Chapter 49: These bandits, I still have to keep playing the part!

The neighing of the Storm Colts was exceptionally loud in the morning air of Vanguard Valley.

These magnificent warhorses each represented an astonishing value.

Yet, they were also money-devouring giants.

Martina's snow-white fox ears drooped listlessly, a trace of anxiety showing in her pure white eyes.

She spread a thick ledger out on the wooden table in front of Roko.

"Roko, our gold coin reserves are about to hit rock bottom."

Her voice carried a hint of imperceptible frustration.

"The refined feed those Storm Colts consume every day is simply a bottomless pit."

"Add to that the newly recruited Knight Reservists, the appetites of those Minotaurs, and the ongoing construction of the castle..."

The more Martina spoke, the tighter her brows furrowed.

"At the current rate of consumption, the gold coins in our account can last for less than ten days at most."

Roko's slender fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, his gaze calm.

He knew that what Martina said was the truth.

The arrival of the Storm Colts had greatly enhanced the military potential of Vanguard Valley.

But it had also brought a heavy financial burden.

One hundred and thirteen Storm Colts—every single one was a treasure.

He couldn't bear to sell even one of them.

These warhorses were the future reliance of Vanguard Valley and the core of the Knight Order's combat power.

"It seems we need to find a way to open up new sources of revenue again."

Roko's voice was very soft, yet it carried an unquestionable decisiveness.

Martina looked up at Roko.

She understood something from the look in his eyes.

"You—you want to go back to being a bandit?"

Her voice was hesitant, but a faint glimmer of excitement flashed in her pure white eyes.

Although the last time they raided the Centaur caravan was perilous, the feeling of the wealth they gained was still fresh in her memory.

Gold coins were one of her favorite things.

Roko smiled slightly.

"The reputation of a bandit doesn't sound good, but the money really does come in fast."

He stood up and walked to the window, watching the agile figures of the knights riding Storm Colts on the training ground outside.

"We now possess a Knight Order composed of top-tier Storm Colts."

"Wouldn't it be a waste not to utilize this power?"

Hart, Fura, Bake, Luoen, Qiaowen, Bloodaxe, and the others arrived at the council hall one after another.

When Roko voiced his thoughts, everyone's reactions were different.

Hart remained steady, merely nodding slightly to indicate his obedience.

Fura, naturally, would follow Roko wherever he went; her heterochromatic eyes never left his figure.

The knights—Bake, Luoen, and Qiaowen—had excited glimmers in their eyes.

The last operation had given them a taste of the sweetness.

Not only did they gain real military merit, but they also got to switch to the Storm Colts they had dreamed of.

Bloodaxe was even rubbing his palms together; he had the genes of a bandit in his bones.

"Master, just tell us who to hit, and we'll hit them!"

Bloodaxe patted his chest and said loudly.

Martina, however, began to calculate the risks and rewards.

"If we continue to operate within the territory of the Bulake Kingdom, I'm afraid it will invite unnecessary trouble."

She reminded him.

"Duke August and the Kingdom won't just sit by and watch."

Roko nodded in agreement.

"You're right. A rabbit doesn't eat the grass by its own burrow."

His gaze turned to the map, toward that vast region to the west of Xin Feng Province.

"Our target is the caravan of the Castilla Principality."

The Castilla Principality was located to the southwest of the Bulake Kingdom.

Although there was no large-scale war between the two countries, border friction occurred from time to time.

Raids between nobles were even more commonplace.

As long as they did it cleanly and left no evidence, the Castilla Principality couldn't do anything to them.

"Hart, select fifty of the most elite knights and have them all switch to Storm Colts."

"Fura, you come with me."

"Bake, Luoen, Qiaowen, each of you lead a small squad to be responsible for scouting and the flanks."

"Bloodaxe, you lead a group of men to guard our temporary stronghold and the spoils."

"Martina, you are responsible for logistics and intelligence collation."

Roko issued his orders swiftly.

This time, he was going to build a "Storm Bandit Group" in the true sense.

Utilizing the extreme speed and impact of the Storm Colts, he would stir up a storm of wealth on the wasteland between Xin Feng Province and the Castilla Principality.

The night was as dark as ink.

The lights in Vanguard Valley gradually grew sparse.

A troop of over two hundred people left the territory without a sound.

At the head was Rocco, riding a magnificent white Storm Colt.

He wore leather armor designed for mobility and a black scarf over his face, revealing only his deep, sharp eyes.

Fura followed closely behind; her petite figure appeared exceptionally agile against the backdrop of her silver-gray Storm Colt.

The fifty elite knights led by Hart followed silently, like ghosts in the night.

The hooves of the Storm Colts made almost no sound as they stepped onto the soft earth.

The breeze swirling around them seemed to blend into the night as well.

This troop was like a blade about to be unsheathed, filled with cold murderous intent.

Their target was a wasteland hundreds of miles away, where caravans from the Castilla Principality often appeared.

The terrain there was relatively flat, but interspersed with some hills and sparse woods, making it convenient for ambushes and pursuits.

After a night of forced marching, they arrived at the designated area just as the sky began to brighten.

It was a vast grassland; the morning mist had not yet dispersed, and the distant horizon was tinged with a fish-belly white.

The air carried the damp scent of green grass, with the occasional call of unknown birds.

"Rest here. Scouts, spread out and investigate the surrounding situation."

Rocco gave the order.

The knights quickly dismounted to feed their Storm Colts a small amount of concentrated feed and fresh water.

They also took out their own dry rations and water skins to replenish their strength.

Fura sat quietly beside Rocco, carefully wiping the long sword in her hand with a clean cloth.

The blade reflected a cold light in the morning sun.

Before long, the scout squad led by Ron returned.

"Young Master, a caravan has been discovered ten miles ahead."

"It's quite large, with about thirty carriages and around one hundred guards."

"Judging by the flags, it should belong to the 'Golden Wheat' Chamber of Commerce of the Castilla Principality."

Rocco nodded.

He had heard of the Golden Wheat Chamber of Commerce.

It was a medium-sized chamber of commerce in the Castilla Principality, mainly dealing in grain, cloth, and some daily necessities.

Their guard force was usually not very strong, at most led by a few knights.

"What is their direction of travel?"

Rocco asked.

"It looks like they are preparing to cross this wasteland and head into the territory of the Bulake Kingdom."

Ron replied.

"Very good."

A cold smirk curled the corners of Rocco's mouth.

"We'll use them to draw blood."

He spread out a simple map and discussed the ambush location with Hart and Martina.

In the end, they chose a section where there were low hills on both sides and the road in the middle was relatively narrow.

"Hart, you lead the main force and charge from the front."

"Buck, you take your men and flank from the hills on the left."

"Joven, you take the right flank to prevent them from escaping."

"Fura, you protect me; we will command from the center and be ready to cut into the battlefield at any time."

"Remember, our goal is the cargo and the money. Minimize unnecessary killing as much as possible, but if you encounter resistance, show no mercy."

Rocco's tone was cold and decisive.