Chapter 22

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Chapter 22: Ominous Signs

Setting fire to mountains and cutting down trees to drive away enemies were traditional tactics, but they had their conditions.

For example, a mountain with no escape route, or a forest that could be easily cleared, were the types of terrains these tactics were aimed at. If the target was a large rainforest surrounded by vast plains, attempting to end the war by cutting down trees was like trying to defeat sharks by filling up the ocean. Even if the forest became uninhabitable, the Amazonians could escape from any direction before that, and the human army could not surround every edge of the Angaso Forest.

Besides, Amazon warriors were not easy to defeat.

A productive morning of tree chopping created a small opening at the edge of Angaso Forest, as the army dug a hole into it like a spoon. At the same time, the advance team deep inside the forest found themselves surrounded by trees, exposed to both the tree-chopping soldiers and the alert soldiers nearby, all trapped in the Amazonian territory.

Dozens of bows were drawn and released simultaneously. Compared to the coordinated volleys from crossbows, the arrows coming from different directions seemed almost chaotic at first glance, as if randomly shot. The sound of the arrows cutting through the air was masked by the chirping of insects in the forest; sharp arrowheads hidden in the shadows of the trees. It was only when a group of bodies simultaneously hit the ground that the crowd was alerted.

The Amazon archers lurked in various corners, only the ghosts that had been watching them knew when these forest hunters had arrived. Their leather armor and helmets blended seamlessly with the trees here, the juice of plants staining their exposed skin the color of leaves, their scent altered to be like that of birds and beasts by the glands of some rodent, even the most sensitive hunting dogs did not bark. They had no formation, each one agile like an ape, adept at concealment like the Angaso lion, every cold arrow taking a life.

Panic erupted among the survivors of the advance team, screams of terror echoing one after another, but none could shout for long. After the first volley, the commander no longer gave orders, the archers’ shots became irregular, but still precise. They could fire two arrows in a second, making one wonder if they even needed to aim. The relentless rain of arrows swept through the invaded forest in a moment, swiftly clearing the area.

Not a single arrow missed its mark, and one body had two deadly arrows stuck in it, the only waste of the whole affair.

It’s hard to describe how amazing this scene was, only seeing it in person could one understand the power of a group of skilled archers. The Amazon archers were the most terrifying snipers of this era, and when they gathered together, Tasha couldn’t help but think of a group of rampaging automatic ball launchers. It was unbelievable that the performance of a group of archers could be compared to a machine gun equipped with an automatic targeting mechanism.

Everything happened too quickly, and the massive human army waiting outside the forest didn’t even react in time. After the last body fell to the ground, the ambush of archers rushed out, running towards the bewildered soldiers outside, showering them with a rain of arrows. This time, all those deployed were archers, their equipment light and agile, with slightly different roles. Some advanced bravely, some protected and observed, while the rest swiftly retrieved arrows from the bodies, snatching weapons. The army, with a huge numerical advantage, retreated under this sudden attack, like a bulky animal being kicked in the rear end.

The bulky giant beast had fangs as long as…

After a brief chaos, the human army organized themselves, shield-bearers carrying massive shields moved to the front under command, while behind them, crossbowmen began loading arrows onto their crossbows. The crossbow arrows they brought were larger than the ones Tasha had seen before, the sound of the string being drawn and arrows loaded was heavy, almost like raising a city gate, making teeth ache when combined. If used, they could pierce through anything within three hundred meters.

But as long as they weren’t hit, no matter how powerful the weapon, it was meaningless.

Among the Amazons who came to fight, there was not a single close combat warrior wielding a sword and shield. The soft leather armor on the archers was not enough to stop the powerful crossbow arrows, but they had an unparalleled advantage in mobility. The moment the shield line formed, all charging warriors immediately retreated, as swift and decisive as satiated birds after a meal. They dispersed with a swoosh, disappearing into the Angaso Forest, leaving behind only a few arrows, a ground full of bodies, and the angry curses of the officers.

No one dared to pursue these forest hunters into the forest, they could only regroup and continue logging under the protection of the shields.

They could no longer leisurely cut down trees, the Amazonians took turns, stealing heads under the relaxed shields, then scattering into the forest when the human army retaliated angrily. It was truly a classic guerrilla warfare tutorial, with continuous human casualties, dwindling morale, while the Amazon warriors only lost some arrows. The warriors on duty in the camp laughed, sharing stories of victory among those who hadn’t taken their turn or couldn’t go to battle. "Perhaps we don’t need you." The one-eyed warrior woman grinned as she affectionately rubbed her daughter’s head, the first time battlefield girls were indignant about this. Marion’s fingers fiddled with the dagger’s handle, itching for action.

The next day, the battle was still going on. The humans lost tens of people but only cut down a few trees. Cutting trees had become a difficult task to avoid. The atmosphere in the forest camp became more and more cheerful. The Amazonians began discussing celebrations with wine, and some started betting on when those people would leave.

"Maybe we don’t need to move," someone said. "I don’t believe they would continue to attack like this. Who would send a useless army to the forest just to deliver food?"

"No one would," the Amazon Queen said, her brows furrowed in the firelight. "That’s exactly what worries me."

Tasha also thought the same.

Things were going too smoothly, causing her to feel a vague unease. Humans couldn’t all be fools. How could the Earth Lord, who could take all the fruits of victory from allies, keep making mistakes on obvious things? Tasha didn’t believe that Aryan was a central character who made everyone else in the fictional world look foolish as soon as he appeared. Nor did she believe she was the fortunate main character.

Victor said, "It doesn’t require everyone to be fools, just their bosses. You don’t know the absurd things nobles have done, or how a king once sold an entire country to me!"

"But there are no nobles or kings now," Tasha reminded him.

"Just a change of names," Victor said carelessly.

Marion and the Craftsman Dwarf had told Tasha about the common sense outside. The Aryan Empire didn’t have a royal family and nobles, only a ruler and ministers. In four or five hundred years, this place could turn the Abyss and Heavenly Realm into history. In Tasha’s past world, it could have undergone several technological advances and social reforms. She didn’t think the difference was just in changing the names.

One evening, a new caravan arrived at the outpost. Tasha discovered the "Red Setter" in a large vehicle.

It looked like a machine, with its head part dim and motionless in the car. From the conversation between the carriers and officers, Tasha learned that this hunting dog had just been transferred from above, intact and ready to be activated.

Tasha couldn’t decipher the Red Setter, a strange steampunk gadget with tiny runes on the exterior shell – Victor couldn’t decipher their meaning, but determined they were the work of dwarves – just like the floor of the dungeon library, ghosts couldn’t penetrate them. She immediately notified Marion in the Amazon village to evacuate with Craftsman Dwarf. Once the Red Setter was activated, it would be able to detect them and Amazon’s headquarters. Even if they found a large force, they wouldn’t have the upper hand in the forest, which was not a good thing.

And this wasn’t the only bad thing.

Compared to the other carriages, the unreadable Red Setter was only a small issue. Three large covered wagons carried things that ghosts couldn’t approach. Tasha couldn’t even peek into the carriages, feeling a strong sense of rejection from afar, a mix of fear and disgust, as if insects faced insecticide, creating an instinctual barrier from getting closer.

As time passed, the feeling grew stronger, and before the things on the wagons were moved down, the camp became a ghost zone.

Victor said that blessed holy items might have this effect on abyssal creatures, but where were the deities of the current Aryan? Not to mention Tasha had just been certified without an abyssal presence. She was almost certain the other shoe would drop, but didn’t know where.

Ghosts couldn’t get close, Marion would be exposed when the Red Setter was activated (were humans using the Red Setter to hunt purebred human Amazons to prevent infiltration by other races?). In the end, they could only rely on the Amazonians. This idea coincided with the Amazon Queen’s suspicions, who, unable to shake off the abnormal situation, dispatched scouts into the night.

Dora and Catherine were the best scouts among the Amazons.

They silently sneaked into the human camp, snapped the necks of the unavoidable guards, and hid the bodies in the shadows. They quietly approached the incoming convoy until some noisy soldiers blocked their way.

They looked lively and loud, using foul language, completely different from their gloomy daytime appearance. They seemed excited as if they had been drinking, while the camp patrols turned a blind eye to them, as if there were no military regulations here. Upon closer inspection, some even showed envy.

The Amazonians, now disguised as guards, exchanged a glance and quietly followed the soldiers.

They arrived at a secluded tent, likely set up just tonight, far from the center of the camp. They had expected to see some secret weapons or supply distribution scene, but… in a way, it could also be considered a supply.

Women.

Catherine grabbed Dora’s hand and forcefully pulled her back into the shadows, despite their veins bulging. It was a "that kind" of situation, even worse, because those few poor women being bullied were dressed up as Amazon warriors.

"Calm down!" Catherine mouthed, "We didn’t come here for this!"

"That tattoo!" Dora’s veins on her forehead were pulsating, "The one in the middle, did you see it? Not the crude disguises around it, that’s our Hunter Mark!"

"…"

Catherine fell silent, their fists clenched tight. The Amazons were not isolated. They suffered casualties in migrations and local conflicts, with some missing. In the past, the Amazonians had a tradition of protecting women. Nowadays, every surviving Amazon considered their kin as sisters, ignoring this was too difficult.

"It might be a trap," Catherine gritted her teeth. "Let’s go!"

They struggled to move their feet, exploring other parts of the camp. The commander’s residence was as clean as a whistle – not even a fly could get in. The guards of a few large carts were more vigilant than the commander’s tent. They searched around but found nothing, only feeling more and more restless.

It was close to midnight, time to leave. Catherine gestured to leave, but Dora shook her head. She pointed decisively in a certain direction. Catherine hesitated and then also shook her head. Whether intentional or not, they returned to the area near the previous tent, now with very few people around, just a few individuals. Could it be…?

They heard a woman’s scream.

Dora turned and ran immediately, with Catherine following closely. At the opening of a tent, they saw a drunken soldier using a knife to gouge out a woman’s eye. Among the revelers here until midnight, including the guards outside, there were only four people.

Before Catherine could stop her, Dora drew her bow. An arrow pierced the soldier’s eyeball, exiting from the back of his head. It was not a wise move, but it was too late for regrets. Catherine did not hesitate any longer and swiftly silenced the guard. The four soldiers fell silently within seconds. Dora rushed to the women, helping up the one in the middle, trying to see her face clearly.

"We cannot take them with us!" Catherine warned softly, bow drawn behind Dora, keeping guard. "Hurry!"

Dora could not find any familiar features on that face. The woman, skinny, covered in wounds, was unrecognizable from how she must have looked when healthy. These women looked barely alive, one was blind, another had no legs, bloodstains and old scars adorned their bodies, their eyes hollow and terrifying.

Dora cleaned the torn clothes and carried the woman with the Hunter Mark on her back. "No!" Catherine shook her head anxiously, "We can’t take her back, what if something happens…"

"She has nothing on her and no tongue, how can she be a spy?" Dora said irritably, "I will keep an eye on her when we get back!"

She snapped the neck of the remaining woman and ran out with the person on her back.