Both sides had their own reasons, and the argument about relocating the camp seemed endless. Unas didn't want to be a peacemaker, as that would leave his subordinates with the impression of weakness. This newcomer, a greenhorn, had suddenly risen to become their superior, and it was inevitable that he would not be able to win their respect. In order to reverse this situation, he had to show a tough and proactive attitude.
He immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "No matter how much you tell me, it's not as good as seeing it for myself. Come on, take me to see it!"
Upon hearing this, the officers exchanged glances, then chorused their objections. Their vehement argument was somewhat deliberate, intended to test the new commander's abilities. However, Unas's energetic demeanor forced them to intervene.
"Blue Rock Pass is an area where Poison Spiders are very active, and it would be too dangerous to go there rashly," Qiaosen advised. "I won't stop you from going, but you must have a specific action plan before you set off."
Everyone else echoed his sentiments, Unas, not wanting to gamble with his life, accepted the offer. "Alright then, I'll leave the plan to Qiaosen."
After discussing some meaningless topics, the first meeting came to an end. Unas ordered Raphael to guard the entrance of the main tent, leaving only Redbrow for a private conversation. The issue of the Gnomes woman needed to be resolved, so after exchanging pleasantries, he directly asked the Dwarf, "How many Gnomes do you have under your command?"
Upon hearing this question abruptly, Redbrow's heart tightened. "Seventeen or eighteen."
Unas looked at Redbrow's expression and found it amusing. This Dwarf really couldn't keep a secret; he seemed so guilty. Could it be that Holiya's death was truly related to the Gnomes?
"Is there a female Gnomes Emily?" Unas continued to ask.
"He... he went missing not long ago." Fine beads of sweat appeared on Redbrow's forehead, and his reply became hesitant.
Do you know how she disappeared?
"Have no idea."
"I can tell you," Unas paused deliberately, "That she was kidnapped by the former Warden, Holiya, and given away as a gift."
"This is impossible!" the Dwarf cried, his face ashen. "Lord Holiya wouldn't do something so despicable!"
His acting was truly terrible. Unas stopped pressing him for answers, stood up, and waved, saying, "Come with me."
Unas led Redbrow to his Tent, nodded to Natasha who was guarding it, and after settling in, he instructed the Shadow Priest to look after Emily.
The two entered the Tent, where a waist-high iron box was placed in the corner. Unas stepped forward and patted the lid of the box, saying, "Cover your mouth."
Then he took out his key, unlocked the door, and opened the cover, saying, "Emily, come out."
Upon hearing the name, Redbrow Mei's eyes widened, and Emily, who had been covering her mouth, appeared in front of him the next moment.
The Gnomes and the Dwarf locked eyes. Redbrows gaped in astonishment, speechless, while Emily's gasp was muffled.
Unas said in a half-joking voice, "I'm not forbidding you from speaking, but please keep your voices down. I don't want anyone to discover that I'm hiding a beauty in an iron box."
"Dugal! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and help me out of this stuffy box! I've had enough of this suffocating box!" Emily didn't say anything sentimental about life-and-death separations and reunions to Redbrow; that wasn't her style.
After the initial shock, Redbrow's emotions turned to ecstasy, and he rushed forward to help Emily out. However, Unas stopped him, "I'm sorry, Emily will have to stay in the box a little longer. Do you really want to just swagger out with her like that? I'm sorry, I don't want everyone to see that I suddenly have a female Gnomes here."
"What should we do then?" they both asked in unison.
"It's simple. Emily stays in the box. You carry her back and tell everyone it's a suit of armor that needs repairing. I hope the Dwarf blacksmith can fix it," Unas lied through his teeth. "Emily also needs to hide for a while after she gets back, so that no one with ulterior motives will find out that I rescued her."
"Why are you hiding this? You saved Emily; we should sing your praises!" Redbrow was very puzzled.
"My rescue of Emily involves another secret matter, Emily promised to keep it a secret for me," Unas said, turning to the Dwarf after seeing the Gnomes woman nod. "I hope you will keep it a secret for me as well."
"I will protect this secret with my life," the honest Dwarf replied immediately without asking further questions, "And will never forget your kindness to us."
Unas nodded in satisfaction. "I hope you will all keep your promises."
Unas locked the box again, handed the key to Redbrow, and said softly, "Come see me tonight to discuss Holiya's matter in detail."
Redbrow felt a tremor in his heart; in the end, there was no escaping it.
The Dwarf bowed slightly, hoisted an iron box almost as tall as himself onto his back, and strode out of the Tent with heavy steps. Unas followed him out, finding the Redbrow's unsteady figure somewhat amusing. With the Dwarf's strength, he shouldn't be unable to carry such a weight; sometimes, mental pressure is harder to bear than physical gravity.
"My lord, do you need me to help him?" Raphael, who was standing at the door, asked. Young people are always very helpful.
"No need. Human very proud of their strength. Helping him would only make him feel insulted," Unas casually made up, fooling the young boy into nodding repeatedly. Then he turned to the Shadow Priest standing on the other side, "Na... Kins, come in."
Nankins Raphael muttered to himself, thinking he knew the name of his taciturn colleague.
"What are your plans?" Unas asked immediately after the two entered the Tent and sat down.
"I want to stay here for a while, and then find an opportunity to go to Hearthglen," Natasha replied calmly. She had nowhere to go for the time being, but her determination to take revenge on Isillien would not disappear. Hearthglen was the High Inquisitor's stronghold, and she was not going there to seek refuge, but rather to begin her revenge.
Unas declined to comment. Although he had no direct conflict with Isillien, it was best that the old dog was dead. "That's your prerogative, but it's not feasible for you to continue staying by my side pretending to be a soldier. It will only arouse more suspicion."
"So, what do you intend to do with me, Warden?" Natasha's voice suddenly became coquettish, like a spoiled little woman.
But Unas knew how terrifying she was and completely ignored her teasing. "How about reverting to your Priest identity? I remember you said your public identity was a healing Priest, the most popular profession here."
Natasha considered for a moment, then said, "As you command, sir."
"Very good. You can disappear for a few days, change your appearance, and when you reappear, claim to be a wandering Holy Light Priest. I will take you in," Unas said, pleased with her submissiveness. "Your soldier status is hereby revoked; I will treat you as a deserter."
Natasha had no objection, nodded, and got up to leave. Unas breathed a long sigh of relief, finally getting rid of most of the two bundles he had brought from the Monastery, and the air seemed to become fresher.