Mercenaries and Adventurers

A small amount of blood flowed from the severed head of the beautiful bird, glowing with a small amount of magic power, and accidentally ignited the dried grass leaves at the bottom of the birdcage that were soaked in blood.

Kil stepped on it and put out the newly ignited flame with a pop.

Putting the dagger back into its scabbard, Kil reached out and pinched the bird's head with his fingers, whose crown was still shining, but whose eyes had lost their sparkle. He lifted it up and placed it outside the birdcage, and then carefully took out the body of the beautiful bird whose neck was constantly spurting out luminous blood.

Carrying the headless bird's body, Geer drew a picture on the cheap wooden floor outside the birdcage with a little blood coming out of the broken neck. First he made a big circle, and then he drew many small circles outside the big circle, one after another.

Then the blood on the broken neck became thirsty. Kil patted the bird carcass with beautiful feathers. Seeing that it had no effect, he threw it hard on the ground.

Now the blood started to flow out from the broken neck again.

Make an empty space in the middle of the large circle, and then draw two opposing triangles on both sides to represent the wings of the bird. Then, draw a horizontal triangle upward from the middle of the wings to represent the head of the bird.

Kil compared it and found that although it was a little rough, it was basically consistent with the ritual pattern that the bird god asked him to draw in his dream last night.

Kil nodded. He placed the bird's body in the middle, then drew his short sword and first chopped off the beautiful wings on the corpse, and then chopped off the slender claws.

He hesitated about the claws, because they were not among the sacrifices required for the ritual, so he put the claws into his pocket.

The wings were placed one on the left and the other on the right, with his body in the middle. Then he picked up the severed head and stamped out a small burning flame caused by the magic sparks coming out of the broken head.

Place the head where it should be.

"So, how do you make it burn?"

Before Kil's words to himself could even be finished, the magical sparks transformed from the luminous blood at the broken neck of the bird's head ignited the feathers on the bird's original body.

And as if the glowing blood contained a weak magic power, the flames immediately spread from the broken neck to the body, and then followed the ritual pattern outlined with the glowing blood, igniting a pair of beautiful wings.

Then it ignites a large circle around it, as well as multiple circles outside.

At this moment, the weak flame that was originally just the blood being ignited suddenly seemed to open up something. It swelled up and released a scorching breath.

Kildu was forced to take two steps back by the heat wave.

He was terrified, fearing that this strange burst of flame would ignite all the surrounding luminous plants, causing an out-of-control fire.

But soon, within a second or two, the flames seemed to be absorbed into the dead bird carcasses.

Right in front of Keir, the beautiful bird carcasses that he had originally killed and then dismantled for ritual purposes were connected together again in the flames.

No, it can't be said to be connected, more like stitching.

The wooden floor sizzled with the flames on the corpse, turning into a carbonized black.

The blackened wooden floor, which was as big as the ritual pattern, seemed to symbolize something. The carbonized black gradually twisted into an unsettling shadow black.

It's like this suspended wooden floor on the second floor of the house is connected to an extremely deep and dark well.

Keir just glanced at it and felt himself in a trance.

He immediately took two steps back.

But there was no need to be cautious, because just after this large black circle appeared like a dark well, the flames on the resurrected footless bird quickly turned dark, and turned into the familiar shadow of Kiel.

"God Budlib Dorab Ika?"

Kil asked tentatively.

The legless bird covered in black shadow mockingly called out "Quack!" before diving down and flying into the deep well of black shadow on the wooden floor.

A sentence floated out: "Well done, a human boy with a very good memory."

Then with the next breath, the dark shadow shrank and disappeared, leaving only a large piece of blackened wooden floor in place.

Even if they couldn't see clearly the ritual patterns on the floor, no one could know what happened.

"Phew, it should be done. Let's go."

Kil judged that there were no open flames or smoldering sparks, and then quickly ran towards the predetermined place.

He had to hurry up, the delay here had been longer than he expected.

-

Outside the Chamber of Commerce warehouse with glowing plants.

The leader of the thieves group showed up at the corner of the street, and then walked away under the protection of his men.

"What does this place do?"

He asked his subordinates, and one of his subordinates who was familiar with this area provided information: "Boss, this is the only business in the town that sells luminous plants that light up our homes, the 'Magic Light Plant'."

The boss rubbed his chin with his fingers: "Is there anything worth sending someone from above to get specially? Those luminous plants don't cost much, right?"

"Boss, some are expensive and some are cheap. The ones in each of our strongholds are all bargains. I heard that they have valuable varieties that noble men would plant in their gardens."

But to the thief boss who is innocent in stealing goods, although the rare things of noble gentlemen have some value, they are still just glowing plants after all.

Possible things are no match for human hands.

If it's just a small thing, send someone over to inform him. Of course he will get it in order to please the superiors. There is no need to send a team of people to do it secretly.

"No, go and inquire. Send someone to the chamber of commerce next door to ask carefully what reputation this chamber of commerce has. Be careful, after all, the security militia is stationed next to it. Don't mess with those greedy guys."

As soon as the order was issued, some of his subordinates sent out special personnel to inquire about information. They went to the next-door chamber of commerce that had just finished work to inquire about information.

"I have a feeling that the action of several groups of people is definitely not a small matter. Let's step back."

The thief boss hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously asked all those following him to step back.

-

Finley and Porlaw were in a small carriage pulled by only one horse.

As soon as they left the building where they spent the night, they followed the plan and quickly walked around the outside of the building in Strange Wind Town to the outside of the town close to the planned location.

"One, two, three. That's right, according to the arrangement of Mr. Dodel and Mr. Dodel, this is where we go. Let's go in through this road."

Although Finlay said he was cooperating with Porlao, due to the different status of the two, once the action started, it became Finlay directing Porlao's actions driving the carriage.

Porlao is a no-brainer, because this is indeed the intersection.

Even though he had never been to Strange Wind Town, when he first saw the town in the distance, he knew in his heart that if he wanted to drive in the town, he had to figure out where he was in the town.

Locals may determine where they are based on the doors of residents or chambers of commerce on the street, but outsiders must count where they are and where they want to go from the outside. Choosing the right intersection is the most important thing.

"It's probably a good business for this place to sell town maps to out-of-town merchants."

Porlao made a joke, but Finlay thought it was unacceptable: "Map is an important resource and cannot be simply sold to outsiders. It is a bit reluctant to make a map for your own use based on impressions, let alone one specially made for outsiders. Detailed map. What if someone has the idea to go here?"

After a pause, Finley expressed his opinion.

The carriage entered the narrow street accurately, which was more suitable for the narrow road where the cart traveled. It was too forced for a carriage to enter. The horse pulling the cart nervously looked at the flat walls approaching on both sides, and snorted nervously.

"Peace of mind, peace of mind, good partner, trust me."

Porlao calmed the horse, and then used his superb driving skills to prevent the building walls on both sides from brushing against the carriage body.

Only then did Finley take a new look at his companions who were acting together.

To be honest, just a moment ago he was dissatisfied with Knight Crow for finding such a driver as an 'outsider' to participate in this secret operation. Of course, Kiel is not an outsider, and even Kiel is more like himself than they, who have been subordinates of the Crow Knights for many years.

Finley thought with some sourness. He usually practiced martial arts diligently, but he was really unwilling to do so. This kid, Kil, only made his appearance in Kendall City last year and had only been exposed to fighting for a year.

A few days ago, he was able to defeat ten people, including him, with his bare hands.

Keir was alone, and there were ten people on their side, but they were defeated.

I really don't want to give in, but it's useless not to give in. I have to admit that Kil's fighting talent is very strong.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Borlao, who had superb driving skills, and finally had to admit that some people were better than them, and much better.

Finley was calculating the way to go, and then said: "The buildings in this town are very suitable for fighting inside. If you resist house by house, it will be difficult for several times the army to break in. But once the attacker has details By looking at the town building map, you can find weak points in the defense, and rely on demolishing building walls to quickly break in and outflank the defending soldiers."

Porlao didn't understand very well, so he could only smile and say perfunctory words such as yes, indeed.

When the carriage turned, Finlay's heart was in his throat, fearing that the carriage that would be used later would hit the building and be damaged.

But what neither he nor the local townspeople passing by expected was that Porlao's skills were really powerful. He saw that the intersection that needed to be turned was too narrow, and the long carriage with horse and cart could not be turned directly.

So he turned backwards.

The direction he wanted to go was turning left. He first drove the carriage straight at the turning intersection, letting the horse in front of the carriage cross the street first, while the carriage itself was still at the intersection.

Then he asked Finley to help push, and backed up with the horses, backing the carriage to the street on the right.

He kept retreating until both the carriage and the horse entered the street on the right side backwards, then he let the carriage go straight and walked straight into the street on the left that was the correct way to go.

"Well done! I don't know how to drive a carriage, but I didn't expect this."

Finley praised heartily, and Porlao also chuckled. He was obviously very proud of his skills. After all, he was not only able to turn at this narrow intersection, but also did not let the carriage touch any point.

Even the local townspeople passing by praised his skills.

After walking a little further, Finley said, "This is it, stop the car."

Porlao stopped the carriage with its body pressed against the side of the street, less than a finger away from the building wall. In this way, the left side of the carriage can be just enough for a local to squeeze through with a handcart.

"We just wait for the signal. You did a good job."

Finley said.

Porlao adjusted the windproof round cloth hat on his head and nodded. But he just wanted to stretch out and relieve his sleepy spirit. After all, he was so nervous that he didn't sleep all night long.

At this time, his waist was hit by Fenley's elbow, which made Porlao, who had been praised just now, a little strange.

Finley's face turned cold, and he looked very serious. The corners of his mouth twitched, and a faint voice came out: "Don't move, don't move."

"I don't know what's wrong, but don't turn your head, just lower your head. There are people in front and behind us watching us."

Porlao was shocked and became nervous. He clenched the reins in his hands tightly and asked in a low voice: "Did you fail? Did you fail? Do you want to retreat? Although it is narrow here, I am confident that the carriage will run faster than others." Can’t stop it.”

"Don't talk nonsense. Mr. Dowdle didn't say any other plans, so we have no other possibility of action besides the plan. Just wait for your signal. If you dare to take any unnecessary actions before then, don't blame me for being rude." .”

Finley has also experienced many battles. Although the situation suddenly changed at this moment, he still calmed down.

No matter who is following them and what they are doing, the two of them have a task to keep an eye on the carriage, rush it to the designated place after receiving the signal, load the goods and take the people away.

No matter what, we must complete the mission assigned by Knight Crow.

After all, Finley was arranged to be in the car at this time, and a pair of two-handed axes were equipped according to his requirements, which was obviously an insurance preparation for the situation at this moment.

"Calm down?"

"Um."

Finley whispered: "You drive your car and leave the rest to me. Don't worry, isn't this my mission? Everything is within Lord Dowdle's expectations."

Finley didn't know if this was expected by Knight Crow, but at the moment he could only say this. After all, it was not impossible.

With the corner of his eye, he glanced at the people who repeatedly passed by at the corner of the street in front of him, and he was a little confused.

His figure was a little too thin, and he didn't look like someone who could fight.

Pretending to talk to Porlao again, he turned his head to the right, and then used the corner of his eye to look at the situation of the person following behind.

The person behind him probably thought he wouldn't be discovered, so he didn't hide. He just squatted on the edge of the street a little far away and looked boldly in the direction of the carriage.

He was in rags and clothes, and he didn't look like he could fight.

More of them seemed to be spies who were specifically following the streets.

Just like the pickpockets on Kendall City's Glass Street who specialize in picking out the less fat sheep.

This kind of person will not steal personally, but usually takes three or two pickpockets under his management to patrol the streets where he has been 'permitted' to observe. Even the local residents generally don't know that this kind of street thieves are actually directed and managed. The little boss of pickpockets.

After seeing a suitable target, this person will call out his hiding men and secretly tell them who the target is and how much money can be stolen.

It is not always necessary to steal all the stolen money in one go. Pickpockets with fixed streets will only take part of the coins without anyone noticing. It is even found that after touching the gold and silver coins, they will find a way to return them to the target's wallet.

They are just afraid that the target will lose a lot of money, make a fuss, and get into trouble.

It's not good for their 'business' if they've lost a lot of money and have the target spending their days looking for pickpockets on the streets.

At the same time, there are other rules, such as money for treating diseases and saving lives cannot be stolen from locals. After all, pickpockets are also locals. In feudal society, most people are in small societies fixed in one place. Because the money for treating diseases and saving lives was stolen, the family of the deceased person would not really go to the church herbalist to cause trouble. Instead, most of them would use their own family connections to find the pickpocket who stole the money and take revenge privately.

This kind of thing will most likely make many streets unable to carry out 'business'. The pickpockets will have no income. Naturally, they will have no money to contribute to the gang forces above, and they will have to be beaten and punished.

They are not human inside or outside.

Of course, the best targets are outsiders, which is why towns on trade routes have the most various forces in the dark.

After all, various criminal activities that violate laws are also carried out for money. There is no living environment for pickpockets and thieves in relatively closed villages. Only places such as checkpoints, trading ports, along trade routes, and large towns have produced the soil where they can be active.

Finley was a town guard, so he guessed the possible identity of the stalker after just a brief look.

But this confused him even more.

The object of their snatching operation was an important part of the protection system of Wei Feng Town - the large weapons on the air defense arrow tower. Why were these people watching instead of the security militia?

strangeness.

-

Venilla and Cordoz, riding fast horses, drove four other horses carrying supplies out of the town building, letting the horses roam easily on the messy grass outside the town.

In their plan, they need to linger here and pick up Knight Crow and others who come out of the town at any time. These horses are the guarantee that after they complete the operation, they can quickly get rid of possible pursuers in the town.

Although these horses are not tall horses like the local prairie horses, they do not have the weakness of the local horses that are particularly afraid of harpies. They are all the horses with the best quality selected by Knight Crow from the horses guarded by Baron Kendall.

Bring enough supplies for them to use for several days, so that even in the worst case, they can rely on the protection of Knight Crow without having to spend the night in the next village, and can directly march through the Strange Wind Grassland without stopping. .

Join Kendall's army in Cavan Territory in the south.

Of course, Knight Crow knew that it was strange for him to arrange for the two of them to parade back and forth outside the town with their horses, but he was betting that it was morning, which was regarded as the 'night' time in Strange Wind Town. The caravan would spend the night or start again. After leaving, no one would pay attention to what the two people were doing outside the town.

It certainly started that way.

Venilla and Cordoz were holding their breath nervously at first, looking around and observing some people coming out of the town like them.

But they soon breathed a sigh of relief, because the locals organized according to the Chamber of Commerce were curious about what the two of them were doing while driving horses outside, but no one came to ask.

Those people were all riding a horse in two or three people, or sitting on an unloaded carriage, holding a grass-cutting sickle in their hands. If they were a little far away from the town, they would jump down and line up, and skillfully move their soft and long hair. Large tracts of green grass were cut.

These people all wear gloves. They are afraid that when mowing the grass, their palms will be contaminated with some flower juice, which will cause discomfort.

After all, some flowers and plants are edible, and some flowers and plants will turn red and swollen just by touching the palm. When mowing, we must pursue efficiency. Naturally, it is impossible to single out the flowers in the grass. We can only cut them all now and wait until the grass is shipped back. After arriving in town, they sat in the Chamber of Commerce warehouse and slowly sorted the fodder.

But after a while, a few figures vaguely appeared at the entrance of the building street outside the town.

Venilla and Cordoz were riding on horses, with a wide field of vision, and could easily spot someone in the town spying on them.

The two looked at each other and decided to stand still for the time being.

Before successfully engaging Crow Knight and his party, if the other party does not react, then they will not react either.

But secretly, the two of them had already grasped their weapons and were ready to fight at any time.

After fighting and winning against a large group of harpies, the Kendal people were not afraid of their enemies.