The refugees traveling with Brand escaped into the Silver Sparrow Mountain before sunrise, just as Brand had anticipated. After they defeated the Undead reconnaissance cavalry, the Undead Army did not pursue them. Since the combat effectiveness of low-level Undead and Vampires drastically decreases during the daytime, Brand guessed that they would not let the Sea of Skulls advance under the Sun until they completely annihilated the White-maned Knight Order.
However, after occupying several cemeteries in Ridenburg, the Undead force would presumably continue to swell in numbers. It was said that when Tagus reached Dragos to the north, the force had already increased to over a hundred thousand, five times the total military strength of the Golan-Elsen Region.
The number of refugees had grown to around four or five hundred after taking in more people, forming a long line interspersed with wagons and mule carts, extending about half a mile through the Silver Sparrow Mountain. Some were searching for family members they had lost during the night, momentarily bringing some vitality to the group of refugees.
Miss Merchant, who had sneaked off the wagon in broad daylight, was now sitting on a flatbed wagon full of goods, hugging her precious bag while telling stories to a few naive young men. Her storytelling was exceptionally engaging, making the little ones listen with wide eyes, entranced.
She was describing how calm and wise Brand was when suddenly she saw a man and a woman riding up from afar, and her expression changed in fright. She instinctively lowered her head.
Brand had probably slept for three hours, the only sleep he’d gotten in days. Despite being preoccupied with thoughts about the Madara Army, he hadn’t slept well. He soon recognized the sneaky young girl as Romantic and couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head:
"Why did you come out?"
"I was bored." Miss Merchant answered with a submissive look.
"It’s very dangerous out here, Romantic," Frey said, frowning at her best friend with concern, "If anything happens to you, how am I supposed to explain to Aunt Jenny?"
"It’s not that dangerous. I was just telling them a story." Romantic’s eyes sparkled as she mentioned this.
A few kids hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"It’s not about what you’re doing," Frey sighed, "Do you realize how tense the situation is right now?"
Brand, somewhat amused, looked at Romantic: "What story are you telling?"
"A story about Brand."
Brand waved her over. Slightly stunned, she ran to the edge of the wagon without hesitation, only to be grabbed and pinched on the cheek by the young man, who firmly reprimanded: "——You need to listen to Frey and be careful, understand?"
Romantic was startled and made a whimpering sound while trying to push Brand away, raising her eyebrows in frustration: "I... I get it, let... let go!"
She then quickly retreated to the other corner of the wagon, glaring at Brand with a guarded expression, patting her chest as if she had narrowly escaped disaster.
Brand chuckled to himself, noting that her cheeks were quite soft. But when he looked back, he saw Frey looking at them with envy. The pony-tailed girl’s face flushed immediately, and she turned away, saying loudly: "Shameless, shameless, I’m not dealing with you two anymore..."
She left in a huff, leaving Brand standing there, bewildered at how he had upset the lady once more. While he was still dazed, Mano and Reto approached him.
They had come to discuss forming a Self-defense Corps from the refugees. Since entering the Silver Sparrow Mountain, the terrain had become more complex, with dense fir forests impairing their vision. They not only had to guard against Madara’s Undead spies but also the bears and Mane Wolves in the forest. Moreover, as the number of refugees continued to increase, even with all thirty riders, it would still be insufficient.
Additionally, he had sent the riders ahead to scout the surrounding area, further straining their manpower.
Fortunately, in Erune, many men had received complete militia training and were willing to stand up and fight. Brand had thirty or so Black Nether Longswords taken from the Skeleton Riders, enough to arm forty to fifty people.