The three in the room literally stopped breathing for a few seconds when they heard this absurd amount. One hundred thousand large gold coins was the amount the entire kingdom could earn in a year of good harvests and few problems.
A kingdom that, in theory, has almost 3 million square kilometers, demanding such an amount from a merchant house was an unprecedented abuse.
- How does something like that make any sense?! No, even if it did, how could it be accepted?! Why not skip all the fuss and go straight to the Marshal, he is responsible for the entire northern part, he certainly would not accept something like that happening in the territory!. - Mav said decisively
- There would be no way, first the baron's men are watching the main and secondary roads like hawks and they still have the help of the wizards. - Anna said with an angry look.
– Apparently, this Order really wants to redeem the failure of the last time. But they want to spend as little as possible when using us. And secondly... it's not like we're just standing around, we have our own plans in motion... from what my father said.
– From what your father specifically said to you? (ತ_ತ) – Max asked.
Anna suddenly remembered that they were eating and seemed very interested in her own sandwich.
*Uhhhmm, uhum*
– Wow, your parents really know how to make a good Saudiche Mac and Max, hahahahha.....
The two brothers rolled their eyes.
– And what would happen if no one could pay? – Mav asked, but was already expecting the answer.
– Exactly what you're thinking, if even after selling the clothes on our backs and not being able to cover the value, everyone in our family would become debt slaves, and it would continue like that until the debt was paid. Whether by our children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
– Or would we even become slaves to the Baron and this kvkrabu?
– That's right. That's why we have to get to the next level quickly, and that's also why my father has spared no expense to help us achieve this. He's even going to hire some mercenary groups to help us achieve this.
– And that's also why you didn't say anything to Connor. – Max said in a definitive tone, once again with his face smeared.
Mav: 'Seriously, are you a baby or what?!'
********************
(3 days later)
Kaio's POV
It didn't take that long this time and fortunately I'm still within my time limit to do the Stampede, I think that the following week my challengers' attempt will coincide perfectly with the full moon.
Interesting fact, here the full moon lasts exactly one day and the next day it passes to a new phase, not gradually like on Earth.
'I even think it would be interesting if there was an eclipse when I released the Stampede, that would give a more mystical touch to the event.'
[According to my analysis, if I wait until next month there will be a complete lunar eclipse on that day.]
'And will it turn red like during eclipses on Earth?'
[Correct]
'Hmm... It's something to consider, but I'll leave it for later. Ah!! Ali Sys they're starting.'
I said, "pointing" with my smoke arm to the various groups climbing the stairs to the temple at the top. It was easy to see that they were much smaller than last time and they weren't a united force with the same uniforms or banners, but at least there weren't any slaves or asshole mages.
No!, just a moment...
Yeah, I spoke too soon, I can see some mages with the same vibe as the ones from last time, but obviously stronger.
Shit!, if I'm not careful, they were the strongest of this whole group, and with them was a group of 5 knights wearing the same type of armor with the same emblem. These were also strong, although not as strong as the ones from last time.
In total there were about 30 of them including the "workers", but if you only count those who, obviously, would fight, there would be 20.
Right behind them came the groups I was already familiar with, led by Connor and the others. They seemed surprised to see the first group, whether it was because they were here or just because they had arrived first, considering it was just dawn, I couldn't say.
Some of the knights looked back, but thankfully didn't do anything else. Except for a few who clearly showed scorn when they saw them.
....
Would it be too much special treatment if I sent my monsters to finish these off first, or eventually in a few hours during the fights? Maybe even sending Poh so he could have some fun?.
[Yes, it would.]
'Hey, don't read private thoughts!'
[As you almost always manage to be quite obvious when you want to.]
Sys said right away, I have the impression that, IF he could, he would have left that answer recorded and just pressed replay, incessantly.
[Let the boys and the others fend for themselves. They know how to take care of themselves.]
Okay, okay, you're right, and after taking a closer look, the general level of these knights isn't much different from the others who hunt in the dungeon regularly. Something around level 15 or 20, strong but nothing to brag about too much.
Soon everyone was inside the stone temple, the newly arrived knights were looking at the monster panels on the first floor. While the leaders went to the "reception" to understand a little how things worked.
Connor and the others obviously went straight to the teleportation circle. But not before our ringmaster, Piqval, went to talk a little with the leaders of the newcomers.
Apparently he was negotiating the order of entry and where each group would settle. From what the map he took out of his bag indicated (I prefer not to listen to the conversations of others, unless it's to plan what I'm going to do).
It didn't take long for them to reach a compromise, their subordinates clearly overconfident in their abilities and consequently arrogant, didn't even care much about where they were going to camp. Which will cost them dearly when they enter (of course with a little help from me. Sys: [....]).
But fortunately (or unfortunately) the leaders seemed to be calmer and more down to earth.
It was decided that the Baron's knights and the wizards would stay in the "safe area" near the portal, while Connor and the other 5 groups would settle closer to the goblin village using the river hut as a base.
It seemed to me that they agreed to this to use them as canaries in a coal mine. Which in reality didn't make any difference, with them further away I could throw stronger monsters without worrying about anyone's safety.
To those who managed to survive, congratulations, and to those who didn't, I'm sorry (probably not so much) and thanks for the exp.
Everyone checked their equipment and healing items one last time before entering the dungeon. First Connor and the others, and lastly Miss Yaou with the group of sword dancers.
I'm sure they went last to watch the group of knights with the mages, but that's just my opinion.
Now it was time to start the first (official) Raid against a boss in the history of my existence as a dungeon. I'm both excited and apprehensive about it.