Hidden in the shadows, the restless onlookers could hardly suppress their urge to jump out and shout "Are you guys even moving?!" before the caravan began moving again.
Thank the almighty Mafa!!!!!!!!
With unprecedented devotion, they whisper the daily prayers they never took to heart, praising the great power of the goddess. Their hard work has finally paid off.
Leaving the bustling market, they run tirelessly to the desolate wasteland, treated like dogs by the three magicians, digging pits for half a day, carefully camouflaging the pit entrances, and then hiding themselves in blind spots safe from arrow fire, waiting for the moment their efforts would bear fruit.
For some unknown reason, the group stopped just short of the traps, hesitating for a long time and adopting a cautious posture. At that moment, they almost believed that their efforts had been in vain, and their heartfelt frustration and loss nearly crushed these poor souls. The caravan began moving forward again, and in this sudden change of mood, they almost wanted to celebrate with cheers and hugs even at the risk of revealing their presence.
Fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in, fall in!
The malicious intent is boiling over, and their hearts are pounding in anticipation. As their visions narrow, and the only thing occupying their thoughts is the young man stepping into the trap and the subsequent collapse of the cart, a sight that almost shatters the fragile hearts of some.
The tall young man passed the trap successfully—just as designed. The hidden support structure beneath the cover was strong enough to support his weight, but not the vastly heavier cart. Their hard work was not for some measly pawn; the cart was their real target.
The inferior horses pulling the old carts and their passengers inside were slowly getting closer, closer, closer...until they finally stepped on it!
The excitement of nearly bursting veins lasted for a second before their eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the impossible event.
The cart didn't disappear from the view; there was no dust or panic from the following convoy. The cart that stepped on the trap didn't even sway slightly, and the people on it still looked relaxed and cheerful, crossing the trap without any issue.
It's over? It's just over like that? Over, over, over, over, over, over!?!?!?!?!?!
This is impossible! This shouldn't be! How can it be!? There's no reason it should be!
The weight of the cart should have broken the support beams and fallen into the pit with the passengers, impaled on the stakes at the bottom, blood gushing from wounds and mouth as they screamed their final cries. That's how it should have ended.
That's the scene that should have played out! That's what was supposed to happen!!!!!!
The first cart passed, the second cart, third cart, until the last beast in the line passed without a care for their effort, moving at a snail's pace across the exposed trap with a casual self-satisfaction, completely bypassing the intended outcome. All of it, completely safe!
"Sigh... what a bunch of useless fools."
The enchanting sigh brought the frantic consciousness back to the reality they must face. The bewitching voice dissipated the uncontrollable rage of the attackers, as an endless abyss of fear entwined their bodies like serpents.
"Sir Lawrence, please, give us another chance."
Their teeth chattering as they spoke, the unpleasant sounds making it difficult for their words to be coherent, and cold sweat stained their clothes.
"Those cows."
With a yawn, the man picks at his fingernails, paying no attention to the trembling men around him. The bright red lipstick on his lips forming a sentence full of disdain.
"Rush from the back, drive the animals away and scatter the caravan – even a three-year-old could do it. I hope you maggots can do at least that much."
He concluded the command with a dismissive tone, without any need for threats. There's no value in even threatening the incompetence of useless people; just get rid of the trash that can't even handle simple tasks. It's simply a waste of time and effort.
The magician's heavily made-up face revealed a cold smile, as the ominous killing intent pushed the attackers back. Clutching daggers, shortswords, and clubs close to their chests, they rushed out from the low bushes where they had been hiding.
They crouch and run, the sound of rustling grass accompanying their swift advance. Catching up with the rear of the convoy, they saw the stupid tails of the long-haired cows. None of the brats in the caravan noticed them. In the unexpected excitement, their steps grew even faster, their daggers raised high, no longer concerned with concealing their approach as they dashed forward at the target with all their pent-up frustration.
At the moment of success, one's worries and vigilance tend to subconsciously relax or even be forgotten.
The so-called "extreme joy begets sorrow" often happens at such times.
The leisurely walking herd of cows, and their swaying tails, suddenly all rise in the air. The center of gravity of their bodies and the collapsing ground beneath them become chaotic. The faces of those underneath, now upside down, see the sharp stakes standing tall as if to say "welcome," the white tips getting bigger and bigger—
Glopp!!!!!!!!!!!!
Almost at the same time, the eerie and dull sound of more than a dozen people being pierced through their hands, feet, chests, and abdomens is heard. Their faces torn open, their ribcages shattered, their insides spilling out through the other side of their bodies with the red-tipped stakes; mouths gaping wide, wanting to scream in pain. But like a fish out of water, all that comes out are bubbles of blood and unintelligible gasps. The air they desperately try to inhale keeps escaping from their punctured lungs, their convulsing hands reach towards the small patch of sky above, trying to grasp at something, but in the end, they catch nothing, and lifelessly slump down. At the bottom of the deep pit, devoid of any sound, the more than ten corpses began to grow cold, not a single living person left among them.
Seeing the pit that had swallowed more than a dozen lives, the weight of it all sinking into them as they swallowed the icy saliva in their throats, Elves shook their heads or made no motion at all, returning their gaze to its original position. They've seen dangerous species fall into similar pits before, so they can easily imagine what kind of hellish scene is at the bottom of this one.
Though they may have some immunity to nauseating scenes, having dealt with animals that met the same fate and even slain human scouts themselves, the disappearance of more than a dozen Wisdom Species still deals a shock that's not easily adapted to or dismissed. Besides, they had just walked over the trap themselves, and feeling scared afterward was an inevitable reaction. After all, they were just a hair's breadth away from being the ones impaled in the pit.
"Gentlemen, let's pull ourselves together and keep our spirits up; our journey is not yet over."
The one who safely walked through the same trap, and the reason for the drastic difference between the two groups, laughed cheerfully. Red eyes framed by black hair, his true appearance was revealed before the Elves—an innocent, untainted smile that reassured them and helped ease their minds.
"Playing clever tricks in front of you is simply asking for death."
The playful cat threw off the lingering dread and lazily swung its tail, laughing. The mood in the carriage began to relax as they prepared themselves for the battles ahead.
"Mmm~~~~~~Your hair is really convenient. Oh, it's not greasy at all, no split ends or dandruff. Do you have any secret techniques for hair care?"
The mischievous girl played with his silky black hair, while Li Lin generously tolerated Freya's childish antics. The treasure that had helped the caravan avoid the trap was now being toyed with by the little girl under Brynhild's conflicted gaze.
Despite the importance of the treasure that infiltrated and entwined the trap's support structure to strengthen it and bear weight, the boys shared bitter smiles as they glanced at each other's hair and shrugged, with an air of elegance.
The difference in what girls and boys paid attention to was too vast. They had no idea how to comment on Freya's entreaty to Li Lin for his hair-care secret. In their eyes, caring for hair was something that... seemed to be as simple as washing it once a month, but Freya's focus on it added complications.
"I am also interested in such secret techniques. Could you share them?"
In an instant, the Elves entered a combat-ready stance, fingers tightening on their bows and arrows as hunting knives were drawn. The herd began to shrink together, while the young men tasked with guarding it surrounded the livestock, searching for the source of the sound that was causing unease.
No one in the group would make that disgusting... coquettish male voice, causing goosebumps to everyone around. That voice could only belong to an enemy.
"What's the matter, tell me, don't be so stingy. You're wasting that handsome face of yours~~~~~~~~~~~~~"
The girlish, pleading words echoed continuously, intertwining around them. Such an effect couldn't be natural in the low shrubs and plains of a valley.
It's a magician!
Realizing the identity of their enemy, the Elves' tension intensified, their knuckles turning white as they gripped their weapons.
They had already fought and killed the incompetent fool who had challenged Thor earlier. Now, an enemy they had not yet laid eyes on was even more unlikely to be a pushover.
"Were the guys who fell into the pit your doing?"
With a lazy voice that made it seem as though he was nursing a headache, Li Lin's response may have seemed rhetorical, but as a courtesy and to prevent any misunderstandings, his demeanor was impeccable.