The elven patrol appeared on the Ore Avenue at the same time that afternoon, and the lineup was the same as yesterday. To avoid attracting their attention, Siegel and Manna observe from afar with the help of invisibility. The two hid behind a huge rock, and there was no communication the whole time.

The Ancient Tree of War walked slowly, carrying three rangers on its back, each alerting in different directions. A black bear follows behind a tree, which Siegel points out is the result of an elven druid. High in the sky, two falcons patrol back and forth, making clear chirpings from time to time. In this situation, it is too difficult to sneak attack.

"There is no place to hide within a radius of ten miles, and the birds in the sky will surely spot us in advance. They watched as the elf walked over and watched again on its way back. "Even if you charge on horseback, you won't be able to achieve the effect of a surprise attack at all," Manna said. Elven archers are able to shoot three or four arrows before we get close. So after a few rounds, at most only two or three horses were left to get close to the enemy, which was completely useless. ”

After thinking about it, she asked Siegel, "Lord Lord, can't you cast magic?"

"I have my own considerations, this time I have to act like there is no mage involved, so I can't use magic no matter what. Siegel was not unaccommodating, saying, "If it doesn't work, find another opportunity." ”

Manna thought for a moment, then shook her head. "If the elves always configure their patrols in this way, they will always have the advantage of scouting, and they will be the same everywhere. But I have a way to maybe get closer to the elves, but it's more risky. ”

"Tell me about it. ”

Mana's solution was to put on a show for the elves. Ten knights divided into groups of two and eight, and eight besieged Manna and two other knights. The elves could spot the battle from afar, and they were likely to approach the battlefield cautiously. Even tried to save the "poor woman" Mana. At this time, everyone will raid the elves together, and maybe they can achieve good results.

Siegel was adamantly opposed.

There are too many loopholes in this plan. What if the elves stop in the distance and just watch, and let everyone keep fighting? Even if the elves tried to rescue Mana, if they shot arrows at the besiegers from a distance, would they watch their companions die under the longbow? The elves were also masters of martial arts, and the knights of Siegel were not professional actors. The possibility of their "play" being debunked is too great.

"There's another way. Manna was not in a hurry, and said to Siegel: "Unless we can lure the elves away from the ore avenue and let them advance towards the walled mountain range, only on the mountain will we have enough shelter." The only thing that is uncertain is whether the elves will go up the mountain. ”

"This would have been good at other times, but it won't work now. Siegel explained, "So far, the elves have ignored the chain of human castles on the walled mountains, but that doesn't mean they haven't noticed it. If we rely on the dwarven walls and mountains, whether it is a provocation or a real attack. It is possible that the elves will make up their minds to take the risk of offending the dwarves and clean up the castle on the mountain. In this way, the trade route we have just opened up will be meaningless. ”

Manna pondered that if only there was a better way.

The surrounding terrain is very unfavorable, and the elves are well-trained and have an advantage in terms of weapon range.

"I have a way to reduce the elves' ability to detect. Siegel said, "Lie in ambush." I'm going to try shooting down a falcon with a longbow?"

Manna shook her head and said to Siegel, "Lord Lord. I know you're good at swordsmanship, but if you don't use magic, you're so good at archery? Falcon is hard to hit, and the uncertainty of this method is still too great. ”

"Then it's only a storm?"

"That's the only way to do it. Manna said.

"Let me think again. Siegel still didn't give up.

The knightess nodded. She knew the good intentions of her lord and wanted to minimize casualties as much as possible, and she had the same desire. But in times of war. There is not always a solution. When she was a mercenary before, she had heard her companion say that when faced with danger, the leader would send a death squad to fight his way out.

Mercenaries are still like this, and knights are not ambiguous. Chivalry includes bravery and sacrifice, and now is the time to fulfill your promises. Although Siegel was still frowning and thinking. But Mana had already begun to gather her men for training.

In the evening, they had a good meal, fed themselves and their mounts, and then began to sharpen their weapons. In the process of charging, in addition to the shield, only the long sword in the hand can remove the flying arrows. The elven arrows are fast and tricky, and trying to block them is a technical task. All you have to do is not get shot at the vital point, don't get shot at the mount, so that they can get close and attack.

They went to bed early, so that they could recuperate themselves and wait for tomorrow's battle. Siegel hadn't slept all night and had been trying to figure out what to do. In this battle, he set too many rules and restrictions for himself, like tying his hands and feet, so it was particularly awkward. He really envies those who are unrestrained and can let go of whatever the consequences are.

They began to move in the early morning, heading east in the direction the elves had come. The sooner this matter is resolved, the later the elven camp will find out, and the farther they will be able to run. Towards noon, the sky suddenly became overcast, as if a snowstorm was brewing. The majestic walled mountains stand beneath the black, oppressive clouds, making them look dark and ominous.

The cold wind poured straight into their necks, and the knights who had removed their armor could just wear an extra layer of thick clothing, but they would not feel too uncomfortable. They looked up at the dome, and the black clouds were moving fast, and the wind was increasing like a raging tide.

"That's a good thing!" said Mana, "such a strong wind will affect the falcon's flight!"

Siegel nodded, silently praying. Even though he knew that there would be no response from the gods, he would do whatever it took to bless his knights. After a while, a large snowflake fell from the sky, almost horizontally under the wind, and slapped on everyone's faces. The horse snorted uneasily, swaying its head back and forth, and shaking its mane constantly.

The view is blocked, and the weather is so bad, I don't know if the elves will show up. Siegel had a flash of inspiration. Ignoring the snow and ice on the ground, he fell down. The ore avenue is a hard road made of gravel and slag, and the sound of footsteps in the distance can be heard.

Especially the elves and the big guy with the war tree.

The snow had been falling, but it didn't quickly fill the ground under the wind. Siegel knelt on the ground, his ears pressed to the ground, hoping that the elf would appear "as promised". His heart was pounding. I once mistook it for the voice of the ancient tree of war, and I almost shouted excitedly. Fortunately, the cold made him wake up quickly, and he did not miscalculate the situation.

Although romantic and free, the elves obey military orders after all, and remain on patrol in this bad weather. The sound of heavy footsteps finally came—this time definitely not a heartbeat.

"Get ready, we're going to win!" Siegel said to the group.

This sudden weather provided the knights with a much-dreamed hide, which was seen as a blessing from the god of warriors and a smile of victory. As soon as the snow began to fall, the knights sprang into action, wrapping their hooves in cloth and tying their mouths. The opportunity to have a sneak attack made everyone excited. Morale is also getting high. They had long been lying on their horses, ready for a surprise attack.

"Remember, the Elven War Tree is the first target, and even the only target if necessary. Siegel gestured to the crossbow and magazine, "Testing weapons is the purpose of this battle." ”

The crowd nodded, and then swallowed the delayed onset of poison. With a wave of her hand, the knights began to walk cautiously along the ore avenue.

Their speed slowly increases. Their figures faded away. The wind and snow swirled, covering all traces. Siegel was curious to know what was going on. But without magic, you can't see much in this environment.

Soon, the gale brought with it the dense sound of horses' hooves, followed by the shouts of knights and the roars of the ancient trees of war. Siegel also heard a heavy knock, it should have been the war tree that hit something, hoping that it would only hit the ground in vain, not his own knight. Then came the neighing of horses and the roar of some kind of beast. It's so far away that it's hard to tell the difference. The heavy thumping came four more times, and then never again.

When the wind lightened, the snow became heavier and fell, and soon a layer of snow was piled up on Siegel's shoulders. The chill kisses the skin through the cloak. The magical power is ready to move, but it is suppressed by Siegel. He was not allowed to use any spells on his own, nor could he use magic items, lest he leave traces of magic fluctuations. He narrowed his eyes, trying to stare into the misty depths of the snow.

The world ruled by white and gray finally appeared in a brilliant light, and the fiery red flame and green arc complemented each other, the most beautiful colors seen today. The flames rose, and the screams of the Ancient War Tree drowned out the howling of the wind, then disappeared under the crackling of burning wood. After a while, the sound of horses' hooves was heard in the wind and snow, and one after another dark shadows rushed back.

All eleven horses returned, but only six horses were under the control of knights, and the knights on three horses were dead, but they were tied up and did not fall. Manna followed last, all wounded, and two unconscious men fell on the back of their companions' horses, and were brought back by the stubborn knight - the elves' weapons hit the ties, and they were wounded and fell from their horses, and they almost never returned.

There was excitement on everyone's faces, the look of the victors. Manna was panting, bleeding from an arrow in her calf.

"It's all gone, not a single one left!" she cried out, expressing the excitement in her chest. "Our crossbow has a faster rate of fire than the elves, and it actually suppresses the other party. The crossbow bolts also worked very well on the Ancient War Tree, and we were all overjoyed when the fire started. ”

"Stop the bleeding first, treat the wound, take the detoxification drink, and then retreat!" Siegel hurriedly ordered. The knights hurriedly dismounted, pulled out arrows and tightened their wounds with bandages.

Siegel went to see the knights lying on horseback and found them badly wounded. One had a chest full of shards of wood, almost all of his ribs were broken, and the front of his body looked like it had been flattened. His internal organs must have ruptured extensively, and there was no good way to do this injury unless an experienced priest was found.

The other two were slashed by the elven scimitar, bleeding a lot, and fell into a coma. Siegel stitched them up with his magic hand, then sprinkled the wounds with the mercenary's usual hemostatic powder, leaving them to their fate.

"Get out of here now, this snow will help us hide our whereabouts. Siegel said, "I brought a healing potion from Red, but it doesn't work right now. Hurry, maybe save two more!"

"In which direction, do you want to go up the Walls Mountains?" Manna asked.

Siegel jumped onto a horse that had lost its owner and patted it on the neck to calm it down.

"No, let's go south. Siegel said, "Go back from the prairie." (To be continued......)