The situation didn't unfold as Riley had anticipated. Terry El had no idea that the elder who gave him the spatial ring was, in fact, the president of the continent's Mercenary Guild.
The same day Terry left Riley's residence, he set out for the Atal Empire.
Throughout the journey, Terry contemplated strategies to deal with the two fifth-tier powerhouses. He didn't harbor any illusions about killing them; his primary goal was to devise a way to distract them long enough to execute his plans.
The heightened vigilance in Atal City posed a significant challenge. Terry was a prime suspect after the previous attack, with many having seen his face. Sneaking back into the city to gather intelligence was now out of the question. Fortunately, Gao Shun's military camp had recently upgraded to tier three. The mountain bandits had been transformed into disciplined soldiers, making them a more reliable choice for covert operations.
Summoning Gao Shun, Terry instructed him to select a few capable soldiers for a reconnaissance mission. The three chosen men departed swiftly, while Terry remained behind to discuss with Gao Shun the proper use of the weapons stored in the summoning space.
When asked about the armory, Gao Shun furrowed his brow. "My lord, while there are many excellent weapons, the assortment is too diverse. A proper army needs standardized equipment for effective management. These mismatched weapons might have been suitable for the bandits we once were, but now…" He shook his head.
Terry nodded in agreement.
"In that case, Gao Shun, we'll leave them be for now. There's a race known as the dwarves in this world. If we can locate them, these assorted weapons might finally find their purpose."
Although Gao Shun was unfamiliar with the dwarves, he inferred they must be expert craftsmen.
The conversation shifted to the training routines within the camp. Gao Shun spoke extensively, while Terry listened with a bemused expression. Military training was far from his expertise; he treated Gao Shun's words as a form of storytelling to pass the time.
Finally, the three dispatched soldiers returned, bringing a sense of relief to Terry, who had been growing weary of Gao Shun's lectures.
"My lord, General, we've gathered intelligence on the city's situation," reported the lead soldier.
"Speak," Terry commanded.
"Yes, sir. The city's defenses are exceptionally tight, with a significant number of archers. Not only are the walls heavily guarded, but patrols are also stationed throughout the streets. As for the prince, he's not residing in the palace. Instead, the water mage has moved into his current residence."
"Water mage?" Terry chuckled at the term but understood its implication. To counter Yingzi's forces, the Atal Empire had deployed numerous archers. The idea amused Terry—how could mere arrows threaten his flying zombie troops?
However, Terry overlooked a crucial detail. This world wasn't like his original homeland, Huaxia. Here, there existed a magic known as Light Magic, and with it, a special type of arrow—the Holy Light Arrows. Rare across the continent, these arrows were standard issue for the archers of the Church of Light.
The Atal Empire, reeling from Terry's earlier assault, had thoroughly investigated Yingzi and her summoned units. Their findings pointed to an undead army. Conveniently, the prince's uncle—a bishop in the local Church of Light—provided substantial aid. With his help, the Atal Empire acquired thirty thousand Holy Light Arrows and a contingent of clerics. Now, the empire eagerly awaited Terry's return, viewing his absence as a greater inconvenience than his presence.
Terry sat alone on a cold mountainside, flanked by a crackling fire on one side and a massive portal on the other. Before long, Gao Shun emerged from the portal, wielding a steel blade.
"My lord, this weapon suits me well. I'll use this," Gao Shun declared.
Riley had once cautioned Terry against flaunting the enchanted weapons from the Mystical Forest, especially the Thunder Spear. Under the cover of night, Gao Shun had selected a relatively ordinary blade, avoiding undue attention.
Terry nodded approvingly. "Gao Shun, this mission is primarily for the camp to gain experience. The choice of weapon isn't crucial."
Gao Shun frowned. "My lord, do you doubt the capability of the Assault Camp?"
Terry couldn't help but laugh. "That's not what I meant, Gao Shun. The goal is to eliminate the prince swiftly. This arrangement is purely tactical."
Gao Shun sighed, resigned. Despite his frustration, he knew the current state of the Assault Camp wasn't sufficient for a full-scale assault on Atal. For now, they could only play a supporting role.
At that moment, Yingzi emerged from the summoning space and approached Terry. "Master, when shall we begin the attack?"
Terry deliberated. "Yingzi, remember, our primary target is the royal family of Atal. Avoid harming civilians. Once you locate Prince Shok, eliminate him immediately. If you can also kill the king, all the better. However, avoid prolonged engagements with the two fifth-tier powerhouses. They are not our priority."
Yingzi nodded and led her flying zombies toward the skies above Atal City. Meanwhile, Terry and Gao Shun cautiously advanced on foot. Equipped with the War God Ares' armor, Terry felt a newfound confidence. He intended to fight personally, hoping to hone his skills through combat. After all, he couldn't always hide behind Yingzi and Gao Shun in future battles.
Unfortunately, their slower pace put them at a disadvantage. If they had arrived sooner, they might have sensed the unusual state of Atal City and called off the attack.
But it was too late. Yingzi had already begun her assault.