Chapter 896 - 443

Ultimately, Gauss still respected his teammates’ decision.

Just like he suddenly realized, his teammates also had their own will and were not his puppets.

In the few days that followed, time seemed to fly by as if the fast-forward button was pressed.

A lot of things quietly happened around Barry.

The maze was closed due to official reports of anomalies inside, and adventurers withdrew in an orderly manner.

The number of adventurer squads and adventure groups returning to Barry City visibly increased.

Looking around, nearly one in several people on the street had the appearance of an adventurer, while other civilians dressed as citizens might not be ordinary residents, but rather relatively low-key adventurers.

Many items in various shops, such as essential goods like grain, oil, rice, and flour, quietly increased in price.

However, after just a day or two, the price increase suddenly seemed to be held in check by an invisible force, returning to a range that was more expensive than before but still acceptable.

When many civilians wanted to purchase certain special supplies, they might be informed by the shopkeeper that there were purchase limits.

Large wagons loaded with military supplies, materials, and goods continuously flowed into the city from the northern gate like ants moving house.

On the city walls, below the walls, on the watchtowers, one could notice a significant increase in patrolling soldiers with just a little attention.

In the past, the noble griffin knights who would only patrol in the blue sky at dawn and dusk now appeared busier, frequently traveling back and forth between the walls, the outer city, and the inner city.

All these signs strongly suggested that something important was about to happen in Barry.

Even the most oblivious civilians gradually noticed the anomalies around them, some young people might realize something but feel that if the sky were to fall, it would have nothing to do with them. Naturally, those strong ones would protect their lives.

The Forest Capital had been peaceful for too long, so long that several generations had not experienced the baptism of war.

Their vigilance against crises and demons was even less than that of the "village folk" they disdain, who lived in the countryside. Many civilians in the Forest Capital had never seen any demons other than the tamed griffins in the sky.

The daily exposure to news about adventurers, mazes, demons, and treasures seemed more like stories from another world.

Though they were intertwined with that world, it felt as if they were separated by a clear yet transparent barrier, divided into two worlds—one of mortals and one of extraordinary beings.

Only some elderly people worriedly watched the patrolling soldiers on the streets, the adventurers constantly going in and out of the city gates, urging their children to go to the black market to purchase dry food to stock up whenever they had the chance.

...

Gauss’s Red Dragon Team similarly stocked up a considerable amount of supplies in advance.

Unlike ordinary people, adventure groups like theirs naturally had channels to procure lots of supplies without being restricted by purchase limits.

Of course, this was not a privilege exclusive to the Red Dragon Team; almost all adventure groups did the same.

After all, these adventure groups were one of the main forces facing the upcoming battle.

Although local adventure groups might not match the loyalty of the army fed by military pay, they were still considered decent.

The reason being, most local adventure groups had been operating in Barry for years, with members’ families, bases, industries, and invisible connections all deeply rooted in this city.

These properties couldn’t easily escape, and if the city truly fell, the ones who would suffer the most losses would be them.

Thus, there was no need to persuade them, the leaders of each adventure group had long reached a consensus and held mobilization meetings internally.

Unless the war was completely one-sided, they wouldn’t easily flee before a battle.

This is why cities in peacetime are willing to offer a lot of benefits, policy incentives, and provide bases at low costs to leave adventure groups behind. It’s a public strategy, binding adventure groups to the local area as much as possible.

As for Barry City, there were still some "outsiders" like the Red Dragon Team remaining.

This was the frontline of the war. War represented danger but also opportunities. For example, to keep them, Barry’s Adventurer’s Guild offered substantial subsidies, and this money was distributed to each person.

Moreover, they faced less pressure compared to local adventure groups, allowing them to decide their actions based on the situation in Barry’s main battlefield, such as retreating to the more inland Farlim.

It’s akin to taking one step at a time.

"We have stored a three-month supply of food, which is sufficient."

"Potions, medical supplies, and herbs for brewing potions are enough to last us a month."

"..."

Gauss listened to the report from the chief steward, Ivan.

Even though Ivan had been promoted to a Level 4 Warlock, his role in the team was still the chief steward and alchemist.

"Don’t skimp on basic supplies, try to procure everything thoroughly. Once the war breaks out, external transportation will inevitably be cut off, and obtaining supplies temporarily won’t be as easy as it is now."

"I understand. Once I return, I’ll check the storage to ensure we have ample reserves of all items."

Ivan nodded in agreement.

Even before coming here, he had already led people carrying a checklist to check the warehouse and storage pouch twice over, but such inspections were never too frequent.