When the dust settled at least two hundred beasts were dead or dying but many humans were among the casualties as well.
The first group that was attacked got wiped out entirely but their deaths warned the others about the danger and allowed them to prepare for combat.
When the last beast got taken care of, everyone started to look for the wounded not caring that they were from different groups.
Right now they had to try and save whoever they could.
Paul and Fei Fei joined them but Anna was in no condition to help as the moment the battle was over she turned pale, bent in half, and started puking.
After making sure that she was alright, Paul and Fei Fei joined the rest in looking for survivors allowing her to rest while keeping guard for any stragglers.
This was a fortunate decision as soon after they left she took out a wolf that tried to ambush a female mercenary from behind while she was tending to her wounded friend.
-We need a healer!
Was heard from many people but unfortunately the only other healer was killed by the beasts and Paul was the only one left so he was forced to reveal his healing magic.
-Bring the most critically injured to me.
He shouted, deciding to heal the people that would die without healing magic first and the rest would have to deal with their wounds by themselves for now.
Once everyone saw that there was a healer they started to bring the people with critical injuries to him.
Paul cast healing spells one after the other but their power was restricted according to the injuries as he didn't want to waste mana on fully healing them and decided to save their lives for now and if need be heal them some more later if he had mana left to spare.
He managed to rescue around a dozen people before his mana ran out and another five after drinking a mana potion but that was his absolute limit.
Nobody complained that he didn't heal them as there were people that needed his help more and he was a low-level healer so his power was limited.
On the contrary, they were all grateful that their friends were saved even if they were still wounded.
Paul then surprised everyone by taking out a thread and the needle and starting sewing wounds to stop them from bleeding.
It was painful but soon some ladies joined him in this and soon all the cuts were sewn and bandaged.
The women who joined him were mostly mercenaries who happened to know how to sew and some slaves from a slave merchant who was camping there as well.
At the end of it all many people looked at Paul gratefully and expressed their thanks for saving them and their friends or even family in some cases.
-No need for thanks, this is something that any healer should do in this situation.
Paul said as one after the other people came to thank him.
When one of the merchants asked for the price of his help.
-I don't need to be paid for helping people who fought alongside me.
He sneered.
This was not the time or the place to be thinking about money when people who fought hand in hand with him were injured.
This answer earned him a lot of respect among the people around him.
There were not many healers that would help someone without compensation no matter what the situation was.
-I'm sorry for my assumptions.
The merchant apologized sincerely.
-No need for that, I know that most healers would not lift a finger without compensation even to save someone's life.
Paul said.
After all the wounded were taken care of and the critically injured were out of danger, the people who were fine or only had light injuries started to clean up the battlefield collecting weapons, and corpses of their fallen comrades and the beasts.
Paul used this time to cultivate some mana as he was almost out and he could not drink another mana potion for at least a day.
Anna was still on the lookout for any potential danger and didn't want to have anything to do with collecting corpses or their belongings so Fei Fei was the only one that joined the rest in this task.
She started by collecting the corpses of the group that wanted to attack them and was more or less wiped out by Paul alone.
She collected over thirty beasts from that group alone and then proceeded to get more from all around the place retrieving their arrows while she was at it.
Clearing the battlefield took almost an hour since there were many corpses to take care of and everyone was trying to retrieve their arrows before storing them just in case more beasts were coming.
When that was done they all started to discuss what to do now.
-I think we should stay here till morning to let the injured heal some more.
One of the mercenary leaders said.
-I don't agree, in my opinion, we should leave for the town as soon as possible.
Even if the gates are closed the protective barrier will shield us from any more attacks.
Merchant voiced his opinion.
Both options had merit and most people were torn between getting to safety and letting the injured rest longer.
-Why don't you all just compromise?
Paul said suddenly, opening his eyes.
-We can put the injured who can't walk by themselves on the carriages and slowly start making our way to the town.
That way the wounded get to rest and we can reach the town sooner.
Additionally, if we travel as one big group it will be much safer for everyone.
Everyone heard what he had to say in silence, as his actions had earned him a lot of respect and gave his words much weight.
After a moment of silence, everyone agreed that this was the best idea and the merchants took the wounded onto their carriages while the rest formed a protective circle around them and started to move slowly in the direction of the town.
Everyone was on guard as this attack was anything but normal especially since there were a lot of beasts in that group that usually fought with each other.
Paul was also sitting inside a carriage and restoring his mana further.
In the beginning, he wanted to walk like the rest of them but everyone persuaded him to focus on restoring his mana while riding in the carriage as he was their lifeline in case of another attack.
Nobody complained about his preferential treatment as it was a necessity and they all heard him saying that he would walk with the rest of the escorts and even argued a bit when the merchants and mercenaries convinced him to ride in a carriage.
If anything, they were happy that he was restoring his mana since they might need it.
Fei Fei and Anna were walking alongside the carriage he was sitting in with arrows nocked and ready to shoot any beast that showed up.
Everyone was on high alert and if a beast showed up it would soon be turned into a porcupine.
At the pace they were moving it would take them till morning to reach the town but it was still better than waiting for dawn to move out.
They were about halfway to the town when they heard steps from behind them and judging by the sound it was a group of people running like they were chased by something but there was no sound indicating that there was something behind them.
At that moment everyone in the rear guard prepared their weapons and the rest of the escorts joined them.
All together there were almost fifty of them and everyone had their bow drawn and ready to shoot any threat that came their way.
-Please don't shoot.
Shouted the first person that came into view once he realized what was in front of him.
It was a young man in a guard uniform that was stained with blood.
Everyone lowered their bows.
-Do you have a healer in your group?
The man asked seeing that they were not gonna shoot him.
-We do but he is replenishing his mana right now.
One of the mercenary leaders answered.
-Please ask him for help, my family's mistress is seriously hurt and requires a healer as soon as possible.
While the man was talking a few more guards showed up along with two young ladies and a woman on a hastily assembled stretcher.
They all were splattered in blood and the only two who were not holding weapons in their hands were the two guards carrying the stretcher.
Seeing them all like that there was no reason to ask what happened to them as it was evident that they were also attacked.
-Ladies can you call your master over?
The old mercenary asked Anna and Fei Fei, at this point they all knew that both of them belonged to Paul.
-There is no need for that.
Paul said walking in their direction.
Seeing the young man coming they all made way for him.
-You said that you need a healer.
Paul addressed the guard.
-Yes, our lady was heavily injured when we were attacked earlier and some of my friends are also in bad shape can you help us?
The young guard asked bowing before Paul.
-Rise your head, I will see what I can do but I'm not back to full mana right now so don't expect me to heal everyone.
Paul said and approached the woman on the stretcher.
She was pale and her wounds were indeed serious.
Paul cast a healing spell just to stabilize her for now as there were more people that he would need to heal.
-She is stable for now and her life is not in danger anymore.
He said and everyone in the group sighed in relief.
-Where are the wounded guards?
Paul asked as he didn't want to spend too much time here.
-Our captain told us to go ahead with the lady and young ladies while they stayed behind but they should get here shortly.
The guard said.
Paul turned to the mercenaries.
-Guys I know that you are tired but I need someone to go and bring them here, however, if you encounter any beast on the way get back here immediately, and don't risk a fight.
He said.
Immediately eight people stepped out.
-We will go.
The mercenaries said.
They took one of the guards with them to avoid any problems and rushed back to find the wounded men.