Chapter 256: Chapter 256

On this day, as soon as Du You returned, he could sense a different atmosphere in White Stone City.

Unlike other teams, Du You usually finished patrol within a day in one area, and then returned to the safety of the city to rest in the evening.

But, as he just arrived today, Du You noticed many people hurrying around, their faces grim.

With these unusual doubts in his mind, Du You made his way to the task hall to record his daily mission.

"Did you hear about what happened at Dayun Iron mine? It’s terrible. Apart from the sand people who are still resisting, everyone else has perished. Not even their bones have been left. Those damn sand people have eaten all of them!"

"Of course, I’ve heard. The news has spread everywhere today. Not many people have made it back."

"What are we going to do without the Dayun Iron Mine? We cannot meet our needs with the costly iron mines in our country. If this continues, we might run out of weapons. I wonder if the storage in White Stone City is enough."

An elderly man nearby interjected disdainfully, "Humph, as if White Stone City would just let go of Dayun Iron Mine. They will definitely fight to get it back. Without Dayun Iron Mine, we will be at a disadvantage against the Sandpeople. We can lose Black Stone Canyon, but we cannot lose Dayun Iron Mine."

"Who says we can just give up Blackstone Canyon? We didn’t used to be able to breed griffins, but now we can. Eventually, we’ll take Black Stone Canyon back."

Black Stone Canyon was the nearest known gathering point for griffins relative to White Stone City. To produce Griffin Knights in large quantities within a few years, this place had to be secured.

"The Sandpeople must be aware that we need to regain the iron mine, right? I bet they’ve set up an ambush there. I fear if we head in recklessly, we might face a dangerous outcome."

"We have no choice. Without Dayun Iron Mine, White Stone City will fall into a passive state within a few years."

Just as many people were about to argue, a soldier suddenly posted a new task in the highest place, written in bold fonts.

The elderly man laughed heartily, "Hahaha, see, I told you! White Stone City wouldn’t give up Dayun Iron Mine just like that. ’Speed is of the essence in warfare’, they say. The faster we act, the lesser the Sandpeople can prepare."

"Not good, I heard that the Sandpeople are gathering at the oasis opposite White Stone City. They could attack at any time."

Just then, a soldier burst in and shouted. Such big news couldn’t be easily concealed. Hearing these words, several people’s faces changed. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦·𝘯𝘦𝘵

As expected, the Sandpeople’s movements were quickly exposed. White Stone City immediately issued orders, recalling all the soldiers stationed outside. At the same time, the city’s own troops began to mobilize.

"Now, the army cannot move around casually. We must await the imminent attack from the Sandpeople. We’re held back."

"Damn it, what about Dayun Iron Mine? If we give the Sandpeople enough time, it will be more difficult for us to take it back. What has White Stone City been doing these years? Why was the iron mine so easily lost?"

Despite the clamor, no one came up with a practical plan. It was only when an official from the City Lord’s Mansion arrived that everyone quieted down.

"Listen to me, everyone. We have made it clear that there is only one third-tier Quicksand Soldier and a band of second-tier soldiers stationed at Dayun Iron Mine. We will send a squadron of the air cavalry to battle with them. However, in order to confront the Sandpeople, we need a larger army, so we must hire mercenaries. Generous merits await those who join."

The task that was just posted was immediately replaced by this new task.

Upon seeing this, Du You’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Great, if I perform well in this task, I might become a noble with formal territory before I leave this world."

Du You started to consider where to set up his territory. He could vaguely sense that to truly become a top professional, having a territory is a must. Furthermore, this territory might be connected somehow to the land of nobility in his homeland. Even if it’s just a guess, it’s worth taking the risk.

If that didn’t work out, he could still benefit significantly from this status in this world. After all, this was the Outer World, and so far, Du You had not seen any other Professionals.

If he was the only one in this world, then it would be ideal.

Without a second thought, Du You signed up immediately. His swift application was quickly noticed by the entirety of White Stone City.

They were to set off that night and formally launch the attack at dawn the next day, the very timing the army had planned for. After all, the Sandpeople were not an organized army, they were merely a ragtag group of powerful individuals.

Even if some of them knew that dawn was when they were most prone to attacks, most Sandpeople would ignore it.

That night, when the time arrived, Du You and others assembled at a side gate. At this point, a squadron of Pegasus Knights were already on standby on the city wall.

Other individuals also gathered here. Du You counted the number of mercenaries present, there were over two thousand. It seemed like a small number, but this was a raid, not a large-scale confrontation.

Moreover, there were no weaklings among those who had come. Even among the second-tier individuals, Du You noticed several who posed a significant threat to him.

Du You had never anticipated that in this operation, he would not be the strongest among the ordinary mercenaries, which left him somewhat emotional.

But it was better this way. At least if they encountered strong enemies among the sand people, he wouldn’t be easily targeted.

"It’s time. Move out." In the darkness, a soldier commanded. The gate silently opened, and a group of people filed out. Although there was a sizable crowd, no one spoke, and their movements were silent.

The Pegasus Knights in the air also took off silently after they moved out. Although the Pegasus did not fly very fast, it was stable, and flew silently at night.

At night, both humans and griffins’ vision could be affected, but not the Pegasus. The Pegasus Knights didn’t fly ahead. They hovered in the sky behind the group, hidden in the shadow of the night sky and could hardly be seen without looking closely.