Chapter 446: Hey, Now It’s Finally the NPCs’ Turn to Flatter Us

The event announcement from main storyline NPC Governor Murphy landed like a thunderbolt, completely igniting players’ interest and desire in this matter.

Especially the soon-to-be-launched Hall of Fame feature and its low-key but practical rewards drew even those manufacturing and administrative players who originally weren’t planning to participate into this whirlpool. One could only say that there were some clever minds hidden in the development team, they truly understood how to effectively stir up players’ passion and desire.

Almost that same afternoon, all five of the collectively-owned farms currently governed by players chose their supported teams.

After urgent discussions and repeated comparisons, Treasure Bay and Lion’s Pride villages chose to support the currently strongest team with the highest chance of winning, the Crimson Hammer and Sickle team.

At this, Brother Stick was grinning from ear to ear.

These two villages were the wealthiest among the five settlements, and their support meant that Brother Stick wouldn’t need to worry about logistics and supplies in this major event.

Typal’s Newbie Village naturally supported the Torrent Knights team. The first phase of herb cultivation there had already shown results – though not particularly rich, the outcome of this collective agriculture was still impressive, providing the southern defense line players with fairly sufficient potions and scroll supplies.

As for the remaining two villages – the Stonemason Brotherhood headquarters governed by Bricklayer and “Phantom Island” governed by the Scholar group, they naturally supported their fellow student brothers.

However, these two villages were the weakest among the five settlements, and the support they could provide was also the least.

This made Leading Pigeon quite anxious and irritated.

But fortunately, the arrival of the incredibly powerful Shadow Trail Sect helped them gain an advantage in quality, and their thorough advance preparations meant they had already begun attacking the western front while others were still preparing.

Just as the event trigger announcement was made, the aggressive Ah Yuen, Spicy Gugu Chicken, and Miaomiao Shark had already captured the second watchtower occupied by the skeleton army.

After the gnoll sorcerers’ strategic withdrawal, these skeleton troops remaining in the watchtowers throughout the swamp could hardly be called “elite.” Being fiercely attacked by vampire players, having two watchtowers captured within a day was within expectations.

According to the strategy of military advisor Ah Yuen, they planned to capture three watchtowers and build a forward base before logging off tonight.

However, just as the student team was advancing into the swamp with overwhelming momentum, team leader Ah Yuen suddenly received a message from Leading Pigeon in the rear that made him furrow his brow.

“Colonel Frayzer sent people over?”

Ah Yuen said in a low voice:

“I’d be burning incense in thanks if these Goldflower Kingdom bastards don’t cause us trouble. They say they have a camp in the western swamp near the Cato region, but isn’t that place just starting construction? Their soldiers are mostly entering the swamp for the first time, they can’t help at all!

Damn, compared to us, the other two battle lines practically started with a perfect hand.”

“No no no, Ah Yuen, don’t be so discouraged, we still have a hidden supporting force,”

Miaomiao Shark said while directing her four sturdy hyena pets to spread out through the swamp searching for potential enemies:

“Don’t forget, we’re very close to Hog’s clan, and Hog is very familiar with the situation over there from when he was infiltrating Plague Town. We’ve already raised our reputation with the Rending Claw Clan to Exalted, and everyone has a battle horn.

If we need it, Hog’s side can even provide gnoll warriors to directly join our battles.”

“What use are they?”

Ah Yuen shook his head and said:

“The local gnolls are far inferior to the Dark Mountain gnolls in both physique and strength. You know what happened last time in Smuggler’s Woods, just over ten barbarian soldiers scattered Hog’s barbarian corps. Though they’re both called gnolls, they’re like two different species.

Having Blood Claw gnolls join the battle would just be sending them to their deaths!

The only support Hog’s side can provide is intelligence, at most abundant war supplies like command scepters and such!

Hog has many command scepters!

That’s right!

How could I have overlooked this? Ah, this is really inexcusable!”

Ah Yuen smacked himself on the forehead, then turned back to grab his computation bead to message Cheche who was guarding the previously captured watchtower:

“Cheche, take Dog Egg to Smuggler’s Woods immediately, the Eight Demon Elite Group is about to arrive there. Use your name to buy some command scepters from Hog for them. They’re all Spirit Mages, let them bring the scepters to the front line!

We can’t just keep killing these wandering skeleton soldiers, who knows how long that would take?

We’ll use command scepters to interfere with and control them. Even if we can’t make them turn against their side, we can drive them away from the combat zone.

This way, our advance speed will become very fast.

We might even push to near Plague Town before other guilds enter the swamp.”

“Damn, you really are a little clever one!”

Cheche shouted back from the other end:

“But using command scepters to just drive away these skeletons without killing them is taking shortcuts. Once the battle is over, these scattered and uncontrolled undead wandering everywhere will become our problem again.

We’ll have to clean them up later.”

“We’ll deal with future problems in the future! Just tell me, do you want the Hall of Fame qualification or not?”

Ah Yuen said while spreading his wings to fly toward the rear:

“Besides, where in Transia is there still a suitable place for newbies to level up? None left, all gone, even the elite ghouls in the city sewers are almost wiped out. The development team will have to create a new newbie leveling area later anyway, so why go through all that trouble?

Scatter these mediocre skeleton troops and throw them all into the swamp to wander around. Then when newbies come in, they can directly level up in the swamp and unlock the map, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Besides, the Black Plague is coming later anyway, these skeletons blocking for even a minute or two would be good.”

“Impressive, I think you should join the development team, your way of thinking is already completely in the shape of the development team.”

Cheche made a sarcastic comment, saying:

“Alright, I’ll head over now, let’s do it your way first.”

“Mm.”

Ah Yuen acknowledged and cut off the communication.

He quickly moved through the swamp’s corrupt atmosphere and low jungle, soon returning to the previously abandoned gnoll stronghold, only to find several well-equipped Pioneer Army basic commanders polishing their military boots in the camp.

Their originally gleaming boots had become covered in mud spots after entering the swamp, and even those Goldflower soldiers’ beautiful uniforms were now covered in filth, reducing them from proud, magnificent commanders to shabby vagabonds in an instant.

It seems the Goldflower Kingdom’s military reforms haven’t been thoroughly implemented. These commanders were adorning their uniforms with eye-catching ornaments to make themselves visible to soldiers on the battlefield – damn, isn’t this just asking for death?

It’s only because this era doesn’t have dedicated snipers yet.

Otherwise this would really be a sniper’s delight.

As Ah Yuen approached while making these cynical observations, he could still hear these basic military officers loudly cursing this damned swamp, their wealthy noble young master manner making the little player shake his head repeatedly.

He’d heard that this military observation group was composed of Goldflower Kingdom’s military noble sons, just hearing about it made it seem like they came to Transia to polish their credentials, and now seeing them it was indeed so!

Getting some mud on their shoes and complaining this much, when they actually encounter big fierce gnolls won’t they just collapse in fear?

What can we expect from them anyway?

With such contempt in his heart, Ah Yuen quickly walked into the grey tent where Pigeon was, but as soon as he entered he saw Major Ron arguing about the war situation with Pigeon.

“No! Just no! Whatever you say, it’s still no!”

Pigeon lifted his head, saying resolutely:

“This is we Transians’ war, it’s not yet time for you Goldflower Kingdom soldiers to move around freely on our land.

Your task is to support us! And the support we need now is for you to take your young master soldiers and stay well in your camp without causing any trouble that we’d need to help with!

If you’re unhappy about this, you can completely go complain to Governor Murphy and Regent Miriam!

There’s no use telling me these things here, I can’t make you participate in battle actively anyway.

I don’t have that authority.”

Hearing this, Ah Yuen understood why Major Ron had come here.

It seems these Goldflower Kingdom soldiers weren’t so bad, they still dared to actively request participation in battle, not just a bunch of gutless fellows.

But Pigeon’s answer was also correct.

Unless these players couldn’t hold up anymore, NPCs couldn’t actively join the battle, as this would weaken the players’ control over the battle lines and affect the later distribution of spoils.

Even Governor Murphy himself said this major event is a stage left for otherworld warriors!

This time the war is completely led by players, you NPCs just stay wherever you find comfortable.

But the shrewd and diplomatic Ah Yuen turned his eyes, thinking Pigeon’s blunt refusal really didn’t give them face. Such face-losing matters could completely be approached from a different angle.

So Ah Yuen revealed a gentle smile, stepped forward to sit beside Pigeon and Major Ron, and said:

“I roughly understand that you and your soldiers are eager for battle, but Major, your camp near the swamp isn’t even built yet. Even if we allowed your soldiers to participate in the fierce battles in the swamp.

Look, you don’t even have a rear base camp, if you encounter trouble retreating would be a problem.

And judging from the performance of several officers outside the tent, they haven’t even made the most basic mental preparation for swamp warfare.

What I mean is, muddy boots can still kick enemy heads, there’s no need to insist on keeping them clean, right?

Besides, won’t you have to walk through this muddy road again when you return?”

“We’re not stupid, but Pioneer Army orders are such.”

Major Ron said dejectedly:

“The Marshal always requires us to maintain proper appearance in any situation. Of course, I don’t deny we didn’t expect our first battlefield in Transia would actually be this damned swamp.”

The young major from a military family looked at his mud-covered boots, saying in despair:

“Frayzer is probably going to go crazy about this, he has mysophobia.

But these are all problems that can be overcome with willpower. What I want to express to you two is that although our camp is still under construction, we don’t plan to miss this battle with the Black Plague’s vanguard!

We’ve already learned about the enemy’s scale from General Maxim, and if I may be frank, even though your team is completely composed of vampires and dark mages, you’re still at a disadvantage when facing them.

You need our help!”

“Our companions are already on their way.”

Ah Yuen exchanged a glance with Pigeon before taking over the conversation:

“I don’t think we’ll need help from foreign soldiers, but we are indeed few in number, so we can consider letting you guard the watchtowers we capture.

Don’t think this task is simple.

The swamp is now full of skeleton troops awakened by the gnolls. Though their individual strength isn’t high, their numbers are extremely large. Once a watchtower is surrounded, it means you’ll need to hold firm there until reinforcements arrive.

Let me be frank, this is very dangerous work!

And we don’t have a good understanding of your capabilities, I don’t know what level you’re actually at?

I feel doubtful about whether you can shoulder such an important responsibility.”

“Are you doubting the courage of Goldflower people?”

Major Ron was provoked by the affected arrogance of this young vampire before him, saying in a deep voice:

“I’ve long heard that you Transians are a bunch of belligerent fellows, that the only language you understand is fists, so to win your recognition, do we need to beat you down?”

“Ha, no need to be so extreme, I don’t think we’d lose in hand-to-hand combat either.”

That rascal Pigeon extended his hand to press down, saying meaningfully:

“But what you say isn’t wrong, Transians never fight alongside cowards! If you want to prove that you and your soldiers are qualified to participate in this swamp battle that’s destined to go down in history, then show us something real.

We’ve already captured two watchtowers, you and your soldiers go guard them.

We don’t need you to guard for long!

Just one night, as long as you can hold out against the skeleton army’s siege for one night, we’ll agree to your request to join the battle and entrust you with important tasks like ensuring logistics and road access.

How about it?

Major Ron, do you dare to make this bet with us?”

“Two watchtowers, one night, right?”

The major stood up, saying decisively:

“Then we’ll meet again at the front line at dawn tomorrow.”

“Wait!”

Ah Yuen suddenly called out to the major who was about to leave. The latter turned back to see Ah Yuen fiddling with his computation bead, not looking up as he said:

“Now you have three watchtowers to guard!

Just two minutes ago, my brothers captured the third watchtower, which has already penetrated the enemy’s outermost defense line. I must emphasize, the defensive pressure there is extremely high.”

“I don’t need to know how many enemies there are, just tell me the location!”

Major Ron gripped the sword at his waist, saying in a deep voice:

“I will prove our courage and strength, and when that time comes, you two arrogant fellows will have to apologize to us in front of everyone! Let’s put aside the grudges between our two countries for now. Since we’re allies now, we must receive the respect we deserve!

This is the most basic treatment for a soldier.”

After speaking, he took the computation bead recording the location and turned to leave. In the tent with only Ah Yuen and Pigeon remaining, the two students laughed until their stomachs hurt.

“Oh my oh my, before it was us grinding NPCs’ favor, now it’s finally NPCs’ turn to grind our favor, hahaha.”

Ah Yuen held his stomach, laughing loudly:

“This ‘prove your strength’ quest was issued perfectly, I finally understand the simple joy those manufacturing players feel when giving us quests.

This is exactly how it should be done.

Now having NPCs work for us, this feeling is just too great.”

“Exactly exactly, they always say it’s 100% realistic, right? So how could it make sense to only have players grind NPCs’ favor?”

Pigeon snorted, saying:

“As warriors of Lord Murphy, we definitely have our own dignity, not just any trash fish and shrimp can stick their foot into our battle line.

Hey, want to win our respect?

Act like a warrior first, these idiots who still insist on wearing ceremonial boots while operating in a swamp.”

————————

“No way? Ron! Are you serious?”

Outside the student party’s camp, several junior officers who were closer to Major Ron struggled through the mud with uneven steps. They stared dumbfounded at the major before them who maintained an unchanged expression, these fellows exclaiming:

“These Transians are actually so arrogant? We came actively to help them, not only are they ungrateful, they even demand we prove our strength?

Pah!

Are these vampires worthy?”

Several junior officers wore angry expressions. After waiting for them to finish complaining, Major Ron then spoke:

“We’re on the battlefield now, don’t call me Ron, address my military rank! Furthermore, we could certainly stay at the Cato region border the whole time, watching Transians roll around in the mud and taking pleasure in it, no one could say anything about us for that.

But we can also join them, engaging with real gnolls before the Black Plague arrives.

I don’t think the Marshal sent us here just to come sightseeing and polish credentials, gentlemen.

Let me speak frankly today, we all come from military noble backgrounds, being assigned here shows we all have connections but none of our connections are that great. Except for Frayzer who is his family’s direct heir, all of us either have brothers and sisters above us, or have already been confirmed unable to inherit the family business.

What I want to say is, this battle is our best chance to make a name for ourselves!

If we want to continue our families’ glory, want our families to look at us differently, then we need to take off our pretty boots and actively step into the mud, just like our forefathers who rolled in mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Only this way can we win the future we want.

I don’t want to argue with you about how arrogant Transians are, but the fact is, when I step onto the battlefield, I equally don’t want my companions to be a bunch of cowards.”

The major shook his head, took his luxurious hunting rifle from his warhorse, and waved his hand saying:

“Those who don’t want to go can return to camp. I will guard that watchtower with my soldiers, striking down every bastard who comes near until the Transians willingly lower their arrogant heads before my eyes.

This is how I will participate in this war.

I will prove to my enemies and my companions that I didn’t get this far just relying on my general father…

I!

I also have my dignity.

Right here in this swamp far from home, I must maintain my pitiful dignity, that’s all.”