Chapter 383: Survey
Chapter 383: Survey
"Huh?"
Ivoni was taken aback.
"Every soldier knows how?"
"Of course. Our lord gives lessons all the time."
One of the nearby soldiers eagerly showed off.
"What you just saw was nothing. He also teaches us mathematics, geometry, and wilderness survival. My lord says they’re just basic subjects, but honestly, they’re really difficult."
Ivoni murmured to himself, "A lord who actually teaches knowledge... that’s incredibly rare."
"Could you take me to meet your lord? I’m a scholar. I used to help merchants keep their accounts."
Ivoni spoke confidently.
"I also have experience in diplomacy. I’m sure your lord won’t turn away someone with genuine ability."
"Did you hear that, Hwaily? They’re from Nightfall Domain."
In a narrow alley at the corner of the street, a group of refugees had finally found a place to rest. One after another, they were sleeping soundly.
Only two women, one tall and one short, remained awake beneath gray cloaks as they quietly observed the scene.
A girl with wine-red hair tugged at the sleeve of her companion.
"We finally found people from Nightfall Domain. They’re soldiers sent here to purchase supplies."
"Mhm. Something suspicious is going on. We need to investigate."
Her companion, Hwaily, blinked her large eyes as she observed the soldiers. Even beneath the oversized gray robe, her graceful figure was impossible to hide, though she didn’t look particularly bright.
"Elin, be careful. The Baron of Nightfall Domain is very dangerous."
Elin tossed a piece of candy into her mouth.
"The boss ordered us to find out whether that golden light belonged to the Empire’s hidden slaughter machine, the Wings of Order. It’s crucial to the next stage of the uprising."
"Mhm. We’ve heard Nightfall Domain is harming innocent people. We have to save them."
"Besides, we should also figure out why Little Lion has been acting so distracted."
Elin held her forehead with a look of despair.
"That idiot has been acting nervous ever since she failed to assassinate Phield. She keeps warning us not to go after him. It’s like she’s completely possessed."
"No matter how much we ask what happened, she refuses to tell us."
"Leave it to me. I’ll infiltrate their convoy."
Hwaily nodded repeatedly.
"Once we reach Nightfall Domain, all the truth will be revealed."
The soldiers had already finished counting the slaves and were preparing to depart.
Channeling divine power, Hwaily’s hair rapidly wrapped around her body. Her figure shrank smaller and smaller until she finally transformed into a gray pigeon.
"Hey, don’t forget about me, you silly pigeon!"
Seeing the gray pigeon about to fly off alone, Elin frantically waved her arms, nearly waking a sleeping homeless man nearby.
"Don’t leave me behind. You can’t complete this mission by yourself."
"Tier Three Divine Skill, Bird Transformation."
Soft feathers engulfed Elin’s body. When she opened her eyes again, she had become a pale red sparrow with fluffy feathers.
Taking advantage of the bustling crowd, the two birds quickly slipped into one of Nightfall Domain’s grain wagons.
Peeking through the gaps between the grain sacks, all they could see were the hopeless expressions of the slaves, bound tightly with ropes as they shuffled forward with the convoy.
The cold-hearted soldiers simply marched behind the wagons with their weapons, keeping watch.
Meanwhile, the grinning mercenaries walked proudly at the front, clearing the road.
Because Nightfall Domain was short on manpower, they had hired a number of mercenaries and adventurers.
Those profit-hungry mercenaries barked orders arrogantly, frightening many of the female slaves into tears.
"Those damned nobles are sending innocent people straight into the jaws of death again."
"Phield, if I ever get my hands on you, you’ll pay for this."
The two girls gritted their teeth in anger.
As the wagon continued to jolt along the road, drowsiness gradually overtook them.
The journey remained peaceful.
Half of Rick Province had effectively returned to wilderness after losing its cities, leaving the natural environment remarkably untouched.
Aside from encountering two packs of coyotes, they ran into no bandits.
Three or four days and nights later, Hwaily slowly opened her sleepy eyes.
A slightly weathered fortress towered before them.
Elin awoke as well and immediately began observing everything around the fortress. The thick scent of blood instantly put both of them on high alert.
Rows of chevaux de frise and wooden walls surrounded the open ground outside the fortress in three or four defensive layers.
Although Bull Territory had only ceded the fortress itself, no one had ever defined how large the fortress grounds actually were.
Naturally, Phield had shamelessly enclosed two massive additional sections, leaving plenty of room for future expansion.
"There must have been an incredibly brutal battle here."
Hwaily poked her head out and stared blankly at the fortress.
"Stop admiring it. Hurry and hide in the chicken cage. They’re about to inspect the wagons."
Elin sharply pecked her companion with her beak.
The two transformed into chickens, carefully avoiding everyone’s attention before hiding inside a nearby cage.
Since Nightfall Domain’s livestock industry was only beginning to develop, there was enormous demand for chickens, ducks, and geese, so many had been purchased.
"Move one by one. Men and women separate. Wash yourselves at the wooden enclosure first, then line up to enter the fortress."
"After you’ve finished bathing, change into the clothes we’ve prepared for you. Then you’ll receive half a loaf of black bread and a bowl of soup."
Phield sat in a high-backed chair while carefully watching the minimap, making sure every slave entering the fortress appeared as an ordinary civilian without hostile intent, preventing enemies from infiltrating.
The entire process was carried out in perfect order.
Even the cargo was sorted into different categories.
However, even the most meticulous plan had its flaws.
Since they were disguised as small animals, the two members of Night Owl didn’t have to bathe with the slaves.
Instead, they hid beneath a rooster’s wings and slipped into the fortress with ease.
The moment they entered, an overwhelming aura of order washed over them.
The passageways inside the fortress were divided by wooden barricades.
There was a guard every five paces and a sentry every ten.
Nightfall Domain’s soldiers wore complete border army armor. Small wooden shields hung from their left arms, long halberds rested in their hands, swords or maces hung from their waists, and small throwing axes were strapped to their belts.
"More elite soldiers... so many of them..."
Hwaily could keenly sense the murderous aura surrounding them.
It was impossible to cultivate such overwhelming killing intent without having slain at least ten people.
Even more terrifying, Nightfall Domain’s soldiers moved like puppets. Every action was perfectly synchronized, and even while standing guard, they remained as straight as towering trees.
"As much as I hate to admit it, a noble’s army really is powerful."
"Don’t move. Let’s reach Nightfall Domain first. They definitely have some kind of secret there."
After passing through the fortress, the group officially entered Nightfall Domain.
More than four hundred slaves were already waiting.
They had all changed into fresh linen clothing. Their filthy, tattered old clothes had been collected and disposed of together because Phield was worried they might spread disease.
"They actually gave them new clothes?"
Elin stared in astonishment.
"Unbelievable."
"Shh. Don’t talk. Someone’s coming."
Once the total reached five hundred people, Phield emerged from the fortress accompanied by the two Divine Chosen before ordering the fortress gates shut behind them.
"My lord, this is Mr. Ivoni."
A soldier escorted the thoroughly inspected Ivoni forward.
"He said he’s good with accounting, so we brought him to meet you."
Phield nodded.
"Mm. I saw him going through the security inspection just now."