"The first step of my plans is to build the economy first and then attack the bandits. Seeing the forests around this village, I exactly knew that there are a lot of herbs, plants and animals. We can sell those to the city and hire some troop" The people looked at teach other nervously.
Even from the place where Frigs were standing, he heard the things coming out from the villager's mouth, "Is this step really necessary?"
"I don't trust this kid…"
"Yea, same here, just because they are from some noble families, they thought they could do all the things they want"
Frigs sighed, he then shouted, "So, who could gather herbs and hunt?"
Most of the people raised their hands, and a smile emerged on Frigs face. He then whispered to the old man that was right beside him at that time, "Okay sir, let's go inside the house"
…
Once again, Frigs found himself inside the house, sitting beside Louis and in front of the old man, "Soon enough, there would be one person or even more than one that leaves the village, you should go patrol around the village"
Frigs said to the old man and the old man nodded before getting up and leaving the house, he then smirked, "Louis, by the time that the old man return here, I want you to inform all the villagers of what we are going to do"
Louis nodded, "The first thing is to gather poisonous herbs and plants, the deadlier the better. After that, ask the old man to lead you to the blacksmith family, I'm sure they have the talent, ask them to make around 10 spears, 20 bows and just a lot of arrows"
Louis nodded once again. Not long after that, the old man returned to the room and sat down before reporting what he saw, "I saw 2 men walking outside the village. They said they wanted to wash themselves in the nearby river"
Frigs smirked, "Not really, I suspect they are spying on us on behalf of the bandits. Now, can you accompany Louis? I have some tasks for him, this would greatly help in my plan"
Shortly said, the two men left the house, leaving Frigs alone in the room, 'If my plans go correctly, we should win the upcoming skirmish against the bandits!'
…
3 days later, just like before, Frigs found himself in front of the crowds of villagers, but now, the pupils of their eyes toward him are strong, "Sorry to gather you all once again here, I got the report for the last 3 days, it seems that you all did a lot of work, I'm proud of y'all!"
The crowds were still staring at him in silence, "So! I have decided that it would be best for us to sell what we got to the nearby city, 6 hours away from this village. And looks like, we will be staying there for the night with a big feast!"
The crowd loudly cheered all of a sudden, Frigs cleared his throat, "Ehm! However, it looks like I won't be able to take all the villagers, I will be only taking the men and some women! The rest will stay here and stay on guard!"
The men continued cheering, and the women were saddened. Some even dropped to the ground and started begging, 'I think this village could be a place where famous actors and actresses were born! Never did I suspect their acting skill to be this great!"
While Frigs were smiling on the wooden stage, the old man came to him and whispered to his ear, "Sir, it looks like the two men you suspected as spies have left the village, I saw them from afar, bringing baskets of clothes, I asked them and they said they are going to wash some clothing before leaving the village!"
Frigs nodded and whispered back, "Tell most women and children to get on the wagons, the rest stay and pretend to do their normal activities while looking grim. Then arm the men with the poisonous arrows and bows, tell them to hide in the second floor of the houses, give those who didn't get a bow a spear!"
…
The wagons then began their journey. The two men returned to the village around 4 pm and the women wandering on the street told them that the wagons have departed. They then sighed and returned to their house, only to be kidnapped by the other villagers.
Soon enough, the day turned into night; it was evening, around 7 pm. Men have their bows ready on their hands and arrows on their quiver. Not a minute later, a spark of fire could be seen in the forest. Frigs were observing from the window of the old man's house, 'It seems that they fell for my plan and had no idea I orchestrated this whole play!'
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Frigs smiled, 'Just like what Sun Tzu said! That guy really is a legend, if he were still alive, even I would let him sleep in my house!'
Meanwhile, in the far distance, the spark of fire was multiplying and slowly but surely, a group of men on their horses were exiting the forest and entering the village. All of them grinned and smirked. One man, right in front of the group, with a muscular body, a giant sword in his hand and an extremely deep voice said, "It looks like they are sleeping! We will take this village for ourselves and r*pe all of those women and enslave those children!"
At that point, the group was already in the middle of the village. The man with the muscular body suddenly saw an arrow with the arrowhead covered in a green liquid, flying right in front of his eyes, barely missing it.