Lord: Starting with Summoning the Regular Army of Earth

Chapter 83 Renault in a Frenzy

The two wounded scouts continued to explain: "We—we were following the route, and just as we crossed the Black Forest and were about to reach the woods near the Emberstone Ridge, we were attacked by a group of goblins that suddenly rushed out, including some large goblins."

"They were extremely powerful, used sophisticated weapons, and were very organized, as if they had been trained. They were unlike any goblins we had ever seen before. The two of us fought our way back, but the others—the others didn't make it out."

Upon hearing this, Harold's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief.

He had planned everything, but he never expected that the attackers would be goblins, and a group of goblins that seemed to be organized and had extremely strong fighting power. This was indeed quite unbelievable.

He had long heard of goblin tribes active on the edge of the Misty Mountains, but he never expected that these guys had already roamed into the forests east of Emberstone Ridge, and he never expected that these guys would be so terrifying.

But he also knew that some goblin tribes had seen the emergence of intelligent beings, or individuals who had mastered ancient magical powers, which could have a significant impact on the entire tribe, giving them greater unity and fighting strength.

However, it can be inferred that the scouts sent out earlier may have also been attacked by goblins.

He just couldn't understand why these goblins had left the Misty Mountains and why they were attacking their people.

When Renault learned of this news, he was greatly shocked, never expecting that the goblin tribe would ruin his plans.

It seems that the scouts I sent out were likely killed by goblins, but that doesn’t prove that Emberstone Ridge wasn’t attacked by bandits.

He had no idea what had happened at Ember Ridge in the past few days.

just in case----

"Quickly, Harold, take some men across the main road and check on the situation at Emberstone Ridge." Reno was a little flustered.

Harold understood Renault's meaning: since the mountain road was impassable, they should try going through the main road.

Without time to think too much, Harold quickly led a squad of ten cavalrymen, galloping along the main road towards Emberstone Ridge.

However, before they even reached Emberstone Ridge, they saw Matthew and two men dressed as soldiers riding towards them.

"Who are you?" Matthew pulled on the reins and demanded imposingly.

"I am Harold, and I have come on Lord Renault's orders to deliver a message to the lord of Emberstone Ridge." When Harold saw Matthew and the others, his heart was instantly at ease. It seemed that Emberstone Ridge had not been attacked yet.

"That's me. What's the matter?" Matthew asked with an imposing air.

"Your Excellency, recently a goblin tribe has appeared in the surrounding mountains and forests, specifically targeting humans. Therefore, Lord Renault hopes that you will be careful and take precautions," Harold said respectfully.

"I see. Thank you for reminding me, and please thank Young Master Renault for me as well." Matthew gave a polite smile.

He knew perfectly well why the other party had come. He had just received a message from the sentry, so he had come specifically to greet Harold and not want him to enter the territory.

"Where is your Lord Baron going?" Harold paused, then changed the subject to avoid revealing his identity and arousing suspicion. After all, he knew that although the other party was an illegitimate child, anyone who could grow up in such a complex environment as the royal city was no ordinary person.

This can be gleaned from the other person's gaze and expression.

His main objective was to determine whether Emberstone Ridge had been attacked by bandits.

The answer is now available.

"Oh, thank you for the gold coins, Count Kress. I'm going to Ironrock City today to buy some more supplies," Matthew casually offered as an excuse.

"I see."

"Would you like to travel with me?" Matthew asked.

"We still need to patrol the surrounding villages, so we won't guide you, Baron," Harold said with a slight bow.

"Alright, then please make your way!" Matthew raised his hand, gesturing for Harold to go first.

The latter was also eager to go back and report the situation, so without much thought, he immediately turned around and led his men ahead.

Watching Harold and his men ride away at full speed, Matthew's expression gradually turned cold. He beckoned to the woods, and several goblin warriors emerged from the shadows.

"Go back and inform Team Leader Sun to begin the next step of the plan: lure Renault and the others away from here."

"Yes, Commander!" a sentry replied, his figure disappearing into the woods once again.

Back at the camp, Renault finally felt relieved after receiving Harold's message.

"It seems the Blood Ravens are being cautious, still testing our patience." Renault analyzed, stroking his chin. Since Emberstone Ridge hadn't been attacked, it meant the bandits were either worried about a trap and were still observing and hesitating.

Or they had no idea that they had given a "big gift" to Emberstone Ridge.

But he thought the latter possibility was very small, after all, these guys had a very keen sense of smell and couldn't possibly not know all this.

Therefore, the former is highly likely, and it is very much in line with the style of these cunning guys.

"I really underestimated them." Renault frowned. He thought he could lure the bandits out quickly, but he didn't expect them to play a game of patience with him.

What's giving him the biggest headache right now is that group of goblins. Although he can't understand why these guys would attack his scouts, it seems that it will be difficult to secretly arrange for spies to get close to Emberstone Ridge.

"Young Master, will those goblins attack Emberstone Ridge?" Harold suddenly thought of this question, after all, those goblins were acting very strangely.

He even suspected that the food and goods they sent might not have attracted the bandit group, but instead attracted the goblins from the Misty Mountains.

"Possibly, but those aren't the most troublesome issues. Right now, we need to figure out how to deal with the informants." Renault knew very well that without informants, he knew nothing about Emberstone Ridge. "Sir, how about we send them some more laborers to help them build the walls, and then plant a few scouts inside?" Harold had come up with another new idea.

"Hmm, that's a good idea, we can give it a try." Renault stroked his chin and nodded, feeling that it did indeed seem like a good solution.

Just then, a soldier rushed in from outside the tent, panting, and said, "Reporting to the lord, the scouts have reported that they have spotted the bandit gang near Giethoorn."

"Giethoorn?" Renault stood up abruptly, his face ashen.

Giethoorn is located on the eastern edge of Ironrock City territory. Although not as wealthy as Oakwood, it is still an important grain-producing village.

If the Blood Ravens plunder again, Father will not let him off easily!

These robbers are too cunning; they actually used a feint attack!

"They must have guessed that our main force is focused on Ember Ridge, and they're planning to launch a surprise attack on our rear!" Harold instantly realized the key point, breaking out in a cold sweat. "Young Master, we must send troops to reinforce Giraffe Village immediately!"

"We can't wait any longer!" Renault made a decisive decision. His previous anxiety and calculations were instantly replaced by the more pressing reality of the crisis. "Harold, you continue to have people keep an eye on Emberstone Ridge. I'll take the troops to Goat Horn Village to prevent them from looting the village."

"Yes, young master!" Harold also understood the seriousness and urgency of the matter.

Soon, the camp was filled with shouts and neighing of horses. Renault personally led about 150 soldiers out of the camp in a chaotic rush, raising clouds of dust, and marched rapidly towards Giethoorn in the east.

His heart was filled with anger at being mocked and anxiety to salvage the situation, leaving him no time to consider whether the appearance of these bandits' tracks was too coincidental.

However, Renault never expected that he was walking headlong into the second trap that Matthew had carefully woven for him.

When Renault led his troops, panting, to the outskirts of Giethoorn, the village militia and a few remaining garrison soldiers were nervously guarding the makeshift village walls. According to the villagers, about twenty disheveled, masked "bandits" had appeared at the edge of the nearby woods not long ago, spying for a while and seemingly preparing to attack. However, after being spotted by vigilant villagers who lit warning fires, the men quickly disappeared into the woods.

"Chase them! They can't have gone far!" Upon hearing the report, Renault had no doubts and immediately ordered his troops to deploy in battle formation and search the mountains where the "bandits" had disappeared.

However, this mountain forest has a complex terrain with many ravines.

Renault's forces are making slow progress in their search.

Occasionally, soldiers would report finding scattered footprints or discarded debris, but they could never find the main force of the "bandits".

The troops toiled in the mountains until nightfall, exhausted and with nothing to show for it except for their clothes being torn by thorns and their bodies covered in mosquito bites.

"Damn it! Those mudskippers got away again!" Renault cursed angrily, but there was nothing he could do. He could only order his troops to set up camp and rest outside Giethoorn, and send out small groups of cavalry to patrol and guard the area to prevent the "bandits" from returning.

The next morning, a panicked traveling merchant fled back to Tieyan City, crying out to the city's garrison that his small caravan of wagons, on their way to sell goods in Heigu Village to the west, had been attacked by a group of green-skinned, short monsters on a forest path less than twenty miles from Tieyan City.

The guards were injured and the goods were looted.

The traveling merchant confidently identified the attackers as goblins.

Moreover, they are not scattered, but rather goblins in large, well-organized groups.

When the news reached Reno, who was still waiting outside Giethoorn, he could hardly believe his ears.

"Goblins? These damned bastards actually dared to rob a caravan?" Renault felt his head buzzing and was immediately overwhelmed with anxiety.

Unexpectedly, these damned goblins have wandered into their Ironrock City territory and even attacked the traveling merchants' caravan.

It's like one problem after another. I haven't even gotten rid of those bandit groups yet, and now a bunch of goblins have appeared and are causing trouble.

However, before he could even consider how to clean up this mess, his family sent someone to call him back, presumably because the news from the past few days had reached his ears.

Renault was nervous, feeling that he would be scolded, or even beaten, when he got back.

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