Chapter Seventy-Three: Foes in the Forest

As one of Caesar’s subordinates, Lark also took part in the transport of this caravan. As the leader of Zhao Xu and several other players, he led them to meet Royer, who was in charge of this smuggling operation, and then instructed them to follow alongside the thirteenth wagon.

The entire caravan consisted of almost twenty carriages, with nearly several dozen escorts, each wagon assigned a few guards. The atmosphere was tense and solemn, as if they were guarding prisoners rather than cargo.

When the sunlight grew brighter, Lark came over and gave a stern warning to the warrior Maple Leaf: “From now on, the eighth wagon is your responsibility, you four Earth adventurers. I don’t care what the reason is—unless Captain Royer himself orders you to abandon it, if you lose this cargo, I’ll confiscate your deposit, and you can forget about joining us all the way to ‘Southport.’”

“What about the spellcaster? Doesn’t he count?” The rogue Rainbow quickly protested when she heard Lark only mention the four of them.

“He’s different from you. He’s just traveling with us for convenience, to provide mutual support if needed, and spell support when necessary. You’re the ones being paid, aren’t you? How can you be the same?” Lark’s tone grew heavier.

At this, Zhao Xu took a closer look at the four. Taking on a job like this, knowingly stepping on a landmine, all for the reward of four resurrection stones—he wondered if it was really worth it.

Players hitching rides was a common occurrence. They didn’t even need to rely on the caravan for basic food and shelter; they’d fight when necessary, share the spoils after, and otherwise travel safely to their destination.

“One more thing—your so-called online and offline times must be clearly reported to me and comply with Captain Royer’s requirements. If your time is up and you don’t show up within fifteen minutes, we’ll move the caravan forward without you. You’ll have to fend for yourselves.” Lark repeated this warning several times, to which Maple Leaf, as the team leader, repeatedly agreed.

“And you, Mr. Midsummer, though we won’t force you to keep watch at night, I hope you’ll sleep near the caravan, so you won’t find us gone when you next project yourself here.”

Zhao Xu nodded in agreement, neither denying nor committing.

Arthur’s players could sleep in-game, but the risk was that if ambushed at night, they’d have to react without time to don their armor. Many solo players, after leaving combat, would log off in the wilderness, which essentially returned them to Earth during their offline period, free from danger.

However, this caravan needed night guards, and if attacked, everyone would have to move at a moment’s notice. Logging off would put them at a disadvantage, so Lark asked Maple Leaf’s team to sleep in tents in Arthur at night.

Once Lark returned to the front, Maple Leaf began assigning night watch duties to his team.

Shortly after, the smuggling caravan officially set out.

Hurricane City had been razed long ago by the aftermath of a legendary spell, its epicenter just outside the city.

After nearly a century of natural evolution, the landscape had gradually returned to rolling hills. Comparing the map and using his knowledge of geography, Zhao Xu estimated that the route tonight would wind through this not-so-dense forest.

Unlike regular caravans who could openly take the trade union’s main roads, the smugglers had to forge their own path along hidden trails.

“Yoyo, why don’t you sit here?” Maple Leaf pointed to a corner of the cargo wagon, where there was just enough space for someone small. There was no way any of the grown men could fit, but someone Yoyo’s size could manage.

“No need, Brother Maple Leaf. I’m tough enough,” Yoyo replied, sweat already beading on her forehead after a few steps.

The wagons were all heavily loaded, their wheels leaving deep ruts in the earth. Those at the rear had to cover their tracks every so often. Under these circumstances, there was no way the caravan would spare a wagon just for them.

Of course, if Zhao Xu were a level 5 mage and promised to help protect the caravan, Captain Royer would surely make an exception.

Still, with his Constitution at 14, Zhao Xu managed to keep up his spirits throughout the journey. The higher one’s Constitution, the stronger their endurance. On Earth, Zhao Xu would have found a 1000-meter run exhausting, but with 14 Constitution in Arthur, even 3000 meters was easy.

“Yoyo, did you know—back when I was training as a mage, one of my instructors told me that after he reached level five, he never again set foot on the ground during his travels,” the bard Antarctic Frog teased the girl.

“Why is that?” she asked.

“Well…” The bard was about to explain when he noticed Zhao Xu surveying their surroundings, and asked, “Mr. Midsummer, do you know why?”

In the midst of plotting his best escape route, Zhao Xu answered without thinking, “First-level spells can summon a mount, and third-level spells include the Phantom Steed. With sufficient spellcasting, you can cover a whole day’s journey.”

“Exactly,” Antarctic Frog replied lightly, saying no more.

Zhao Xu nearly turned around to study his expression but held back.

He wondered privately if this was a test to see if he was truly a spellcaster. Were players now so cautious?

Summon Mount was an arcane, not a divine spell, and only Zhao Xu present could cast it. Phantom Steed was a third-level arcane spell, present in the bard’s list, but he’d have to reach level 8 to cast it—if he survived that long.

If Zhao Xu could cast “Summon Mount” now, using Aen Stone and the Spell Delay feat, it would last a full eight hours, more than enough for the day’s travel. But he was walking because he hadn’t learned the spell yet. The arcane scrolls Antinoya had given him were still quietly resting in his backpack.

Suddenly, the entire caravan began to slow down.

At the head rode Royer, and only the leaders had the privilege of riding horses. The pace of the caravan was dictated by them.

Zhao Xu looked ahead at the denser, more luxuriant forest, then back at the cargo in the wagons.

He quickly activated his “Lore” ability and Natural Knowledge check to investigate.

His luck held; he passed the check and found the answer he was seeking.

But as he read the information on his panel, he could only sigh with relief—it was at least a problem that could be reasoned with.

“Did you know Royer before?” Zhao Xu asked, looking at Rainbow.

The other three shook their heads. Rainbow thought for a moment, then whispered, “The previous boss in charge of this job died. Royer’s from another gang and took over recently.”

The entire caravan now came to a halt, and even the most oblivious could sense something was wrong.

Zhao Xu could only hope that Royer, before getting into this business, had made sure to understand the local situation.

The last thing he wanted was to be caught in the wrath of a circle of druids.