I Become a Landlady in the Game World
Chapter 162 - 097: Sly Tactics! Victory!

Chapter 162: Chapter 097: Sly Tactics! Victory!

For quite a long time thereafter, Hope Village adhered to the principle "When the enemy advances, we retreat."

Whenever the Pigmen gained even a slight advantage in combat, they would flee back to their territory.

After all, Pigmen were fierce and unafraid of death, and such reckless fighting would cost them many lives to overcome a direct confrontation.

But their lives were singular; how could they afford to die here!

As long as the green hills remain, there will be no worry about firewood.

The sneaky tactics of Hope Village indeed continually disrupted the Pigmen’s offensive rhythm. Moreover, with the assistance of the Bowman Team on the walls and the Crossbow Carriages, even though the Pigmen’s attacks were fiercer and seemingly advantageous, their losses ended up being greater than those of Hope Village.

The number of Pigmen steadily decreased.

Gradually, their original count of five hundred fell to just over four hundred.

The reduction was imperceptible; by the time Kerlich realized what was happening, a fifth of his warriors was already gone.

After yet another wave of fighting subsided, and he stood with his remaining Pigmen outside the range of the enemy’s attack, counting his numbers, Kerlich’s expression was one of disbelief.

Not only had nearly a hundred warriors died, but of the remaining four hundred or so, half were wounded.

The once formidable Pigman legion was now just a battered Pigman mob.

More importantly, their morale was significantly undermined by Hope Village.

They might not have been very bright, but they were not fools.

On the surface, they were "winning," as the people of Hope Village were always forced to flee from them.

But in reality? They were utterly defeated.

And they took notice.

They noted that the Beastmen mercenaries hired by Hope Village, dozens of whom had originally fought them head-on in hand-to-hand combat, sustaining injuries on both sides,

appeared less and less in the second and third engagements.

Subsequently, it became evident; the injured Beastmen would not fight consecutive battles. If they returned, it meant that their wounds had healed.

Such an outcome, how could they feel good about it!

How is it that they, a Human Territory, could treat a hired Beastman so well, while their own territory could not?

These contemplations among the Pigmen were subtle, and something Lord Kerlich could not care less about, since he was commanding from the rear, entirely focused on the battle itself.

After assessing the losses, Kerlich was stunned and increasingly anxious.

He didn’t believe it.

A Level 2 Human Territory had pushed him to this extent.

Looking at the aura of gloom radiating from Kerlich, Mali remained silent this time around.

He had said all he could. Anything more and he feared he might provoke Kerlich’s ire.

Grant, observing Mali, stealthily moved closer and whispered, "So you originally worked in Hope Village? Did you leave because they looked down on Beastmen?"

By now, Grant had realized that what he saw at Hope Village did not match Mali’s description.

Compared to what he had witnessed, the stories he had heard were questionable.

Upon hearing Grant’s question, Mali was momentarily guilt-stricken, but he quickly resumed his composure, emphatically affirming with a "Yes."

Beastmen like him working for a Human Territory was a sign of recognition. He had merely been slightly less obedient, and without a chance for redemption, they had driven them away—was that not contempt?

Grant snorted. He didn’t believe that for a second.

Considering Mali’s personality, Grant had a good guess about the whole situation.

Without saying much more, he stated simply,

"You regret it now, don’t you?"

Mali’s once proud head drooped slightly.

In truth, he did have regrets.

Reflecting now, his time in Hope Village was indeed the best period of his life.

Not in external terms, but a substantial inner contentment.

Too bad it was too late.

Mali didn’t need to say a word; his reaction said it all.

Grant said no more, casting his eyes towards Hope Village with a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

He wondered if he would have a chance to be hired later on?

If he were hired, he wouldn’t be like the fool Mali, not knowing how to cherish the opportunity.