At Durinbar's behest, Avi dispatched the equipment slated for scrap disposal. While awaiting the return of the transport team, he tasked Manid with procuring various daily necessities and stocking up on ample medicine.

Once all tasks were completed, including the expenditure on equipment purchase, their expenses totaled over seventeen hundred gold coins. As customary, Manid, acting on behalf of the mercenary group, arranged for several carts from the grocer and returned with their cargo loaded to capacity.

"From this day forth, our mercenary group shall bear the name 'Bloodhunt Mercenaries'," Avi declared from the heart of the camp. "The premise is simple; as mercenaries, our trade entails ceaseless pursuit of increasingly valuable prey, trading blood for coin."

"We are mercenaries, born to taste the blood upon our blades. Someday, we shall break free from this fugitive existence and establish our own bastion. Until then, remember always: all our endeavors are for survival."

Avi's speech held scant inspirational value for most soldiers, familiar only with him as the speaker, their role merely to heed his directives for survival. However, for the pioneering knights, the twelve arquebusiers, and the four companions possessing independent thought, the discourse offered direction and perspective, imparting purpose to their struggle. It was essential.

They tarried at the foot of Middenheim for much of the day, resuming their journey once all preparations were in order.

Their progress, hampered by provisions and supplies, afforded Avi ample time to assess the group's status using the panel. Battles against orcs had yielded substantial experience; nearly every soldier could ascend to higher ranks.

"Advance in rank, then equip accordingly."

Avi manipulated the panel mechanically, presenting to onlookers the appearance of a captain merely measuring distances on a map - the customary explanation.

Overall, the gains from participation in the war outweighed the losses, albeit without much excitement. The mercenary group missed a valuable opportunity for firsthand battle experience and relinquished rights to spoils and rewards division.

"Nevertheless, progress occurs incrementally, akin to the slow consumption of meals and growth," Avi ruminated. "As long as we steadily enhance our prowess, our current state may be deemed a success."

Since his arrival in the Warhammer world, this marked Avi's third gamble. First, he wagered on defeating the goblin-led orc contingent; second, on surviving the Black Forest; third, on profiting from participation in the battle against orcs.

"To be frank, I would prefer to avoid such substantial risks, but what alternative exists?" Avi pondered inwardly. "This world mandates risk-taking for strength acquisition; such is the life of humans in the Warhammer realm."

Pondering a shift to a new world, Avi shied away from the notion, considering the chaos and monster-infested landscapes, with limited prospects even with system aid, as a human.

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"Perhaps the high elves' realm holds promise, yet their haughty nature may preclude kindness to an ordinary human like myself. Moreover, the shape of their homeland resembles a toilet seat, suggesting limited development prospects."

Avi inundated himself with myriad thoughts, resisting contemplation of the stronghold's present state - as leader of the mercenary group, composure was paramount. Succumbing to hatred and anger could spell doom for the entire group's hard-fought progress.

"Speaking of which, I should inquire about that idiot Kise's whereabouts later," Avi thought. "He used to treat us like slaves, and now he wants to see what this old fox was up to back then."

Time flew by as he contemplated. The side effects of using the panel left Avi feeling drowsy, accompanied by bouts of dizziness. Helpless, he chose to rest his head on the saddle and sleep, with Airen keeping watch nearby.

He hadn't had a complete night's sleep during this time, relying solely on the adrenaline rush from battles to keep his spirits up. Avi's body was on the verge of unconsciousness, and as soon as he closed his eyelids, he fell into a deep sleep.

"Sir, please wake up as soon as possible."

After an indeterminate amount of time, Airen's voice jolted Avi awake, her tone heavy like a hammer striking. He lifted his heavy head to survey his surroundings, vaguely recognizing that he was atop a conspicuous small hill outside their former campsite.

"..." Avi hadn't fully awakened yet. He groggily attempted to dismount, only to be stopped by Rafe.

"Boss, I've got something to show you, just found it!"

"Huh...? Holy sh—!"

Before Avi could see clearly, he was drenched with cold water squarely in the face. The cool water slapped him like a palm, snapping him back to full consciousness.

"Nice one, Rafe, but you're out of booze tonight."

Avi wiped the water from his face, quickly regaining his senses and began formulating a plan. "Airen, take the knights for reconnaissance. If necessary, feel free to shoot without worrying about startling them."

"As you wish, sir."

"Resarit, you're now the deputy commander of our team. If I lead the cavalry into action, you'll take over the command. For now, your task is to arrange the archers and arquebusiers strategically, leveraging the terrain to suppress the camp."

"Captain, it's easy enough, but I need some time to familiarize myself with the surroundings," Resarit replied. "After all, this is my first time here."

"Then take my horse," Avi dismounted, handing over the reins. "There you go. Rafe, you'll organize the infantry as before. Prepare yourselves; if necessary, we'll launch a strong assault on the camp. You haven't forgotten the locations of those traps, have you?"

"Don't worry, boss, remember them like the back of my hand!"

"Good, let's leave it at that for now." Avi drew his half-sword and drove it forcefully into the soil beside him. "Move out! I'll be here waiting for your good news."

...

Forty minutes later.

"Sir, the camp is currently occupied by about a hundred greenskins, but they don't seem interested in labor. They're just holding the camp, without repairing or fortifying the defenses. Additionally, I've spotted larger figures around the camp, presumably composed solely of greenskins without any goblins present."

"Captain, I've identified several good positions, but you'll need the infantry to advance and stabilize the front line first. Then I can deploy the ranged troops to unleash firepower on those green trash!"

"Boss, let's get started, I can't wait any longer!"

"A hundred greenskins holed up in our camp..."

Avi understood that the villagers were probably at death's door and dismissed any thoughts of rescue.

"Don't have any reservations. If the camp is destroyed, we'll rebuild it. We can't let those greenskins use our defenses against us, understand?"

"Infantry, advance in formation." Avi pointed his sword towards the camp. "Reclaim our camp, avenge the sacrificed villagers and comrades!"