Then there was the metallic kettle, at least seven or eight flat kettles that Fang Hong could count were tied around his waist, arms, and legs, all filled with alcohol-laced water — a few were purely vodka. Every few gestures, he would take out a flask to take a swig, then sheepishly put it back under Miss Sicape's furious glare.
Fang Hong had his suspicions that the uncle had belonged to a nation of fighters before coming to Eteliria.
Of course, the man looked imposing, but in reality, this small squad was not bound by discipline but rather by the warmth of human connections. That's just how small teams are; although they have their downsides, members are familiar with each other, at least there isn't a lack of coziness.
While Fang Hong was surreptitiously observing the captain, Kroid also squinted at the former and then nodded.
His opinion of Fang Hong differed from that of his girlfriend; talent was important, but it wasn't essential. Before becoming an Invoker, he had worked in the Russian logistic support department as an aircraft engineer; a profession that required meticulousness, patience, and responsibility. In earlier years, he used to see many of his kind, but now the newcomers with a sense of responsibility and patience were becoming increasingly rare. Those sent over appeared so lightweight, like future stars.
However, in Fang Hong, he saw such long-missed qualities once again.
As the camp was being set up, people also started to chatter among themselves. Someone mentioned in the conversation, "Speaking of which, don't you guys think this mission is a bit different from the previous ones?"
"It is somewhat different, the main tasks in recent days were to open up the map (exploration and scouting) and participate in defenses, there were few requests to act in conjunction with the main force like this."
"This time it seems to be a retrieval mission, retrieving what?"
"Most likely campaign-level Magic Guided tools."
Fang Hong himself also clearly felt the difference in this mission from previous ones. Even the Descendants of Flor had specifically sent a liaison officer down, which hadn't happened in the past two months. Considering this, Fang Hong couldn't help but take another look around.
Unfortunately, a tent that had just been set up not far away blocked his view.
The forest was quiet.
Speaking of which, Miss Sicape and Kroid's team might have an elegant name like Morning Dawn Star, but they were here not to enhance cultural accomplishments or nurture their minds but for war.
The war had been going on in Tarun for almost a summer. The numerous private adventure groups here roughly equated to defense contractors in the real world — that's the polite way of putting it; in fact, it's one of the oldest professions in the world, mercenaries.
However, to the south of the Dragon Roar Mountains lies a Forest Sea, with mountains stretching after mountains. The nearest town, Kapuka, is also a thousand miles away, so even if the Descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance had their brains blown out here, the two major local powers nearby — the Knight Nation of Ancient Tower and the Colin Ishurian Alliance — wouldn't interfere with a word.
As for why the warring parties would choose this godforsaken place to fight, only God knows. The mercenaries didn't care about these things, and Fang Hong was even less informed about the warring parties — only knowing that one side was the Summoners' Guild from the nations of the Sea of Ancient Trees, while the other side had a background from the southern part of Ishurian.
And the names Fang Hong was familiar with, they were not in the First World; those top Invokers and Summoners' Guild of Eteliria were almost all in the world behind the First Continental Bridge.
"By the way Miss Sicape, do you know the reason for the war between the Descendants of Flor and the Rainbow Alliance?" Fang Hong turned and asked, because he suddenly realized his knowledge of the First World was far too shallow. Here, besides the Holy Mountain Eldron, Giant Tree Hill of Nulinari, there was also a thrilling world in its own right.
"Let me give you a lesson, newcomer, see those ruins? Those are all good stuff!" Miss Sicape pointed into the distance and said with an air of wisdom: "An untouched ruin, could hold anything inside, gold coins, treasures, and of course, ancient relics are the most valuable."
Fang Hong was shocked, "Then why don't we loot them ourselves while we're stationed?"
"Who says we haven't done that?"
"Cough Cough—" Kroid coughed loudly.
Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Miss Sicape smoothly corrected herself, "Why haven't we done that? Because we shouldn't do that. We are defense contractors, we have professional ethics, how can we plunder what we're meant to guard?"
"I believe you." Fang Hong nodded earnestly.
...