The Beastmen charging into the camp were not like those seen before, no, they were completely different from any Beastmen Viert had encountered until now.
These Beastmen had the appearance of bulls, all holding war axes and standing on two legs. Their muscular bodies were as strong as mountains, with iron chest armor engraved with the blood-red runes of the Blood God. They roared into the camp, chopping at anyone they saw.
Following these Beastmen were numerous Horned Beasts and Chaos War Dogs.
"Fight! Fight!" Amidst Viert's piercing wail, the Beastmen slaughtered their way into the camp. Many people, still in the throes of sleep, were brutally murdered, though most managed to get up swiftly thanks to the timely alarm.
"Damn, it's a night raid!" Laine awoke abruptly from sleep.
Fortunately, he had prepared in advance. When he sensed the foul energy lingering nearby, he decided to sleep sitting up in his chain armor.
Rushing out of the tent, the camp was in utter chaos. One towering Minotaur after another crashed into the camp, using their robust bodies to recklessly knock aside the shield-bearing guards and mercenaries.
"Die, beast!" Laine picked up his warhammer, engaging in battle with the charging Minotaurs. These Minotaurs were incredibly powerful; he struck one with a heavy blow, repelling its attack as he fought it alone.
The hammer's handle clashed with the massive war axe, and sparks flew from the metal's friction. Laine's body swayed slightly, and the Minotaur backed up two steps, howling before charging at Laine again.
"Haa!" With a thunderous crash, Laine hammered down, pushing back several Minotaurs in succession. More Minotaurs surged into the camp, their numbers making Laine feel the immense pressure: "Damn, where are all these Minotaurs coming from? There's no Ten Thousand Demon Rock around here! Could a Beast King be leading a warband?"
The Kingdom Knights were fighting up front, Oliver had just awoken from sleep. The Imperial Merchant, wearing a nightcap and a ridiculous fur nightgown, was still drowsily murmuring, "What? What's happening?"
"The enemy is here! Boss, the Beastmen are here! Quick! Get to a safe place!" Mather screamed as he rushed in, his attire disheveled. He quickly pulled Oliver out of bed: "Boss, hurry!"
"What? Enemies?" Oliver laboriously moved his clumsy body. Upon getting up, his first reaction wasn't to dress and retreat immediately but to fumble a long fire cannon out of his luggage, handing it to Mather: "Guard the outside, and quickly send someone to inform Lady Trovik!"
"And what about you, boss?" Mather quickly took the fire cannon, asking Oliver about his plans.
Firearms were an effective counter to the Beastmen. In the Human Realm, only the Imperial Capital Brunswick and the Southern Stronghold Nur had firearms factories capable of mass-producing firearms. These exceptional Dwarven-crafted weapons had dramatically changed warfare since their advent, proving extraordinarily effective against Beastmen. However, finely crafted firearms were challenging to purchase on the open market. The Emperor decreed that due to technical secrecy and to protect imperial interests, civilians were strictly prohibited from possessing firearms privately. Those available on the market were usually crude knock-offs. Even so, Oliver had invested heavily to acquire this particular long fire cannon through internal channels in Marinburg, intending to save his life at a critical moment.
"There's no safer place than right here now!" Oliver indicated beside him and laboriously fitted a full set of armor onto himself: "Lady Trovik's tent is right next door! Don't forget!"
Indeed! Mather quickly realized, nodding nervously as he gathered the fire cannon and ammunition, rushing out.
"Lady of Wealth, bless me!" Watching Mather rush out, Oliver clumsily donned his armor, silently praying. His many years of mercantile adventures had given him an ominous feeling.
This trade journey was unprecedentedly perilous. Oliver vaguely felt he was embroiled in some significant event. At this moment, he had no choice but to leave it to fate. The Imperial Merchant murmured to himself, "Lady of Wealth, what should I do?"
"Damn, where are all these Beastmen coming from! Brothers, fight!" A wandering knight shouted loudly. For some reason, the cumbersome armor was impeccably worn on his body. The wandering knight raised his shield, quickly facing a Minotaur. Chapters first released on NoveIꜰire.net
"Roar~" Under the dark canopy and fiery red flames, the wandering knight saw the silhouette of the Minotaur clearly. It stood on two legs, wearing large black chest armor covered in spikes. The Minotaur's face was shrouded in black iron hide, with only its eyes exposed. Its two horns curved downward, wielding a massive axe with arms as thick as tree trunks, determined to shred anything living into pieces.
Confronted with the Minotaur's imposing figure, the wandering knight swallowed hard, feeling incredibly apprehensive. He had never faced such a powerful Beastman, but with things as they were, he knew he must fight to the death. The wandering knight drew his longsword, tapping his shield: "Come on, beast!"
"Roar~~~!" The Minotaur's attention quickly focused on him. Its hooves scraped the ground as it bellowed and charged at the wandering knight.
The wandering knight carefully assumed a stance, raising his shield. The tip of his longsword was aimed straight at the Minotaur's heart. Seeing this, the Minotaur immediately sidestepped the sword's edge, then its right shoulder, along with its whole body, collided with the wandering knight's shield.