Published: March 12, 2025
Chapter 231: Firmness
Although the Blood Eagles could not speak, they understood Zhao Hai's words. Therefore, Zhao Hai and his companions took a few days to teach these flying eagles how to convey simple information using their flight patterns and calls.
For example, they could circle in the air a few times to indicate the number of people or make specific calls to represent how many cavalry were present. Thus, these Blood Eagles could now be considered the simplest aerial scouts.
Zhao Hai took a careful look at the Blood Eagles, watching them fly away before turning to Laura and saying, “There’s a situation to the east. A cavalry unit of a thousand is heading our way, but it seems they are not orcs.”
Laura paused for a moment, her expression changing as she replied, “I understand. It’s the Charging Bull Guard from Iron Wall Fortress. They patrol this area every two weeks or so. It seems we’re just unlucky to encounter them today.”
Zhao Hai frowned and asked, “What should we do? Should we hide in the space?”
Laura shook her head, “That’s not necessary. We just need to give them some money to pass. After all, buying food from the orcs is something everyone knows about, and the Versailles Principality hopes that more people come to buy food from the orcs. As long as the orcs have enough to eat and drink, they won’t cause trouble. The main objective of these cavalry is to check if any orc tribes have come here.”
Zhao Hai nodded and turned to Laura, “You have experience in this matter. How much do you think we should pay to pass smoothly?”
Laura smiled slightly, “We might need a thousand gold coins, and I shouldn’t be the one to deliver it. It’s better if Grandpa Galen does it. He’s an eighth-level expert, and those knights won’t dare to make things difficult for him. If I go, they might not let us off easily because I’m a woman.”
Zhao Hai's expression changed, “What? Do they dare to be rude?”
Laura smiled wryly, “Don’t forget where we are. If they really wanted to be rude, they could easily kill all of us and blame it on the orcs. This isn’t deep in the Orc Prairie; it’s still controlled by Iron Wall Fortress. The Charging Bull Guard can turn into bandits at any time.”
Zhao Hai said solemnly, “Does Duke Ivan not care about this?”
Laura shook her head with a bitter smile, “Care? How can he? The soldiers at Iron Wall Fortress need to maintain some wildness, and since they are near the orc prairie where resources are scarce, those soldiers might be stationed here for several years, feeling frustrated and needing an outlet. Therefore, the authorities turn a blind eye to such matters. Besides, merchants coming here to do business with the orcs are essentially smuggling, supporting the enemy, and it’s illegal. Even if those soldiers kill someone, no one would dare to say anything.”
Zhao Hai nodded, then suddenly disappeared into the space. He called Grandpa Galen out from Iron Mountain Fortress, explaining the situation to him.
Zhao Hai also took out a cloth bag containing one thousand gold coins and handed it to Galen before they both appeared next to the carriage.
Next, Zhao Hai released a Swift Horse for Galen to ride, while the convoy continued moving forward. Zhao Hai knew they could not outrun the Charging Bull Guard cavalry; the open space was too vast, and the cavalry was not far off, approaching quickly.
Indeed, less than an hour later, there was a loud rumble from the east. Experienced soldiers recognized it as the sound of a large cavalry unit in motion. Zhao Hai and the others turned to see a thousand-strong cavalry unit coming swiftly from the east.
They immediately stopped, but instead of encircling their carriages for defense like other caravans, they did not need to.
Laura and her two companions stayed hidden inside the carriage. All three were rare beauties, and if those cavalrymen saw them, it could cause significant trouble.
Zhao Hai recalled a saying from Earth: "Three years as a soldier, a sow rivals Diao Chan." The cavalry stationed at Iron Wall Fortress might have been there for more than three years. If they discovered that Laura and the others were just as beautiful as the legendary Diao Chan, it was uncertain whether they would turn into orcs.