On the morning of the 19th, outside Emerald Mountain City, northwest of Xianyuan in the City of Abundance, a Hunter Cavalry escort slowly made its way along a mountain road with three wagons.
At the front of the convoy, Neil and several knights led the way. Aboard a warhorse behind them sat a Beastman less than two meters tall.
The Beastman's fur was a mix of red and white. A distinct white marking crossed both eyes on his furry face, and a similar white marking ran along his tail.
"Elder Ilurus, we'll reach your Emerald Mountain City soon," Neil said to the Beastman beside him. "There are far fewer Ratmen on the roads these days. Other than on a few main routes, they're practically nowhere to be seen."
The little Panda-kin, Ilurus, was one of Emerald Mountain City's eighteen elders. A Grand Martial Monk, he had studied under the legendary Panda-kin Shuyun. The wagons were carrying three Retainers who were still in swaddling clothes.
The Retainers could have stayed a few more days in Moge Castle (Roseburg), but the people of Emerald Mountain City were eagerly awaiting their arrival. So Ilurus had no choice but to ask Neil and the others to escort them.
Hearing the excitement in Neil's voice, Ilurus gave him a look of disdain. "Young man, my clan has dealt with the Ratmen for years. Here's a lesson for you: if one day you find that the rats have dwindled for no apparent reason, that's far more frightening than if their numbers suddenly swell!"
"You mean they've gone into hiding?"
"Worse than hiding is not knowing where they'll show up next. It could be a cave, or it could be a city-state." Ilurus shook his head. "Still, you needn't worry. Your cavalry isn't strong enough to warrant