Chapter 900 - 444-2

He also wanted to set out as early as possible.

The earlier he sets out, the more time he has to prepare, and the sooner he will return.

This time, even if the assassination of those young dragons fails, after he retreats, a war with the Green Dragon Army awaits him.

"While I’m away, the affairs of the Red Dragon Team will be jointly managed by Aaliyah and Luna. Aaliyah, you will command Gauss Squad and Toga Squad, while the rest will be under Luna’s command. Ivan is responsible for logistical support."

Aaliyah and Luna exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

The others had no objections to this arrangement.

Aaliyah was closer to Gauss Squad and the other members of the Dwarf Squad, while Luna, being the former deputy leader of Gray Wolf’s Fang and a Level 9 Warlock, could effectively command other regular members within the team.

"Everyone, do your respective duties. If everything goes smoothly, I should be back within ten days."

Gauss deliberately extended the timeframe, not committing to a specific duration.

After all, there could be many variables along the way, and even he needs to exercise caution.

"Alright, Gauss, be careful."

"Prioritize your safety."

"Don’t worry."

Gauss nodded.

If the situation becomes overwhelming, he will prioritize ensuring his own life.

Time flew by, and departure time arrived swiftly.

Not many were aware of Gauss’s impending departure, as he had seldom appeared before his team members in recent days, and it was less likely he’d reveal his itinerary before leaving.

Thus, only a handful of core members came to bid farewell.

"That’s enough; you all should head back."

"This is a turbulent time. If the other members can’t find you, they might overthink the situation."

Gauss stopped those who came to send him off.

He barely carried any luggage; his provisions and other items were packed in a small storage pouch.

His attire was equally modest—a linen garment that wasn’t particularly clean.

After leaving the city through the hidden door, he would activate his Disguise Skill, transforming himself into an ordinary-looking middle-aged Hunter.

Without looking back, Gauss waved his hand behind him, then opened the hidden door. With a bowing gesture from the Hidden Guard stationed there, he passed through the dark tunnel, leaving the Forest Capital.

After leaving the Forest Capital, the air seemed to grow colder.

Massive clouds rolled in the sky.

Gauss’s form rapidly changed, quickly shrinking from his formerly tall stature to a height of approximately one point six meters.

His appearance also transformed into a rough-skinned, slightly graying middle-aged Hunter, now wearing patched Leather Armor over his linen garment.

The effect of the Level 5 Disguise Skill was immensely powerful; its magic altered not only appearance and size but even the elusive aura, completely overturning his presence—it also contained a subtle mind-suggestion effect, leading creatures to instinctively project onto him the image he adopted.

Even if his appearance and actions had flaws, the observer would mentally rationalize them.

Therefore, at this moment, even old teammates he spent every day with would never recognize him if they encountered him face-to-face.

"Set off!"

Gauss raised his eyes to the deep green mark on the horizon, then moved forward at a steady pace.

...

"Rum-rum-rum—"

The carriage jostled along the dirt road, emitting a monotonous and rhythmic sound.

A silent middle-aged Hunter and several porters sat on the flatbed.

Their faces were stern, with no inclination to converse.

Yet, in a covert glance, the middle-aged Hunter constantly monitored the convoy and everything on the road.

This person was none other than Gauss, having activated his Disguise Skill, who had encountered a kind steward en route who offered to carry him south to fetch his family from the village.

The reason why these carriages were heading south at this time was to transport a group of people.

Before the rumors of war circulated within Barry City, the surrounding villages and settlements had already begun relocating.

Gauss gazed upon the fields beside the road, where summer wheat swayed greenly, billowing in waves.

In past years, such lush growth would undoubtedly bring joy to the farmers, but no one was found working in the fields now.

Only crows perched on the ridges, suddenly startled and flying away.

After rounding a bend.

A village appeared before Gauss.

First came scattered pedestrians, followed by throngs.

Some pushed wheelbarrows piled with bedding, pots, and bags of grain, with children seated on them, while men and women stooped to pull from the front. Others walked barefoot carrying baskets on their backs, and the better-off might have donkey carts or ox carts laden with goods.

Most wore expressions of confusion; clearly, for these villagers who’ve lived off the land for generations, being forced from their homes was deeply unwelcome.

But regardless of reluctance, facing a life-threatening crisis, they had no choice but to leave their homes.

A few opted to stay in their homes or venture into the forest carrying supplies.

The promoters dispatched by City Hall didn’t forcibly prevent these people. It’s difficult to persuade those destined for death, and their duty was merely to notify the wild villagers of the situation, leaving them to decide their actions.

Once war breaks out, this vast plain will become the main battleground for humans and Demons, and then hiding in the forest or cellars won’t likely save them.

Nevertheless, most chose to relocate dutifully.

Unlike city dwellers, the wild villagers intimately understood the dangers of Demons—some had even fought Demons, bearing the consequences in blood.

Even those beast-like monsters scattered across the wild were formidable, let alone when they formed an army.

Yet, despite making the "right decision," the gargantuan machine of war left deep scars upon the lower-class people before it even began.

How much could they carry? Abruptly abandoning fields ready for harvest, ancestral homes, and furniture—like a nest of displaced ants, surging in an uncertain direction they couldn’t be sure was safe.

You could say, the villagers’ already bleak future had been prematurely strangled by this war.

Some might die from fatigue on the road, or barely arrive at unfamiliar gathering places, becoming refugees; their residences, food, and livelihoods would overwhelm these impoverished families, not to mention the looming war clouds.

Gauss sighed, feeling a mix of emotions, and acutely realized the war’s terrors.

All were bound together in this shared fate.

In this factional war, everyone bore different types of pressure; some would soon lose the present, while many more were having their future erased.

Retracting his gaze from the passersby.

He had more urgent matters to tend to.

After reaching the village, Gauss thanked the kind steward before continuing alone southward, his cloth pack slung over his shoulder.

The further south he went, the more villagers dragging families along he encountered.

But Gauss was merely an observer, quietly watching everything unfold.

After passing through a certain area, the wild and settlements abruptly vanished.

A distant forest tinted with dark green lay before him.

What was once a familiar forest now exuded a strange aura, like a terrifying beast enshrouding the forest, surging through the clouds.

Gauss paid it no heed.

Prior to entering the forest, he’d used his Disguise Skill to transform into a goblin, a scrap of cloth wrapped around his waist.

Gauss was exceedingly familiar with goblins, so the new persona he created bore no flaws.

Using the puddle’s reflection, viewing his ugly, gruff face, Gauss bared his teeth in a grin.

Not far away, several dark green goblins emerged from behind trees, wooden spears in hand. Seeing Gauss alone, the lead goblin hissed a few garbled sentences.

Gauss used his Fluent in Language magic to understand its message.

It was recruiting him.

Though Gauss’s transformed goblin was much shorter than his original stature, he remained quite robust among the lower-tier goblins.

Gauss ignored the wild goblins, merely stepping over the puddle, striding deeper into the forest.

Only after he had gone did the goblins pretend to shout, perhaps venting their frustration at being ignored.

But they too were unaware of his true identity.