, like a cat, both close and distant.

Any other man would have long been infatuated.

But Godwin maintained his restraint throughout, which displeased the female priest.

This man was like a stone in an outhouse, both stinky and hard. He seemed to live only for one thing: work.

Godwin signaled the team to rest in the small forest.

Without him needing to say a word, Bruce and Philip had already set off to scout the vicinity.

Not long after he sat down, Juan came over.

The priest of Mother Earth asked him, "Sir, how much do you know about these cultists?"

Godwin told him the information Arthur had provided.

After listening, Juan stroked his beard and said, "So, a group of people whose homes were destroyed by Night Mist, led by a Mad God priest, turned into a cult?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Who exactly is this person named Ingabado?" asked Letizia, who had approached.

"Your ears are still as sharp as a cat's." Godwin gestured for the female priest to sit. "We know very little.

"But what is certain is that he is an extremely cunning and dangerous fellow.

"He once tried to incite a rebellion and murder in Wolf Den City and almost succeeded, but he was stopped by Lord Arthur."

Letizia chuckled softly and said, "So he's here for revenge now?"

Godwin detected something amiss in her words.

This cunning woman wanted to blame all of this on them.

That way, she could bargain.

"He may not be coming just for us," Godwin said. "You should know better than I what Mad God priests are like.

They are always plotting terrible schemes.

"I bet his appearance here is not just for revenge."

Seeing that her little trick hadn't worked, the female priest smiled and said, "Perhaps when we catch him, we'll know why."

Godwin agreed and stood up, looking towards Bruce, who was riding back.

"The refugees are here," Bruce rode up to them. "There are about a hundred or so people."

Godwin asked, "Any signs of cultists?"

Bruce shook his head.

"Then let's find a place to set up an ambush," Godwin said.

Juan asked, puzzled, "Aren't we going to notify those refugees?"

"We are not just here to save these people; we also need to figure out who these cultists are.

"Capturing a few alive to extract their information is also of paramount importance."

The priest of Mother Earth did not agree with this approach.

But for the greater good, he tacitly allowed the use of refugees as bait.

"Lord Bruce, go prepare," Godwin instructed.

As soon as the funeral ended, Arthur immediately began to arrange the reconstruction of Mist Town.

He planned to appoint positions and allocate work according to the personnel configuration indicated by the intelligence.

However, before that, he needed a decent office space.

And that newly restored townhouse was undoubtedly the best choice.

Arthur intended to transform it into the new town center.

Initially, the Townsfolk were filled with unease about the house.

But when the rescued children told everyone that Arthur had eliminated the monsters residing within, they felt at ease.

Arthur had Vanka and Flora arrange for some fanatics to clean the entire townhouse.

The study on the second floor was the first to be cleaned, and it would be used as Arthur's office.

The young Baron knew that in this place, a loyal armed force was crucial to his rule.

So, the first thing he dealt with was military affairs.

How to make the local soldiers and the Pioneer Group veterans coexist harmoniously was a difficult problem.

According to the personnel arrangements provided by the intelligence, it was most appropriate for Jessica to manage the town's armed forces.

After all, this rebel leader knew how to operate and lead an army.

However, the intelligence indicated that Ruby and former Sheriff Grey also needed to be assigned as her deputies.

In addition, the intelligence also pointed out that the mad preacher Schlechter and several fanatics should also be incorporated into the army.

This was primarily for the army's faith building.

Before making these decisions, Arthur first consulted Jessica.

He met with Jessica in the study and asked for her opinion on this arrangement.

The seasoned Commander replied, "It seems I was right to leave Bruce with Godwin."

"Oh, why do you say that?" Arthur asked.

"Bruce is different from me; he is not only good at managing military affairs, but his understanding of politics is also far superior to mine.

"Since you, Lord, are going to establish a trade transit station on that rather controversial land.

"Then, compared to staying here, Bruce will certainly be able to play a greater role there."

Jessica's words, surprisingly, coincided with the intelligence's arrangements.

"I thought he was your deputy," Arthur said.

Jessica shook her head and replied, "To make him my deputy would be a waste of his talent."

"So, what do you think of the people I recommended to you?" Arthur asked.

Jessica pondered for a moment and answered truthfully, "Lord, I'll be direct.

"The reason I brought up Bruce is to show that these two simply cannot compare to him.

"But they each have their own strengths, and at present, they might be able to play a better role than Bruce."

Seeing that Jessica hesitated, Arthur said, "Feel free to speak your mind."

"Oh, it's about those fanatics.

"I know that the battle that night was won entirely thanks to them.

"But these people are really difficult to control, and they only obey your commands."

"I understand that, but before I explain, I want to know how you plan to make the two teams get along?"

Jessica quickly provided a series of solutions, most of which revolved around Ruby and Grey.

"Lord, from my observations, although Ismark was the nominal ruler before, the current armed forces of Mist Town are still controlled by Grey and Ruby.

"Most of the people Ruby leads are spontaneously organized militias, and they are all related by blood or marriage.

"Grey has been managing the town's military affairs before, so he has high prestige in the army.

"With the cooperation of these two, even if the soldiers under them don't see eye to eye, they won't cause too much trouble.

"Friendship in the army is different from outside; just one war can make them put aside their past grievances."

Arthur first approved Jessica's handling method.

Then, he explained the reason for incorporating those fanatics into the team.

"An army with faith will be invincible.

"The same faith can unite people of different classes, different statuses, and different experiences.

"I had Vanka and Flora inquire, and Schlechter used to be a teacher for noble children.

"He is literate and can do math, and most remarkably, he found some people who can read and write and are willing to become preachers.

"How about having them spread the faith within the team to help you unite everyone?"

Jessica pondered for a long time, then nodded and said, "We can try. But Lord, I think this should be done slowly."

Arthur picked up a document from the table and said, "Of course, this cannot be rushed.

"Here, this is the army discipline I drafted; take a look.

"If there are any problems, tell me;

"If there are no problems, I will have the preachers use this as a basis to educate the soldiers."

Jessica took the document and read it carefully.

He approved of Arthur's method of uniting soldiers through faith.

He had witnessed the astonishing courage people could unleash when driven by the power of faith.

However, it was not easy to make soldiers convert.

Yet, after reading the army discipline drafted by Arthur, Jessica's thoughts changed greatly.

If those preachers were to spread the faith based on this, he would wholeheartedly support it.

"I have no objections," Jessica put away the document and replied, "If you ask me, Lord, these disciplines you have formulated should be applied to everyone."

"The army can set an example for the people," Arthur said. "Once the people see that even the soldiers have become like this, they will naturally choose to join."

The only thing Arthur knew about the country of Amn was that the so-called army was actually no different from bandits.

The people of various regions had never had a good impression of the army and soldiers.

If he could successfully build an army that was law-abiding and dedicated to faith and the people, his rule would be incredibly solid.

The cultists finally appeared, launching their ambush when the refugee convoy reached a narrow path.

The refugee convoy instantly fell into a state of panic.

Bruce saw the convoy's guards organizing resistance, but their movements were too slow and disorganized.

The cultists rushed into the ranks, and casualties immediately occurred.

But Bruce did not intend to attack immediately.

He needed to wait for the enemy to go deeper to ensure that they would be caught in one fell swoop.

"For Mother Earth's sake," Juan urged Godwin, "you didn't bring us here just to watch a massacre, did you?"

"Please trust Bruce's judgment, Priest," Godwin said calmly. "A small sacrifice is for a greater cause."

Juan really wanted to lead his followers and subordinates into the battle, but that would undoubtedly be suicide.

Their numbers were far fewer than the cultists, and going in individually would be even more foolish.

Just as the two sides were locked in a fierce battle, Bruce finally blew the horn of attack.

The long-waiting followers and priests immediately charged towards the enemy.

Philip rode at the forefront. His heart was filled with anger; as a simple fisherman, he simply could not bear to watch these poor people being massacred.

Those cultists who dared to block him fell one after another under his harpoon.

He was primarily responsible for capturing the enemy leader and already had a target: a big man trying to seize a refugee wagon.

He charged directly at that person, estimating the risks of capturing him alive.

Godwin observed the entire battlefield from a distance on horseback.

The enemy's numbers were not large, but their weapons were quite good, which made him wonder.

These cultists had clearly received funding.

However, no matter how good the equipment, it was useless in the hands of untrained people.

The cultists' will was not firm; bullying refugees and ordinary people was easy for them.

But when they encountered a professional team, they quickly fell into disarray.

The refugees began to gather under the command of a black-bearded dwarf, fiercely resisting the enemy.

A fellow riding a scrawny old horse and wearing a ridiculous pointed hat was rushing back and forth among the group, holding a light crossbow.

Godwin noticed these two; he judged that they should be the leaders of this refugee force.

The battle entered its final stage.

After witnessing the cultists' atrocities, the followers and priests showed no mercy.

Bruce, with the cooperation of the fellow in the ridiculous hat, successfully captured the big man.

He also saved several cultists from the angry crowd as much as possible.

Godwin found the black-bearded dwarf driving the wagon and asked him about the situation.

"Thank you, strangers," the black-bearded dwarf said. "My name is Bart."

"Godwin."

"Alright, Lord Godwin. We're heading to Lookout Fort. What are you doing here?"

Godwin pointed to the cultists' corpses and said, "We're here for these guys."

Bart spat at a corpse and said, "Alright, then, what do you want us to do to repay you?"

"I suggest we return to Lookout Fort first, what do you say?" Godwin suggested.

"I have no objections," replied the funny fellow. "My name is Gasco."

The dwarf also nodded in agreement, so Godwin and his group went to Lookout Fort with the refugees.