137: Pastor Mi Rui

Whether it was taking a 10th-level mage as a disciple, or recruiting two more loyal mages to become his true liegemen, Ryan was very satisfied.

But at the same time, he was worried about the expedition's assault team.

Seven days had passed, and by all accounts, if everything went smoothly, they should have returned by now, but there was no news.

Before news of the assault team arrived, the Halfling scout team returned that night.

They naturally hadn't found the bandits' hideout, but during their days out, they had eliminated some small bandit groups.

On their way back, they discovered a large number of bandits gathering in a valley half a day's journey north of Gorebest.

They were worried that these bandits were preparing to attack Gorebest, so they rushed back to report the news.

Ryan told them to rest at the military camp, and at the same time, sent someone to deliver the intelligence to the other two council members.

Late at night, Forest Nymph Resi and Water Sprite Vera also returned.

This scout team from the south also discovered many bandits gathering towards Gorebest, and in one direction, they found over 100 Gnolls gathered on a hill.

So they split into two teams.

Forest Nymph Sally and Druid Vivofenson continued south to observe the Gnolls.

Forest Nymph Resi and Water Sprite Vera followed the bandits and eventually found that most of them were gathered in front of a cave to the south, with approximately over 100 Goblins, over 100 Kobolds, and dozens of human bandits.

The journey to Gorebest was also less than half a day.

Moreover, some of these bandits were impatient and threatened to plunder nearby villages first.

When Resi pointed to Eileen Village on the map, Ryan's heart tightened involuntarily.

The blockhouse in Eileen Village was easy to defend and difficult to attack, but given the bandits' physique and their use of bows and arrows, it was hard to say whether the blockhouse could hold out.

Ryan looked at the fatigue on Resi and Vera's faces and told them to rest in the nearby forest first.

If it weren't for the fact that several powerful professional adventurers from the Third Adventuring Team had left after the Duke's Mansion battle, saying they had other missions, the assassination attempt that night wouldn't have been so difficult.

In addition, the relatively high-end combat forces had been sent to important battlefields and to scout enemy intelligence, leaving him with few available people.

Ryan planned to go to Eileen Village to bring the villagers over for protection, or at the very least, he would have to go himself, at least to build a Wizard Shack and set up a teleportation network point.

In times of real danger, people could be sent through the teleportation gate for rescue.

Once the problems with the bandits and Gnolls were resolved, he would let them return to Eileen Village to farm properly.

Currently, excluding those who had just returned from outside, and including Ryan, there were a total of 9 professional adventurers, and there were also several 3rd-level warriors among the Inferno Fist Guards.

After much thought, Ryan still decided to go back.

If he set off on horseback now, he could arrive by noon tomorrow and return to defend the city via the teleportation gate by night.

Once Ryan made his decision, he immediately took action.

Gathering all the professional adventurers in the banquet hall, he arranged for Wesley Sharuiven to temporarily exercise the authority to deploy troops and defend the city in his absence.

He himself would take 5th-level Dragon Blood Sorceress Adeline Silver Ember and 5th-level Rune Knight Kou Duo Ironanvil to Eileen Village to open the teleportation gate, and they would return here via the teleportation gate in time tomorrow night.

The others would take turns guarding the city.

Before departing, they would go to the temporary military camps at the other city gates to borrow a cleric to accompany them.

Tomorrow, one of his own Halfling clerics would temporarily fill that cleric's position.

At this moment, 3rd-level Halfling Cleric Miri Cellar Light stepped forward, "My Lord, there's no need to summon other clerics."

This young Halfling youth bowed, "Miri's divine magic has not been used today; I can go with you, My Lord."

"If we leave now, we won't be able to rest until noon tomorrow..." Ryan said.

His original intention was to invite a higher-level cleric, above 5th level, to accompany them.

"Miri is not tired; I am perfectly capable," Cleric Miri's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Ryan couldn't bring himself to refuse, and on second thought, if there were no accidents on this trip, there might not be any opportunity for combat, and he had plenty of healing potions in his system space. Besides, it was already midnight, and it would indeed be impolite to ask for a cleric from the Morning Song Temple.

Moreover, their duty was to protect Gorebest, and Eileen Village, which was in his own territory, was not within their scope of duty.

"Good!" Ryan nodded in agreement, "We'll go together."

He told Old Hather to prepare the horses first and ordered the other accompanying personnel to wait in the square.

He then led Cleric Miri to a small private room.

"Cleric Miri," Ryan said, "I see you haven't worn your holy symbol yet. Did you not bring it with you?"

"Miri did not obtain a holy symbol before coming out," Miri said somewhat awkwardly, "However, if this mission is completed, I might receive a holy symbol issued by the priest when I return to the Green Field."

"I apologize, Cleric Miri," Ryan explained, "The reason I ask is because I have a Halfling holy symbol here, and I'd like to lend it to you for use on the way."

When he took out his full set of leather armor, Miri pointed to the holy symbol on the chest of the leather armor and said, "This is Brother Gary's holy symbol!"