Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 142 - 138: Small Mountain Village

Chapter 142: Chapter 138: Small Mountain Village

The next day, the atmosphere appeared to have been remedied. Baiyue and Tangmo were gathered around Yaning, laughing and joking, while Hu Daoke squatted next to Cheng Ziang, spouting ridiculous things rigorously, much to Ziang’s annoyance.

Seeing that everyone was okay, Luo’er was relieved. Once the weather began to gradually warm up, the group continued on their journey home.

They rode on horseback, following a small path through the mountains. The challenging terrain of the mountainous region hindered the horses’ mobility, attracting the attention of the famished Hu Daoke.

Upon leaving the mountainous area, the terrain gradually opened up. There were no more winding mountain ranges, but rather, low-lying hills. Luo’er checked the map and saw they had entered a hilly region, near Yazhi City. By continuing west, they would reach the Roen River and could travel downstream to Yazhi City.

With the thought of returning to Yazhi City, everyone was filled with excitement, a sense of urgency to return home. Even though Yazhi City was merely a frontline base and not Earth, it still felt like home to them.

Though they were still within the rebel-occupied territory, the closer they got to Yazhi City, the fewer rebels they encountered. After all, this was the rear-end of their territory, and there was no need for a large force to be stationed. Moreover, as Yazhi City was an important base for the rebels, they dared not neglect the Blaiqi people traveling between Earth and the Otherworld.

Generally speaking, the closer they got to Yazhi City, the safer it was. There were no instances of indiscriminate slaughter of villages like on the front lines.

After three more days of travel, they finally reached a village along the road. This village was constructed in the Masya style perched on a hillside, home to approximately thirty households.

Before Earth’s agricultural technology was incorporated into the Otherworld, the population had always been limited. After the Otherworld War ended, Earth exported its agricultural production technology, including high-yielding crop seeds, causing the population of the Otherworld to increase.

The village had only about ten households thirty years ago. Now, it has more than doubled in size. There weren’t many young men in the village, most were probably conscripted into the war.

As the group moved through the village, only the old, weak, and women eyed them warily. They were afraid that these unfamiliar adventurers might cause trouble. Two uncles in their fifties holding crossbows and one with a spear stood near the village entrance, likely the highest degree of defense the village had.

Despite the villagers’ cold reception, Luo’er decided it was time to resupply. Hunting in the mountains daily indeed was troublesome, and they weren’t guaranteed to catch prey every day. On days without game, they had to endure hunger.

At the center of the village, there was an ancient well. Luo’er dismounted and approached, an elderly man supported by a cane walked up to them and asked, "Travelers from afar, what brings you here?"

"There’s no need to worry. We’re merely travelers passing by, hoping to rest here. Would that be acceptable?" Luo’er waved his hand to signify they meant no harm. They had also wrapped up their weapons to avoid alarming the villagers.

"Of course. As esteemed guests, we welcome you. Please, this way." After confirming that they meant no harm, the old man relaxed his guard and offered a smile.

"Additionally," Luo’er glanced towards the horses carrying their supplies, then turned back to the elder, "we’re running low on supplies. Would it be possible to resupply here? Of course, we’d pay for what we take."

Taking the coin pouch from his belt, he opened it so the elder could see inside.

"No need, no need. You’re all too kind. Assisting traveling guests should be our obligation. You don’t have to do this," seeing Luo’er’s gold coins, the old man seemed uneasy, quickly waving his hands.

"We’re merchants, we believe in equivalent exchange. Taking your supplies without payment would make us feel uneasy," Luo’er said with a smile.

"In that case, let us know what you require later, and we’ll prepare it for you," seeing the gleaming gold coins in Luo’er’s hand, the old man seemed tempted.

"May I ask your name?" Luo’er respectfully inquired.

It was apparent that the elder before him didn’t discriminate because of his half-elf identity. Rather, he was being courteous, which made Luo’er rather fond of him.

"You’re too kind, esteemed guest. Please, call me Boen. I am the village chief." The elder turned around and offered a slight nod.

"Boen the Village Chief, my name is Luo’er, and these are my companions. Greetings!" Luo’er bowed slightly in response.

The group, led by Village Chief Boen, arrived at his home. It was a wooden structure with a roof made from a kind of wood unique to the Otherworld. This wood was waterproof and could withstand decay for a long period.

As the village chief, Boen’s house was fairly large, with several rooms, perfectly suited for the Advance Team to stay. Boen’s son had been conscripted into the army, thus he lived with his granddaughter, Shana, depending on each other for survival.

Shana was about the same age as Yaning. She didn’t seem to fear these strangers and curiously observed everyone from her spot at the door, prompting everyone who entered to playfully pat her little head.

Seeing Yaning hiding behind Tangmo, Shana left the door side, curiously walked over and stared at Yaning while nibbling on her finger. Tangmo noticed Shana’s interest in Yaning and gently suggested to Yaning, "Would you like to play with the little girl, Yaning?"

Upon hearing Tangmo’s words, Shana plucked up her courage and took a step forward, causing Yaning to hurriedly hide behind Tangmo once again. Tangmo, left with no choice, held Yaning’s and Shana’s hands and pulled them over to a corner of the room to play them.

The group sat down at a dining table by the fireplace, and Boen served them fruit wine and pies. Luo’er looked around and asked, "Mayor Boen, where are all the young people in the village? Why do I only see the elderly, women, and children?"

Hearing Luo’er’s question, Boen gave a deep sigh and said, "The civilian army is at war with the kingdom’s forces. The generals arrived and took all the young men from the village. They said that each young man must serve in the civilian army for at least three years or they will be accused of collusion with the kingdom’s forces."

"So, you’re saying that the whole village’s operation is entirely left to the elderly, women, and children?" Luo’er asked.

"What choice do we have? Who knows when this war will end." Saying this, he turned to look at Shana playing with Tangmo and Yaning, shook his head and said, "My granddaughter, Shana, is still young. But in another year, she will have to work for this family."

Luo’er followed his gaze and sighed at the sight of Shana’s innocent smile. She was still just a child, already burdened with family responsibilities. Her life would probably be easier if her father were around.

Although the war in Masya was not related to them, everyone present was cursely cursing the instigator of the war, including Princess Melia.

Of course, Luo’er couldn’t guarantee that the war was truly unrelated to them. The fact that the rebels had developed to this point was undoubtedly due to the influence of the Earth people. Whether it was the weapons in the hands of the rebels or their tactics, one could see traces of Earth people.

Luo’er didn’t want to condemn the actions of Earth people as they were also Earth people. Blindly condemning human nature was no different from a shrew’s pointless ranting, neither could fundamentally solve the problem.

Luo’er knew that whether it was the rebels or the kingdom’s forces, to win this war, they had to involve the Earth people. In other words, only when the Earth people agreed, could the war come to its final conclusion. This was a symbol of the Earth people’s indirect control over Otherworld.

As Boen was deep in thought, he suddenly seemed to remember something, then said to everyone: "If you are staying here, if I tell you to leave, do not stay. Just follow us."

"What’s happened?" Luo’er couldn’t help asking.

Boen gave a sigh and said, "There is a force within the civilian army that likes to plunder our village; food, water, even girls are taken by them. The locations of these girls remain unknown. We dare not question them. Last time a girl’s father raised the question, they beat him to death."

"They’re bandits!" Hu Daoke slammed the table indignantly.

Cheng Ziang kicked him, rolled his eyes and said, "You’ve scared the old man!"

"Did I frighten you?" Luo’er asked concernedly.

"No, not at all," Boen waved his hand, "Thank you for speaking up for us."

"The force you mentioned, how many people do they have and what kind of weapons?" asked Luo’er.

Boen thought for a while and said, "They have about fifty men. As for weapons, they seem to possess magic weapons from Otherworld - the kind that makes a huge bang when pointed at people."

"Fifty men..." Luo’er murmured, looking at Cheng Ziang. He remembered the first time they encountered Princess Melia’s convoy, the ambushing rebels were also about fifty to sixty people, apparently a standard infantry unit.

"Does every one of them have such magic weapons from Otherworld?" Luo’er continued to ask, knowing exactly what Boen had referred to as the Otherworld magic weapons.

"Maybe half of them do," Boen thought about it and said, "Others use swords, crossbows and bows."

"A group of fifty to sixty men, with about fifty percent possession of rifles." Luo’er turned to Cheng Ziang, who nodded.