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Chapter 462: Searching for the Granary
The casualties of their comrades had no effect on the other orcs.
These weren't ordinary orc soldiers but elite orcs who had survived fierce battles at the Scarlet Fortress.
"Retreat!"
Jifan retreated cleanly and decisively, not even waiting for the orcs to get close.
The orcs gave chase with all their might.
But they couldn't outrun the four-legged bay horses and could only watch as the human cavalry escaped.
The sound of shouting gradually faded into the distance.
Jifan led the cavalry in a wide loop, ensuring no orcs were pursuing them before stopping again.
"Reload the crossbows and feed the horses nutrient potions."
The onlooking adventurers, seeing the actions of the cavalry, were amazed and clicked their tongues in astonishment.
Such extravagance!
After all, a bottle of nutrient potion could sell for at least 50 silver coins on the market.
Even with the adventurers' large appetites that required significant food consumption, one bottle could last them at least 15 days.
Because of their "appetites," ordinary families couldn't afford to train Professionals.
It was simply too expensive!
Unless they were soldiers who had food and housing covered, or hunters and rangers who could contribute, these professions were far more sustainable.
That's also why these professions were the most common.
While waiting for the horses to recover, Jifan reviewed the data collected by adventurers and quickly found a clue:
"The orc granary is most likely located north by the mountain."
"Moreover, they've probably dug a cave by the mountainside specifically for storing food."
As the adventurers grew curious, Jifan led the cavalry back to the camp.
Beside him, Elio spoke confidently:
"The paths taken by the orc scouts have all been sealed."
"The skilled Alice Squad has already eliminated 123 orc scouts."
"We've also deployed the five-ring scroll 'Communication Ban' in eight directions."
"For the next hour and a half, they won't be able to send out any messages for help."
With communications and scouts blocked, this orc base was like fish in a barrel.
Elio took some detailed reports from Jifan's hands and continued confidently:
"Next, it's time for the inspection team to take action."
Elio and Jifan exchanged a smile, pulled on their reins, and headed toward the orc granary.
Watching Elio's departing figure, Jifan felt he still had much to learn.
Inside the orc granary.
The orc shaman hesitated as he looked around the darkness, faintly sensing more enemies closing in on the granary.
The occasional screams of orc scouts outside kept him on high alert.
Once the scouts stationed outside were cleared, they'd lose all ability to monitor enemy movements.
Every orc who lived to adulthood was an excellent hunter.
Seeing the enemy and understanding them was essential to killing them!
The sudden encirclement left the orc shaman deeply uneasy.
He didn't sit idly by and gave orders to the towering orcs around him:
"Lead 4,000 warriors and guard the sentry posts on both sides of the valley. Unless the enemy's main force enters the valley, do not initiate an attack!"
The orc shaman's prestige was high, and the two orc commanders strictly followed his orders.
Soon, two orc units rushed out of the camp.
Naturally, their movements didn't escape Elio's keen eyes.
She smiled and raised an eyebrow, confidently saying to Phyllis beside her:
"See? These orcs are not entirely incompetent; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to hold the Scarlet Fortress in check."
"But they have no idea who we from Bay Territory are. They still think we're the same as their usual opponents."
"We know everything about them, while they know nothing about us. The outcome of this battle was decided before it even began!"
A spark of excitement flashed in Phyllis's eyes as she looked at the granary marked with 15,500 remaining orcs. She pointed eagerly to the summit:
"Leave the rest to me!"
Smiling and patting her shoulder, Elio expressed her satisfaction with Phyllis's confidence:
"Show us what you've got!"
Three minutes later.
The orcs at the valley's entrance sounded the alarm.
However, this time they remained indifferent to Jifan's harassment.
The orc shaman was extremely cautious and refused to divide his forces further, fearing the valley's defenses would become too thin and be wiped out.
This granary held supplies for tens of thousands of orcs for nearly three months, making it the most critical supply node on the front line.
Any mishap here would inevitably disrupt their plans to take the Scarlet Fortress!
The orcs couldn't tolerate the Scarlet Fortress continuing to exist.
Even if the Netheril Empire concentrated its forces to retake the fortress in the future,
all they'd recover would be a ruin—not the dagger embedded in the orcs' chest!
Just then, shouts and cries of battle erupted from the left side of the valley.
The orc shaman's expression changed as he turned toward the ridge beside him.
The previously blazing sentry towers were going dark one by one.
It was clear the enemy had begun their attack.
The orc shaman instinctively prepared to dispatch climbers but quickly suppressed this impulse.
As long as they held the valley, any price was worth paying!
The fundamental issue was that he didn't know how many enemies there were or how strong they might be.
He could only make rough calculations: each sentry tower housed nearly 20 elite orcs.
Yet the sporadic battle cries lasted only two to three minutes each.
Their foes were powerful, numerous, and adept at mountain warfare.
No splitting forces!
Watching arrows pierce the throats of elite orcs, their lifeless bodies collapsing, Phyllis felt a twinge of emotion before swiftly issuing orders:
"Injured soldiers, treat your wounds on the spot. Reserve teams, set up combat equipment. Assault teams, take out the last two sentry posts!"
The well-trained soldiers of Bay Territory methodically went to work.
Phyllis glanced down at the vast valley below, easily calculating the distance to her opponents. Her gaze turned contemplative:
"Indeed, the wisdom of war is the most crucial weapon!"
She was 2,000 meters from the valley's camp, far out of normal attack range.
But Bay Territory had prepared something extraordinary!
Phyllis reviewed the detailed and thorough battle plan, shuddering slightly as she imagined herself in the enemy's shoes.
Upon receiving confirmation that everything was ready, Phyllis didn't immediately attack but looked toward the opposing ridge.
A signal fire representing completed clearance flickered in and out.
Phyllis broke into a satisfied smile, gently waved her hand, and declared loudly:
"Catapults, fire!!"