Chapter 287 Messenger
After defending the stronghold border cities, the allied forces of the Southern Federation advanced into the Murky Mountains and established three large camps--western, central, and eastern.
Adam and his team, along with the other Magi, after having successfully defended Stardale against the invasion of the orcs, had advanced into the Murky Mountains and been garrisoned at the eastern camp.
Tents lined the perimeter, each housing a different unit or a team of Magi. Today was already the second day since the Magi had arrived here. The camp bustled with activity as they prepared for their missions.
All missions were assigned by headquarters. Depending on the severity of the mission, the number of Magi in each squad varied. However, the minimum was still three Magi per squad.
At a certain part of the eastern camp, a group of Magi could be seen surrounding a large map laid out on a table, out in the open. They strategized in hushed tones, pointing to various locations on the map and marking them.
Scenes such as these played out in most areas of the camp. In other places, people could be seen sharpening their weapons or stocking up on their material components in the marketplace.
The sight was both dreadful and awe-inspiring.
Magi clad in magical armors slowly left the camp one by one, their faces marred with grim determination. They were in the enemy territory after all.
Despite the seriousness of their upcoming missions, there was a sense of excitement bubbling in their hearts.
Magi were scholars. But they were also warriors.
So how could they not be thrilled while on the battlefield?
In front of Adam's tent, the trio had just gone over the battle plan. They were given orders by the headquarters to clean up a small group of corrupt magical beasts in the vicinity of the camp.
Since the danger level was low, their squad consisted of them alone.
"Are we clear on our roles for this mission?" Lisa rolled up the map as she asked Adam and Edward. She was the best at implementing strategies, so the duty of coming up with a battle plan was given to her.
"All clear." Adam gave a thumbs up.
"Understood." Edward nodded. Suddenly, he thought of something and chuckled, "By the way, where's Farald?"
"I met him last night," Adam replied, "he's joined the members of his clan for the upcoming missions."
"I see."
As the trio finished their preparations and were about to set out, someone enthusiastically called out to them from the distance.
"Adam! Eddie! Lisa! Hahaha, there you are!"
The trio turned in the direction of the voice and were greatly surprised to see who it was. Adam and Eddie were incomparably happy to see this person.
"Johnny!" Adam laughed out loud and gave a warm hug to the burly young man. "Haha, when did you arrive?"
Johnathan patted Adam's back and grinned, "We arrived late last night. So I couldn't get to see you guys. But here I am." He then glanced at Edward and chuckled, "Hehehe, Eddie, come give me a hug, ya bastard."
Edward laughed in joy and hugged the youth. After Adam, Johnathan was his closest friend. After all, they had practically grown up together at the academy. So when he saw him here, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad to see you're safe, John." The blue-eyed youth smiled.
After Johnathan had greeted Lisa as well, she looked around and asked curiously, "Where's Felicia? Is she not with you?"
Hearing his fiance's name, Johnathan's expression turned downcast. His lips opened and closed several times. There were many things he wished to say, but in the end, he could only sigh in grief.
"She… she didn't make it."
The trio's hearts were gripped by fear and anxiety, instantly thinking of the worst possible outcome.
Adam grabbed the burly youth's shoulder and intensely rocked him back and forth, "What the hell are you saying?! She… she… she died?!"
"What?!" Johnathan was flabergasted. "No, she's not dead! What the hell? She's just heavily injured and had to stay back in the border stronghold."
Adam was speechless. And so were Edward and Lisa.
After a long time, Adam gritted his teeth and started beating Johnathan. "You crazy bastard! Why didn't you say that from the beginning?!"
"Acckk!" Johnathan tried to get away but saw that Edward and Lisa had blocked his way and were looking at him angrily.
After a minute or so, Adam dusted his hands and harrumphed, "Stupid bastard, don't scare us like that."
"Ugghh…" Johnathan grimaced in pain as he consumed the healing potion that Adam had just given him. "You heartless dog… always beating me for no reason."
"Hah?" Adam glared at him. "No reason? Do you want another beating?"
The friends bickered back and forth before soon leaving the camp, each heading for their own missions.
…
In the shadow of the ominous rainforests within the Murky Mountains, a large camp sprawled across the rugged train. This camp, however, did not belong to the allied forces.
It was filled with the brutish figures of orcs, trolls, and ogres. The former being the vast majority.
Tents made of beast hides dotted this humongous camp. The atmosphere was tense and foreboding. Just like the allied forces were preparing for war, these creatures were too.
The sound of gruff voices and clanging metals filled the air as small groups of orcs mixed in with ogres and trolls slowly left the camp to hunt for the enemies.
In a certain part of the camp, a lone, lanky figure sat before a large, smoldering campfire. The fire illuminated the visage of this orc. His face was smeared with red and white war paint. He had a grim expression on his face as he stared at the fire in a daze.
Suddenly, the screech of a bird was heard from up above. The orc raised his head and saw a falcon descending toward him.
"A messenger bird?" Gorgo frowned.
He stretched his hand and a few moments later, the gray falcon perched on his forearm and started to gracefully pick at its feathers.
Gorgo first gently patted the bird then grabbed the small, rolled parchment paper tied to its feet. Then, the falcon flew away, leaving the orc to unfurl the paper and start reading its contents.
The orc's expression gradually twisted in rage as he read the letter. "So, Adam has been spotted!"
However, the next moment, he frowned. "But he seems to be all the way on the eastern side of the mountains."
Gorgo then crumbled the piece of paper and tossed it into the fire, "It doesn't matter. It's going to take me a couple of months to reach the eastern camp, but so what?"
He turned around and made his way into the depths of the camp, his expression contorting in anger and hatred.
"You will pay for what you did…
"I swear it!"
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