In the Unnamed Mountain Region, a party of around two hundred people made its way along a narrow mountain path. Their column stretched far into the distance, winding through the mountains like a giant python slowly inching along.
They were not moving quickly. The path was narrow and rugged, for one thing, and for another, at least half of those two hundred people were elderly, weak, sick, or injured.
At the head of the column, Black-and-White Bear looked back at them with a deepening frown, then turned and walked toward the middle.
Things looked bad. The column was moving too slowly, and two hundred people strung out in single file made for a dangerously long line. They had only fifty-odd guards, and the Mountain Tiger Warband players who should have shared the escort duty were nowhere to be seen.
The players had no interest in dull, tedious escort work. They all said that the vast majority of the Minisians had already left the mountains, and a few scattered diehards could hardly pose a threat.
So the Mountain Tiger Warband players were not here. Instead, they were wandering around the mountains, hunting or looking for the handful of Minisians who remained.
That left the Tia Family's defenses terribly weak. If any attack came, this column would face a devastating end.
Black-and-White Bear had opposed the Tia Family leaving the valley now. Even with the column already on the road, he was still trying to persuade Elena.
"The column is too slow... and too vulnerable."
Black-and-White Bear spoke in a low voice. He had found Elena in the middle of the column.
"If we're attacked, the front and rear won't be able to support each other. They'll easily cut us off, split us apart, and wipe us out.
Miss Elena, I'm asking