Cornflower Witch

Chapter 242 Under a Smooth Situation
With generous compensation, the patrol team in Valley City was quickly formed. It recruited not only excellent hunters from the surrounding area, but also some adventurers with considerable strength. In order to better control and supervise, the garrison also transferred some personnel from the army to join the patrol team, eventually forming a patrol team of about 230 people.

After the patrol team was formed, Jobs selected four outstanding 'second-tier' personnel as captains, each leading one of the four squads, and sent them out of the city to patrol and capture the scouts.

For the first few days, the patrols were clueless and inexperienced. However, in a chance operation, they captured a careless scout, tortured him severely, and managed to find out the pattern of his actions and gain some insights.

Soon, these patrols began to cause trouble and resistance for the Antioch Kingdom's scouts.

On the streets of Creek Valley, another patrol returned with a bountiful catch. On their wagon lay three bound Antioch scouts, their mouths covered, laid out on the wagon like shrimp crackers for the public to see.

"Are these the Antirian scouts?" the residents by the roadside discussed.

"They don't look much different from us."

"Don't say that. Their accent and habits are completely different from ours. You know, the Antirians only bathe once a month, and they smell terrible," someone whispered, because there are still some Antirian troops stationed in the city.

"They also like to add red garlic and green tomatoes to their food, and they like that strange sour taste."

The residents discussed the differences among the Anti people, and some even threw stones at the scouts as they passed by.

Faced with such actions, the patrol members riding horses in front did not stop them, but waved proudly to show off their glory to the residents, and occasionally waved to some pretty girls by the roadside.

"Hey, see these guys?"

"They're out doing bad things day and night, forcing us to lock down the city and stay home."

"Prince Steve Jobs has ordered us to get rid of these bad guys."

“This is a very easy task for me, but I am more grateful to His Highness the Prince; this is also an honor for him,” the patrolman sitting in front said to the residents by the roadside.

While recounting his own heroic actions and praising the prince's wisdom, he also highlighted his own abilities, attracting the admiration of many naive young people.

"Haha, you want to join the patrol team too?"

"No problem. Practice your breathing techniques well, and let me see your progress in a while."

Upon returning to the city, the patrol was commended by Prince Jobs, who invited them to dine and celebrate at the castle.

The victories against the Antioch scouts during this period greatly boosted the confidence of the soldiers stationed in Valley City, and also dispelled much of their previous doubts about Prince Jobs.

Some people even started thinking that if this prince really became king in the future, they should make a good impression on him in the early stages.

The dawn of victory boosted the morale of the Valley City army, but had little impact on the Anti Kingdom's army outside the city.

Every day, many people still travel in and out, bringing news from various parts of Regas. There are also several messengers from the distant north, from the Kingdom of Antioch itself.

Inside the military camp, Baron Catchis the Hellhound and Viscount Nocton the Bear were discussing matters.

"We have almost completed the reconnaissance of the situation around Valley City. Not only that, the garrisons in other districts within Regas have also sent letters to us and dispatched personnel to request instructions."

"With us here, those wavering garrison troops have begun to calm down. I believe they will not succumb to the already powerless nobles of Regas because of such trivial concerns."

“If it weren’t for the sudden attack of winter, this land would have been under our complete control, and it wouldn’t be so vulnerable now.” Noxton picked up the large wine glass on the table, took a big gulp, and a spicy sensation surged up from his stomach.

"Haha, even so, those scumbags won't get a chance to come back." On the other side of the table, a man with a long, narrow face laughed sinisterly.

"I reckon that prince in Valley City is still dreaming about becoming king someday."

"Fabre is really stupid to have sided with that prince who has nothing."

"If he had hardened his heart and reported directly to his superiors to mobilize the troops and combat forces of several surrounding cities, he could have easily captured that penniless prince."

"Now things are really messed up. Not only do we have to pay tribute to the things we plundered in Valley City, but we can't even keep the property in Antioth's hometown." He shook his head, really not understanding why anyone could be so stupid.

"They probably think Antioch is going to sink, so they're rushing to find the next ship," Nocton said, continuing to pour wine.

“Some of the lords currently stationed in Regas think the same way.”

"Although they haven't sided with Regas, they are actively preparing to break away and form a loose alliance should Antioch ever fall apart."

“That won’t do.” Kachis leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced, his elbows resting on the armrests.

"His Majesty sent me here to keep these guys in line and to remind them who their master is."

"It's good that Fabre has turned against us. It'll serve as a demonstration for them, showing them what happens to traitors."

Hearing this, Noxton put down his glass. "Have you decided? When are you going to make your move? I'm getting impatient."

“Since General Norkton seems to be getting a little tired of it, how about we do it tomorrow?” Kachis picked up the bottle and refilled the other man’s glass.

"Tomorrow it is." Noxton immediately set the attack time.

"Hehe, there's going to be a good show tomorrow." Kachis let out a sinister and strange laugh.

……

While the city of Creek Valley was locked in a standoff with the city outside, in the eastern part of Regas, a young girl dressed in a linen-grey robe was riding her horse through the mountains and fields, approaching the city not far away.

Hiltiya first left the Grani Mountains, then passed through the eastern border town, and gradually approached the heart of Regas.

Standing beneath the towering city walls, Hilti opened her hood and looked up.

"Finally, we've arrived in a bigger city," the girl thought to herself.

Judging from the flags on the city wall and the soldiers' uniforms, this should be the garrison of the Kingdom of Antioch.

The girl dismounted, then led the white horse beside her toward the city gate.

Soldiers at the city gate questioned people coming in and out, asking where they came from and what they were doing in the city; the checks were strict.

"You, take off your hat." When Hiltiya reached the city gate, she was stopped by an Antian soldier.

"Hello." The girl took off her hood, revealing her silver hair and dreamlike face.

"You..." The soldier wanted to ask, but his voice trailed off when he saw the girl's face.

“I am a gardener from afar, and this is my proof of identity.” Hilti took out a gardener’s badge, which she obtained in the Radiant Plains after condensing the 'Tier 3 Gardener' class.

"I understand, you may proceed." Although he didn't know where the girl came from, the oppressive aura emanating from her was undeniable, making the soldiers at the city gate exceptionally respectful.

After entering the city, Hiltiya concealed her presence, led her horse, and continued walking, touring the city streets.

This is the city of Durin in eastern Regas, formerly the fiefdom of a Regas Count, but now ruled by nobles of the Kingdom of Antioch.

On the streets, soldiers dressed in dark red blouses and armor could be seen patrolling everywhere in Hilti, and there were not many people talking on the road.

Fortunately, apart from this, no other unrest occurred, and the market remained bustling, with residents and merchants trading and discussing events happening elsewhere.

"Have you heard? The elite troops dispatched from the Kingdom of Antiy are currently stationed outside Valley City."

"It is said that Prince Gabriel, a descendant of the 'Knight King' Regard, and the only bloodline of the royal family, is currently in Valley City."

"Many former nobles of Regas are preparing to go there to seek refuge."

“Prince Steve Jobs? I’ve rarely heard of him before. I feel like he’s the youngest of the princes and doesn’t have much experience or ability.”

"Shh, don't say things like that. What if he really becomes king someday?"

"Haha, you don't need to think about that. I think that prince definitely can't beat the Antirians."

"That's all for now. I'm going to get to work. The Antioch nobles in the castle have ordered a lot of meat today, so I need to go and buy it."

"I really envy those noble gentlemen, who can eat meat and drink wine every day."

"If you're envious, you can try your luck in the military," someone nearby laughed.

"Me? Forget about me. I can't even learn breathing techniques. I'd only be cannon fodder on the battlefield."

"I'll just be a gofer and do my job. Anyway, there are no nobles from Legas, but there are lords from Antioch, so it won't interfere with my work."

After he finished speaking, another burst of laughter erupted in the market, which then gradually subsided, returning to its usual noisy shouts.

Although the country has changed, for the ordinary residents here, the rule of the Antirians is nothing more than a change of tax-collecting nobles, with no real difference.

Some descendants of the Knights of Regard might beat their chests in grief over the demise of the nation their ancestors built, but for ordinary people, the deeds of 'Knight King' Regard are too distant and have been forgotten.

(End of this chapter)