"Great, continuing from yesterday's strategy, let's simulate the battle once more today."
At ten o'clock on the second morning, beside the maple tree clearing, under a maple tree, Shami and Lureya prepared to simulate yesterday's battle strategy once more.
"Alright, alright, I got it in one go~" Lureya waved her hand, then puzzledly pointed to Theo who was playing with earthworms not far away: "But why—why is this person involved in our battle strategy!"
"The more, the merrier, right?" Shami explained.
"But he has no combat skills at all!"
"If we let him hide and suddenly jump out naked, it'll surely give the enemy a scare."
"Are you treating him like a ghost?! Though in that case, I wouldn't dare open my eyes either..."
Listening to Shami's words, Lureya suddenly realized this might be a good trick.
"What about the slime? If he's present, we can't let the slime join. Otherwise, we'll expose our identities."
"Relax. If necessary, I'll knock him out first."
"Hey! Shami! What do I do after all?"
At this time, Theo ran over, readily accepting the invitation after Shami asked him to assist the Elf Adventurer in fighting the Exiled Knight.
Theo thought, as long as elves are there, he and Shami could at most act as cheerleaders from the back.
"Hehe, if the three of us protect the village from Cash, widows will definitely look at me differently."
"What's this line filled with naive romantic flavor, aren't you two having an affair!" Lureya couldn't help but snark.
"Your main role is at night. If he comes at night. After the elves lead him here, you're responsible for stripping and constantly harassing him in the dark."
Theo was taken aback.
"Isn't being naked without armor?"
"Silly. Look at the female heroes, which one wears proper clothes on the battlefield, the less they wear, the stronger their combat power."
"I got it... I'll be the assassin..."
"Exactly! Smart as you are!" Shami gave a thumbs up.
Not really! There's actually no meatshield, but seeing how agile you are when you're chased by sheep, wanted to borrow you as one!
Lureya: "..."
Having clarified his task, Theo continued to wander around the clearing. Shami let him wander, as long as he didn't approach the mound near the clearing and discover the slime living in the cave beneath it.
"Shami, what about the two of us?"
Shami pondered: "If the enemy comes during the day, it's just us two fighting. If he comes at night, we're still supplying 95% of the combat power..."
"The humanoid race is so useless then! Absolutely unnecessary!"
As the two were discussing, Lureya suddenly got nervous, quickly stood up from beneath the tree, looking toward the forest not far away.
"What's wrong?"
Shami also stood up.
"The Spirit Protection Array is vibrating, someone's coming."
Lureya's brows slightly furrowed, anxiously sensing the information returned by the Spirit Protection Array.
"The one at the front is a swordsman riding a horse, it's Cash Dillon! This route, it's got to be trouble for Yili Village..."
Lureya also recognized Cash Dillon from his appearance on the wanted poster.
"So soon?" Shami thought aloud.
He originally thought he had about a week to prepare traps and such, didn't expect them to come so quickly.
"Not just one! There's one, two, three... Nine people! Ten in total!"
The number exceeded Shami's expectation too.
"But only Cash has a strong aura, the others aren't particularly noteworthy. They're heading over now. Three minutes until they encounter us."
Lureya worriedly looked over.
Over there, a flock of birds flew up from the forest.
"Lureya, let's follow our plan."
"Mm!"
Just as Shami was about to move, Lureya couldn't help but grab his arm.
"Um, seems like I'm tired of sitting, can't walk..."
He looked back, seeing the little Tablet Spirit's face full of tension, her legs trembling slightly.
This wouldn't work, it'll definitely blow the cover!
He raised his hands, gently patting both sides of the pink face of the golden-haired Tablet Spirit.
"Don't worry. You're no longer needed as bait to lure them here, right? Hang in there, I'll be with you all the time."
A warm expression from a caring Demon King.
Lureya felt warmth spreading across her cheeks, biting her teeth, nodded seriously: "Mm!"
[Loyalty: 2→10]
Shami paused, almost moved to tears.
Tablet Spirit, your loyalty finally reached double digits!
But it's still on the verge of rebellion scores, geez!!
...
Cash led his troop, slowly passing through the maple forest. With only 10 kilometers left to Yili Village, they intended to charge into the village like cavalry at the last moment, capture the village chief, and have their men guard all exits. Then all village treasures would be theirs.
It was then that Shami and Lureya appeared before them.
Cash noticed the pointed ears of the blonde girl, then shifted his gaze to Shami.
The two sides silently exchanged glances for a few seconds.
Cash spoke first: "Who are you two?"
Lureya looked at Cash, softly replied: "Elf Adventurer Aigal from the Elf Forest, traveling across the continent, searching for the truth of all living things. Currently residing in Yili Village, investigating local customs, astronomy, and weather."
The Elf Race's distinctive long golden hair and pointed ears were unmissable.
Elves always had the respect of adventurers and heroes; in their conquests, divine Holy Light saved countless adventurers from death.
Knowing the identity of the girl and her temporary residence in Yili Village made Cash contemplate retreat.
"And this one next to you is..."
"This is a villager from Yili Village, accompanying me in surveying the area's geography."
Cash glanced at Shami, focusing on the iron hoe in his hand.
"As a villager, it's normal to carry a hoe around isn't it..."
Cash's gaze returned to Shami's face, lingering for a moment, causing an inexplicable odd feeling.
"You're Cash Dillon right?"
Lureya spoke up timely, Cash staring back while the anxious blonde elf pretended composure.
"Recently I saw you on the Adventurer's Guild's wanted list. But, we Elves don't involve ourselves in matters of the Human Adventurer's Guild, so whether you're wanted doesn't concern me. Just hope you don't destroy the village I'm currently residing in, I'm quite comfortable here."
Cash fell silent. Faced with a request from an elf, he pondered.
This was Shami's first plan—to defeat the enemy without fighting.
Using the Tablet Spirit's elf identity and the stereotype of elves being strong, shaping Tablet Spirit into a powerful figure, to intimidate Cash into leaving Yili Village.
"Since the elf lady says so... alright then..." After a moment, Cash slowly spoke.
Shami was secretly delighted.
Looks like his plan worked.
But just as Shami and Lureya thought the incident had peacefully resolved and both parties were ready to return to their places, Cash's eyes suddenly gleamed, then called out to the two.
"Wait."