บท 188: Rescue 3
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
"Awoo—"
The guards at the city gate heard a wolf howl coming closer from afar.
Everyone shivered in fear.
"Hahaha! Look at how scared you all are."
Seeing that he had successfully frightened everyone, the captain felt a sense of satisfaction. The wolf's cry outside really set the mood.
"All of this happened a hundred years ago. The truthfulness is uncertain. Let me continue with this legend. Later, an unnamed warrior appeared, who ventured alone into the forest and never returned..."
"People say this warrior sacrificed himself, but the wolf pack also became scattered, no longer as united as before."
The soldiers listened intently. "Did that warrior kill the wolf king?"
The captain nodded. "What else could it be? Without the wolf king, the evil wolves fell apart."
"Later, the Adventurers' Guild established a stronghold here, organizing adventurers to go out and eliminate the evil wolves. The residents' militias also ventured back into the forest, regularly clearing out large wolf packs. It was then that Niceport truly prospered, gradually growing larger, and eventually becoming the capital when the alliance was formed."
The guards marveled in surprise. They had never imagined their city had such a history during their watch.
One soldier suddenly felt uneasy. He whispered, "Brothers, did you hear something? It sounds like a wolf's cry?"
"Hahaha!"
Everyone burst into laughter. "Are you scared by the captain's story?"
However, their laughter soon faded as they too heard it.
It wasn't just one or two wolves howling; it was many, many wolves.
At first, it was indistinct, but the sound grew louder and more numerous, eventually becoming a chorus of wolves.
The city guards stared at each other in disbelief. They had been guarding the gate for a long time but had never encountered such an eerie situation.
One guard stammered, "Tonight... something doesn't seem right."
Others nodded in agreement, all involuntarily recalling the ancient legend the captain had just told.
The captain frowned. Could it be that the scene from the legend was about to replay itself? He didn't quite believe those absurd legends himself; he had only shared them to pass the time with his subordinates.
"Damn it, those wolf cubs outside are having a springtime gathering."
A joke broke the tension among his subordinates.
"Tonight is indeed unusual. Let's not light the fire anymore. Stay alert and watch the gate. If you notice anything unusual, immediately close the gates."
"Even if those beasts go mad, with these tall and thick city walls, I don't believe they can climb over."
The guards responded one after another, tightening their grips on their weapons as they stood watch at the city gate.
Not long after, apart from the wolf howls, there were no other abnormal conditions outside the city gate. Instead, a team of people and horses rushed towards the main street.
It was the rescue team rushing from the docks.
Quik commanded, "There are guards ahead at the gate. Remove your bayonets and don't raise any suspicions. Also, keep the formation loose."
As expected, when such a large group arrived at the city gate, they were stopped by the guards.
Xela Setia stepped forward to negotiate with the guards. She wore an expression of extreme anxiety, which was definitely not an act.
"My daughter went outside during the day and hasn't returned. I'm leading these helpers to find her."
"Madam, please calm down. Perhaps she stayed at a friend's house in a nearby village. Did you hear all those wolf cries? It's dangerous outside the city now."
"No, my daughter doesn't have any friends outside the city. I must find her no matter what."
The captain of the city guard showed a helpless expression but did not stop them anymore. "Alright, good luck. Just don't venture too deep into the forest."
He glanced at the team behind Xela Setia, around thirty people. Perhaps they could deter small wolf packs.
Because they didn't have wagons or large luggage, the soldiers didn't inspect them and immediately let them pass.
Still guided by Parrot Polly at the front, the rescue team continued along the road.
"Now, fix your bayonets! Light the fuses! Be ready at any moment."
Not far outside the city gate, Captain Quik ordered his men to prepare their weapons.
The eerie howls from all directions were unsettling, and everyone in the team was on edge.
"Lady Setia, is Niceport like this every night?"
"No! I've never heard of such a thing."
Captain Quik felt uneasy.
After walking for nearly twenty minutes, they finally saw wolves in the bushes by the roadside, but they weren't attacked. The wolves just stared at them with shiny green eyes before running north.
Judging from the sounds, there were quite a few wolves in the bushes.
"Mistress Ladia! Wolves! Mistress Ladia! Wolves!"
Parrot Polly screamed loudly, confirming Xela Setia's fears that her daughter's danger was definitely related to these wolves.
After walking a distance, the road ahead straightened out, devoid of trees blocking the view. The faint flicker of flames became visible.
"Lady Ladia! Lady Ladia!"
Polly squawked even more excitedly.
Xela Setia told Quik, "My daughter must be up ahead! Near those flickering flames! I'm sure of it."
"Pick up the pace! Move towards the flames."
The team picked up their pace, but soon encountered obstacles—there were roughly a dozen wolves blocking the road ahead.
Of course, these were only the ones they could see; there were sounds coming from the forests on both sides, indicating there were certainly more wolves waiting to pounce. Otherwise, a mere dozen wolves wouldn't dare to stop thirty adult men.
It was clear these wolves' target was the rescue team. Their fur bristled, lips curled back to expose teeth, emitting threatening growls.
To facilitate command and efficient firepower, Quik divided his thirty sailors into 3 groups.
He shouted, "Group one, prepare to fire! Groups two and three, guard the sides!"
Ten sailors at the front lined up, raising their muskets, aiming at the wolves illuminated by the moonlight.
The match cords on their muskets were already set, glowing faintly with a small red dot under the night sky.
"Fire!"
At Quik's command, the first group of sailors pulled their triggers simultaneously.
Ten muskets erupted with a tremendous noise, momentarily drowning out the surrounding wolf howls.
Since it was night, the muzzle flashes were particularly dazzling, illuminating the area brightly.
The wolves blocking the path suffered greatly; lethal bullets tore through their fur, deeply embedding into their bodies.
Most of the dozen wolves fell instantly, either dead or gasping in agony with pitiful whimpers.
The cries of the canine animals were particularly heart-wrenching, causing many to pity them momentarily. Those who had owned dogs at home couldn't help but think of their own pets.
The wolves that hadn't been hit were shocked by their companions' fate. However, what frightened them even more was the loud noise of the muskets. Canines have very sensitive hearing, and the sudden huge sound was a terrifying weapon to them.
The few wolves that could still move scattered with their tails between their legs, and the woods on both sides of the road quickly fell silent.
Quik waved his hand. "Continue forward!"
"Is... is that it?"
Xela Setia was greatly shocked. She had already drawn her dagger in readiness for a desperate struggle, but the Aldorian people had dispersed the wolf pack as soon as they acted.
The strange weapons used by the Aldorians also startled Xela Setia.
Powerful and accurate, these muskets left the deepest impression on her.
But with her daughter still in danger, she didn't have time to dwell on it. She hurried to catch up with the team towards the flickering flames.
On the way, they encountered two more groups of wolves, but against the power of the muskets they posed no obstacle.
The team finally reached the bright area they had seen before, where flames were indeed burning.
Although some parts had already gone out, it was still possible to discern intermittent flames forming a circle, with a carriage in the center.
"Lady Ladia! Lady Ladia!"
Polly fluttered over to the carriage.
The door of the carriage opened quickly, and two women emerged—among them, the Southern Star's crew recognized one as Earl Grayman's female advisor.
Polly landed on Ladia's shoulder, rubbing her head against Ladia's face.
Xela Setia also rushed to the carriage, embracing her daughter. She said with relief and reproach, "You scared me to death! What's wrong with you, child?"
"I'm sorry, Mom, for making you worry."
Helen, standing nearby, felt deeply guilty. "I'm sorry, Auntie, it's all because of me."
"Ah~"
Xela Setia sighed deeply, unsure of what else to say.
Quik ordered his men to remain vigilant, then approached. "So, it really was you, Miss Advisor."
The female advisor blushed, "I'm very sorry, Captain Quik."
Quik waved his hand broadly, "Forget it, now that we know, there's no need to dwell on it. Getting back to Niceport is crucial at the moment."
"Thank you. I've caused you all trouble... Oh, this is Her Highness Princess Helen of the Duchy of Eaton. We came out to find her sister, and unexpectedly encountered wolves."
"P-P-Princess?"
Quik suddenly felt at a loss. In his understanding, a Grand Duke was only slightly lower in rank than a king. And if this advisor lady was talking about the Duchy of Eton, then wasn't she practically a queen in reality, and the woman beside the advisor akin to a queen consort?
He suddenly realized he seemed to have stumbled into diplomatic affairs, dealing with someone at the highest levels of a country.
Oh heavenly father! Spare me! I've never even interacted with nobles beyond lords.
"Your Highness! I am Captain Quik of the Southern Star. I represent Earl Paul Grayman of Alden, the Alden Lord of Aldor in the Northwestern Bay. Please forgive my presumption!"
He awkwardly performed a makeshift courtesy towards Helen, stumbling through an introduction of his identity.
After finishing, he realized he didn't even know if they understood his language, so he desperately signaled to the female advisor.
Xela Setia smiled and said, "Don't worry, Captain. Sister here understands Aldorian."
Sister? Damn, it seems this seemingly low-key advisor is quite influential in her homeland! Why would she come to such a remote place as the Northwestern Bay?
Princess Helen bowed to Quik and thanked him with a smile, "Captain Quik, thank you for coming to our rescue tonight. My sister and I are deeply grateful to you and your men!"
"Oh, no, Your Highness! It was nothing!"
Quik hurriedly deflected.
Lady Setia suddenly interjected, "Everyone, now is not the time for chatting. We should return to Niceport as soon as possible. I feel like the wolves around us are regrouping."
Only then did everyone realize they were still in a perilous situation.
Quik said, "No time to waste, let's move quickly!"
Helen carried her still unconscious sister from the carriage. Quik intended to have a soldier carry Fanny, but the Princess refused.
"She's very light. I can carry her. Focus your manpower on guarding against the wolves."
So Quik loudly announced to the sailors to return to Niceport.
But as they started back, they encountered a quite large group of wolves.
The howls echoed through the forest, chilling their hearts. Soon, illuminated by the moonlight, they saw countless wolves rushing towards them in a swarm.
The wolves were in single file, like a disciplined army led by an experienced officer.
Quik immediately ordered the sailors to come closer together, forming three rows according to their previous grouping.
To minimize interruption in firepower, he ordered only one row to fire at a time, while the other two rows prepared. If the wolves continued to charge after the first volley, the next row would fire.
At the same time, the row that had fired should not rush to reload but firmly grip their muskets, ready with bayonets for any bold wolves that managed to get close.
The sound of gunfire erupted quickly!
Several wolves were shot in the head and fell, while others were wounded and fled, leaving trails of blood visible under the moonlight.
The wolves behind were startled and halted their charge towards them, but they didn't leave either, instead hesitating about whether to continue the attack. After all, they were numerous and outnumbered their 'prey'.
However, the muskets were effective at this range. Though the rifled barrels had lost some accuracy, with so many guns, some were bound to hit.
The second row of gunfire rang out, and more wolves fell in the distance.
"There's movement in the woods! Use grenades!"
The soldiers on both sides immediately lit and threw grenades into the forest.
After several loud explosions, there were several pitiful cries of "whimper."
Some wolves, frightened by the explosions, ran onto the road in confusion, meeting sailors armed with bayonets who quickly dispatched them.
Princess Helen stared blankly as the wolf pack scattered and fled, her thoughts unclear.
Beside her, Ladia asked softly, "Sister, isn't it incredible?"
"...,"
Silence was her response.
"I had a vague feeling when I arrived at the Northwestern Bay..."
"What?"
"...that the era of knights is coming to an end..."
...
Quik, confirming the wolves had scattered ahead, ordered the team to continue on.
Along the way, they fired sporadically, and fortunately, no one was injured by the wolves.
Finally, they arrived at the north gate of Niceport, just before three o'clock in the morning.
(End of the Chapter)
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