Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Palebeard was an old scholar with profound knowledge and a broad vision, so he could often observe many things from the corpse of the beasts. Before Aupin took over the leadership responsibilities of the exploration team, Palebeard used his knowledge to bring tremendous help to the exploration team.

Palebeard had seen the corpse of an ordinary flying squirrel before, but he specifically said that if they found any abnormalities during the dissection of the flying squirrel leader, they should report to him quickly.

“Sir.” Whitesprout quickly found Palebeard while carrying the corpse of the flying squirrel leader.

“Whitesprout.” Palebeard nodded, he then shifted his gaze to the corpse of the flying squirrel leader.

“Sir, please take a look. It may be that I was too nervous, but it does look a little different.” Whitesprout gave Palebeard a closer look of the flying squirrel leader.

Palebeard looked for a moment, his expression gradually became serious.

“Whitesprout, you did a great job,” Palebeard exclaimed while he reached out to lift the body of the flying squirrel leader. However, the old scholar soon sighed and put it back on the ground.

The old scholar was weak, and had been eroded by magical power. Although the poison was detoxified, his body was still greatly damaged.

“Bring it and report to Aupin with me,” Palebeard said to Whitesprout.

“Yes, sir,” Whitesprout said immediately.

Inside the tent, Aupin was discussing bows and crossbows with Violette.

“Because of the magic power erosion, the combat power of the entire exploration team has decreased a lot.” Aupin looked worried. “Exploring this island was already quite difficult. Now we have to take even greater risks.”

Violette said, “Sir Aupin, we have tried our best. For the short term, the state of the exploration team can only remain this way unless we have mid or high-level magic potions, or the corresponding spells and theurgy for treatment.

“However, in our current situation, we can’t produce these magic potions. I don’t approve of doing this either.

“It’s too wasteful.

“Whether it is mid or high-level magic potions, or equivalent spells and theurgy, the cost is very high. Even if there are two Bronze-level elites, saving these people is not worth the loss.”

After a pause, Violette added. “In fact, there are many consequences of magic erosion. For example, various strange and even incurable chronic diseases, as well as life expectancy reduction, etc…”

Aupin sighed. “Don’t think about this for the time being. I just want to improve our actual combat power. Do you think we can make crossbows?”

Over the past few days, Aupin realized the benefits of long-range strikes.

For example, the flying squirrel leader not long ago was a Bronze-rank monster. But it suffered a fatal blow from the dagger thrown by Aupin. When the flying squirrel leader died, the group of flying squirrels that were attacking suddenly fell into chaos, so the exploration team seized the opportunity to win a victory without any casualties.

Violette pondered and said seriously, “Sir, you have the right idea. As long as we increase our long-range power, we can replenish our combat power, and we can also preserve our physical strength and reduce possible casualties.

“However, I’m afraid we don’t have the capabilities at the moment.

“First of all, we don’t have a crossbow bowyer. The structure of a crossbow is simple, but it requires mature skills to manufacture. We are all laymen in this area.

“Secondly, we don’t have a blacksmith. Truly powerful crossbows use steel plates as the barrel because the amount of force is high. Also, the structure of the crossbow is detailed and requires metal reeds. These need to be built by a blacksmith. A good crossbow also has a mechanical device that assists in pulling the strings. Even the Empire cannot manufacture this kind of device on a large scale. Every year, large-scale purchases are made from the goblins of the Lava Continent.”

Scholars were not necessarily mages, but every mage was a scholar.

Violette was the current president of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce, and since weapons were usually the most profitable business, she knew about crossbows very well.

But Aupin did not give up easily.

He still insisted, “I didn’t intend to use steel plates as crossbow barrels. I only need wooden planks. We can dry bark and tear it to form hemp rope. This way we’ll have bowstrings. In fact, we still have a lot of magical beast tendons left.

“The weight of the crossbow made in this way is much lower, but it’s easier to pull. One man can do it alone.

“The only thing that is a hindrance is the firing mechanism. The firing mechanism is delicate and needs to be made of metal parts of a specific shape. The most difficult is the metal reeds.

“Violette, you’re right, we don’t have a blacksmith. But we have few people and don’t need a blacksmith for large-scale manufacturing. I only need you to use potions to corrode specific metal fittings and reeds.”

Aupin was also familiar with crossbows.

Although he had not recovered this part of his memory, his common sense contained a wealth of information.

In fact, the Templars were equipped with crossbows. This crossbow was small in size and was specially designed for knights to use on horsebacks.

Violette sighed. “I’m sorry, sir, I currently don’t have any potions that can corrode metal parts to a specific shape. I don’t have this special potion on me. But if I have the corresponding materials, I can still make it on the spot. But the monsters containing corrosive acid are not easy to deal with, they may cause huge casualties to the team.

“Also, there’s another thing I want to remind you.”

Violette subconsciously lowered her voice slightly.

“If your plan is implemented smoothly and almost everyone in the team has a crossbow, the team will be difficult to control and become dangerous.”

Aupin’s pupils shrank slightly.

Violette’s reminder was right.

Aupin immediately recalled the scene where Yellowteres was fleeing.

Don’t overestimate people, and never underestimate people, Aupin remembered.

People’s minds were unpredictable.

Regardless whether he intended it or not, Yellowteres fled from his saviors with a dagger. On an island filled with dangers, who knew what kind of extreme situations could emerge in the future?

Right now, it appeared that these people all supported Aupin as their leader. But what if an extreme situation happened?

For example, if everyone was running away from a magical beast and in order to escape, would someone use the crossbow in their hands to shoot their companions, so that the companions became bait and slowed down the magical beast?

Especially since in the current environment, low-level magic and battle aura couldn’t be activated. Whether it was Aupin or Violette, they were both very weak. A sharp sword or a flying arrow could kill both of them.

People all had fatal weaknesses.

The members of the exploration team were not soldiers of the Centum’pin clan. The cultivation of loyalty often takes a long time.

Aupin was not a person who refused to listen to other people’s opinions.

“If the crossbows can’t work, we can only try bow and arrows.

“Longbows won’t work either. It would be very inconvenient to use in the dense forest, the requirement for archery skill is also high.

“Shortbows can be made. They are more convenient to make than crossbows. But it also requires some training.”

Long-range strikes had to be precise.

Because of the emergence of memories, Aupin suddenly gained long-range striking capabilities, which was difficult for others to replicate.

The members of the exploration team were not proficient in bows and arrows, except Whitesprout.

He was the son of hunters, so the use of bows and arrows was one of his survival skills.

If there was enough manpower, Aupin could select archers and form a dedicated team of archers. But there was a serious shortage of skilled manpower. The main purpose of making bows and arrows was to protect these people and minimize casualties.

“There is wood everywhere here, so it will not be difficult to make a shortbow. If they are individually not accurate enough, they can all shoot at once, making up for their shortcomings.

“We still have to conduct training, otherwise they won’t even be able to shoot out their arrows.

“However, training requires adequate food.”

Aupin started to feel a faint headache.

It took a lot of physical effort to pull a bow, and the heavier the bow, the more this was the case. Many crossbows had mechanical devices, otherwise one would not be able to draw the bowstrings by manpower alone.

When shooting arrows, one needed to take time and aim. This meant spending a period of time maintaining the pull of the bow arm, which was also physically exhausting.

The greater the physical exertion, the more food was required.

Without adequate food, training impetuously was bound to fail.

Thus, the problem came down to food.

However, the food shortage was already the most serious problem!

While Aupin was distressed, Whitesprout and Palebeard asked to see him.

The two brought the body of the flying squirrel leader.

“We have some unexpected discoveries, sir.” Palebeard’s tone was serious.

Aupin’s eyes fell on the body of the flying squirrel leader. “Did you find a magicite?”

“No.” Palebeard motioned towards Whitesprout.

After Whitesprout saw Aupin nod, he placed the body of the flying squirrel leader on the table.

Palebeard gestured towards Whitesprout, who slashed open the flying squirrel leader, exposing a vivid muscle texture.

“Sir Aupin, madam Violette, please look over here.” Palebeard pointed at the texture of these muscles.

Violette glanced at it, then frowned slightly. “It’s indeed a little different from ordinary magical beasts.”

Aupin also noticed that the muscles of beasts were usually in strands and bundled together. But the muscle of the flying squirrel leader was divided into many thin muscle slices. The muscle thin slices were arranged neatly together like fish scales.

“Look over here.” Palebeard continued to show the internal organs of the flying squirrel leader.

Aupin and Violette also noticed that the surface of these internal organs had a white, fascia-like cover, which was relatively thick.

Violette was puzzled. “This is indeed different from normal beasts. But what does this tell us?”

Although Violette was a mage, she was not as knowledgeable as Palebeard in this regard.

Aupina also didn’t understand the old scholar’s implications.

After seeing the puzzled expressions of the two, Palebeard explained, “I strongly suspect that this flying squirrel leader can release a strong electric current!”

“Oh? Why do you think so?” Aupin was puzzled.

“There are squirrels that can release electricity?” Whitesprout’s mouth was wide open.

Palebeard continued to explain, “There is a special kind of fish that thrives on the seabed or in a big river. People call it an electric eel. The body structure of this fish is similar to the flying squirrel leader. When they want to discharge, the body muscles synchronize, erupting a terrifying electric shock, which can instantly kill the opponent. Electric eels also have an insulating fascia in their body, which protect themselves from the electric shock.”

“Then why didn’t this flying squirrel leader deliver an electric shock before?” Whitesprout asked.

Palebeard shook his head slightly. “This kind of electric shock is not magic, it’s a unique technique derived from nature. Magic is the mage using their own spirit and the help of elements. The electric eel is born with its unique organs, like being able to hear with ears or being able to fly with wings.

“Electric eels can only produce electric current, and cannot control the flow of electric current. However, electric eels live in water. Once a strong electric current is generated, the underwater life near it will suffer horrifying electric shocks.

“For the flying squirrel leader, even if electricity is generated, it would depend on the surrounding environment. Trees, ground, and air are often powerful obstacles to electricity.

“Thus, only when the flying squirrel leader touches the enemy, does it have the ability to produce an electric shock. But because the dagger thrown by Aupin killed it in mid-air, this hidden ability was not used.”

“I see…” Whitesprout suddenly realized.

Violette squinted her eyes slightly. “So, if we have to face a flying squirrel leader in the future, iron armor is a weakness, it’s better to wear thick leather armor.”

Palebeard shook his head. “Leather armor does not provide enough protection. The faces are usually exposed. Also, flying squirrels have sharp claws, so they can discharge an electric shock after tearing the leather armor.”

Aupin nodded. “So, the best way to deal with this flying squirrel leader is to strike at a distance! But we have too few archers.”

Although Aupin could strike accurately, he couldn’t guarantee a one-shot-kill every time.

He wasn’t a nanny for his subordinates.

“Sir, Blueteres is here to report to you,” a voice came from outside the tent.

Blueteres was a Bronze-rank elite, so Aupin sent him to investigate the area.

Aupin summoned Blueteres into the tent and he noticed that Blueteres was full of joy.

“Sir, great news! I found a swarm of flying squirrels not far ahead. These flying squirrels dug holes in the tree trunks to build nests. There were many tree holes! The flying squirrel group is huge, nearly a thousand of them. If we hunt them down, it will hugely supplement our food supply.”

Palebeard pondered for a moment. “It seems that this kind of flying squirrels lives in groups.”

“Oh yeah?” Aupin raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Violette subconsciously.

Violette knew what Aupin was thinking, she immediately said, “I have tested it. There is no problem with the meat of ordinary flying squirrels. Of course, the meat of the flying squirrel leader must not be eaten.”

Whitesprout shouted, “It is very dangerous to hunt such a large squirrel group!”

Blueteres glared at Whitesprout, then looked at Aupin. He wanted to charge first and attack the flying squirrel group.

Palebeard shook his head. “Blueteres, you are underestimating these flying squirrels. Bronze-rank flying squirrel leaders can explode with electric shocks. Such a large group is likely to have a Black Iron-rank flying squirrel leader.”

“What?” Blueteres was stunned.

Aupin fell into deep thought.

He found himself facing a difficult choice.

Aupin could not make a decision, so he said, “I have to think about this matter. You are all dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“No matter what decision you make, I will support you,” Violette said when she left the tent.