Roland's aura of goodwill also eased the entire Green-Haired Turtle group's wariness somewhat, though they still did not show Roland any goodwill in return.
Seeing this, Roland decisively stopped probing further.
As long as the Green-Haired Turtle group remained in his territory, he would eventually win them all over. There was no need to rush.
So after seeing the Green-Haired Turtle group, Roland left directly with O'Neal.
On the way back, Roland could not hide the excitement on his face, though his recent experiences still made him extremely cautious.
"Captain O'Neal, during the coming days, send more men to strengthen the defenses of the passages inside the hill."
"Although the Green-Haired Turtle group is unlikely to attack us again, we cannot let down our guard."
"Understood, Apothecary Roland." O'Neal agreed readily.
"Oh, right. The territorial guard has trained for three months already. It is time for them to take on some defensive duties."
"Include them in your deployment this time as well."
Roland's sudden suggestion made O'Neal fall briefly silent. He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he had not expected it to arrive so quickly.
Although the guard's current strength was lacking, it had already gotten on track. Once properly equipped and tempered by one or two low-intensity battles, it could become a qualified force.
Even if it might still be inferior to the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group in strength, with the support of an apothecary like Roland, surpassing the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group would only be a matter of time.
Moreover, the guard's wages were far cheaper than theirs. The thousand gold coins spent each month on the Loyal Lion Mercenary Group were enough to support a two-hundred-man guard force, and the proportion of professionals in it would not be low either.
When compared this