Second World

Earmouthʼs group who was watching from afar was confused at first when they saw the fireworks, then they were completely baffled by the appearance of two Themisphere armies. These armies were heading to where Jackʼs group was and those lots appeared to be awaiting the armies with eagerness. They didnʼt seem unsettled by the sudden appearance of such a large NPC force.

They saw the NPC army arrived at where Jackʼs group was and started to surround them. There was no hostile movement, however. It even seemed as if that encirclement looked more like a protective formation.

While Earmouth and the others were racking their brain trying to make sense of the phenomenon, Jack and the others were admiring the army that was crowding around them.

”Wow, they were mostly level 40 and 45. Many elite ones among them as well,” Giant Steven commented.

”Yeah, I choose these two patrolling groups for a reason,” Jack said. ”They may not be too far ahead of those outlaws in the outpost, but the equipment looked better and they are more organized. I donʼt think they will have a problem routing those outlaws.”

The two armies were led by a Knight-Captain each, both level 50 of Special Elite grade by the name of Matias and Diego. This Matias was the same one he had delivered a parcel to during his surveying days. Thatʼs how he had so easily known where to find this captain to deliver the parcel, he had seen him already a day before.

”Great, letʼs command them to charge into that outpost!” Bowler exclaimed.

Jack rolled his eyes at him and said, ”it doesnʼt work that way.”

”Huh, why?”

”They are only here to protect me, I hold no command over them.”

”Then how are you going to have them raid that outpost?”

”I can simply walk in there. The outlaws will attack, and this army will have to fight them in order to protect me.”

”Ah, I see… thatʼs cunning.”

John commented at this time, ”I assume that since you donʼt command them, you donʼt get any exp point as well for the outlaws they defeated?”

”Yeah, thatʼs why I said there is no need for everyone to come. There is no benefit in this fight except for claiming that outpost after the fight is done. You will all only be spectators here.”

”Spectators are fine as well,” Jeanny said. ”Not every day we can see a battle between NPCs. Most of the ones who didnʼt follow the expedition havenʼt experience that war we had with the orcs, this can be a good experience for them.”

”All right, but stay in safety behind the army. Donʼt try to do anything brave or stupid,” Jack ordered.

”I think that suggestion is better suited to be given to you,” Peniel mocked.

Jack went ahead in the direction of the outpost. The army around him matched his pace, maintaining a protective formation around. Some of the outlaw patrols started to meet with the frontline of the army and got into a clash.

Soon loud alarm was heard from within the outpost, followed by numerous roars and cries. They could see shortly that many outlaws with savage appearances stormed out of the outpost. They showed no fear whatsoever facing the large army in front of them.

”Good Lord! Look at their numbers. If we try to fight them ourselves, we are as good as gone,” Pointy Tip exclaimed.

Seeing the approaching outlaw force, the two armies changed formation as they formed a long line facing that incoming force. Footman with shield placed themselves in front as they braced for impact, line of spearman readied behind them with rows of archer further behind firing suppressing fire.

”Too bad we canʼt command them, you two will give them a great boost with that talent of yours,” Jack commented to Jeanny and John. ”I guess that talent is largely useless since you donʼt get much chance to command NPC troops.”

”Actually, those talents will be really useful later,” Peniel commented.

”How so?” Jack asked.

”Donʼt tell him. He never bothered to attend our guild meetings,” John said to Peniel, which she gladly complied.

”Hey! Are you my guide or his?” Jack complained to her.

While they were chatting leisurely, the armies continued to clash with the outlaws. As expected, the outlaws attacked without any organization. They only attacked with brute force. Although their numbers were great and almost match the Themisphere patrolling troops, the difference in their qualities was apparent from the start despite the two opposing forcesʼ levels were not far apart from one another. Themisphere armiesʼ organized formation managed to hold the savage outlawsʼ charge while methodically causing damages to them.