Truth

Although they were speaking quietly, Ronan's sharp hearing still caught some of it. His expression changed at once, and he hurried over.

Sitting beside the two men, Ronan said, "Were you two just discussing Ravenwood Town? I happen to be interested as well. Could you tell me about it in detail?"

The two men saw Ronan's armor and the weapons laid on the table, and their faces immediately paled. Just as they were about to stand, two Vigyan Cavalrymen pressed them back down. The two exchanged glances, their expressions turning bitter.

"My lord, we only heard it through the grapevine. You'd better ask someone else."

"Don't be afraid. I'm only a mercenary. I won't ask for nothing." With that, Ronan took a gold coin from his bag and placed it on the table.

At the sight of the gold coin, the two men brightened and quickly stuffed it into their clothes.

"My lord, don't spread this around after I tell you. If the knightly order finds out, we'll be done for!"

"Fine. I won't tell anyone else."

The man who had claimed to know some gossip leaned closer and began whispering into Ronan's ear.

"My lord, Ravenwood Town was attacked by foreigners some days ago. The battle was extremely brutal, and many people died. The Ravenwood Town guards were nearly wiped out. I heard the commander of the guards and the Bishop were both killed. In the end, it was only when the knights from Shadow Keep arrived that the siege was lifted. Otherwise, Ravenwood Town would probably have been massacred. And I heard from a relative of mine working for the church that this matter isn't simple. The Moran Kingdom is behind it, and nobody knows what sort of conspiracy they're planning!"

Ronan's face changed drastically after hearing this. Many scattered clues connected in his mind, and he realized things were far more complicated than they seemed. He took out another gold coin and handed it to the man, then ignored the two men's repeated thanks and rushed back toward the inn. There were many things he had to ask Belicha.

Upon returning to the inn, Ronan went straight to Belicha's room. Pushing open the door, he found Daisy inside as well, while Belicha was saying something to her.

"Commander Belicha, I have some questions for you!" Ronan said bluntly.

Seeing Ronan's expression, Belicha knew that he must have learned something already.

"Daisy, you should go back first. I have some matters to discuss with Captain Ronan." Belicha smiled and spoke gently to Daisy beside him. Daisy obediently nodded, but as she passed Ronan, she secretly made a face at him.

After watching Daisy leave the room, Ronan closed the door behind her and sat in the chair opposite Belicha.

"Ravenwood Town was attacked. Knight Warren and the Bishop both died. It happened just two days after the caravan set out. The caravan departed overnight and barely rested along the road. The Bloodfang Band traveled thousands of miles from their territory just to attack this caravan. Commander Belicha, don't tell me all of that was just a coincidence!"

"Knight Warren and Dorodamenro both died? What I feared has happened after all. Since things have come to this, I won't hide it from you any longer. Our supposed trading journey was a cover. The truth was that we were escorting Daisy to Sinterland."

"Escorting Daisy? Just who is she, for the Moran Kingdom to mobilize such forces and even risk starting a war?"

"Daisy is actually the daughter of Dorodamenro and the current elven queen, Serena. Back then, the Queen had not yet ascended the throne. To protect their child from being caught up in the conflict, and to ensure Serena had no lingering concerns, Dorodamenro, then the commander of the Sword Dancers' Third Division, crossed mountains and rivers with several trusted followers to Ravenwood Town. He joined the church and became the local Bishop, while Daisy lived here in hiding. After the Queen took the throne, she wanted them to return, but Dorodamenro did not want Daisy to be drawn into political strife. He refused the Queen and remained in Ravenwood Town. Few people knew of this. It seems one of them betrayed the Queen and sold the information to the Moran Kingdom, leading to this incident. After you killed that dragonman, Dorodamenro sensed that something was wrong. So he had you and me pretend to escort a caravan. Afraid you would refuse the mission, Dorodamenro did not tell you the truth!"

"The Bishop trusted me that much? Wasn't he afraid I'd go back on my word and sell you out to the Moran Kingdom? And Daisy is obviously human, while the Bishop and the Queen are both elves, aren't they?"

"Haha, did Dorodamenro ask you many questions? Dorodamenro possesses a Magical Artifact called the Mind's Eye Crystal. It can detect the truest thoughts in a person's heart. Dorodamenro had already tested you, which was why he trusted you. As for Daisy, didn't you notice her earrings? They're also a Magical Artifact, called Lies, capable of concealing the user's true appearance."

"So, now that you know the truth, what do you intend to do? Leaving now would also be understandable."

"Since I accepted the mission and took your payment, I won't abandon it. Take a man's money, rid him of his troubles. That is the reputation and principle of our profession. But the difficulty of this mission has clearly increased, so you'll have to pay more!"

"Haha, good, good, good! Dorodamenro truly did not misjudge you. No problem. Once we reach Sinterland, Her Majesty the Queen's reward will definitely satisfy you!"

"However, Belik will never give up so easily. They will surely bypass Acorn Hall and intercept us farther ahead. Once we leave Acorn Hall's territory, we will likely come under attack!"

"Then what should we do? We are at a severe disadvantage in numbers. The consequences of a frontal battle would be grim!"

"There is a simple camp built by passing caravans along the road. Although its walls are not high, it can force them to fight us on foot. That will greatly weaken their cavalry advantage and their numerical advantage. Under normal circumstances, there are also other caravans there. Though it isn't moral, we can only use them to help lessen our burden. After leaving Acorn Hall, we must travel at full speed and reach the camp before the Bloodfang Band discovers us. Then we'll wait for them there."

"Why not seek help from the knightly order?"

"The commander of the knights at Shadow Keep is Dorodamenro's disciple, so he can be trusted. But we still do not know the Holy Cross Kingdom's stance, so we cannot take that risk!"

"Oh, and don't tell Daisy about this yet. Dorodamenro did not tell her the truth. He only said he was sending her to Xinteland to see her mother. If she learns that all of this happened because of her, she will surely blame herself."

"I won't say anything, but you won't be able to hide it from her for long."

Having obtained what he wanted, Ronan got up and left Belicha's room.

After resting for a while longer, the caravan set out again. They needed to reach the temporary camp before lunch, when the camp would have the most caravans.

Ronan's Hundred Man Slayer achievement mission was nearly complete. After this battle, he would probably obtain the title. He wondered what kind of boost the Hundred Man Slayer title would grant him. Moreover, after this battle, Ronan would be able to level up again. Once he did, his Strength attribute would exceed twenty points. Afterward, he planned to focus mainly on Charisma. After these battles, Ronan had come to keenly understand just how lacking his troops were in numbers, further strengthening his desire to recruit native soldiers into his force.