Chapter 127: No One Left Alive
An invisible aura of authority blanketed everyone at the scene.
Many trembled in fear, while the bolder ones sneaked glances.
To those who saw Yaya for the first time, her silver-white scales covering her entire body made her both beautiful and terrifying!
All the new adventurers widened their eyes, not wanting to miss any detail of Yaya's majestic and imposing appearance.
Even though they had heard from their companions that the lord had a dragon, they had subconsciously assumed it was just boasting.
It wasn't until Yaya spiraled down and gracefully perched on the top of the carriage, her long tail coiling around and her wide wings folding in, that they finally exhaled, realizing their backs were drenched in cold sweat.
The adventurers who had seen Yaya before took great pride in explaining to the startled newcomers:
"What are you panicking about? Yaya won't eat you; she's actually very friendly..."
"Yeah, but don't forget, Yaya's combat power is immense. She once easily took down over ten trolls in a single battle."
"That's right. First, she circled in the sky and then dove down with incredible force..."
"Her breath is even more terrifying. She once banished a high-level professional into a time rift with it..."
"That was a mysterious and powerful Arcanist, so don't provoke him."
"I heard he wiped out two or three hundred trolls in Troll Valley by himself."
"Yes, an entire forest was burned down by his fireball spells, and the whole sky was covered in thick smoke."
"Looks like the goods we're escorting must be really important."
"I'd say so too. Did you see those barbarian soldiers? They..."
"..."
These guys went on boasting, leaving the new adventurers completely stunned.
Seeing this, Matthew thought he might need to establish a strategic disinformation department.
Keeping the enemy uncertain of the truth was something Matthew always focused on.
Seeing the shock and confusion on the faces of the pushcart workers and refugees, Matthew silently gave Yaya, perched above, a mental thumbs-up:
"Yaya is amazing—she's already mastered controlling her illusion clone perfectly."
Indeed, the Yaya before them was the illusion clone that had flown all the way from Bay Territory.
The little one had flown this long distance for the first time and was in a great mood, happily responding in Matthew's mind:
"Hehe, Rebecca also said the same thing."
Her bright eyes gleamed as she thought of getting Rebecca to return soon.
After all, without her food-loving companion, eating too much alone gave her a bit of "guilt."
That's why Yaya was so clever!
Steering the conversation towards Rebecca, she glanced cautiously at her "Papa" and then hesitantly added:
"She went to her master yesterday. It seems she's in trouble..."
Rebecca?
Trouble?
Matthew's mind flashed with the image of a mischievous, cute figure, and he suddenly recalled.
"No wonder Yaya is free today..."
"Otherwise, they'd both be out on the streets hunting for food after training."
"Wait, Rebecca's master is a Druid, isn't he?"
"To cultivate magic yams and improve rice and wheat varieties, a Druid would be essential..."
"Trouble? That's the last thing I'm afraid of..."
Matthew still remembered that Rebecca's luck value had reached "+3" yesterday.
In the short term, her luck wouldn't fluctuate too much.
For now, he focused his attention back on the upcoming battle.
"Pfizer Caravan, it seems we're quite fated!"
"I really want to know if the Bloodhand Slaver Group I dealt with last time was something you orchestrated, or if it was just 'fate' clashing into me."
Matthew couldn't help but connect the dots between the Pfizer Caravan, the Bloodhand Slaver Group, the ambush when he crossed over, and the assassination attempts from his youth.
One event could be coincidence!
But too many coincidences meant it was inevitable!
Matthew assessed the forces at his disposal, fully determined to win this upcoming battle.
After this battle, Bay Territory would enter a precious period of peaceful development!
The pushcart workers and refugees were swiftly clearing the reeds at the foot of the hill.
Meanwhile, the caravan guards, led by Adam Smith, were busy moving the carriages into the walled enclosure.
The walls were rising higher and higher, gradually blocking everyone's view, hiding what lay beyond their curiosity.
Time passed little by little.
The sun began to sink in the sky.
The sunset's glow bathed the horizon in red.
The heat in the marsh gradually subsided.
One by one, fishmen began poking their heads out of their muddy nests.
Their bulging eyes scanned their surroundings as they searched for anything edible.
Soon, they caught the scent of food. With a series of gurgling cries, they began splashing through the mud.
But before they could get close, several sharp arrows flew in from afar, skewering several fishmen.
The ones not killed immediately let out horrific screams, and the thick scent of blood spread through the marsh.
Blood in the marsh stirred unrest. What had once been a peaceful scene in the Misty Marsh quickly turned chaotic as various creatures, drawn by the scent of blood, emerged from hiding.
The fishmen, now numerous, quickly descended into chaos, and their violent fighting spread further and further.
Glancing at the distant chaos, Bloodhand Carn stroked the metal handle of his axe, waiting for the bloodthirsty creatures to gather, while saying in a raspy, low voice:
"The effect of Formula 14 is decent, but it only works on mid-tier and below magic creatures..."
"It's not as effective on the fishmen. Their intelligence may be low, but they're still intelligent."
"That concludes the experiment log for Formula 14."
After finishing his report, Bloodhand Carn tore open the communication scroll in his hand. The gloom in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a murderous intent that flared like fire.
The fierce aura of a high-level professional drew the attention of the surrounding cavalry.
A cloaked figure approached, took one look at the ready-to-strike Bloodhand Carn, and lowered his head slightly, speaking in a quiet voice:
"The Thorn Caravan didn't come; they stayed in the same spot as at noon."
"However, the scouts have reported seeing a spellcaster and a dragon among them!"
"Additionally, there are fifty fully armored soldiers hidden in the last group of carriages..."
Hearing the detailed report, Carn didn't grow angry. Instead, he glanced back at the ruins of Sweetwater Town in the distance and said calmly:
"It seems either they've discovered us and are trying to lure us in."
"Or they've changed their plans and are ramping up development to transport more supplies and people."
"Since they're not coming, notify the others to attack directly!"
"If they want the maximum benefit, then let's strike!"
"No prisoners, leave no one alive!"