Chapter 43

Indeed, Harvest Wardens may require a high volume of Garrison Resources to produce, but by modifying Harvest Golems, even if they were discarded Harvest Golems, the Garrison Resources would be saved.

After all, Harvest Wardens were the upgraded version of Harvest Golems — the foundations remained the same.

Left without a choice, Sean returned to Saldean’s Farm and retrieved the three scrapped Harvest Golems from the warehouse, placing them into the Spatial Garrison. He then exhausted a small amount of Garrison Resources before selecting Modification.

The modification took a day. As it was an assembly production line, 3 Harvest Wardens could be produced simultaneously. There was no need for them to be produced one at a time.

Sean spent that entire day idle, and he woke up the morning of the next day to a large mass of people in Saldean’s Farm.

Upon closer inspection, he found the people were in battle formations, well trained, and dressed in uniform Equipment sets. Identical two-handed swords were strapped on their backs. The Equipment sets and swords were extremely familiar.

“It’s the Guard Sets! The Guard Sets forged in Agus’ Smithy for Gryan Stoutmantle? So these people are soldiers from Sentinel Hill? Since they’re all here, they must be ready to take action!”

Sean mumbled to himself.

The soldiers numbered at least a hundred and fifty. That was half the size of Sentinel Hill’s army.

There was only one reason why half the army would be dispatched from Sentinel Hill, and that was to wipe out the Murlocs and Kobolds. This was, ultimately, the main reason why Old Gryan had had the Guard Sets forged.

Meaning to say, the war against the Murlocs and Kobolds had finally begun.

Sean was itching to get involved.

The past Sean would have fled as far as he could from such a war. However, Sean had grown bold thanks to his skills. It was the fearlessness that came with youth as well as nerves of steel that had been fostered by the Murlocs in Murloc Shallow. As if possessed by the heroic spirit of Zhao Zilong[1], Sean wanted to charge into battle on his boar and go all out.

With a domesticated boar as well as 3 Harvest Wardens, the Murlocs and Kobolds were no match for him.

Moreover, Sean was not done with the Kobold War Horn (Westfall). What would be the point of using the horn when all Kobolds were destroyed?

He had to contribute.

On one end, Sean wanted his share of the action. On the other end, Old Gryan had Sean on his mind.

Although Old Gryan was not able to obtain any useful information from the last round of questioning, his keen senses, sharpened from dozens of years of experience, warned him about Sean.

Old Gryan was somewhat suspicious that the little brat, Sean, was hiding something from him. Bringing the lad along to wipe out the Murlocs and Kobolds was surely the right call!

The old and young foxes got together, both harboring their own intentions. The pair was ready to go, and were singing the same tune. After replenishing their food and water in Saldean’s Farm, the large group set out.

Yes, although Old Saldean was concerned for Sean’s safety, he finally gave in after Sean patted his chest, assuring the old man that he was only there to broaden his horizons. Old Gryan had also patted his own chest, promising to keep Sean out of harm’s way.

An army of a hundred and fifty followed behind, as Sean, on a domesticated boar, and Old Gryan, on a War Horse, rode side by side in the front.

Struck by a thought, Old Gryan tried to pull a fast one on Sean. “Oh Sean, you’re truly amazing! I really couldn’t tell. It’s only been a few days and you’ve somehow become that old Mage, Theocritus’ apprentice? Wow, and you received a few awesome Magic items, and tamed a great mount. I’m envious.”

Sean could tell something fishy was going on. In fact, he had been on guard against the old fox. Hence, he immediately replied, “Nah, I can’t beat you, Old Gryan! You’re such a smooth-talker, Old Man Saldean and the other practically handed you over five thousand Gold Coins.You spent some of it on a few lame Guard Sets and then pocketed the rest. With such tricks up your sleeve, it’s a shame you’re not a mechant.”

Initially, Old Gryan was exceedingly proud but as Sean continued to ramble on, Old Gryan’s face turned from red to black. In the end, he furiously yelled, “Bullsh*t bulls*t! Bullsh*t! What lame Guard Sets? What do you know? I’ll have you know that although the Guard Sets are an eyesore, they’re better than the other flamboyant Equipment sets! And, and, what do you mean I pocketed the rest? I did not embezzle a single coin!”

Sean nodded. “Yes yes, you did not embezzle a single coin, only several thousand.”

Old Gryan was about to fly into rage and run his mouth when he suddenly stopped. Glaring intently at Sean, Old Gryan responded, “B*stard, don’t change the subject and distract me. Regardless, you have to come clean today. Why would the Kobolds go to the Gold Coast to fight the Murlocs? Don’t tell me that you don’t know. I have someone investigating that for the next few days. Don’t think for a second you’re in the clear!”

Sean curled his lips, mumbling in his head that he would write his name backwards and declare that the Spatial Garrison was his secret weapon if that were the case.

Yet, his lips spoke, “Sir Gryan, don’t try to put words in my mouth. I really don’t know anything.”

Old Gryan stared at Sean for a long time. He had to admit, Sean was fantastic at keeping his cool — he was not blushing, his heart had not skipped a beat, and he did not have wandering eyes. Sean gave a look to Old Gryan, as if saying that Old Gryan had nothing on him. Changing emotions like a seasoned actor, Old Gryan’s face was now beaming.

“About that, Sean… You know supporting a whole army isn’t easy for me. Conning… No, begging for five thousand Gold Coins wasn’t easy, traveling all the way to Goldshire to forge Equipment wasn’t an easy feat either. I can’t take too many losses when fighting the Kobolds and Murlocs, right? Moreover, the people under me really have it hard in life!”

Old Gryan’s eyes miraculously welled up with tears, which flowed down his cheeks. “Let me tell you, we have in our army, a boy named Ryan. He’s been without a father since the age of three and lost his mother at four years old. He survived by begging on the streets at five and started to steal at the age of six… All to survive! He then joined my army due to his hatred for the Kobolds and Murlocs but has never enjoyed a full meal or a good night’s sleep. I’m ridden with guilt!

“Let me tell you something else. Celtic, a member of our army, has a childhood dream. He wants to use the best Equipment and become the most powerful hero, all to protect Stormwind City and the world! He’s part of this group. If we were to face the Kobolds and Murlocs head on, his short life may perhaps come to an end, thus it’d be the end of the road for his dream of being a hero…

“Let me tell you something else. Somerkelly, another member of our army, is a wonderful lady. Life has ruined her good looks, and the tough wind and sand has turned her tender skin rough. She is prepared to kill the Kobolds, whether in harsh winds or drizzling rain, all for the betterment of people in Westfall.

“Let me tell you something else…”

[1] Zhao Zilong is a hero from Chinese folklore who fought for justice and the rights of citizens in ancient times