No, there must be a chance!
Edward’s thoughts raced as he tried to find a way to break the deadlock. As a knight, he couldn’t just sit by and watch the northern border face the rise of the Beastman Empire. He had to do something.
Mercenary Captain Valen patted him on the shoulder, shook his head, and turned away in silence.
The rest of the mercenaries also prepared to leave. Each person here was a veteran mercenary who had survived many battles. No one was willing to undertake a mission that meant certain death.
What did the future disasters on the border have to do with them? Whether they could live to see that day was still unknown. Although minstrel songs often told tales of certain unnamed mercenary groups overcoming countless obstacles to ultimately thwart the evil dragon’s plot, slay it, and become a legendary hero team in the entire Prime Material Plane.
But those stories were really just for children. Reality was not a novel; there were always some enemies that couldn’t be defeated by mere hot-blooded bravery.
"But are you really satisfied with this? Such a great opportunity is right in front of you; what does some danger matter?"
As the mercenaries prepared to leave, Edward suddenly spoke up.
"A young dragon, an orphan dragon without the protection of an adult giant dragon. Finding a surviving orphan dragon in the wild is hundreds of times more difficult than finding an adult giant dragon. If you slay this young dragon, even if it’s just a young dragon, you will become legends, dragon slayer warriors spoken of by minstrels!"
"Money, fame, status, and even power are within reach! Once you slay that young dragon, you could even gain rewards from kings upon your return, becoming noble and your descendants will take pride in your deeds. Are you really going to give up such a good opportunity?"
"Even if there are more than two thousand beastmen tribes, so what? They’re just mere beastmen!"
Gradually, Edward’s voice became filled with irresistible temptation.
In fact, it was true. Even slaying a young dragon made one a legendary dragon slayer warrior. That title was enough to make them honored guests in any duchy, forever passing down their name in family history.
Moreover, after slaying a dragon, if they bathed in dragon blood, their power and level of life would experience a leap.
As Edward’s words fell, the mercenaries suddenly hesitated in their footsteps.
"Edward, don’t talk nonsense. These are not enemies we can handle!"
Mercenary Captain Valen’s face looked somewhat distressed. Although he also felt tempted, he ultimately suppressed the thrill in his heart.
He was well aware that with their strength, dealing with such a medium-sized beastman tribe was simply courting death, not to mention that the blue young dragon had not shown up till now.
"No, Brother Valen, how could I send you to your death in vain? I already have a plan to deal with them. As long as you help me, we can surely win!" Edward hurriedly said, his tone serious.
"Everyone, remember the storm tiger we encountered nearby earlier? As long as we provoke that beast and lure it over, those mindless creatures will surely go mad and attack the Dragon Nest Tribe. Once they’re both heavily damaged, we can catch them off guard, wipe out the entire tribe, and finally slay that dragon."
Hearing this, the mercenaries were somewhat moved.
While exploring, they passed by remnants of a beastman tribe that had been attacked. Near it, they found traces of a storm tiger. Judging by the powerful magic power aura, it had at least grown to tier six, with combat strength reaching at least the silver supreme level.
At that time, they didn’t disturb the storm tiger, only quietly passing by. Now, under Edward’s plan, they finally remembered that terrifying and powerful magic beast. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovᴇlFɪre.nᴇt
"At the time, we were only afraid that the noise of the battle would be too great, so we didn’t hunt the storm tiger. Just one storm tiger isn’t enough for this Dragon Nest Tribe to be severely damaged."
Valen shook his head, but his flickering eyes revealed his growing heart’s desire.
The surrounding mercenaries also seemed eager to try.
"One storm tiger isn’t enough, but what about adding several giant beasts? Don’t forget, it’s the season when giant beasts roam for hunting, and we also discovered many traces of giant beasts nearby on our way here. If we lure them too, we’ll surely succeed!"
Edward spoke firmly, filled with confidence in this plan.
Meanwhile, he looked around at the mercenaries, seeing the uncontrollable ambition burning deep in their eyes. Edward knew in his heart that everything was settled!
The dense bushes were parted as a team of fierce and well-trained beastmen emerged from the grass.
This was a patrol team,
A few days ago, traces of a giant beast had been spotted near the Dragon Nest Tribe. To guard against these terrifying predators, Quik specifically set up several patrol teams to monitor the area around the tribe.
However, during the midday roll call, they found a patrol team missing and still hadn’t returned after lunch.
The beastmen, modified through military training, were now no less disciplined than Austin’s previous life army, making it impossible for them to be absent without reason. Therefore, squad after squad of beastmen units were dispatched for patrol.
"Look, what’s that over there?!"
A beastman shouted, and all the beastmen looked in the direction indicated.
The leading beastman captain parted the grass with a few strides to reveal the bodies of their companions, hidden within.
The beastman captain cursed, staring at the once-companions now turned into corpses, his long spear thrust forcefully into the ground.
A patrol team had been silently killed not far from the Dragon Nest Tribe, causing a massive disturbance within the entire tribe. The smooth wounds on the corpses indicated the enemy’s weapons were exceptionally sharp, beyond what ordinary stone tools or bone implements could cause.
Some powerful and unknown enemy was roaming nearby!
The loss of this beastman patrol team immediately raised the Dragon Nest Tribe to the highest alert. Everyone was in wartime status, the beastman militia halting production. Be it young or old, male or female, all took up long spears ready to fight. Well-trained units marched out of the tribe’s gate in columns, starting a unified sweeping search outside the Dragon Nest Tribe.