Revive Rome: Wait! Why not make the empress fall in love with me first?
Chapter 179 - 83: Openly Slacking Off

Chapter 179: Chapter 83: Openly Slacking Off

Taigetes Mountain Range, located southwest of Sparta City, renowned for its five peaks interconnected to form a natural barrier to the south of the city.

However, at this time, it had been covered by heavy snow.

In the warm and humid Sirius Peninsula, snow was a rare occurrence. Especially since the highest peak of Taigetes Mountain was just over 2000 meters, the scene of snow sealing the mountains was even more unusual.

Anyone with discerning eyes would know that this must be the influence of a mutation from Extraordinary Power.

Before entering the mountains, everyone donned thick fur clothes provided by Sparta and, led by several young guides, carefully moved forward.

"Ah, it truly feels like returning home," Sigrdrifa commented wistfully.

"How much of your Magic Potion have you digested?" Aske asked.

"About a quarter left," Sigrdrifa replied, her face darkening as she was reminded of the recent brutal training of the past few days.

A quarter left... Aske was somewhat speechless as well.

After finalizing the collaboration with Andrea, he used the excuse of "the situation in the mountains is unclear, we need to scout first" to delay for two days, during which he rigorously trained Sigrdrifa.

It was only when the Steel Cross Mercenary Group grew impatient that Aske agreed to let everyone enter the mountain.

Next, it was natural to have Sigrdrifa quickly digest "Frost I" and then swiftly take "Giant I".

Of course, preparing for two days wasn’t a complete waste of time, at least all the supplies needed for entering the mountains were ready.

Such as the cold-weather fur clothing, high-calorie chocolate bars, and anti-slip snow boots, etc.

Even the hilt of the swords and the grips of firearms were wrapped in thick cloth to prevent the metal from getting cold in low temperatures and injuring the skin.

Walking along the snowy mountain path, the group soon encountered a Snow Monster.

The Snow Monster, with a form like a mutated large primate, was actually a type of Giant Troll from the snow lineage, characterized by extremely developed upper arm muscles, using violent pummeling and ripping to kill its prey.

Direct contact with them would also result in damage from their Frost Ability.

The Snow Monster had not yet turned around when it suffered a volley of gunfire from the Steel Cross gunmen, and its chest was immediately embedded with bullets.

As a creature leaning towards Physical Power, ordinary firearms had limited lethality on Snow Monsters; most of the time, they only served to create rigidity, while the real lethal output still relied on the Transcendent mercenaries.

One of the Transcendent mercenaries charged out, pulling a Great Sword from behind his back. Flames immediately rose from the hilt, enveloping the entire blade in fervent fire.

Clearly, this was a Transcendent prioritizing the Physical Department in the Main Sequence, using the ability of "Flame I" as a weapon enchantment, distinct from Medea’s Throwing Spells.

Under the swing of the flaming Great Sword, the Snow Monster fearfully dodged backwards, then let out a low roar.

That was a deep roar, its penetrating power so strong that it even made the ground beneath everyone’s feet tremble.

"Quick battle, quick decision!" Herman quickly said, "It’s summoning companions!"

Everyone hurriedly increased their attack speed; those who wielded swords did so, those who shot did so. The Snow Monster, true to its Giant Troll lineage, endured dozens of slashes and hundreds of bullets yet still lived, vainly engaging in combat with everyone.

Meanwhile, at the far end of the mountain path, faintly visible were clouds of snow dust swirling, as if an army was rushing this way.

"Put in more effort!" Andrea even personally joined the fray, roaring as he joined the encirclement to subdue the Snow Monster, "Tran Luo to the left, block its Evasion route! Hans, advance with a charge, Lucas, circle behind for a Backstabbing!"

Since the enemy was only one, the encirclement by the Steel Cross Mercenaries was proficient, eventually draining the Snow Monster of its blood, alive but exhausted on the spot.

Glancing again afar, seven or eight Snow Monsters drawn by the noise were seen charging furiously towards them.

"Gunners ready, fire!" Andrea raised his palm and then swung it down forcefully, signaling the gunners to shoot.

The shooting wasn’t meant to kill but to use the bullet’s powerful force and stiffening effect to stop the Snow Monsters’ high-speed charge and prevent them from causing harm within the mercenary group.

Suddenly, Andrea seemed to hear something and turned around.

He saw the girls of The Azure Longsword surrounding Sigrdrifa, the latter doing push-ups on the ground, huffing and puffing with great vigor.

Aske squatted beside her, holding Nora’s mechanical wristwatch, loudly counting,

"Three hundred ninety-nine... four hundred!"

Sigrdrifa lay on the ground, so exhausted that her tongue was almost hanging out, while the girls cheered and went over to massage her shoulders and beat her sore muscles.

Damn it! Andrea was instantly furious.

I’m here fighting for my life, and you are having a party and slacking off?

Although according to the initial rule set, neither side could steal monsters from the other. Honestly speaking, if it had been The Azure Longsword who fired the first shot, Andrea would not have allowed his men to assist and accidentally help the opponents kill monsters and collect materials.

But Andrea was still furious! Now, every time he saw Aske’s face, he got irritated, got distracted when he was angry, and a Snow Monster punched him in the chest, sending him flying backward.

Thanks to several extraordinary mercenaries desperately holding back, Andrea avoided being finished off by this Snow Monster.

Herman helped him up from the side and casually slapped a frost spell on his chest, the cold slightly alleviating his pain.

Upon closer inspection, the squad leader’s breastplate had shattered into pieces.

Thanks to the damaged breastplate that took much of the Snow Monster’s strike force, the shards embedded in his skin were just minor injuries, which could heal with his physical power.

"Why were you distracted?" Herman asked.

"Look over there," Andrea gritted his teeth.

"It’s normal." Herman glanced toward The Azure Longsword and remarked, "We can’t expect them to work for us for free."

Thinking that all the spiritual materials from this battle would belong to his own group, Andrea’s pained expression finally eased somewhat.

Behind him, another round of pitiful screams from Sigrdrifa echoed as Aske now held her legs, getting her to do sit-ups.

The girls cheered her on from the side, their encouragement unending.

What are they really doing? Andrea, his anger subsided, suddenly surged with bafflement.

Mocking us? That doesn’t seem right. Our people are all committed to the fight; who has time to watch what they are doing?

Training? Even stranger, who trains on a battlefield, and what if they strain a muscle – will they still be able to fight?

Slacking off? Could they have given up on competing for the spoils already? But that doesn’t fit; if they truly wanted to give up, wouldn’t they just retreat from the mountain area by now? Why stay here?

Seeing Aske’s calm face again, he suddenly felt a strong unease.

"Be wary of The Azure Longsword," Andrea whispered.

"You worry they might turn on us and backstab at the last moment?" Herman paused, "It’s unlikely."

"After all, their overall strength is not as good as ours. Besides, there are Spartans here who value honor."

"I’m sure that guy has some conspiracy," Andrea asserted firmly. "Even if it’s not a backstab, it’s some other unspeakable purpose."