Chapter 3: The Opponent Appears

The gunpowder in these firearms is also pre-packaged, but it is contained within a paper wrapper. When in use, one simply needs to tear open one end and push it inside.

Training in climbing, scaling, and stealthily approaching targets, as well as observation and perception skills. All skills of a scout can be trained under the guise of hunting. Although a marksman can also masquerade as a hunter, the advanced skills of a marksman, such as rapid shooting, volley shooting, and simultaneous firing of multiple arrows, can easily reveal their true nature

This is a rare generosity from the intelligence department, but since Hel knew earlier than others that the three northern provinces would be ceded, he would certainly have anticipated that the treasury bonds would depreciate significantly

Hale is not interested in delving deep into the mountains; his goal is the forest near the town, which is a paradise for someone who wishes to hunt

The reason for this is that on the slope ahead, one can also see moving shadows, and beside the shadows, there is a pile of stones. Hel absolutely does not want to be crushed by the stones, so he has no choice but to retreat.

The mountains are everywhere covered with dense jungles, and the peaks are all quite high, with altitudes around 1,000 meters. Therefore, the number of people who can enter the mountainous areas for hunting is significantly fewer than in other places

There are not only these few people in the forest; the reason only five have come out is likely due to the fact that there is only one person.

It was his complete indifference, showing neither fear nor tension, and an expression that suggested he was entirely detached from the situation, that left a profound impression on the officer

There is no room for escape; now one can only rely on strength to speak, and the strength he can rely on consists of the guns he carries.

Fortunately, before the outbreak of the war, many wealthy individuals from the north had already migrated south. Upon hearing that the three major provinces would be ceded, they immediately initiated a wave of selling off northern industries.

Gently lifting the hem of the trench coat reveals a gun belt, adorned with a vibrant snake skin pattern. The gilded metal buckle is embossed with a relief of a unicorn musk deer, making this undoubtedly an expensive accessory

Unlike those "enlightened individuals," Hel had long envied these "depraved tribes," admiring their carefree way of life

"Do not shoot, do not shoot." Helian quickly drove the carriage out from the woods

In such circumstances, the one capable of making such a choice is either a person with meticulous and careful thoughts, coupled with a quick and sharp mind, or someone accustomed to using a shotgun to hunt wild ducks

"I am penniless," Heller said with a grin, shrugging his shoulders. His laughter was light-hearted, not because of his bravery, but because the people before him were armed only with clubs, while in the back of his cart, there were six rifles.

"How many robbers are there ahead? What is the terrain like?" the officer immediately inquired.

He pulled out a long gun from the trailer, which was a double-barreled shotgun, a powerful tool for hunters to shoot wild ducks in the reeds by the water's edge

This inquiry truly made Hel sweat profusely; he secretly rejoiced that his previous preparations had not been in vain. Before leaving the capital of Vance, he had already become thoroughly familiar with everything related to his new identity

He was very familiar with that kind of gaze; there were quite a few such individuals in the corps. Apart from himself, they had no feelings for others and regarded the lives of others with extreme indifference

The cavalry squad set off again, with Hel following far behind, which was already anticipated by the Beru people.

A series of gunshots once again shattered the silence of the mountains and the books. The first to fall were not the robbers standing on the mountain path, but the bandits hiding in the woods. These bandits were all armed, but they would no longer have the opportunity to fire their weapons

Her looked around; on one side was a forest, within which lay many hidden bandits, while on the other side was a steep slope, which for the carriage meant a dead end

If it were a cart escorted by a squad of Afa cavalry, he might not dare to be so certain. In Afa, it is not difficult to find men with any kind of eccentricity, and those who enjoy wearing women's perfume are not hard to come by. However, for the Beru people, known for their stubbornness and rigidity, such a possibility is exceedingly rare

The robber holding the knife was shot in the chest and fell to the ground, while the other robber was momentarily stunned before immediately turning and fleeing, disappearing into the woods in the blink of an eye

The fallen tribe tends to have a forgetful nature; for them, past events hold no significance. Therefore, it is rare for anyone to remember what they were doing just a few days ago, let alone recall what happened to another person a few days prior.

The officer carefully examined each gun and then interrogated He Er in detail, asking about where He Er originally lived, where he was heading, how long he planned to stay there, and when and where he had purchased these firearms. The questioning lasted for more than an hour

From the trailer behind the vehicle, a series of long guns were drawn out. The officer from Beirut was evidently an expert in firearms; he removed the cartridges from the chambers, and the top of the cartridges had a ring of protruding teeth that could perfectly grip the lead balls

"Everyone says that, but it doesn't matter. We will do it ourselves; perhaps we can find some money. Even if we don't, it's not a big deal. Your clothes and the horse pulling the cart can be used as collateral," said a person who approached, using a long-handled sickle as a cane.

At this moment, all that Hell can do is to reload the gunpowder and bullets.

However, this is also a gamble; it now depends on the intentions of the authorities of the Beirut Empire. No one can say for certain whether they will forcibly nationalize the land.

He originally aimed for the forehead, but the bullet ultimately struck the robber's face. Although the effect was no different, the sight of a large hole next to the nostrils sent a chill down Hall's spine

However, all of this has already been handed over. One month ago, Emperor Lambert III of the Yafa Empire signed the Treaty of Cerese, ceding the three major provinces of Blanton, Mafilo, and Yark to the Beru Empire

Hell's gun comes from the workshop of the master gunsmith Gansher. All the guns designed by Gansher are breech-loading, and the gunpowder is pre-loaded into specialized metal cartridges, allowing for a loading speed that is significantly faster than that of ordinary firearms. When Hell purchased the gun, each one was accompanied by ten cartridges.

Casting this thought aside in an instant, the officer ultimately decided to regard Hel as a person who enjoyed hunting and was skilled in the use of a shotgun, after all, it would soon be clear whether there were ulterior motives when they parted ways not far ahead

In stark contrast to the robbers, the Beru cavalry had long been prepared; these cavalrymen halted their steeds and held their lances aloft

The sound of hooves rapidly approached, and a cavalry squad of ten men from the Berut Empire soon appeared before Hel.

As for the other two individuals, they were shot at close range with a shotgun. Considering that there were six long guns in the hanging compartment, five of which were rifles and only one was a shotgun.

Upon thinking of this, the officer took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands, which had just examined the corpse. Then, with a wave of his hand, the cavalrymen immediately mounted their horses

Hel looked on from a distance at this scene. Although he did not know what the officer was searching for, he could sense from the officer's actions that he was a noble from Beirut

What kind of woman must be so tightly "covered"? In Hel's memory, although the Berbers are rigid and conservative, they are not conservative to such an extent

Seizing this trend, Hel exchanged all the bonds in his possession for real estate

The reason for such certainty is that from these corpses, items that do not originally belong to them can be retrieved, and even from the retrieved items, one can infer their identities and status within the band of robbers

Especially when he saw five people darting out from the woods, Hel felt even more convinced of how right his choice was

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Hel, and he glanced at the carriage; all the secrets were likely hidden within it

Once again, a gunshot rang out, and Hel almost leaned his entire body forward, gripping another handgun in his hand

He would never forget the advice given to him by Master Mareen at the time of his departure: "I would suggest that you choose reconnaissance for your adjustments, as there is an important reason: for those of you who are about to head to the occupied territories, the only training opportunity available is that of reconnaissance.

However, Hel was absolutely certain that there were people inside the carriage, and definitely more than one. He could even be sure that at least one of them was a woman, as he faintly detected a hint of perfume, a scent typically used by women

The sound of urgent hoofbeats made Hel hesitate; he could not discern whether it was another group of bandits. Fortunately, from the irregularity of the hoofbeats, he could roughly infer that there were not many of them.

He is wearing an exquisitely tailored trench coat, which is nearly perfect in both fabric and cut. The stitching employs a hidden technique, making the seams virtually invisible from the outside, a method typically reserved for crafting high-end formal wear

All six guns were loaded with bullets, a habit he developed during his service in the 22nd Corps. Within the Corps, guns must always be ready to fire, as the enemy may launch an attack at any moment

Tracing the past movements of a fallen clan is even more challenging than hunting a specific rabbit in a forest

Perhaps only a tailor has the opportunity to truly understand the "fallen tribe". After all, for everything else, one can choose based on personal taste; only clothing must rely on the tailor to be custom-made for them.

At this moment, the entire Afar Empire was filled with fervor, yet in Blanton, there was a pervasive sense of sadness and dejection. On the once bustling provincial road, only a solitary carriage was making its way.

Unlike the nobility of the past, this class does not place importance on family lineage, nor do they care about power and status; even wealth, in their eyes, is merely a tool for maintaining pleasure

However, it is well known that Branton's lignite is the highest quality coal on the entire continent, and the iron ore produced by Branton's Miskon Iron Mine is one of the highest quality iron ores on the continent. It is precisely for this reason that Branton possesses the Sorang Steel Plant, which ranks first in Afa and third on the continent

The bodies were dragged out, each one neatly arranged together. Hel noticed that the several robbers he had just killed were placed separately.

Moreover, the barrels of these guns are engraved with rifling that spirals, causing the bullets that exit the muzzle to spin at high speeds like a gyroscope, resulting in excellent stability and maintaining high shooting accuracy even beyond 300 yards

The Military Intelligence Bureau is quite adept at identity forgery. The spies dispatched this time all use names of real individuals, with tax and various other records that can prove the existence of these individuals.

The mountains that no longer belong to Yafa, along with the rich mineral resources contained within them, cannot be accurately predicted. The total value of Branton's mineral resources remains uncertain.

This is a rare two-wheeled light cart, which is pulled by a single horse and has almost nothing besides two wheels and a seat mounted on them. Such carts are mostly seen racing at horse racing events, competing fiercely for championships, and are seldom used for travel

With countless sparks, a choking white smoke erupted, and the surrounding mountains echoed again and again with the deafening gunfire. At such a close distance, there was simply no possibility of missing the target

There is another reason that led Heller to make such a decision: for most "fallen people," home is merely a place to store important belongings and the most frequently visited location, yet the time these individuals spend at home overnight is exceedingly rare

He frankly stated that he actually hoped these enemy soldiers would perish at the hands of the robbers; however, given the current situation, he must rely on these fellows to pass through the checkpoint ahead

However, it is evident that there are not only these few guns in the forest. As sporadic gunfire erupts, the forest is immediately shrouded in smoke, and the white smoke emitted from the gun muzzles is difficult to dissipate quickly within the woods

At this moment, Hel is heading to a small town called Xuelute, located northwest of Blanton. The reason for choosing this place is that the town is adjacent to the Devil's Mountain Range, a series of mountains stretching for hundreds of miles, which has long been regarded as the most dangerous forbidden area on the continent

The person driving the carriage is a young man who appears to be under thirty. He has short brown hair, a prominent nose, and slightly sunken eye sockets, which makes his forehead look particularly high. The two wisps of mustache on his lips are clearly well-groomed.

Hale did not attempt to approach the carriage; he was a spy, but he did not intend to be a particularly diligent one, and he certainly did not possess an overly strong sense of curiosity

They soon arrived at the intersection they had just passed; the bloodstains on the ground remained, but the body had already been removed

The person waved his right hand to both sides, and the other four immediately dispersed, blocking both ends of the mountain path

They place great emphasis on attire, pursuing coordination and variation in their clothing. They are also very particular about food, striving for refinement. They have extensive knowledge regarding the arrangement of furnishings in their rooms, as well as everything related to enjoyment.

"Were you the one firing just now?" the officer inquired, his gaze exceptionally sharp. For some reason, upon seeing him, Hel's heart, which had originally calmed down, began to race once again

As soon as the gunshot rang out, a figure immediately emerged from the forest, and at the same time, four other robbers rushed towards the carriage.

These individuals have requirements regarding attire and literature that must highlight their temperament. To achieve this, it is essential for Heller to understand them

Such a person would undoubtedly be regarded as part of the "depraved class," while they refer to themselves as fashionable individuals

After thoroughly examining all the corpses, the blond-haired, blue-eyed officer from Beirut had already understood many things that others could not see

The distant mountains appear somewhat dim through a layer of mist, while narrow mountain paths are flanked by dense coniferous forests. These straight trees have provided the most commonly used timber for Yafa for centuries, yet at this moment, they no longer belong to Yafa.

This person is draped in a checkered long coat, which is clearly stolen. His face appears to be honest and kind, but there is a hint of ferocity in his eyes.

Demi Disquais Simulet Musk is the new name of Hel, accompanied by a title of nobility. Although the title has lost its former glory after the Great Revolution, it is still recognized by the world as a symbol of status.

The two robbers clearly did not expect that the fat sheep they had cornered was carrying so many guns, each of which was fully loaded with bullets and gunpowder

It can be confirmed that these individuals are indeed robbers, rather than malicious insurgents.

The other two robbers have approached, and one of them unexpectedly drew a knife, intending to kill the horse that was pulling the cart

In the eyes of the "intellectuals" of Afa, this group of people is seen as parasites of society, representing both the decline of the once-mighty Afa and its underlying causes

In addition to granting them such a title and creating a complete file for each individual, the Military Intelligence Department also provided each person with a treasury bond valued at 15,000 kronor

He pulled the hammer back and squeezed the trigger, and with a loud bang, a large number of lead pellets the size of mung beans flew towards the two robbers behind him. At the same time, he desperately turned the horse's head to change the direction of the cart

Hale's willingness to spend a large sum of money to purchase firearms from renowned craftsmen is entirely influenced by the Berthier standard rifle

Hale does not enjoy hunting; he is merely forcing himself to take a liking to the sport. On one hand, this is to make himself appear more in line with the image of a fallen tribe, and on the other hand, it is to hone his skills

In the war, their corps suffered minimal losses, and the ability to open fire at any time was a very important reason. Since it has been proven that this is a wise approach, Heller naturally retained it

However, the most important reason is that he possesses an understanding of these individuals that is not common among others. Before being conscripted into the military, due to his work, he met many such figures

From the other four corpses, certain patterns can also be discerned. The manner of death for these four individuals is quite gruesome. One has a gunshot wound to the face, with the bullet not exiting the brain, indicating that a handgun was used. Another person was also shot with a handgun. Based on the location of the shots and the method of killing, it can be roughly inferred that the shooter is either very poor at shooting or a novice.

There is nothing to conceal in this matter, Hel acknowledged immediately.

Consequently, the number of animals in the mountains is abundant, with herds of wild beasts roaming. However, the true reason this mountain range is dubbed the "Devil's" is that monstrous creatures frequently appear here

When the two sides were at odds, Hel stepped back far away. During his time in the army, he often acted this way. He was unaware that at this moment, his behavior, in the eyes of those Bei and *Tu* Shulu people, immediately became a testament to his cowardice

Hearing the sound of hooves, several bandits emerged from the woods, but unlike before, the other bandits no longer appeared so leisurely

Suddenly, a chorus of warhorses whinnied, and the cavalry squad halted several dozen meters from Hel's hiding place, their dark gun barrels aimed at the forest

The weapons used by the bandits in the forest were even inferior to those muzzle-loading guns employed by the Yafa army, so after exchanging fire for a while, they gradually began to lose ground

Hale had no intention of pursuing; he turned his horse around and fled down the original mountain path. However, before escaping, he fired the other round from his double-barreled shotgun, blocking all the other bandits who attempted to break out of the woods.

Anyone who sees this gun belt is likely to forget its true purpose, and the robber before us is clearly one of them, until Huer pointed a gun at him, at which point the robber in the long coat finally came to his senses

The officer cast a few glances at the distant Helian, finding it difficult to associate the person before him with a sharp and astute mind.

Heil is well-acquainted with the standard firearms of the Beru army; in the recently concluded battle, they suffered greatly from the drawbacks of these breech-loading guns

The robbers all scattered in flight, leaving a ground strewn with corpses in the forest. What puzzled Hel was that those from Beirut actually had the presence of mind to stop and tidy up the battlefield

The Beru cavalry was not in a hurry to travel, and Hel did not dare to set off alone. He was concerned about encountering robbers again, and another reason was his great interest in the carriage that always had its curtains drawn.

The fog-like smoke obscured the line of sight for both sides, who exchanged fire from over one hundred meters apart. The bandits in the forest held the advantage of the terrain, yet their firearms were clearly inferior to the standard military weapons used by the cavalry.

The robbers certainly did not expect to encounter the Beirut cavalry, and for a moment, those few robbers blocking the way were completely at a loss.

The title of this baron can also be seen as a reward for those who act as spies. However, for Sir Hel, possessing such a title makes certain matters much more convenient to handle

This made Hull feel somewhat strange; judging from the series of performances by the officer just now, this person was astute and capable. Given such outstanding abilities along with his status, his military rank was indeed a bit too low.

I am not clear about the number of robbers, but I can be certain that there are definitely quite a few. On one side is a slope and on the other side is a forest; some robbers are in the forest, while others are on the farther hillside.

At this moment, Hel was even more convinced that the master's words were absolutely correct, for he discovered that the identity of a hunter had already provided him with a convenience. In the cart's rear compartment, there were a total of six guns, two pounds of gunpowder, and various types of ammunition. Any identity other than that of a hunter would raise suspicion.

It is a remarkably exquisite design; if I am not mistaken, these are all masterpieces of Gansher

A brown carriage, almost devoid of any decorations, closely followed behind. The carriage was driven by a Berber soldier, while another soldier sat in the passenger seat, holding a long gun in his hand

Reload all the guns, and Hel drove the cart into the woods

A blond-haired, blue-eyed officer from Beirut, appearing to be around thirty years old, stepped out from the cavalry squad. He waved his hand, and those gun barrels that had sent chills down Hel's spine finally moved away from him