74: Raid in the rain

Chapter 74: Raid in the Rain

Mad Dog Kenny never imagined that he, a guard who had fled in a hurry from a border town during the Orc invasion, would ever catch the attention of that important figure in Black Marsh Town.

During his escape, he became the leader of this group by virtue of his literacy and a bit of combat skill.

This was a motley crew made up of refugees, criminals, and deserters.

Mad Dog knew well that such a team could not contend with regular troops.

But bullying some country bumpkins was more than enough.

These days, he had tried his best to maintain this team, repeatedly warning his subordinates not to provoke Henry of the swamp.

But who would have thought that the other party would actively seek them out?

That fellow in a robe, named Imperator or something, made a simple and clear request: to lead his men to plunder a pioneer group.

He promised that after the deed was done, Lord Henry would reward them with a piece of land.

Additionally, he also stated that he would provide them with assistance.

However, as the terrifying ritual before him became increasingly unsettling, Mad Dog's unease grew stronger.

In the center of the ritual, another dead villager wobbled to his feet.

And around the ritual, there were many more corpses with vacant stares.

Their mouths emitted chilling roars.

His subordinates inside the house were clearly becoming restless.

So, Mad Dog drew his sword, turned, and shouted, "Listen up, fellows!

"How many people have we killed on this journey?

"Once caught, there's only one way out: death!

"Now, the generous Sir Henry will not only pardon our sins,

"But also grant us land, giving us a place to settle down.

"I will never allow any rat to ruin our bright future!"

More than twenty bandits exchanged glances.

Stimulated by alcohol and tempted by a beautiful future, they all mumbled their loyalty.

But their beautiful dreams were soon shattered by the sound of urgent hooves.

Mad Dog hurriedly looked out the door, only to see a troop of cavalry galloping through the rain, heading straight for the ritual site.

"Quick! Quick! Quick! Damn it, pick up your weapons! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

Mad Dog shouted hoarsely.

Jessica led the charge, with the cavalry following closely behind her.

The bandits responsible for protecting the ritual clumsily drew their weapons, meeting the enemy with an un firm resolve.

When the warhorses charged into the enemy's heartland, the surrounding world instantly became a cacophony.

Everywhere there were sounds of hacking, roaring, and bellowing.

Jessica urged her mount forward, plunging deep into the enemy's rear, her weapon flashing up and down, carving deadly arcs through the enemy ranks.

The soldiers needed an example; they needed to see that even if the enemy outnumbered them, they could still achieve victory.

She saw a dirt-faced woman turn to look at her.

Before she could react, the head of the flail smashed hard into her face.

Her skull was crushed, fragments of bone and skin splattered out, and the woman's body immediately fell into the mud.

"Ha!" Jessica roared, raising her weapon, her voice cutting through the sounds of battle and rain.

The soldiers, greatly encouraged, responded with the same roar to their leader.

Ahead of Jessica, some twisted creatures sensed danger.

Corpses, holding farming tools, began to advance clumsily towards the invaders.

Jessica continued forward, extending the charge as long as possible.

She could hear the impact of other cavalry following closely behind.

She was relieved, knowing that the raid had to build enough momentum in the first phase of the battle.

Mad Dog and the remaining bandits surged out of the room.

Though lacking courage, they still vainly attempted to fight, relying on their superior numbers.

Jessica's warhorse crashed directly into them, its hooves flying up and breaking a bandit's ribs;

With a swing of her short sword, she severed another bandit's arm.

She leaned over her saddle, slashing and striking the retreating enemies.

However, as the battle progressed, the cavalry's charge gradually slowed.

The newly joined corpses began to cut them off, and the enemy's numerical advantage started to show.

Jessica saw someone being forcibly pulled off their mount by a corpse.

She also saw other cavalry dismount at the opportune moment, engaging the enemy on foot.

Now, the battle had entered its second phase.

They were dragged into a close-quarters quagmire that favored the enemy.

But Jessica was not worried; her soldiers were experienced veterans who knew how to react without much command.

Just then, a dazzling light shone, and everyone saw the young Lord raising his holy emblem, riding into the battlefield.

"Come to me, warriors!"

His voice was like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears.

The surrounding corpses, illuminated by the light, shrieked and retreated.

How could Jessica miss this excellent opportunity? She shouted, "For the Mother Earth!

"For the Baron of Qingfeng Valley!"

Thanks to Arthur using his divine power to disperse the corpses, the soldiers, who were almost cut off, quickly gathered, centered around Arthur, and began to advance steadily.

As more and more enemies fell, the bandits' morale completely collapsed.

No matter how hoarsely Mad Dog Kenny shouted, his subordinates still fled in panic in all directions.

Meanwhile, Arthur's next spell was ready.

Surging life energy began to flow among the soldiers.

Those severely wounded soldiers instantly felt invigorated, and their wounds healed rapidly at a visible rate.

They excitedly cheered their Lord's name, fearlessly charging towards the corpses.

After casting one spell, Arthur did not pause for a moment, immediately chanting another incantation.

But just then, a heart-pounding chime suddenly rang in his ears.

He looked up and discovered the enemy who was casting the spell.

"Someone! Cut him down for me!" he ordered loudly.

Two hours earlier, in the monastery.

The old butler, hearing the commotion, hurried out of his room.

Upon seeing the scene before him, he immediately turned and rushed to the stable by another path.

But before he had run a few steps, something struck him hard in the chest, and he fell to the ground.

"Old man, where are you trying to go?" Philip stomped on the butler's chest.

The old butler just kept coughing, unable to utter a single word.

Godwin stepped out from the side and asked Philip, "Aren't you going to help?"

The pirate looked ahead, shaking his head and saying disdainfully, "That guy is no match for Drax."

Drax strode towards the Painted Warrior, swinging his battle axe fiercely with both hands.

Each blow carried immense power, and the sound of metal clashing was constant.

The Painted Warrior was forced back repeatedly; the Orc's reckless attack left him momentarily flustered.

He could see the opponent's various weaknesses, but under the fierce assault, he had no time to counterattack and could only parry exhaustedly.

"You damned lunatic."

The enraged Le Fu roared, also abandoning his defense, seizing the opportunity, and intending a desperate strike.

But the Orc seemed to sense all of this.

He instinctively dodged to the side, and the hand axe cut a bleeding gash across his abdomen.

He didn't care at all, but instead roared, and his battle axe cleaved down from above towards the Painted Warrior.

Le Fu raised his other axe to block, but the Orc's strength was simply too astonishing.

The battle axe fell heavily, directly cutting into his shoulder.

"Ahhh—" He shrieked, then laughed maniacally, "Come on, kill me, you damned beast! Kill me!"

The Orc exerted more force, splitting the Painted Warrior in half.

"Damn it!" Godwin sighed helplessly at the sight.

He looked down at the butler lying on the ground, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes, and murmured, "Then you can't be allowed to live either."