Kaio's POV
'Poor thing, too rotten for respectable knighthood, not enough for the Baron's forces, it seemed.'
Kaio thought, watching both groups plan.
[What do you plan to do now?]
'Hmmmm, nothing for now. It would be too much of a favoritism to do something before they've even seriously tried. Besides, I'm also curious to see how far these Baron's knights are willing to go.'
[From my perspective, as far as they need or want.]
'Probably.'
I admitted, looking at the only minimally decent knights with the mages. At the very least, they were still arrogant, intimidating, and imbecilic with the servants they brought, but unlike the others, they didn't actively punish anyone for minor mistakes.
'I'll do it kind of like last time, but instead of killing as many as possible, I'll focus only on the knights and mages. If they manage to survive, so be it. And if not, well... more experience and energy for me.'
****************
(A few dozen minutes later)
'Oh, it looks like they're finally starting.'
He said, watching the two groups move.
Connor's group and the other regular challengers split up, half of the group staying in the center while the remaining half split into three groups, two flanking the main group and remaining hidden in the forest. And the last and smallest group, composed of one of Piqval's "mages" and two sculpins, headed toward the Baron's knights.
Honestly, I was worried about this last one more than the rest, even though they are relatively strong with the smallest of them (the mage) being at level 10 and the strongest (one of the knight errant) at level 15.
The overall level of the Baron's knights was still on average 23, with that Hangal guy being at level 35.
'Decoy, negotiation, or trial? Which will it be?'
You might be wondering: but don't you already know? You didn't listen to their entire conversation.
Answer: no.
I kind of wanted what they were going to do to be a surprise, even though anyone could already guess the general pattern.
'Well, regardless of how this group turns out, I've already got Poh ready to go. Thankfully, it's getting dark so he'll have more room to move. He also seems quite eager to fight again.'
[It makes sense; unlike Grumpy, he doesn't have much to do besides feed, intimidate some challengers, and "talk" to you, me, and a little Grumpy himself.]
[He should really be happy to finally be able to fight and fulfill the mid-boss role you assigned him.]
Our illustrious and helpful Sys gave his completely unsolicited comment.
'Remember, he's not just a mid-boss, he's also a special boss. Especially during the full moon. Kuuhhh kuhh kuuhhh, I can't wait to see how he does during the Stampede.'
[Name: Poh
Type: Mid-Boss/Unique
Level: 20
HP: 300/300
MP: 210/210
Damage: 180
Defense: 220
Agility: 70
Wisdom: 9
Skills: Heavy Charge (5 MP), Crush (7 MP), Shadow Claw (3 MP), Roar (3 MP), Iron Bite (2 MP), Iron Embrace (4 MP), Iron Claws (3 MP), Shadow Iron Shot (10 MP), Shadow Bind (5 MP), Iron Body (passive), Shadow Body (passive), Dark Iron Will Gaze (passive-active 4 MP), Shadow Move (5 MP)]
Quick remember: Mid-bosses and special bosses, even if they are weaker than the challengers, still gain status, otherwise it wouldn't be any fun.
Not that it was difficult to outperform that Hangal the Knight. Even at level 35, his stats were pitiful.
[Name: Hangal D'Vilanian
Level: 35
Title: Captain of the Order of the Bloodboars, Drunkard, Maniac, The Despicable, Rake, The Arrogant
HP: 180/180
MP: 130/130
Strength: 60 (45+15)
Agility: 49 (35+14)
Defense: 55 (30+25)
Wisdom: 5
Skills: Unarmed Combat (Experienced l), Swordsmanship (Professional l), Bloody Slash (20 MP), Reinforce (5 MP), Shield Blast (8 MP), Rapid Slash (5 MP), Chain Slash (12 MP), Bloodlust (30 MP), Berserk (Basic V)]
See, even though he's losing in level, Poh is way, way, stronger than him.
For me, the only thing that keeps it from being a complete waste of air would possibly be its skills. A living testament to the fact that using only levels is pointless; you also need to train your basic attributes as well as your skills.
It's obvious that training doesn't mean much to him, and as for skills... why am I so sure he only increased his proficiency by using them more than he should and on people who didn't deserve it?
And while I'm at it, why do the skills Connor's group (of teenagers) have use less MP than he does, when he should theoretically be stronger and better at using them?
[That study is best left for later. Now focus on seeing how your challengers have gotten stronger now.]
'Yeah, you're right,'
I quickly said, forgetting about "knight," which would soon become experience and energy for me. Oh, and this one, I wanted Poh to have fun with.
*********************
Connor's POV
If I'm honest with myself, I'm still not sure if Mr. Piqval's plan will work.
'But since we're already here, the least I can do is give it my all to make sure things go well.'
I thought, looking at the goblin village, strangely quiet despite my certainty they could hear us.
– No need to look like you're about to die, kid.
A deep voice startled me. Turning quickly, I found myself face to face with Mr. Andreas, the wandering knight, standing just inches away from me. This disconcerted me a bit.
Not to brag, but it was pretty rare for me to be caught off guard, thanks to the many hours I spent in the forest learning to hunt with my master Diem. And yet, Mr. Andreas, a former knight, managed to do it so naturally that it frightens me.
– Sorry about that. As a wanderer, I've gotten out of the habit of almost always walking silently. I'm sorry if I scared you, young Connor. – the older man, still with a youthful appearance and air, said.
– No, it's okay, sir. I was just... Well...
– Worried our plan won't work.
I lowered my head in shame. Wouldn't doubting the plan be different from doubting the trust I had, or should have had, in Mr. Piqval? If I were to doubt him, then wouldn't it be different from doubting anyone, including my friends?
– You're a very open young man when it comes to your emotions, you know that?
Mr. Andreas said with a light laugh.
– Well, you don't need to worry so much. And you also don't need to feel guilty about doubting the plan.
– Ha?! How did you—
– I've been alive for a long time, young man, a really long time. So listen to this old man's advice: doubting a plan is okay, and just because you doubt the plan doesn't mean you doubt the person who made the plan... not usually, at least.
– Honestly, that goes against everything I've ever learned about trust.
Seemingly reading my thoughts, Mr. Andreas simply shook his head before saying,
– A plan is something you make by analyzing and thinking about the best course of action at a given moment, often with a small window of time to execute it. But you should know that in real life, these moments are much quicker than we'd like.
– A strong gust of wind can push a rain cloud that was supposed to fall the next day two or three days later, or even earlier. – he said with practiced eloquence.
– Whether in a fight or in everyday life, people try to plan things to make the best of the best moments.
– But when that's not possible, what should people do? Sit and cry about things not turning out the way they wanted, or try to adapt as best they can to the new situation?
– What did you do, young Connor, when the plan for the last expedition in the Ordeal failed? Sit and wait for the worst to happen to you and your master?
– Of course not.
– Then what did you do?
– I grabbed my master and used the claws with the next non-goblin potion that was sold behind us. I carried him along a route that had been made by one of the dragons until I found a safe place to apply the potions to stabilize him, and then followed the escape route to the portal.
I answered everything in a single breath.
– See? You used parts of the plan that could still be used and adapted them to the situation. That's what you should do here and in any other situation.
– But...
– I know. But like I said, doubting a plan, especially a plan like this, isn't a bad thing. Look over there, don't you think Piqval is calm, do you?
Before I knew it, we walked to the cabin where I could see Mr. Piqval pacing back and forth, mumbling and sweating.
– No, no, and if we do this here or put them there... No, it won't work... Oh, yes, maybe if we use meat to distract the wolves, then they... Maybe?... What if...
And he continued like this without even noticing us.
I really wasn't the only one agonizing over the plan.
– Not at all, kid. Everyone is somehow anxious about what's going to happen. And you're one of the chosen leaders. What's the best way to cheer them on, and our poor strategist, who's practically digging a hole in the ground from all the pacing?
– ...Showing confidence?
– That's one way, but another would be to show that you're as nervous as they are. But you'll still do what you need to do and adapt to the situation as best you can, and do you know why?
– Because I trust them and everyone here!
Grinning from ear to ear, Mr. Andreas ruffled my hair like I was a child.
– Exactly, kid!!!
Fortunately, he soon stopped and took on a more serious tone when he looked at me.
– So, you think you're ready?
– Ready? No, not even close. But that won't stop me from trying and helping my friends.
Mr. Andreas smiled again.
– You'd make an excellent knight if you wanted, Connor.
– Perhaps, but now's not the time for that. Let's begin our attack!
I said with much more certainty and excitement than before.