The events unfolded just as Leilin had predicted.
Along the way, ogres continued to appear and provoke them, ranging from five or six to over a dozen at a time, but never more than twenty.
This level of threat could obviously do no real damage to the caravan. Each time the ogres slunk back in defeat, sometimes even leaving behind several corpses.
Many mercenaries, who had been terrified at first, eventually graduated to lying atop the carriage roofs, laughing uproariously at the comical sight of ogres fleeing in panic.
Even this relaxed attitude had spread to the Pale Hawk.
At the very least, Leilin noticed that the other members all wore expressions of casual confidence — all except Siegfried and that mage.
"Two more days and we'll be out of this territory. This has got to be the easiest job old Bam has ever had!"
As the caravan moved along, the dwarf Bam cradled his precious wine bottle, his drinker's nose glowing red.
"Those disgusting filthy things — I really never want to see them again..."
Lafiniya wore a look of pure disgust. Ever since her display of prowess last time, she hadn't participated in any of the ogre attacks.
It seemed the girl had been thoroughly frightened by her miserable experience.
"ROAR..." Just then, the terrifying howls of ogres sounded from ahead of the caravan once more. But old Bam merely let out a contented burp, apparently completely unaffected by the noise.
"Burp... Here they come again, here they come again! Those coin-bringers are back... I wonder who'll be lucky enough to cut off an ogre ear this time — the bounty on those things isn't bad..."
"This time might not be so simple..."
Leilin drew his longsword, his face grave.
"What do you mean?" Bam still seemed somewhat confused, but then his expression changed too.
Continuous howls poured in from every direction, carrying a terrifying willpower that even made the warhorse Nick let out an anxious whinny.
"Damn it, so many!!!"
Old Bam's wine bottle dropped to the ground with a sharp crash, but he had no time to lament his precious possession. He immediately drew the pistol from his waist.
Clatter! Clatter!
At that moment, the front of the caravan descended into chaos. Merchants abandoned their cargo and fled desperately toward the rear, triggering even greater turmoil. The mercenaries suffered heavy casualties, and one could see dense clusters of tall figures closing in not far away.
"It's a trap! We've walked right into an ogre ambush!"
"Help! There are at least two hundred of those ogres!!!"
"Damn it, where's the Pale Hawk? Where's Siegfried? Did he already die fighting that ogre shaman?!"
Numerous shouts mingled together, draining the color from the faces of those around Leilin.
Then they were swallowed by the surging crowd, swept along helplessly like powerless leaves in a typhoon, fleeing in no particular direction.
"Sister Hera!!!" Lafiniya screamed, leaping onto the carriage and taking over from the coachman — who had long since disappeared — gripping the reins with all her might.
The halfling thief wore a helpless expression before vanishing into the crowd.
As for the human archer? That one had already mounted Lafiniya's beloved horse Nick and bolted at the first sign of chaos. Lafiniya had been forced to control the carriage and couldn't stop him, allowing the archer to successfully steal the horse.
Wails and screams rose one after another. The ogre roars and sounds of slaughter emerging from behind served as the perfect catalyst, plunging the entire large caravan into total collapse!
Masses of people shoved and crushed one another, even drawing swords against their own kind in the desperate struggle for a way out!
In the midst of this tremendous chaos, Leilin quickly became separated from his earlier carriage — though this was entirely intentional.
"So it really is a trap. It's only a pocket formation, but the fact that ogres possess this kind of intelligence really does demand a measure of respect..."
At this point, the cumbersome carriage was like a leaking ship caught in a tsunami, liable to be overwhelmed at any moment. The dwarf Bam from earlier had long since vanished from sight.
Given his stature, Leilin could only silently pray that Bam wouldn't be trampled to death by the panicked mob.
"But this is also my opportunity!"
Leilin's figure darted nimbly through the crowd, heading in the opposite direction — toward where the ogre howls grew louder, accompanied by horrifying sounds of tearing flesh.
"The main force of that ogre tribe should be concentrated here now. This chaotic situation is perfect for fishing in troubled waters... and besides..."
A cold gleam flashed through Leilin's eyes.