Chapter 81: Three Things
Duane moved to the rear, out of sight of Kalina and the others, before unrolling the tube-shaped piece of paper from Simone.
The writing was small, yet perfectly clear.
The neat, fluid script showed that Simone was well-educated, befitting someone from a noble family.
The paper didn’t contain many words, but it clearly laid out three matters.
First, Daniels was keeping many slaves in his castle, forcing the men and women to continuously mate and produce offspring. He would then select suitable individuals, perform live dissections on them, and use their flesh, organs, and blood to concoct potions.
Second, Daniels was using Simone’s daughter, Vera, as a hostage to force Simone to serve the Holy Hand Association.
Third, if Duane could help safely rescue Vera, Simone was willing to pledge, in the name of the Gobel Clan, his eternal loyalty to Duane and the Brian Clan.
Upon reading the first point, Duane’s expression turned grim.
He originally thought Bard might have been exaggerating, but it turned out his account had been conservative. Daniels’s actions were even more appalling!
Duane found it hard to imagine that this old man, who on the surface appeared to bring salvation and often wore a kind smile, was actually a demon walking among men!
Duane narrowed his eyes, his killing intent flaring.
He had been planning to investigate Broken Wave Bay first, but now he saw that was completely unnecessary.
He would not allow such a man to continue committing these atrocities. He had to move against the Holy Hand Association, and soon!
But when Duane read the second and third points Simone mentioned, his mood lightened considerably.
For one, Simone was not in league with Daniels, an outcome Duane was very pleased to see.
For another, the man had expressed his willingness to submit, even offering to swear an oath on his family name.
Although Bard was the strongest on Black Forest Island, in terms of potential, Simone and his Fire Eagle bloodline held the greatest promise.
If Duane could secure Simone’s allegiance, it would be a huge boon to his efforts to develop Black Forest Island!
’Controlling Simone by holding Vera hostage... what a suicidal move by Daniels.’
Simone had worked for Daniels because the man had once saved Vera. This showed Simone’s gratitude, but more importantly, it showed how much his daughter meant to him.
An action like this from Daniels was bound to backfire.
After all, what father would willingly entrust his daughter to the care of a man who behaved like a demon?
Who knew what kind of unimaginable things the man might do!
This was why Simone refused to just sit by and wait for disaster to strike.
Just as he’d said in his letter, he would rather they both die than see his daughter become a component for the man’s alchemy, or be turned into a lesser demon herself.
’The key to securing Simone’s allegiance is to help him rescue Vera safely.’
Duane glanced over.
With Kalina watching, he couldn’t just call Simone over to talk.
However, today presented a good opportunity.
The majority of the Broken Wave Gang’s main fighting force was here. Combined with Duane’s own men, they had more than enough power to take down the people from the Holy Hand Association in one fell swoop.
Once Daniels lost Kalina, Simone, and these combatants, his ability to resist would plummet, even with his castle for defense.
Today, not a single member of the Holy Hand Association was going to make it back!
However, Duane also knew that before he made a move against Kalina and her group, exterminating the Frog Fish Monsters was the top priority.
After all, human enemies might hesitate for any number of reasons, granting him a buffer, but creatures like Demon Beasts cared for none of that.
The moment Frog Fish Monsters detected a human presence, they were guaranteed to attack.
After about half an hour, Raymond, Gaius, and Kalina finished arranging their respective forces and awaited the Lord’s command to depart.
Duane then stepped forward, clapping his hands with a smile.
"I am gratified to see such a scene of unity on Black Forest Island! This is our first battle together, and I believe it will be a battle whose victory we can celebrate in advance!"
The Frog Fish Monsters might have superior numbers, but in terms of fighting strength, Duane’s side was stronger.
There was nothing wrong with a little premature celebration.
Duane gave an order. "Owington, go and inform Ralph and Mara. Tell them to prepare a lavish luncheon. When we return victorious, I want to properly host these heroes!"
Hearing there would be a lavish luncheon, Gaius, Kalina, and the others all expressed their gratitude for the Baron’s generosity.
The others were also intrigued. They had heard the Baron’s red wine was excellent and wondered if they might get to drink some today.
Only Simone was mystified, unsure of what the Baron intended to do after reading his letter.
Duane didn’t explain. He drew his longsword, pointed it to the sky, and with a look of magnificent ambition, he roared, "Move out!"
The three groups, including the territory’s militia, formed a force one hundred strong and marched toward Thorn Valley, south of the bay.
They moved at a deliberate pace, and to avoid startling the Frog Fish Monsters, everyone tried their best to remain silent.
Before long, the group arrived at the spot where Duane and his party had stopped the day before.
Willie, who had scouted ahead, returned to report that the Frog Fish Monster horde showed no signs of unusual activity; they were still gathered on the riverbank, just as they had been yesterday.
The only change, it seemed, was that they had built a few more nests.
Raymond began issuing commands, and the group moved silently into position behind the hill overlooking the riverbank.
The hundred-odd Frog Fish Monsters seemed unperturbed, as if losing a few of their own the day before hadn’t made them wary enough to relocate their base.
Everyone began to act according to the previously agreed-upon plan.
The Broken Wave Gang would lead the main assault, the Holy Hand Association and the Lord’s men would attack from the flanks, and the rest would form a defensive perimeter.
Duane watched Raymond’s practiced arrangements with great satisfaction. Clearly, the man had real combat experience.
It was a rare prize to have this Captain of the Third Legion working for him.
Once everything was in place, Raymond came over to ask, "My lord, when shall we attack?"
Duane said, "You can begin."
They were the attacking force; there was no reason to wait. A surprise attack would yield better results.
If they were discovered by accident, they would lose the initiative.
Raymond nodded grimly, took a deep breath, and leaped onto the top of the hill. "Everyone, charge!"
"Kill!"
Gaius was the first to leap out, leading his men in a charge down the slope. There was no fear or cunning in his actions, only pure, straightforward aggression.
Raymond and Simone charged down right after him.
Kalina remained on the hilltop, slowly raising her hands and beginning to cast.
Duane watched with a mixture of curiosity and surprise as a ball of fire rapidly coalesced between her hands.
In three to five seconds, a fireball half a meter in diameter had formed, radiating scorching heat.
Level 2 Magic, Fireball Technique.
With a gentle push of her hands, Kalina sent the fireball shooting out like a cannonball.
It moved no slower than the charging figures of Gaius and Raymond.
BOOM!
The fireball struck three Frog Fish Monsters toward the back of the group and exploded on impact.
Amidst the spray of searing flames, the creatures were simultaneously burned and blasted into the air, landing on the ground without another sound.
Duane was secretly stunned.
So this was Magic. Its power was comparable to a full-force blow from a Middle Level Warrior.
Seeing her already forming a second fireball, he wasted no more time, drew his longsword, and charged down as well.
Kaelon, flanked by his guards Jack and John, charged down in sync with him.
Kaelon ordered in a low voice, "You two, keep an eye on that Mage behind us."
Jack and John froze for a moment, then immediately understood. The Guard Officer was worried Kalina might try to attack the Lord from behind.
Both men instantly went on high alert.
Duane paid them no mind.
He trusted that even if a fireball came flying at him, Jack and John would use their own bodies to block it.
As for any other threats, he had Kaelon as his backstop.
So he decisively brought out his Shield and charged toward a surging wave of Frog Fish Monsters.