"You know, that Tomdin guy," Louisa sighed, with a sad look on her face: "Damn it, do you believe it? We tried to save his life, but we offended him."
"It doesn't matter, this is the last time we work for him," Dean sighed: "After this trip, we will never take Tomdin's business again."
"the last time?"
Kuai Sheng closed his eyes and let out a breath: "Bless the Desert God! I've really had enough of that guy! He keeps saying that I know so-and-so..."
"The last time, that's even worse. I can even imagine how he arranged it behind our back." Luisa said sarcastically.
"Told you, we shouldn't have come." McGee looked at Dean silently.
"It's my fault, brother," Dean smiled apologetically at the Bone Man: "We shouldn't have gone north."
The bald mercenary's eyes were burning.
"Don't worry about Tomdin. I think it's time for us to leave Sabertooth Sand Dunes... although we originally didn't plan to stay long."
This sentence caused all the mercenaries to stop what they were doing and look at Dean in unison.
Thales couldn't help but become curious: this bald mercenary seemed to have the courage to attract others' attention as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Leave Blade Ya...you mean, leave our current base camp?" Old Hammer repeated in surprise.
The mercenaries looked at each other, seemingly surprised by this suggestion.
Luisa asked cautiously: "Leave? Now? What did you think about it?"
Dean shook his head.
"First, the Freedom Alliance wanted to start a war, and then the Star People blocked the border at the Blade Tooth Dunes, and then something like this happened here..."
"I don't believe these things are unrelated to each other."
The bald mercenary took a sip of water and looked at several camps in the distance with a worried expression: "Whether it is the Blade Tooth Sand Dunes or the Western Front, this land is no longer suitable for mercenaries."
Quick Rope raised his hands in confusion.
"Wait a minute, why can't I understand? The Freedom Alliance, sealing the borders...what do these things have to do with whether they are suitable for mercenaries?"
"Shut up," Old Hammer glared at him seriously: "Listen carefully to Dean and learn from him."
Kuaisheng blinked, looking confused.
Thales also looked at Dean with interest.
"It has been several years since Qiyuan City has sent a cleaning team deep into the desert to maintain trade routes. According to Raymond, who specializes in business in the west, even the range of patrol cavalry has become more and more stingy," Dean stared at his feet.
The sandy ground, silently said:
"And now, the Freedom Alliance dares to openly challenge them and the Northlanders. This shows a lot of things."
Kanze, a Northlander, snorted coldly, seeming very dissatisfied.
Dean sighed.
"Not only Qiyuan City, but the Weiland Territory has also tightened its defense line. Kuolak, who specializes in running that front line, told me that from the Western Taipei Forest to the Ende Loess area, I haven't seen Exeter's rangers for a long time, but I do see them from time to time.
You will meet the Star People sent by Watch City to enclose the territory..."
Kuaisheng scratched his head and tilted his head: "So what do you mean?"
Everyone unanimously gave him a slap in the face and blamed him for interrupting.
But Dean smiled nonchalantly:
"Obviously, the influence and presence of the Northerners in the desert, whether in Qiyuan City or Welland Territory, is weakening. These things clearly indicate that the dragon intends to take back its claws, and the Kingdom of Exeter is in decline.
"
When Thales heard this, he couldn't help but feel moved in his heart.
so……
"Why?" Kuaisheng looked shocked: "Why can't I see it?"
"Politics, right?" This time, it was the unexpected Old Hammer who took over the conversation. He shook his head in disgust:
"Six years ago, Exeter re-elected the king."
Thales' heart sank.
That day six years ago flashed before his eyes.
That head.
That crown.
That... girl.
Dean sighed slightly.
"Yes, I guess that's the reason and whereabouts of the border troops from Qiyuan City and Weilan Territory. Maybe the new king, who killed his brother to seize the throne and became famous, poses a much higher threat to the princes than the desert border, so that
They don't have time to worry about what's going on in the sand."
Kanze sneered: "Parricide."
Dean nodded, frowned and continued talking.
"The forces in the desert, whether it is a large tribe of orcs or a tribe of desolate bones, they will definitely notice the retreat of the northerners and the changes at the northern end of the desert. Without the threat of an organized army, the people who have been hiding in the depths will
They will tentatively go north to fill the gap left by Exeter and strive for resources and space for survival."
The bald mercenary drew lines in the sand, and Thales could barely tell that they were maps:
"At the same time, the decline of the Dragon Kingdom will free up the Star People. The western front may expand, or it may not, but judging from their blockade this time, the former is more likely."
Kuai Sheng was stunned for a while after hearing this, and the others were similar, most of them were confused. Only Louisa still looked at Dean seriously.
Seeing this, Thales suddenly understood where Dean's status in this team came from.
Dean frowned and said cautiously: "Whether it's the big tribe moving north or the stars expanding westward, it's not something a small mercenary team like us can afford. The business will be less and less, and the journey will be longer and longer.
It’s difficult, there will be more and more accidents, and we can’t stay in the northern and eastern parts of the desert for at least five years.”
Old Hammer snorted helplessly: "Well, in the final analysis, we are still not strong enough. If we were an elite group of 100 people like the 'Blood Whistle'..."
But Dean interrupted him without any doubt: "No, then we will become cannon fodder in tribal conflicts or kingdom conquests, and die faster."
Old Hammer smiled awkwardly.
"Then where are we going?"
Kuaisheng's eyes widened: "Go back to the south again, back to where we came from, the Three Kingdoms in the Lost Sea?"
Dean shook his head in protest.
"Whether it is the Principality of Thera, the Principality of Norton or the Principality of Quill, they also face the same problem as the northern end of the desert. For the same reason, the decline and internal strife of Exeter will be followed by the revival of the Star Kingdom, even if
It's the Blade Collar that's been hit hardest by them."
"Without the threat and constraints of the northern dragon, the Kingdom of Stars will free up their hands and will definitely try to restore their influence and hegemonic privileges in the neighboring countries in the southwest. In the Three Kingdoms of the Lost Sea, among those businessmen, thugs, gangsters, and killers
, a free world where bounty hunters, free knights and mercenaries are popular, a smuggling paradise, a tax-free paradise, a sword fighting arena, a countryside of death...guess who will be unlucky first."
Thales breathed slowly and digested the knowledge in front of him step by step. The information obtained by these mercenaries was not the "little slippery guy looking at the world" in the study.
The fast rope almost fainted: "It's so complicated, so where are we going?"
"To put it simply," Dean said with a serious expression, silently lost in thought: "We have to find a place where the powers and forces are at odds with each other and are wary of each other. It is best to be severely injured and locked in a stalemate. That way, we can find both business and opportunities.
, and we don’t have to face the disaster of large-scale war.”
Louisa nodded: "So? Where is Dante's sword going to point?"
Dean smiled slightly and pointed to the map on the sand: "It's still the case that the Kingdom of Exeter has temporarily declined, and the Golden Corridor and the Camas Alliance will also be affected. There have always been many conflicts within Conmas. Once Exeter
Te is caught in internal fighting and has an in-law relationship with Longxiao City. Vine City, which has seized the right to speak in the alliance for more than ten years, will be the hardest hit. In turn, the pressure on the four northern cities in the north will drop sharply and usher in a period of growth."
"The four northern cities headed by Zenliu City, the coastal community that only looks up to Valir State, and even the southeastern states represented by Sunrast, which have been stable for a long time, will face a period of time with Vine City, which has lost its strong support.
During this small period of fighting, we don’t know what will happen to the internal fighting in Camas, but the infighting among merchants will inevitably involve people like us. And for places like Maple Point Coast, Kolonk, and the North Sea Kingdom,
There should also be a lot of opportunities in the small countries surrounding Conmas."
Speaking of Shanliu City, Thales thought of the impressive Marquis in Longxiao City who abided by the "spirit of contract".
Dean continued: "With the decline of Vine City, Conmas has lost the motivation and strength to get involved in the west and the co-governing land of Talundi. The Kingdom of Allenbia will not let go of this opportunity. They have always been looking forward to the opportunity in Conmas."
Before Mas infiltrated, he captured the Talundi Colony, but that could be a peaceful political evolution or a bloody war of conquest. Our future is uncertain if we go there."
"As for the Golden Corridor... I won't talk about the Freedom Alliance and White Mountain. I don't know about Feast Leader and Yemang Mountain. Levor is sandwiched between Camas and Allenbia. I can't say for sure. But one from
The mercenaries from the City of Steel told me that Grand Duke Cid of the Principality of Anrenzo is in poor health. It is conceivable that his children will fight over the inheritance rights. The large and small cities and states around the Dragon Kiss Land may be affected by the suzerain state.
The turmoil of the war has reshuffled the ranks, but Kangmus is busy with internal fighting, and Xingchen is about to reunite the Three Kingdoms of the Lost Sea, Allenbia, I guess Guangua, Lijin, and even small-scale bandits and rebellions will appear, and the merchants will not like it.
Yes, but that’s an opportunity for mercenaries.”
Dean raised his head, but was helpless to find that most people were looking at him with puzzled faces, even Louisa frowned.
But Thales' clear gaze made the bald man slightly startled.
Dean coughed, returned to the present, and pointed to the ground: "So, let's choose one, Camus or Dragon's Kiss."
The air became quiet.
"Although I don't understand what you're talking about, I feel so awesome," Kuai Sheng said with admiration on his face and said rudely, whether it was slang from the sea or the desert: "Are all mercenaries today so arrogant?"
Thales also looked at Dean seriously.
Not to mention anything else, but based on this knowledge alone...
No wonder, with Dante's big sword, no wonder they can go deep into the desert with confidence.
No wonder they were able to gather this group of strange warriors, each with their own strengths.
Louisa chuckled.
"I don't know about the others," the female captain looked at the bald mercenary with an indescribable look: "But Dean, yes."
"He's just so stupid."
Dean coughed again, seeming a little embarrassed.
"We are mercenaries, Quick Rope. To survive, we rely not only on strength or luck," he laughed, inevitably a little embarrassed, "but on careful and shrewd assessment of the situation, meticulous observation of intelligence, and the ability to understand all directions.
Connections and reputation.”
Thales listened silently.
The life of a mercenary.
I see.
At this moment, Mikey suddenly moved.
He quickly stretched out his hand and took out a large handful of sand from the sand!
Thales and all the mercenaries were shocked.
Grains of sand fell from the Desolate Skeleton Man's fingers.
"Fuck!" This was the first time that a curse word came out of Mikey's mouth. He looked at the thing in his hand, gritted his teeth, and looked ferocious.
The sand fell, and Thales could see clearly that what Mike was holding was a small lizard, struggling endlessly.
Yeah, lizard.
etc.
Thales discovered that he knew this species... Well, I can't say "know" it. It should be that he "ate" this species of lizard a few days ago.
Under the firelight, the lizard was blood red in color, covered with white stripes, and had sharp spines between its skin. It was waving its limbs and tail painfully in McGee's hand.
"Beautiful, Mikey!" Old Hammer laughed happily: "A cat can't catch a mouse like this..."
But his voice stopped suddenly.
"No."
At that moment, when she saw the lizard clearly, Louisa's face showed incredible horror: "Oh my god, this is..."
Thales looked at Old Hammer in confusion, then at the other mercenaries, and found that most of them had solemn expressions, except for the fast rope who had just joined the profession.
"Don't panic," Dean's voice calmed everyone down: "At least we are all here."
The prince's eyes returned to the poor red lizard.
Thales was full of questions.
Isn't this just a lizard?
Although the color is a little rare, but...is there any problem?
It can't be poisonous. Thales touched his belly silently: Wait, it shouldn't be poisonous. It can last for several days before it attacks, right?
Yes?
"Wait a minute," Kuaisheng's expression condensed and he pointed at the lizard: "I think I heard Tampa say this... red skin and white stripes... that's, that's..."
He looked pale.
"yes."
Mikey said coldly: "Blood-spiked lizard."
"An ominous sign."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's faces became even more ugly.
Blood spiny lizard?
Thales felt something in his mind: He seemed to have heard the name of this animal somewhere.
Where is it?
But he couldn't remember it for a moment, so he asked directly.
"Ominous? Why?" This was a confused Thales.
Old Hammer sighed and shrugged, looking at the hazy moonlight in the sky.
"This lizard is a specialty of the desert..."
"Once there is not enough food, they will call each other at night and gradually gather together..."
He didn't say any more, but looked sad.
Thales asked tentatively: "Unite for hunting?"
"No." Mikey shook his head with a cruel look in his eyes.
He slowly spoke in his desert accent, the difficult common language that Thales gradually got used to after listening to it for several days:
"They will start...hunting each other and preying on their own species."
Thales was stunned.
I heard the Barren Skeleton Man say coldly: "The blood-spiked lizard that survives in the end can rely on the corpses of its companions to fill its stomach and survive this time when food is hard to find."
Thales' eyes widened and he looked at the struggling blood-spiked lizard carefully.
This is……
Louisa sighed: "Eat the same kind and live on them."
"What kind of creature in the world can do such a terrible thing?"
Thales was stunned.
"What a coincidence," Dean sighed, "that's the only one I know."
"And they are living in skins that are no different from yours or mine."
"So the blood-spiked lizard is one of the most ominous creatures in the desert. The Desert God created it to warn us about our behavior in the desert. The Desert God will not cause disaster. Mortals will seek it out if they cannibalize their own kind, and they will be punished by God," said McGee.
He frowned and said firmly:
"It means the most terrifying and eerie thing in the desert, worse than the crow that represents bad luck. Those who see it may have bad luck, and those who eat it will have a rough life."
Thales looked at the lizard blankly.
Whoever eats it...
Isn't it?
This is superstition, right?
etc……
It must be superstition, right, some unreliable metaphysics or something like that...
definitely is……
Kara!
The next second, McGee used his hands mercilessly to end the life of this ominous animal.
Thales, who was immersed in panic, was startled again.
The Desolate Skeleton Man dug a sand pit with cold eyes and put the blood-spiked lizard's body into it.
"There is no disaster in the desert god, and there are disasters in the world. There is no forgiveness in the desert god, and the desert is forgiven." He muttered something and buried the sand.
Quick Rope sighed and patted Thales, who looked a little dull: "Ignore him, the Bone Man is always weird."
The atmosphere in the team seemed to darken instantly.
"Don't be nervous, everyone," Louisa coughed, attracting everyone's attention: "It's dead. We just met once. Even if there are some minor twists and turns, it's nothing. And it's just a legend. Besides, no one is stupid.
Gotta eat it…”
Upon hearing this, Thales touched his belly with a stiff expression.
"Go for your shift, I'll go too," Dean said calmly, "Believe me, cheer up..."
At this moment.
"Wait!" Mikey suddenly said, his tone serious.
Thales was startled again.
Dean frowned: "How..."
"This blood-spiked lizard..." Mikey gritted his teeth and looked at the half-buried blood-spiked lizard: "It didn't come for no reason."
"McGee, that's just a legend..." Old Hammer sighed.
Mikey raised his head suddenly!
"No, it buried a hole in the sand and ran away because it was scared!"
The Desolate Skeleton Man's face was solemn as never before: "And this means..."
The next second, Mikey suddenly fell to the ground!
He buried the side ears in the sand and remained motionless.
"Everyone be quiet," Dean raised his hand and whispered in a tacit understanding, "Let him listen."
In an instant, everyone in the camp fell silent, even Quick Rope covered his mouth in horror. Only the noise from other camps could be heard in the distance, like a hazy background sound.
What's wrong?
Thales looked at them blankly, but even though he had never been a mercenary, he understood their actions in just a short while.
Just a few seconds later, McGee jumped up!
The Desolate Skeleton Man suddenly stretched out his hands to reach for his two swords, his tone was urgent and his face was ferocious:
"Someone is approaching, from all directions, with heavy footsteps..."
Before he could finish speaking, Dean's expression changed, he grabbed the fighting ax at hand and shouted to the sky:
"alert!"
His roar was loud, especially abrupt in the desert night sky!
The whole caravan was quiet at night.
The next second, the caravan camp became chaotic, noisy, bustling, and there were all kinds of sounds.
But on this side, before Thales could react, Dante's swords all jumped up from the ground, and even the fast rope did not fall behind.
They each pounced on their own weapons: Kanze pulled out his two-handed sword domineeringly, McGee pulled out his double knives, Old Hammer untied the linen wrapping around the hammer, Hubert raised his straight hammer and large shield, and pulled out a quick rope
Louisa dropped the quiver and drew the long sword from her waist. They turned their backs to the bonfire and spread out in formation in tacit understanding and unity.
Thales then stood up, hurriedly pulled the crossbow of time, and began to load arrows.
What are you doing?
"Enemy?" Dean asked calmly, holding an ax in his hand, looking at the sand dunes behind him and the terrain in the distance.
"I don't know," Mikey shook his head, his tone was urgent, and his breathing had not yet eased: "You can't see the sand and dust at night, and the sound transmission from the sand is very bad, so they took advantage of... They were about to encircle us, and our sentry..."
"Confirm the mount first," Louisa's expression twisted. She gritted her teeth and pulled out the sword from her waist, shouting in a hoarse voice: "Send a signal to Breeze and the others..."
But she couldn't finish her words.
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
In the darkness, a sharp sound suddenly came!
laugh!
Kanze, a native of the North, was knocked backwards as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer!
"Ahhh!" He roared angrily, inserted the sword into the sand, steadied himself, and trembled slightly.
Thales, who was sharp-eyed, saw a long arrow with sharp tail feathers appearing on the Northlander's shoulder.
"Enemy attack!" Dean roared angrily, swinging his ax to block a cold arrow.
boom!
clang!
For a few seconds, the mercenaries either dodge or block, amidst the friction of sand and the collision of metal, they withstood the first wave of cold arrows!
But countless screams and howls came from the camp of the caravans.
"No!"
"Ah, it hurts!"
"This is"
Thales listened to the familiar voice in his ears in shock and anger, feeling as if he had returned to the battlefield he hated most.
The next second, the old hammer shook off the sledgehammer calmly, with great force and force, and collided head-on with a weapon coming from the darkness!
"Boom!"
Amidst the loud noise that tortured his eardrums, Thales was surprised to see that the strong old hammer swayed, took three steps back, knelt on one knee, and gasped in pain!
Enemies, countless enemies, they suddenly appeared from the endless darkness as if they had agreed.
Hubert's large shield caught up in time and blocked the enemy's next blow.
"Come!" Hubert howled angrily, planning to call his companions: "Let's do this first."
But he soon discovered that his intention would not be realized: almost at the same time, all the mercenaries encountered the enemy!
"day!"
McGee gritted his teeth and shouted, he drew out his two swords and released a weapon with a thick blade and a long blade, which looked like a sword.
But before he could fight back, he rolled on the spot again in embarrassment, avoiding a big stick hitting the ground in the flying sand: "They are professionals!"
Louisa calmly cooperated with Dean's axe, swung her long sword, and used her flexible body to deal with the three enemies with difficulty: "Don't panic! Work in pairs, form!"
Thales, who was desperately trying to stay calm, gritted his teeth and finished winding the string by the campfire, raised his arm crossbow, and looked around.
How could this happen? How could this happen?
The campfire was stirred by the sudden battle, flickering in and out of light. The enemy's figure could not be seen clearly, but it was vague and shadowy. It enveloped the small camp and rushed towards Dante's swords.
"Grass, grass, grass"
Quick Rope screamed, and his machete was repulsed by the enemy. The poor newcomer fell to the ground. Fortunately, Kanze heroically pulled out the long arrow and filled his position. He swung back one with his big sword and tried to take advantage of the situation to attack.
of enemies.
Thales instantly entered the senses of hell.
Oh my god.
He was covered in cold sweat as he looked at everything in front of him.
"ah!"
"kill!"
"Ding"
"boom!"
"Cruery!"
The screams were endless, the smell of blood was everywhere, and the furious war cries and the clash of weapons resounded throughout this dark moonlit night.
There was even a frightening animal growl, accompanied by a miserable howl from not far away, followed by a terrifying chewing sound like teeth tearing apart flesh and blood.
Oh shit.
Oh shit!
With the help of the Sin of the Hell River, the nervous prince got rid of the misdirection of the fire and the deception of the night. He clearly saw: forty or fifty strong and tall figures on the sand, seemingly at the same time, from the dunes,
From the flat ground, from the back slope, from different directions and angles, they attacked all the caravan camps and everyone!
There are even non-human species among them that are on all fours with their long tails swung in the air.
Invading like fire.
Ants gather and attack.
Killing without mercy.
"call"
The wind is coming from behind!
Hold!
Thales gritted his teeth, and at an unprecedented speed, he ducked to avoid an ax strike!
The wind of the ax ripped through his hair and sliced open his forehead within an inch.
Damn it.
Damn it!
This is...a deadly fight!
Thales clenched his arm crossbow in fright and anger amid the sound of wind.
The enemy's rude curses came out, but they couldn't be heard clearly.
The power of termination surged into the prince's thighs. Thales stepped away from him and quickly turned around to face the enemy.
He aimed the crossbow of time at the chest of this tall opponent and pulled the trigger hard: "Ouch!"
"clang!"
Under the loud noise, the enemy swayed in pain, the offensive stopped, and the ax hung down feebly.
Thales was trembling all over, but it was not fear and panic that he had already lost in countless dangers. The unfair battle with Nicolai made him feel the cruelty and directness of fighting desperately. It is the instinct when the sin of the Hell River fills the whole body, and it is the desire to fight.
The prince took a deep breath, decisively put aside his crossbow, and stepped forward.
In the cold wind, countless gravel rubbed against the soles of his shoes, and he stepped back.
The j-dagger, as familiar as his arm, was instantly grasped in his palm.
After the battle with the Fallen Star, his finishing power improved a lot, and his combat reflexes also improved significantly. The Sin of Hell River ignited his blood all the time.
He knows that this is a desert.
No one will save themselves.
There is only fighting.
kill him.
kill him!
With a speed that was unimaginable before, Thales instantly jumped in front of the enemy who was bending down to endure the pain. He strengthened his legs, used the strength to climb up, and thrust forward with his right arm!
"laugh!"
The dagger pierces the enemy's neck hard!
"Ah!" Thales roared angrily, turning the dagger desperately, feeling the wet, sticky and hot blood left on his arm.
The feeling he hates the most.
The most hated feeling.
Let him recall the day that changed his destiny.
That day, he was like this too...
"Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Kukala!" The enemy's voice was strong, and he cursed painfully in a language that Thales could not understand.
The next moment, Thales felt a strong attack on his chest, causing severe pain!
"boom!"
Under the great force, the prince was knocked down to the sand, and severe pain and chest tightness were felt at the same time.
Oops.
This thought emerged with Thales's painful breathing.
The huge enemy howled miserably, and blood gushed out violently from his neck, but he seemed to have no feeling as he suddenly pulled up the single-sided giant ax on the ground, which was almost as long as Thales. The ferocious and broad ax blade was still there. It takes up half of the ax handle.
Thales, who was still shivering from the heavy fall, could only look at the red and black giant ax helplessly.
Oops.
Oops!
He thought painfully and breathed hard, but his body had not yet recovered but it was difficult to move.
"Seer, Seer, Seer!"
The tall and strong enemy roared desperately at Thales on the ground, as if he wanted to roar with all his strength in this life.
Above Thales, he waved his arms above his head, raised his giant ax high like an executioner, and shook his head frantically, spreading red blood all over the sand:
"Seirike!"
etc.
Seer? Seirike?
This sentence……
Thales felt a chill in his mind: Where have I heard this sentence before?
The next second, the enemy's ferocious ax blade cut down mercilessly.
"Whoa!"
At that moment, his face was facing Thales.
The moment he saw the enemy clearly, the prince was stunned.
This face...
This, what kind of face is this?
The opponent's big face was twisted and trembling in severe pain. It was dark gray in color, with a wide forehead, high hairline, and small eyes.
The knotted cheek flesh is connected into one piece, shrinking violently under the rough gray skin.
The opponent's nose was almost two thin slits, and only a big black mouth opened angrily in the air, showing its terrifying fangs in the roar.
Brutal, ugly, chaotic.
This is the description that Thales can think of.
"call"
Amidst the opponent's wild shouts and roars, the terrifying ax blade cut through the air, dropped to the ground, and slashed towards Thales' chest.
In the darkness, the sound of fighting in my ears seemed to be much blurred.
Thales finally gritted his teeth and looked hopelessly at the falling giant axe.
No.
the prince thought desperately.
"He" is not him.
He is not human.
But "it".
it!
"Fucking balls!"
Under the night sky, Old Hammer's sad and angry roar exploded on the ground. His tone was stern and his attitude was decisive, as if all the hatred and pain in the world had gathered here: "It's the gray bastard!"