Chapter 1445 - 776: A Promise Worth Its Weight in Gold

Chapter 1445: Chapter 776: A Promise Worth Its Weight in Gold

Bastia City was built nestled within a valley among the mountains, occupying most of the flatland. Even the surrounding mountainous terrain had been developed to some extent, but still, a short distance would land you back into dense mountain forests.

This kind of terrain is quite troublesome, even the Knights are reluctant to enter it. However, for those who want to escape this place, it presents a very good opportunity.

A dozen figures wearing dark green hooded cloaks moved continually towards the depths of the forest. They were agile and moved with high speed.

The one leading was manipulating the cloak to create airflow which streamed on both sides, while the others followed behind in two columns, with their cloaks billowing as if riding the wind, moving smoothly, with actions very quiet.

What’s more interesting is that beside them flew some birds—some were owls, others were falcons—all of them raptors.

Without a doubt, these are the escaping members of the Eagle Flock, yet this time they carried none of their usual arrogance while working as the Earl’s enforcers, looking instead as if chased by something.

However, soon the airflow that the leader conjured weakened, slowing the speed of the group, their worn-out appearance indicating they could no longer run, leaving them no choice but to stop and rest.

Diving deep into the forest granted them a sense of safety, knowing not even the Earl’s Knights could ride horses up the mountain. They were safe, for now...

The group gasped heavily, their anxious appearance clearly revealing their tension. The head of the Eagle Flock, with eerie eyes under the hood, scanned everyone, knowing they were compromised.

The Eagle Flock, as a special unit under the Earl, had received particular attention from the evil cult. Amid battles with them, they suffered heavy losses: out of initially several hundred members, only a bit more than a hundred escaped.

In several subsequent battles for the city, their numbers dwindled further, leaving fewer than a hundred.

Deployed around the city to watch over the cultists without being in the camp, they thus had time to react and immediately fled when something happened.

But fleeing is not merely wishing to do so, since specific arrangements aimed at the Eagle Flock meant they were immediately struck by Cavalry, including some heroes mixed in, dealing heavy damage.

By the time they escaped into this forest, only about a dozen remained. If not for their leader’s potent secret technique, coupled with familiarity with the surroundings, these few would have already perished under those Cavalry’s lead bullets.

"What do we do now? Bastia is gone, those nobles won’t let us off."

They still thought it was Lawrence, these nobles, who acted, as they’d offended them before while under the Earl’s command. From the Knights pursuing them earlier, it was evident those nobles wanted them dead.

"We can’t go to the mountains; they want us dead even more than the nobles do."

Being the Earl’s dogs, their grudge against the Mountain Barbarian Tribe ran deeper than against the nobles; some of the Barbarians believed they turned the tide against them in the great war. Whenever they met, no matter the tribe, it was a fight to the death.

"The snow season is approaching, even if we don’t turn to those tribes, without enough supplies, there’s no way out."

"Exactly, now there’s trouble in the mountains, we can’t go back."

The sprawling mountains blocked the chilling southern winds, leading to terrifying snowstorms that could easily wipe out unprepared small tribes; even large tribes suffered great losses after enduring them.

Not to mention the mountains were cursed now, with people constantly fleeing downwards; going back would be seeking death.

Unable to descend or ascend, their gaze was directed towards the leader.

"The world is vast; with our capabilities, we fear not where we go. Barbarian Mercenary Corps aren’t rare in this world; the premise is finding a way to leave here alive."

The leader emphasized again, "How to escape this damn place, avoiding pursuit from nobles and Barbarians."

Indeed, that was their pressing concern, yet Bastia City was positioned to block the mountains, capable of sealing off their path, thwarting them just like the Warwolf had.

However, these Eagle Flock members were active around the area for years, soon forming a plan.

"Boss, I know a way—it’s risky, but fortune favors the bold..."

As they conversed, suddenly the scattered birds keeping watch emitted a cry from the dense forest, alerting the remaining Eagle Flock members.

"Quickly, move!"

This shout perhaps revealed their location, but they couldn’t hide anyway, as loud whistles summoned the birds to harass the enemy, buying them time.

"Whoosh, whoosh!"

The sound of arrows tearing through the air was one they were intimately familiar with, however, this time, they were the targets, not the shooters—they were shot at.

However, the aim wasn’t at them but those birds, with each getting shot down, falling to the ground.

Now was not the time for concern; the enemy seemed to be closing in, it was time to run.

But suddenly, a hawk perched on a branch ahead, its eyes fierce and fixed on them.

This was not their bird!

Almost instinctively, every member of the Eagle Flock sensed this, and the moment of hesitation was punctuated by a gunshot.

"Bang!"

These Eagle Flock members wore chest armor and masks, but a member suddenly reeled back, his Beak Mask torn apart, blood spraying out as he fell to the ground, startling the rest to flee, disregarding everything.