Regarding the specifics of the defense, Lin Feng suggested that both sides take turns defending Backhill Village. Doing so would allow each to get ample rest, and if one side encountered danger, the other could promptly provide support.
He had clearly considered this matter beforehand, so after speaking he looked toward Rocky.
However, Rocky did not immediately give a response. Instead, he turned his head to glance at Liliya, wanting to see her opinion on the matter.
Among Rocky’s people, only Liliya had experience commanding troops, thus before this discussion, Rocky had entrusted the command of his forces to Liliya. Now, naturally, the decision would be influenced by her.
“It’s agreeable.”
When Rocky looked her way, Liliya nodded her head, showing agreement with Lin Feng’s method, but she added, “Captain Lin Feng, the suggestion to alternate defense is good, but I hope you’re not planning to play any tricks. When reinforcement is needed, our commander doesn’t want to see any accidents.”
Liliya said this to Lin Feng, enunciating every word.
Liliya’s impression of Lin Feng was rather favorable; the robust man indeed seemed honest and reliable. However, she hadn’t forgotten one thing: her side and Backhill Village had no substantial ties, and there was even less trust to speak of between them.
In such a situation, Liliya certainly did not wish for Rocky to be used as a pawn, nor did she want the Guard Corps of Thunderhawk City to be treated as expendable in blocking the Demons!
“About that …”
Seemingly caught off guard by Liliya’s forthrightness, Lin Feng appeared stunned for a moment but soon gave a wry smile, “Rest assured, Miss Liliya. We would never stab you in the back. In the same way, I hope Commander Rocky will do his utmost.”
As he spoke, Lin Feng looked at Rocky, clearly sharing the same concerns as Liliya.
Subsequently, both parties communicated the specifics of the defense. By the time Rocky returned to the camp with Liliya and Monte, night had already fallen.
“Liliya, is it really good to alternate defenses?”
On the way back to camp, Rocky walked and questioned Liliya, his mind full of doubts. Though he had limited understanding of military affairs, he felt that combining their forces, totalling only three hundred troops, would be stronger. Why deliberately separate them?
“No, it’s easier to keep them separate.”
Yet to his query, Liliya shook her head, “It’s true that combining our forces could make the group larger, but it wouldn’t necessarily make us stronger.”
“Why is that?”
“Because of cooperation, because of trust, and also because of our different combat styles.”
Liliya apparently knew a great deal about commanding troops, she continued, “Our relationship with Backhill Village is purely based on the mission; not only is there no trust between us, but to some extent, we are both on guard against each other. Under these circumstances, merging our troops won’t enhance our combat power.”
“Moreover, we have never cooperated before, and once the troops combine, not only will there be no coordination, but it will also hinder individual command, turning the soldiers into a disorganized group. It is better to remain separate in such a situation.”
“So that’s how it is …”
Hearing Liliya’s explanation, Rocky couldn’t help but nod. He realized that leading troops wasn’t an easy task; everything he had thought before was clearly too simple and naïve.
Thus, Rocky, Liliya, and Monte chatted as they walked, discussing the details of defense preparation while Monte filled them in on various aspects of the Black-eyed Demons. Before long, they had returned to the camp.
Back at the camp, Rocky didn’t arrange any other tasks for the team, instead instructing everyone to rest well. After all, the mission was to officially begin tomorrow!
After parting ways with Rocky, Liliya returned to her own tent, which had been specially prepared for her by Rocky. Since she was the only woman among all those Rocky brought, it was natural for her to have a tent to herself.
As she stepped into the tent, Liliya let out a sigh, suddenly feeling extremely tired.
The command responsibility of the mission was entrusted to her by Rocky. This not only represented trust and authority but also meant she was accountable for the Guard Corps of Thunderhawk City! And this was obviously an immeasurable pressure because Thunderhawk City had only this Guard Corps. If any mistake occurred during the mission, she would bear the responsibility and thereby ruin Rocky.
Thus, Liliya had kept her mind tight and focused from the outset, only allowing herself some relaxation now that she was back in her tent.
As she relaxed, she walked over to the bed and began to undo her leather armor, and after taking it off, she proceeded to remove her side sword.
However, just as she was about to take the side sword from her waist, she suddenly drew the sword and without hesitation stabbed behind her!
Liliya sensed someone behind her!
“Sister Liliya! It’s me! Stop, please!”
The moment Liliya sensed someone behind her, and without a second thought turned around and thrust her sword, a panicked and alarmed voice came from behind her!
Hearing this voice, Liliya was at first taken aback, then promptly flicked her wrist to the side to change the direction of her sword thrust, and then saw her sword graze past Dusa’s neck!
Yes, standing behind her wasn’t any malefactor, it was Dusa!
“Dusa? What are you doing here!”
Realizing that it was Dusa behind her, Liliya was taken aback and quickly sheathed her sword: “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, but you scared me to death…huff…”
Standing dazed in front of Liliya, Dusa’s face was covered in cold sweat. Only after Liliya put her sword away did she take a breath of relief and patted her chest.
Ever since Monte had sworn allegiance to Rocky, his daughter Dusa had become one of them. Although they had not told her about the Mana Rune, the relationship between Dusa, Liliya, and Aileen had become extremely close. Dusa even held a sense of admiration towards the valiant Liliya.
Of course, that wasn’t the main point. The main point was, why was she in Backhill Village?
Liliya clearly remembered that Monte hadn’t brought Dusa with him when he left Thunderhawk City!
At this thought, she frowned at Dusa, “Little girl, did you sneak out here on your own?”
“Well… um… I don’t know! I woke up and found myself here!”
Facing Liliya’s stern questioning, Dusa’s big eyes darted around a few times, then she responded with an innocent face…