Cave King – 243

Chapter 243 – Starving Tactics!!

---

The morning after the demihumans gathering in Leorl.

We had come to the east of Lange.
Currently, we were hiding in a small grove.

“There it is. That is where they are storing the food.”

Remlik said as he pointed to a fortress that stood on top of a hill.

It stood out, being the lone structure in the field. Like an island in a vast sea. There were no other buildings or trees to hide behind.

“A storehouse for a prince. Or that greedy governor. The security looks tight.”

Fule said as she viewed it with a telescope.

We had decided to go along with Remlik’s plan. The seizing of the food and supplies that the governor had stored.

Under Baris’s command, other units from Sheorl had already headed out to other storage houses in the land.

However, they were all smaller places. According to Remlik, they were hidden and unguarded.

And so we decided to go directly to this one with Remlik. As it had the most supplies and was the most dangerous.

This fortress to the west of Langs. According to Remlik, not only did it have the supplies taken from the surrounding demihuman villages, but there was also a lot of weapons that the governor had gathered.

Remlik looked at the map and continued.

“At a glance, it may look like a fortress for defense purposes. But underground, there is a large storage room. And even tunnels that connect to Langs.”

Rienna answered.

“So they can escape to Langs if something happens. If we attack this place, the governor will be worried.”
“Indeed. He seems like he cares more about his own money than food and weapons.”

Fule muttered, and Remlik nodded.

“Once the governor pulls out, then my brother will have to rethink his plans for the invasion…I think.”
“I don’t know if he is the type to go against such a strong-looking prince…”

As Fule said, the governor would probably not defy the prince outright.

That being said, Ruda was not a reckless man.
And so this attack would surely affect the invasion.

“In any case, we will take the food and weapons. But by the looks of things, I think the best way would be for me to dig underground, and reach the fortress from below… However, Ruda would know that we used this method when rescuing Remlik.”

Remlik nodded at me.

“While my brother’s wound and my escape have not been made public, it is still likely that he would have tighter security underground. Well, only he and a few people know about what is stored below the fortress. I doubt he knows that I am aware of it. So we should be able to take him by surprise.”

Perhaps Remlik wanted to reassure us.

However, considering how unexpected things were at the Leorl mountains, I felt a little anxious. Remlik could be a little careless.

Fule said,

“Everyone, let’s be cautious as we go!”
“Am I really so untrustworthy…”
“Yes.”

Fule answered immediately, causing Remlik’s shoulders to droop.

That being said, since Ruda would not be there, it would surely not turn into the worst situation.

“…In any case, I am prepared to deal with anything that comes. Everyone, let’s go over the plan one more time.”

I said as I turned around.
Here were the kobolds and golems from Sheorl. A unit of fifty.

As they all looked at me with serious expressions, I explained the plan.

“I will dig underground towards the storage room. Once I am right under the fortress, I will send a message to this grove. And then you will send a signal to the aerial team. And they will fly above the fortress.”

The dragon form golems would fly above the fortress and draw the enemy’s attention.
This would lure out the guards to the surface.

“After that, I will open the passage underground, and the golem unit will help me carry out the supplies to the grove. Riena and Remlik and I will guard them. Fule and Number 15 will guard the entrance.”

Everyone nodded immediately.

“Now, let the operation begin!”

I said, and swung my pick axe just as I always did.

It was possible that Ruda would recover more quickly than expected. And so I paid attention to the magic energy in the air, so that I would be ready for another attack from above as I dug.

Also, I made the ground smooth so that the supplies could be carried out quickly. It was so smooth that a wagon would not shake while going through it.

I continued to dig like this…but the thing I had been worrying about did not happen.

And so I reached the area under the fortress uneventfully.

When I searched, I detected numerous presence of magic energy.
However, they were mostly above ground. It looked like only the entrance was guarded.

“If they knew about what happened in Langs with Remlik, you would think they would have better security…”
“Perhaps it is a trap. For instance, maybe the storage room will collapse while we are in it.”

Rienna said, but Remlik shook his head.

“Even if my brother was well, they could not set an effective trap. Besides, with your magic…”

Remlik suddenly became silent.
He wasn’t worried, he was just deep in thought.

“What is it, Remlik? Is something bothering you?”
“No…I’m fine. As long as my brother is not here, nothing can stop you.”
“I see. Well, once the aerial unit moves, I will open the tunnel.”

Remlik nodded.

And so I sent out a message for the dragon type golems that flew above.
Shortly after, I could sense the commotion of the guards. Now, there will be little security underground.

As the wall crumbled, the giant storage area came into view.

The ceiling was as high as a two-story building. And there were neat rows of shelves.
Once we walked inside, I could see numerous boxes and barrels, as well as weapons, armor, and shining gemstones.

I then opened a nearby wooden box, and it was filled with salted meat. While it could be poisoned, at least it was not an explosive.

Determining that there was no problem, I then gave the order to the golems to carry the supplies outside.
As for things like iron ore, I put it into my inventory.

“This is amazing… We won’t need food for quite some time.”
“Indeed. Still, there is also a lot of gold and jewels which you haven’t even glanced at.”

Remlik said as he scooped up the treasure with his hands from a box.

As we had so much in Sheorl, such things had less value for us than food.
But normally, people would find the treasures much more valuable.
And so it looked very strange to Remlik.

“Uh…of course, it is not like we hate treasure or anything. It’s just that…”
“Aye. It must have been stolen from the demihumans.”
“We will take it back for now. If this struggle continues for too long, it can be used to buy supplies from foreign countries. Regardless, losing it will be a painful blow for the governor.”

I said as I gathered the treasure.

The golems were well-prepared for this, and they swiftly carried the supplies outside. Mappa had made a giant wagon, which they now used.

Ultimately, we were able to clean out the storage room in less than half an hour.

Remlik stared at it with a stunned expression.

“I thought that I wouldn’t be shocked by you people anymore… But you people must be the greatest thieves of the human world.”
“How rude of you to say that. I have never stolen in my life.”

Well, it might look that way, given my reaction to seeing so much treasure.

Rienna looked up at the ceiling and said,

“There is no unusual movement on the surface as well. The diversion must be going well. No guards have come down here.”
“Yes, things are going a little too well.”

I muttered, but Remlik shook his head.

“It’s likely that they just haven’t noticed us. The governor is likely confused over what happened with my brother. He might have forgotten to tighten security. In the first place, Vader people are always the aggressors, and are not very good with defense. They don’t know how it feels to lack food. Also, they don’t care about weapons as much, because they can turn into dragons.”

Remlik did not look worried as he spoke.

“I see…”

In any case, we had got what we came for.
There was no need to stay a moment longer.

“Alright, let’s withdraw then.”

I closed up the hole and left the storage room behind us.

After that, we went around to the other places where supplies were kept.

The other units also succeeded at their locations.

There were no traps or poisoned supplies. And there were no signs of the Vader army chasing us or trying to retrieve what we took.

On top of that, our scouts reported that the governor and the Vader army were in great confusion.

And so like this, Remlik’s plan to take the governor’s food and resources ended in great success.

Next Chapter