Merchant From Earth in the Magical World
Chapter 78 Interrogation_1

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Interrogation_1

Roads were constructed, Eternal Domain’s food officially became the circulating currency within this small werewolf community, Eternal Commerce and Trade was established, and a three-tier military system was formed. The first meeting of the Werewolf Tribes from the southern edge of Thunderous Swamp could thus be called a resounding success. Yan Xing and the Werewolf Clan Leaders each obtained what they desired, and the atmosphere at the meeting was harmonious.

The next item on the agenda was to refine the broad framework.

First, they confirmed the labor force for constructing the first phase of the canal and roads.

Then, based on the characteristics of each Werewolf Tribe’s territory, they determined what was suitable for them to cultivate. This information was compiled into a list for Eternal Domain, which would then provide them with tools and seedlings.

Furthermore, the establishment of the southern barracks required negotiations among the Werewolf Clan Leaders to allocate military service quotas for each tribe.

These kinds of details couldn’t be ironed out in just a day or two.

During the meeting, the Werewolf Clan Leaders stayed in dormitories arranged for them by Eternal Domain. This allowed them to fully experience Eternal Domain’s cuisine and a high-end lifestyle they had never imagined.

As a result, many more items were added to the Werewolf Clan Leaders’ extensive shopping lists.

During breaks in the meeting, Yan Xing had the captured Orcs and human mercenaries brought before him one by one for interrogation.

A headcount revealed a total of 379 Orc and human mercenaries had participated in the attack. Of these, 196 died during the werewolves’ surprise assault; the rest were all captured, with none escaping.

Orc leader Gustav and human mercenary leader Yarlin had both died. The surviving Orcs and human mercenaries, having witnessed the werewolves’ bloodthirstiness, were deeply concerned about their own fates.

The captured human mercenaries, in particular, sold their lives for money and lacked the fortitude of the Orcs. A little intimidation was all it took to make them spill everything.

「In the evening, a cool breeze was blowing.」

In an open space within the territory.

Yan Xing sat in a lounge chair, tapping his crossed leg, enjoying a shoulder massage from the maid Donna, who was behind him.

Olaf, along with a few Light-Armored Werewolf Warriors, stood guard nearby.

Two meters in front of the lounge chair, there was a newly dug pit, and a mercenary was half-buried in it.

Four farmers, holding shovels, stood beside the pit, looking as if they were ready to bury the mercenary alive.

Yan Xing lit a cigarette and pinched the bridge of his nose to clear his head a bit.

Having meetings all day was indeed exhausting.

Donna’s small hands diligently kneaded his shoulders. When a twinge of pain caused Yan Xing to shift, Donna immediately lightened her touch.

That was more comfortable.

After a busy day, being served by such a maid during rest time was the life a lord deserved.

Yan Xing took a drag from his cigarette and asked the half-buried mercenary, "So, you’re saying... Yarlin orchestrated the entire Orc attack on my territory, and the merchant Eden knew nothing about it?"

The mercenary’s face was beaten to a pulp, swollen like a pig’s head with a large lump on top and blood streaming down.

He had suffered a lot just moments ago. Any hint of hesitation in his response, and the farmers would begin shoveling dirt into the pit.

Now, the dirt had already reached his abdomen.

"Yes, yes, yes..." the mercenary, frightened that the farmers would shovel in more dirt, responded without any hesitation. "The merchant Eden was unaware of our plans to attack your territory. After we escorted him back to Nuta City, our mercenary contract was automatically terminated.

This was all because Yarlin coveted your wealth and your armor.

He knew he couldn’t breach your territory by himself, so he sent men to contact Chief Li Ya of Orc Spikes Castle to join forces in the assault."

After questioning several mercenaries with the same inquiries, Yan Xing confirmed that Eden was indeed unaware and had not participated in the attack on Eternal Domain.

Recalling the day Eden took the ceramic fruit plate away, he didn’t seem like the kind of person who would do something foolish.

Having ruled out Eden as a suspect, Yan Xing then asked, "On the Wildwind Highlands, humans and Orcs have been at war for years. There have been countless deaths and injuries on both sides, and the two races harbor deep mutual animosity.

I don’t understand... how could Chief Li Ya of Stakes Castle trust Yarlin so much! Yarlin claimed there was a prosperous human territory here, and the Orcs immediately mobilized their troops, sending them deep into the lands controlled by the Duchy’s Army.

Their relationship is that good? Do you know why?"

The mercenary shook his head and replied, "I don’t know..."

Before he could finish, a clump of soil hit his face, and then the dirt continued to pour down like water.

"I’ll talk, I’ll talk..." the mercenary shouted in fear.

Yan Xing gestured for the farmers to stop.

Looking again, Yan Xing couldn’t help but marvel at the human farmers’ efficiency; the soil had already almost reached the mercenary’s chest.

A little longer, and they really would have buried this mercenary alive.

Yan Xing pointed to the back of his own head, and Donna’s small hand moved to the back of his neck and began to gently knead.

"Speak up... Your chances are running out. Don’t end up like the others..."

After speaking, Yan Xing pointed to a patch of fresh earth nearby.

This made the mercenary believe that those interrogated before him had already been buried alive.

The pressure of the soil, now up to his chest, made it difficult for the mercenary to breathe. Nevertheless, he spoke without delay: "We mercenaries work for money. To prevent the Silvermane Principality’s army from building fortresses, the Orcs often dispatch Malevolent Wolf Cavalry to attack the Duchy’s Army supply stations on the Wildwind Highlands.

If we... if we assist small Orc units in entering the Duchy-controlled area, we can receive a substantial gold reward.

Moreover, when we complete bounty tasks issued by the military and merchants on the Wildwind Highlands, we also acquire intelligence.

The Orcs will pay a high price for this intelligence.

That’s why Chief Li Ya trusts us so much... enough to send troops to attack your territory," he concluded.

Yan Xing understood.

So this is what they call human traitors!

The Silvermane Principality’s strategy on the Wildwind Highlands was to advance step by step. They would construct fortresses on a large scale, using them as strongpoints to control surrounding areas and continuously expand their controlled space.

Constructing these fortresses required advance preparation of materials and labor, making them vulnerable targets for Orc attacks.

However, the storage and transportation of these materials and laborers all occurred within areas controlled by the Silvermane Principality. Since the Orcs didn’t know their exact locations, they had no way to launch effective attacks.

Thus, the Orcs turned to the mercenaries.

The chaotic situation in the Wildwind Highlands prompted the development of the mercenary industry there.

Merchants leaving heavily guarded cities had to hire mercenaries for protection; otherwise, they would find it difficult to return home safely.

The military also assigned some low-profile yet unsavory military tasks to mercenaries.

Naturally, the mercenaries acquired a great deal of intelligence in the process.

Consequently, some mercenaries extended their business to the Orcs and even the Elves.

Both Orcs and Elves were willing to pay handsomely for military intelligence.

Indeed, business is everywhere.

But for these mercenaries to peddle intelligence and even assist Orc armies with infiltration... isn’t that excessively brazen?

The long-distance infiltration and sabotage by the Orc Malevolent Wolf Cavalry couldn’t possibly go unnoticed by the Silvermane Principality’s army. They would surely suspect that someone on their own side was assisting the Orcs.

The first to be suspected would definitely be these unprincipled mercenaries who only recognized money.

Yet, the fact that mercenaries were still so active in the Principality-controlled area was quite abnormal.

Yarlin managing to organize such a sizable mercenary force in so short a time to attack his territory clearly demonstrated the Silvermane Principality’s negligence in handling the mercenary issue.

The waters here are not only muddy but also very deep!