Cloud over oasis

The Wolfmen's Ambush (1)

The Wolfmen were the most common humanoid race in the Nooran Desert.

At one point, they had even formed a significant force, crossing the Sanguia Mountains from the Nooran Desert and taking advantage of the Lion Kingdom's prolonged wars with other kingdoms to invade the northern borderlands. They had caused havoc for nearly three years.

Like nauseating ulcers, they had the tendency to spread further into the heartlands.

That was why, after the Lion Kingdom ended its wars with the other kingdoms, they immediately launched an extermination campaign against the Wolfmen.

The campaign lasted for a year.

The Wolfmen tribes, who had invaded the Lion Kingdom like they had entered heaven, were quickly defeated.

Without superior weapons or excellent armor, the Wolfmen tribes were no match for the human forces.

On the battlefield, the Wolfmen were easily slaughtered by the pride of the Lion Kingdom—the cavalry.

It was said that the heads of the Wolfmen, cut off ten years ago, lined the sides of the roads.

The ruthless extermination had evolved into a m******e, extending from the northern borderlands of the Lion Kingdom to the entire southern part of the Nooran Desert. Most of the major Wolfmen tribes were almost completely wiped out.

The surviving Wolfmen tribes chose to migrate northward into the desert, out of fear.

However, scattered Wolfmen still existed.

Even in the Sanguia Mountains, there were several Wolfmen tribes that occasionally attacked the villages along the northern border of the Lion Kingdom.

As for the southern part of the Nooran Desert, after ten years of recovery, it was estimated that there were even more Wolfmen tribes!

"There's no turning back now."

Kant pursed his cracked lips, his face displaying a determined expression.

Since he had come here, he would establish his own village. With the "Kingdom of Swadia" in his system as his golden finger, he was far from having nothing.

The sand dune mentioned beforehand was just up ahead, their designated camping spot.

They would set up their tents in the shadow of the dune.

"Young ones, get busy!"

Raven still held command over the cavalry. He made his own arrangements, saying, "Search the surroundings thoroughly. I don't want to fall asleep and wake up with my guts chewed by Wolfmen or wild beasts!"

Upon his command, the twenty cavalry immediately spread out.

However, some were dismissive. It had been six days already, and they still hadn't seen any Wolfmen.

So, the cavalry's search wasn't very thorough. After confirming that the sand dune was indeed without any abnormalities, they all returned, eager to set up their tents and rest.

"Let's set up the tents."

Kant also directed the farmers to get moving.

The three wagons contained camping supplies, including a dozen tents, wooden poles for support, and linen ropes.

Some farmers were quickly digging into the sand with long sickles, piling up all the yellow sand from the surface, exposing the cooler layer of sand underneath.

This was a little trick in the desert, lying inside the pit could effectively avoid the scorching heat.

It was also a survival technique of the Wolfmen in the desert, learned by the soldiers of the Lion Kingdom ten years ago and recorded by scholars in their books after the war.

Before departing, Kant had specifically studied various books about the Nooran Desert.

The twenty tents were soon erected at the sand pit, with wooden poles as the framework and long linen ropes for stability. They could accommodate all 51 people inside, including the 27 horses.

"I leave the rest to you, Raven."

Kant stood in front of his own dedicated tent, relieved.

Most of the work was done, and Raven nodded in response, "Understood, Baron."

The next task was to water the horses and allocate personnel to start preparing lunch and distribute water for the next half-day. Although it was relatively easy, it still required attention to detail. Raven, with his calm temperament, was the best choice.

The tents shielded the sunlight, and the shallow pit brought a coolness from the earth.

Kant spread a linen mat on the ground and lay down, feeling as if all the hardships of the journey had dissipated.

"Perhaps now would be the perfect time for a glass of light beer. That would be fantastic."

With his eyes closed, Kant couldn't help but sigh softly, "But who knows when I'll be able to enjoy it in the future."

He was starting from scratch.

Light beer was basically a luxury item that he couldn't possibly indulge in because no merchant caravan would come to Outpost Oasis to provide him with these affordable drinks for his fief.

After all, this was the Nooran Desert.

A desolate land where humans were not expected to appear!

Shaking his head, Kant didn't dwell on it.

However, his nose twitched slightly, catching the aroma of food coming from outside the tent.