Chapter 418.3: Real Strength Comes From Within

As he was pondering, a man looking like a merchant got up from a round table near the door and walked towards them after speaking briefly with the mercenaries beside him.

Pangolin tensed up, his eyes fixed on the man, his right hand already touching the knife on the table.

It wasn’t just to guard against this man.

But also to guard against the innkeeper behind the bar.

The movements under the table were obvious, whether it was unlocking the safety or pulling the trigger, the middle-aged man with a full beard had already gripped the gun hidden under the bar.

He could even tell it was a revolver.

Pangolin calmly observed the situation in the lobby, already calculating to himself.

If the innkeeper pulled out his gun, he would use the dining knife in his hand to slit the man's throat at the first opportunity. He would then throw Colway behind the bar to use as a cover and exchange fire with the remaining people in the lobby.

They were in the Golden Lizard Kingdom’s border. Camels were tied in the inn's backyard. Stealing other caravans' supplies and escaping into the desert shouldn’t be too difficult...

"Don't be nervous... We mean no harm." The merchant walking towards them smiled reassuringly, raising his hands to show he was unarmed.

"My name is Adan, from the Bugra Free State... Are you two with the Army?"

Pangolin was slightly taken aback. "Yes."

The merchant named Adan continued with interest. "How unusual... This is Oasis No.8, have you guys pushed all the way here?"

Pangolin and Colway exchanged looks.

The latter cleared his throat, stood up from in front of the bar, and regained the aura and demeanor of an officer, taking over the conversation from Pangolin. "We encountered some trouble and got separated from the main force."

Hearing what was said, the people in the lobby relaxed, no longer paying attention to them. Although the clinking of glasses was tinged with topics related to the frontline battles.

The merchant named Adan nodded as if realizing something, his eyes scrutinizing the man before him, as if trying to gauge his identity.

Stroking his chin, he said thoughtfully, "I see... So that means the battle at Oasis No.9 isn’t over yet?"

Colway's expression turned awkward.

Originally, the Heart of Steel was supposed to return to Oasis No.9 to rendezvous with the frontline troops. No one expected to encounter a group of fearless natives who managed to shoot down the supposedly indestructible airship.

Lacking the Heart of Steel's fire support and high-altitude reconnaissance, the combined forces of the Falcon Kingdom and the Army did not achieve their expected battle goals in Oasis No.9.

If they had managed to regroup, Oasis No.9 would have likely been secured long ago.

Seemingly misunderstanding Colway's expression, Adan chuckled, "Don't worry, we mean no harm, in fact... We happen to have a shipment of supplies heading to Oasis No.9. If you don’t mind, we can travel together."

A stranded officer.

The identity itself was full of stories.

If they could deliver the unlucky guy back to the Army, the Army was never stingy with rewards.

Moreover, this favor, for a merchant like him who did business with the Army, was definitely beneficial. Many from the Bugra Free State had gotten rich off those big-nosed men.

Colway's eyes lit up, but he quickly became cautious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "How do I know you won't sell me to the Lion Kingdom?"

Though he was drunk, he wasn’t stupid.

Adan made a helpless gesture, reaching into his jacket. Under their wary gaze, he pulled out a list. "You should recognize this, right?"

Colway squinted at the words written on the list, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Pangolin noticed the change in his expression, but lacking a translation tool, he couldn't recognize the words written on the paper, so he whispered, "What does it say?"

"8,000 rifles, 1.2 million rounds of ammunition... This is a procurement contract, stamped with the Army’s seal and signed by the logistics officer, I recognize his handwriting." Colway looked at the merchant named Adan, no longer wary but excited. "Are you really going to Oasis No.9?"

"Of course, it seems you are too," Adan smiled, extending his right hand to Colway, "If so, we could travel together if you don’t mind."

Colway shook his hand, his gaze unconsciously sweeping the surroundings, lowering his voice. "Are these people going to be alright?”

Seeing the worry in his eyes, Adan smiled. “What could be wrong? Honoring the teachings of the Spirit of the Desert, according to ancient covenants, although all the kings of the desert have declared war on the Falcon Kingdom, only the Lion Kingdom is actually sending troops."

"The Camel Kingdom is too far south in the desert and doesn't want to fight. The royal family of the Golden Lizards has long lost their piety... It might be inappropriate to say this here, but they prefer those who bring them exotic trinkets to those who worship intangible beings... You know who I’m talking about."

Colway frowned. "The Academy?"

"Exactly." Pausing, Adan continued with a smile. "Anyway, it's safe here, the locals might not like your nose, but they don't want trouble. Our trade routes have been operating for some time, the kingdom’s guards know where these munitions are headed, but no one checks too closely, everyone turns a blind eye."

Hearing this, Colway relaxed, his face showing relief. "It seems I was worried for nothing... Thank you for the information."

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

These past two days, even when drinking, he hadn't dared show his nose, always covering it with a scarf.

It had been terribly uncomfortable!

"No problem, you are our important customers," Adan bowed slightly, speaking in a pleasant voice, "There are many caravans here from the Bugra Free State heading to Oasis No.9... General Griffin is very generous. Thanks to that gentleman, we’ve made a good profit."

Watching Colway converse happily with Adan, Pangolin was inwardly amazed.

Good grief.

Isn't the Bugra Free State a vassal of the Great Rift Valley?

These merchants are actually doing business with the Army!?

Even more outrageous was that the situation in Sunset Province was different from the public information on the official website.

There was no such thing as a kingdom alliance. From the start, it was only the Lion Kingdom holding the line. The kings declared war publicly but were all friendly behind the scenes.

The northernmost Golden Lizard Kingdom was even more incredible.

Those smart folks actually turned a blind eye to enemy supply lines within their own territory, allowing equipment from the Bugra Free State to be transported from the northern part of Sunset Province to the frontline in Oasis No.9.

Do they think they won't get hit because they're backed by the Academy?

That’s really bold!

"Sir... I'm tired, I’d like to go lie down in my room for a while." Pangolin said softly, making a tired expression.

He wasn’t tired at all.

What was important was to log off quickly and share this explosive news with everyone on the forum.

After the last update, the official website forum also added a task section. Information like that wasn’t just worth silver coins. They would also gain huge contribution points rewards!

Hearing the voice of Pangolin, Colway turned back. Not minding his subordinate's previous disrespect, he nodded gently, speaking in a gentle tone. "Go on then... Oh, and you don’t have to work tomorrow, I can't let my loyal subordinate do such menial work."

The gentle look made Pangolin's skin crawl.

Unaware of the strangeness in his subordinate's expression, and completely trusting in his loyalty, Colway turned back to Adan. "Can I borrow some money? I swear on my honor, I will repay you double once we reach the Army’s station."

"You’re too polite, it’s just some trivial cash, consider this a gift for making a new friend," Adan said, smiling as he placed a bag of coins on the table.

There were at least 200 Dinars within.

Just recognizing the signature on that order was worth the investment.

Grabbing a handful of coins from the bag and slapping them on the table, Colway looked at the innkeeper behind the bar. "Is this enough?"

Seeing the coins on the table, the innkeeper's eyes bulged, not caring how much he disliked that protruding nose, he quickly nodded and bowed. "That's enough... Enough... With dinars, 10 coins are enough!"

He was afraid those people would skip on the bill, which is why he had reached for the gun under the table.

Now, there was no need to worry about that. A bag of coins was enough to keep them until the end of next month.

Watching the innkeeper carefully counting the money, Colway's face showed no more signs of being drunk. The glory of the Army seemed to return to him.

He lifted his chin, looking at the innkeeper, he casually said, "Don’t count it, the remaining money is for my man’s room. Get him the most spacious one in this inn!"

"And prepare a bucket of hot water and clean towels, along with a pound of cooked beef and the best beer sent to his room!"

"Remember, the best beer!" Colway pointed at the table, indicating the half-drunk beer, squinting at the innkeeper. "If you dare to fool my man with this swill, next time I pass by here, I'll tear down your inn!"

"Right away, sir!" Not minding the threat at all, the innkeeper, happy about the money, quickly scooped the coins into his embrace and went back to the kitchen to order his staff to prepare.

Colway turned back to Pangolin, speaking in a gentle voice, "Thank you for waking me up, reminding me there are things more important than life in this world... Go back and rest, take a hot bath, eat well, then sleep."

"We leave early tomorrow."

Being looked at with that gentle gaze, Pangolin felt goosebumps over his body. His scalp tingled as if he had been zapped.

Damn. Better lock the door tonight...