" Are you sure you want to do this?" Mera asked seeing Samuel line up his group in a straight file.
" Yes. Is everyone else ready?" Naoh asked. It was going to be a joint operation with local hunter and village people that were unhurt during the skirmish along with others who recovered.
The village only had about fifty people including six that trained under his so there were not a lot of volunteers for the clean up mission.
" We were only manage to pull ten people. Few of them are mildly injured which means they can only shoot arrows from afar. I asked Felix but he wanted to stay with his disciples but agreed to help if situation got out of hand. I am sorry-"
" Don't worry about him. I will protect him." Alastair interrupted. He was going to lead these ten people and for some reason felt confident, they would be able to go through with the mission.
" Old man, I don't need you protection. Just stay behind and let my team handle everything." Noah could see from their weapons, they weren't going to make much of a difference. Few of them had spears with wooden shields on their back while others were carrying bows and arrows.
He knew this world was primitive but they couldn't be compared to those knights that were wearing shiny armours. He didn't know how these people were going to help him, they almost be used as cannon fodders.
" You might say it but you never know what's we are going to face out there. These mountains are dangerous and unpredictable because it's filled with migrating monsters. We have accounts of some of them that likes to stay in their base but other than that, everything else is a game of chance."
Noah already know what he was talking about. It was about the legend why their ancestors settled at top this mountain. Back then, there was no set road which meant anyone trying to harm them would have to go through the deep forest.
Their enemies suffered heavily facing different type of monsters ultimately giving up on pursuit. Their ancestors were lucky to be able to reach the mountain and after many generation, the chief decided it was time to connect to the outside world.
They slowly and gradually trimmed down monsters population along a single line getting it down enough that it became safer to go down the hill. These animals instinctively avoided the clear road but they would still face them if their numbers get out of control.
Hence, a system was put in place to regularly check their numbers. It was mostly left to the merchant and the mercenaries that occasionally came to their village to get their exotic medicine and fragrances.
It was a excellent deal for them since they could exchange regular supplies that the village lacked bartering it for higher value goods produced by the village. The status quo stood for generation after villager got a taste of outside goods.
They didn't have the numbers to do the business themselves so others were left to clear small occasional monsters. There was also a fear that the local lord would snatch back their land the kingdom changed multiple times when their ancestors first settled on the mountain.
Now that they were facing unprecedented catastrophe, if they didn't take care of the monsters. They would have to pay heavy price to leave the mountain top essentially smothering their economy!
" Alastair! Don't try to scare him!" Mera shouted.
" A-alast....you promised you will call me father." He was immediately defeated.
" Since you are so confident. Why don't we have a bout?"
" ho, are you challenging me?" Alastair pulled out his big ass sword smashing it on the ground. It was still in it's sheath still that thing looked heavy.
" I have to remind you, I was a renowned knight commander. If not for my daughter, I would have taken care of these puny monster myself!" Noah had to admit he looked cool. His rusty armour was shining probably because he cleaned everything up or asked local blacksmith for help. Still he looked much better than the first time he met him in the cave.
" Why not? Didn't you tell me scouts located two monster bases already? Why don't we see who clears it the fastest."
" But because of different monster variant, how could we call this-" Alastair saw him smiling ear to ear.
" That's why, I will leave the choice to you so that you wouldn't whine about it later. I will take six of my people and you can ask others to follow you."
" What? Why are you dividing your forces? Shouldn't you be working together?" Mera exclaimed. She didn't want them to endangers others over their childish feud.
" It will be fine. I will be in the vanguard and we will not venture deeper inside the forest."
" I agree. Unlike others, the kids under me are still inexperienced. I want to take things slow and let them have some battle and figure out how they perform under pressure."
Noah didn't coin the duel solely over his pride. He wanted to test their week long training and see if they were really cut out for the job.
" Fine. I will come with you-"
" No! It will defeat the purpose. Beside, if something happen to you, everyone will be at a disadvantage. it's better for you to stay here in case someone gets injured." Alastair immediately shut her down. He didn't want her daughter to face danger because no matter how strong she was, her abilities were related to healing.
Two men nodded and returned to their respective groups. They were gathered at the entrance because there was only one way out of the village. Noah looked at his six man team, over the week he had kited them with latest protective gear and a tight suit that could block most of the knife stabs.
They were beginning to resemble the special forces that he used to run around with. They still had a long way to go but at least they were holding their weapon upright with a glare in their eyes. Just how he liked it.
" We are moving out!"
""" Yes sir!"""