Green Monster Epic

Chapter 720: Pursuit

"Old Sir, are you tired? Do you need to rest for a bit?"

A carriage was slowly traveling on the wide road of the Green Lake trade route. Occasionally, merchants and carriages could be seen coming and going on the road.

Several gnoll and troll adventurers carefully guarded the carriage on both sides, trying to prevent the carriage from shaking violently. However, this also slowed down the progress of their six or seven-person team.

Stopping and starting, Botu, a troll warrior from the Snowmi tribe and the leader of this group of adventurers, heard a faint moan from inside the carriage and quickly approached to inquire with concern.

"No need, just go slowly," a frail and aged voice came from the carriage, which was sealed tightly, only vaguely revealing a figure sitting inside. The voice sounded somewhat lacking in energy.

"Understood."

To be honest, the mission Botu and his companions had taken this time was quite relaxed and safe, and the reward was good. Their employer wanted them to safely escort him from Green Lake Town to Nasir Fortress.

For ordinary adventurers or even ordinary natives, this task would involve simply following the main road of the Green Lake trade route. Unless they were extremely unlucky and encountered ferocious beasts from the depths of the foothills, there would generally be no risks.

However, the elderly goblin who hired them was practically with one foot in the River Styx, and found it very difficult to even walk. Yet, he still wanted to make this long journey, which gave Botu and his team a great opportunity.

Originally, Botu and his team secretly planned to take the old man to a remote place halfway and simply kill him. Even if they didn't complete the mission and didn't get the reward, since the other party could afford this price, he was likely wealthy. However, the other party had clearly anticipated this move and directly had them sign a magic contract. This blocked Botu and his team's treacherous path, and now they could only properly escort him to his destination.

"Cough cough cough!! Cough cough!!"

Inside the carriage, Albad, whose face was covered with wrinkles and age spots, revealed fatigue and discomfort in his eyes.

This time, he secretly slipped out of Green Lake Town to go to Nasir Fortress to study the valuable materials brought to Nasir Fortress by the human Council of Truth mage team. The human mage Gunther had previously been invited by Allen and brought a batch of materials to Albad, which greatly inspired him and allowed his experiments to make some breakthrough progress. However, due to the lack of subsequent materials, his research was once again stalled.

Allen, considering Albad's old and decaying body, instructed the goblin managers in Green Lake Town to only allow Albad to move around in the town. Even though Albad had repeatedly requested Triss to go to Nasir Fortress, he was rejected each time.

In the end, Albad had no choice but to use closed-door research as an excuse, sealing off his laboratory for half a month, while secretly finding a group of more reliable adventurers to hire them to take him to Nasir Fortress.

With half a month of buffer time, even if Triss and the others noticed that he was missing, he estimated that he wouldn't be too far from the fortress. By then, even if the other party eventually sent someone to chase him, he could use the accomplished fact as a reason to achieve his goal.

Albad knew that the clan leader was doing this out of concern for him, but he hoped that he could get closer to the truth he sought before he passed away, even if he ended up with nothing in the end, he would have no regrets.

The soft animal skin placed in the carriage, as well as some ventilation tools and scrolls prepared by Albad himself, made the environment in the carriage as comfortable as possible. However, for Albad, who couldn't even walk properly, it was still too bumpy and painful.

Fortunately, the Moore Fortress was not far away. At most, it would take three or four days, plus the time to cross the canyon, and at most six days, he would be able to reach his final destination.

However, Albad was also worried that his old body would slow down the progress. The journey that ordinary merchants could complete in half a month now required him more than twenty days. In another two days, the news of his disappearance would probably be known to Triss and the others, and then it would be reported to the clan leader.

In any case, things had already persisted to this point, so let it be.

Thinking too much was useless, Albad continued to lean over, struggling to read the blurry book in front of him. Occasionally, when he saw something insightful, he would close his eyes and ponder for a long time. When he opened his eyes again, he would either be gratified or regretful, and his emotions were constantly changing.

But most of the time, Albad was drowsily curled up on the soft animal skin, nourishing his spirit. Now, even thinking for a slightly longer period of time had become a heavy burden for his body, always making him feel a strong sense of sadness.

Nothing happened along the way, and another four days passed. Seeing the majestic city in front of him, Albad, who had been squinting and looking out of the carriage, saw the somewhat familiar scene, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes, which then slowly disappeared into the depths of his eyes.

Suddenly, a burst of dense, raindrop-like footsteps came from behind, rushing from the end of the road towards Green Lake.

Sensing this, Botu and his companions quickly moved the carriage to the side to make way for the speeding team behind them. Before long, a team of dozens of goblin wolf riders quickly approached, and a majestic and agile aura swept over them. The solemn atmosphere of the regular army made the surrounding pedestrians and merchants feel awe.

Hiss!! Hiss!!

The leading wolf rider was wearing a set of silver-white chain armor, which made a crisp tinkling sound as his gray-white wolf rose and fell. On both sides of the wolf's hindquarters, there were exquisite magic repeating crossbows, and the crossbows were even hanging with crossbow bolts. The cold arrow shadows protruded from the crossbow arms and could be fired at any time.

When the wolf ran to Botu's carriage, it suddenly took a few deep breaths, and then slowly stopped, constantly twitching its head and looking at Botu's carriage.

"Surround them!!"

Sensing the abnormality of his mount, the goblin knight captain immediately knew that he had finally found the target this time and quickly issued an order.

"Ah!! Ah!! Ah!!! Brave warrior, is there some misunderstanding between us!!!!"

Botu and his party did not dare to resist at all. When the goblin cavalry surrounded them, they had already obediently put down their weapons, squatted on the ground with their hands on their heads, and began to shout loudly.

Facing such a well-equipped team of soldiers who looked difficult to deal with, only a crazy adventurer would want to fight them! Botu and his team just wanted to earn some money for retirement, not to lose their lives. Knowing that they couldn't resist and still resisting would be suicide. A mere mission was not worth their sacrifice.

Albad, who was preparing to rest, was disturbed by the noise outside. He struggled to get up without even lifting the curtain to check. The peculiar aura on the wolves had already explained everything.

"Who gave you the audacity to kidnap an important figure of my tribe?!"

Plaka, the Worg Rider Captain, stared intently at the seemingly cooperative group of adventurers before him, his face stern and eyes filled with murderous intent. Any slight movement from them would result in dozens of bloody holes pierced through their bodies by the powerful crossbow in his hand.

"Brave warrior, you must be mistaken! We were merely hired by the old gentleman in the carriage to escort him to Fort Nasier. This is not a kidnapping or abduction!"

Boto hastily explained, pointing towards the carriage.

"Old gentleman, please come out and say a word, vouch for us!"

The surrounding pedestrians and merchants were all on edge. While some were curious about who this important figure was, attracting the pursuit of the powerful Green Field Tribe cavalry, most were afraid of getting caught in the crossfire and quickly moved to the sides.

Those who couldn't avoid it simply stayed far away, definitely not approaching within a mile radius of this goblin encirclement.

Albard wasn't particularly angry that the people he hired were so useless. After all, he had personally built this light goblin cavalry, and he knew their strength very well.

"Don't make things difficult for these adventurers. I asked them to take me to Fort Nasier!"

Summoning his strength, Albard called out weakly from inside.

"Commander, is that you?"

Hearing the familiar voice, the stern expression on Plaka's face softened slightly, and he called out affectionately towards the carriage.

"Can't you lift the curtain and see for yourself? Are you afraid that this old wreck will harm you?!"

Albard was already having difficulty speaking, but to prove his identity, he mustered his strength to lift the curtain on the carriage window, revealing his face.

"Commander, why did you run off without saying a word? We were all very worried!"

Plaka had joined the cavalry not long after Albard had left his post as cavalry commander. However, in the hearts of the cavalrymen, Commander Albard's prestige remained unshaken to this day. After all, most of the tactics and formations practiced by the cavalry on a daily basis were created by Albard. It could be said that he single-handedly built the two Green Field cavalry legions.

"If I had said anything, would I have been able to leave?"

Albard glared unhappily at the unfamiliar goblin captain. Although they didn't know each other, seeing the cavalry he had created, Albard couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship and warmth.

"Quickly clear the road for me, I need to get going!"

"But Mayor Tris told us to take you back to town!"

Plaka said with a troubled expression.

"Then do you believe that if you take me back to Green Lake Town, I'll die on the way?"

Albard's expression darkened, and he threatened directly.

He was already about to reach Fort Nasier. If he turned back now, wouldn't his twenty days of suffering have been in vain? Moreover, if he missed this opportunity, he might never be able to go to Fort Nasier to consult the remaining materials in the hands of the Council of Truth's mage group!

"But..."

Plaka was now somewhat at a loss. As their superior, Tris had given them a task that they had to complete. However, seeing former Commander Albard's current attitude, it was absolutely impossible for him to return with them. Moreover, given his current physical condition, it would be difficult to ensure that he could endure another thousand miles of travel.

"Get out of my way! Otherwise, I'll make you take my corpse back today!!!"

Albard made a final effort. Even if he died, he hoped to die on the path of pursuing truth!

A faint magical fluctuation slowly emanated from Albard's body. After all, he was a quasi-legendary figure who had found the path to legend. Although he was still one crucial step away, even in his old age, he still had the power to commit suicide.

"I..."

Just as Plaka was hesitating, a rhythmic sound of footsteps came from the road to the east. From afar, someone was shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Why is there a traffic jam ahead? Clear the road immediately!!!"

The closer they got to Fort Nasier, the more frequent the patrols of the goblin defense forces became. Seeing a caravan and pedestrians stopping and gathering, blocking the road, the patrolling goblin guard captain would inevitably lead his men to disperse the crowd and investigate what had happened.

"You see, I've now entered the territory of Fort Nasier. With the protection of the army here, you don't have to worry about my safety."

Albard was delighted to see the approaching goblin warriors and pointed at them.

On the side of the carriage, Boto and the others, who were obediently squatting, couldn't help but secretly rejoice. Fortunately, the old goblin had signed a magic contract with them, otherwise, even if they had any bad intentions, they wouldn't have been able to enjoy the money they received!

However, what puzzled Boto and the others was that if the old goblin, who had always been mysterious in the carriage, had such a respected status in the Green Field Tribe, why didn't the tribe simply send someone to escort him to his destination, instead of having them, outsiders, do it!

"The Third and Fifth Squads of the Worg Rider Legion are on a mission. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Seeing the approaching dozen or so majestic infantry warriors, mainly earth goblins, carrying weapons, Plaka quickly shouted to explain in order to avoid misunderstandings.

"So that's how it is. I am Okocha, the captain of the Second and Eighth Squad of the Fort Nasier City Guard Patrol Camp. Is there anything we can help with?"

"No..."

Plaka was about to refuse, but seeing the displeased look in Albard's eyes and his firm attitude, he finally compromised: "Actually, I have an important person here who needs to go to Fort Nasier. I wonder if you, Captain Okocha, and your guards can escort him for a while."

"That's no problem at all."

The surprised expression on Okocha's face flashed for a moment, but he didn't refuse and agreed directly.

"If Tris blames you when you get back, just say that I forced you with death."

Albard breathed a sigh of relief and said comfortingly to Plaka.

"Commander, please take care of your health. I can handle Mayor Tris."

Plaka glanced at Albard with concern. The other party's expression visibly wilted, obviously, this short conversation had taken a great deal of his energy. No wonder Mayor Tris was so worried about him!

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Captain Okocha."

"It's no trouble at all."

...

After a handover, Plaka and his cavalry turned around swiftly, as if they had come, and disappeared on the bustling commercial road. The Okocha squad, which had taken over the escort mission, ignored the adventurers squatting to the side and slowly led Albard's carriage towards Fort Nasier City.