"What is going on there?" the carriage driver asked when his vehicle came across a recently built outpost. The sight was quite sorry, with only a few ramparts near the vantage points.
But what attracted the driver wasn't the terrible condition of the site but the fact three convoys were gathered here. Seeing this wasn't rare for a frequent traveler, but it was as someone frequently using this route.
At least, in his memory, there shouldn't be a service station out here.
Furthermore, the aromatic smell of game meat grilled in an open fire makes him more curious about the person preparing the food.
"Doesn't they know that preparing food that smells this good would attract the monsters to come out of the forest?" the driver whispered to himself. But with three convoys gathering at this spot, perhaps the worry was unnecessary.
He wasn't the only one attracted to the sudden appearance of this outpost and the food smell. A few convoys passing through this section also notice the difference. Still, they chose to ignore it for now, as nobody was sure how long it could last.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the camp was warmer than usual. The food and drinks shared between the three convoys brought everyone closer as they talked and shared their stories. It was noisy, but those tired members could still sleep soundly as it felt more assuring and safe.
The outpost seems to be separated into an inner and outer area. Using ramparts as borders, this arrangement created an outer zone spacious enough to fit four carriages. And to make it more comfortable for these people, a makeshift stove was built by putting some stones and clay together in each corner.
This will allow those unfamiliar faces to prepare food on their own if they prefer not to mix with the others. While those that prefer could choose to use the inner area instead. This place is also where the bonfire is located, along with a few tables and chairs Hespar's group built themselves.
The building materials were naturally contributed by the three convoys. Some of the group's carpenters also helped get the furniture ready to be placed around the area.
Because this place does not need a proper building, Hespar's group decided to place two sharing chests in this inner area to keep the operating cost of this outpost low. One of the chests would be filled with building materials and tools. In contrast, the other chest would be loaded with emergency rations for starving or unlucky travelers.
The two supply chests would be locked using a method the hunters used to prevent more intelligent monsters like goblins from accessing them.
Because the place would mainly serve as a pitstop or refreshment area for the passersby, not a direct service station, this helps eliminate the need for guards to run the outpost. And without the need for people to run this place, misunderstandings or issues like deliberate provocations can be avoided.
The three convoys returned to their journey later that afternoon. But before they left, the convoy leader had made sure they left a stamp on Hespar's mission card as proof of satisfaction over the group's assignment. And with this, Hespar's group now has five signatures over two different dates.
Based on how it seems, they would probably get busier later in the evening since Ashley and Selene didn't stop promoting even when the outpost was fully occupied.
Two convoys from Fennis Empire eventually came in to stop for the night. At first, they're still somewhat wary of Hespar and his group's intention. Still, the people quickly agree after making sure there's no other intention motivating Hespar and the others.
The situation was smoothened thanks to Paul's excellent cooking and icebreaking skill. He might not be among the best fighters, but he's undoubtedly the most sociable. It seems that no matter where they came from, good social skill is always in high demand, as they can bring people to understand one another.
Even if they're different by belief, race, background, and bound to a specific regulation. And the further the conversation went, the more respect the people from the two convoys had for the nine youths.
"I'm sure everyone here was the pride of the Lavos Village," said a guard leader. As someone from the Fennis Empire, he had a slightly different view due to the differences in their education and belief.
Compared to the education system used by the Sauro Kingdom, the Fennis Empire's education starts from ten to sixteen. During the six years of learning, bits of knowledge will be injected into them daily, as they would be excluded from doing anything else except studying.
Their education is also more centralized, where children are expected to be sent to the nearest town or city to start their education. Failure to do so would get a heavy penalty imposed on the family. And if worst, the family would be imprisoned for disobeying the empire's law.
"It was an overpraised statement, guard leader," Hespar responded to the praise politely.
"Trust me, it wasn't. This was my third year in military service. And during this time, nobody managed to do what your group has been doing so far. Still, you shouldn't be overly confident, as your opponent isn't people like us but monsters." the guard leader added.
"Let us hope that would never come. And if it does, please lend us your strength." Hespar continued. After exchanging a few more sentences, Hespar made his way to another convoy. To him, running around was necessary to get everyone to help one another during the midnight period.
...
...
...
"Leader! The number of goblins attacking us is increasing." Rory came into Hespar's tent to wake him up.
"Goblins?" Hespar seems to be thinking about something else after hearing what Rory said.
"Paul, wake up. Get the girls awake and inform the convoy about the increasing number of monsters around us. Rory, I'll rely on you to tell the others." Hespar quickly put on his leather vest and left the tent.
'I think father often mentioned this before... There's always a hobgoblin or two whenever the goblins are attacking in numbers. I'll have to quickly look for their hiding spot before the hobgoblin finds a weak point in our defense." Hespar whispered and reminded himself about what his father taught him.
"Terry! Can you manage?" Hespar asked and joined the battle. Judging from the number of corpses on the ground, the possibility a hobgoblin is around is very likely.
"Yes!" Terry replied.
"Good, keep this up as I search for their leader. We'll have to quickly find the hobgoblin before it manages to sneak on us." Hespar added and swung his sword fiercely. His attack injured two goblins, but they're far from dead yet.
And as Hespar tried to deliver the killing strike, two other goblins came to the rescue. Their sudden arrival startled Hespar, but he maintained his calmness, stabbed the sword into one injured goblin, and deterred another with the torch in his left hand.
"Get the hell away!" Hespar swings the torch around while pulling the sword out from the dead goblin. Then taking the opportunity as the blade is free from the flesh and guts, he stabs into the throat of another attacking goblin.
The unlucky second goblin he injured died as he stomped as hard as possible.
Meanwhile, Terry was struggling against three goblins at once. Two goblins were working in tandem to harass him, and the third continually struck him whenever he was too aggressive.
Since his skills in swordplay are worse than Hespar's, it was natural that his attack is not as deadly as the latter.
"Terry, focus on attacking the two goblins harassing you! Just charge through them every time you move further ahead and reposition yourself!" Hespar said.
The advice to Terry sounded like enlightenment. Terry then went wilder in his attack since there's nothing wrong with him to try doing what Hespar tells him.
Although the execution wasn't as smooth as before, the slight changes allow Terry to avoid getting hit occasionally by the third goblin. And by a stroke of luck, Terry caught the third goblin by surprise and stabbed his sword through its heart, killing it before the monster could cry.
The kill strengthens Terry's confidence in himself.
"Yes! Hespar, your tricks... Works?" Terry said after killing the two remaining goblins bothering him. But he was surprised by what he saw.
Hespar was surrounded by a layer of apparent white mist as noticeable as a layer of gypsum powder. In conjunction with this phenomenon, he was also inflicted with a sudden headache from something trying to invade his mind.
"What... What's happening?" Hespar grabbed his head as the power akin to pure, holy power appeared around his body. Signs of cracking can also be seen along his skin like a shattering piece of glass.
His helpless situation was seen by everyone on standby. But as everyone had no idea what was happening, nobody dared to make a move.
Amongst so many people here, only the teacher responsible for monitoring Hespar's group understands what this means. After all, he was the only Aura User around.
'This boy... What kind of power is that?' the teacher whispered while staring at Hespar intensely. Even he was curious about what coming out from Hespar, as the rebound from the Aura Manifestation was mightier than his own by two to threefold.
(Gobu!)
The cry of a goblin can be heard as a sturdier goblin about two meters tall appeared out of nowhere to attack Hespar. Its appearance was too sudden, making even the teacher unable to react on time to stop it.
'Not good! If that boy was interrupted, it would disturb the level of completion his Aura could manifest!' the teacher immediately made his move. Still, it was apparent that it was too late, even if he got the hobgoblin in his attack.