Scheming Against Each Other

Connections +1, but Hudson could not bring himself to feel happy. Compared to his previous socializing, the price he had paid this time was simply too great—his purse had practically been drained dry.

If he still had ambitions for a fief, he would inevitably have to keep throwing money around. The battlefield was not filled with nothing but raging war; it also involved the intricacies of human relations.

If he lacked the strength to win fame and merit on the spot, then he had to cultivate his connections. Having those connections did not necessarily guarantee success, but lacking them would most likely ruin things.

The thought of "making money" surfaced in Hudson's mind once more. One plan after another came to him, yet not a single one was suitable.

After taking stock of everything, Hudson helplessly discovered that robbery was currently the most suitable path to wealth and prosperity.

He glanced at the slowly advancing grain convoy and had no choice but to temporarily put that thought aside. Now that they had encountered the Rebel Army, it was uncertain who would rob whom.

Strolling along the road, Hudson's expression suddenly changed drastically. The birds ahead hovered without landing; if he still could not spot the problem, then all those military texts he had read would have been for nothing.

Without the slightest hesitation, Hudson gave the order, "Halt the advance. Set up camp where you are and be on guard against an enemy sneak attack."

Running was not an option. Burdened by provisions and baggage, Hudson did not believe he could outrun the Rebel Army.

If he abandoned these supplies and fled, not only would his noble status be finished, but the entire Fifth Army would be dragged down by him as well. Those people would probably hunt him across the whole continent for the rest of his life.

Not wanting to begin a life of exile so soon, Hudson felt it was necessary to struggle a little longer. Once he calmed down, the anxiety hanging over his heart also eased.

The allied forces had Griffon Cavalry. If a large force of rebels had infiltrated the area, there was no way they could have escaped the eyes in the sky.

The serf soldiers might have been useless, but there were still over four thousand of them. As long as they did not fall into an enemy ambush, they had no reason to fear a small rebel force.

Hudson did not believe that the Skull Society, which had been hiding here and there, could train elite troops like the Crimson Knights in such a short time.

Training soldiers was also a technical skill. On the Aslant Continent, where knowledge was tightly monopolized, such things were passed down orally from father to son.

Even if the Skull Society could recruit talent in this field, they could not be exceptionally capable. After all, the Skull Society normally could not provide them with practical experience; a few scraps of theory alone could not make anyone a master.

Counting from when the Skull Society first rebelled, they had at most two or three months to train troops.

With so little time, it was practically impossible to build an elite force from scratch.

Because this was a world of the extraordinary, after all.

No matter how well ordinary people trained, they could not be considered true elites. Even the most ordinary soldiers of the famed Crimson Knights were ranked warriors.

Since everyone was on roughly the same level, the gap between them was not all that great. Hudson felt that they could still give it a try.

"High Priest, we caught two enemy scouts."

Hearing his subordinate's report, the Grey-robed Elder's face turned livid with anger. As the ambushing side, stepping out to capture enemy scouts—was that not deliberately exposing their whereabouts?

Anger was meaningless. Talents as "wise and brave" as him were few and far between even within the Skull Society.

This ambush had actually been a spur-of-the-moment decision. If he had not received word that the main force of the Fifth Army had marched out, he would not have brought two thousand "elites" who had trained for less than two months to stage an ambush.

The facts proved that these people were truly hopeless. He had repeatedly ordered them not to show themselves, yet two enemy scouts had lured them out.

They had caused trouble without even realizing it, then brazenly came to claim credit. If not for the fact that he needed men at the moment, he truly wanted to slap this eyesore to death.

Seeing that the scouts were completely unharmed, the Grey-robed Elder relaxed. To become prisoners without a scratch, they clearly had not put up much resistance. One look was enough to tell that they were not particularly strong-willed.

"Very good. I will remember your merit and reward you after the battle. Leave them here. You may go.

Rick, distribute the Courage Potion and tell the soldiers not to drink it until I give the order."

As he spoke, green light suddenly flashed in the Grey-robed Elder's eyes.

After merely exchanging a glance with him, the two scouts, who were still in a daze, seemed to have lost their souls. With vacant eyes, they knelt before the elder.

"Master!"

Hearing that address, the Grey-robed Elder smiled faintly and asked kindly, "What are your names?"

"George!"

"Geddy!"

Seeing this, the rebel leader who had intended to say a few more words to claim credit instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He shakily gave a salute, then hurriedly turned and left.

He finally understood why the others in the society feared this "kind-looking" High Priest so much.

Who would not be frightened after seeing such an eerie method?

"Commander, everything in the forest is normal. Earlier, it was just two wild deer fighting. Our brothers have already dealt with them. These are the spoils, just in time to offer to you..."

Pointing at the two wild deer lying on the ground, Geddy introduced them animatedly. Unfortunately, such a clumsy excuse clearly could not fool Hudson.

Could two wild deer fighting make birds hover in the air without landing? Only some country bumpkin who had never received military education would possibly believe that.

Even if they wanted to make up an excuse, they should at least have said magical beasts were fighting. But if they really had been magical beasts, these two men would not have returned unscathed.

The possibility of them being bribed was unlikely. Hudson had assigned these two men at random; for them to happen upon two traitors was simply too absurdly lucky.

Besides, bribing serfs into becoming traitors was something so brainless that no normal person could do it without downing seven or eight bottles first.

Yet their expressions did not look like they were lying. A flash of insight struck Hudson, and he immediately understood.

Only extraordinary power could explain controlling two people in such a short period of time.

Hudson did not know what method the enemy had used, but his instincts told him that staying away from the commotion was the right choice.

"All right, leave the things here. You two go down and rest first! Once I've eaten, the troops will continue marching."

Watching the two leave, Hudson curled his lips in a cold smile. So they really are being controlled. What proper soldier wouldn't know Captain Hudson's rules? Once camp had been set up, when had they ever continued traveling?

If they wanted to wait, then they could wait slowly. Better yet, drag it out until tomorrow and see who could outlast whom.

Glancing at the wild deer on the ground, Hudson shook his head helplessly. Venison might be delicious, but he would never dare eat something of unknown origin.

There were countless ways to set people up in this supernatural world. Who knew what tricks the Rebel Army had used on the two wild deer they had sent over?