They left the Dark River.
Because all the ogres in the underground cave had been wiped out, except for the one under Yveta's control.
Yveta decided they would act that very night.
Otherwise, the Children of the Forest would soon realize something was wrong with the ogres, then discover that they were carrying Ambrose's Forbidden Book and that they had learned the Children of the Forest were secretly controlling the Moro Baron Territory.
Yveta and the others unharnessed the two horses that had been pulling the cart to use as mounts. They also wrapped the two Famous Swords in strips of cloth to keep the Children of the Forest from recognizing them.
They also put the pile of coins, whose country of origin and era of issue were anyone's guess, on the cart.
As for the pile of rusty iron, it wasn't much use, but Yveta brought it along anyway. They might run into a merchant who bought scrap iron!
Iron wasn't cheap in this era. Even refined iron ore could be sold again.
And these were only rusty swords and knives.
Then he had the ogre under his control pull the cart, putting it to work for Alicia and Leili.
The Hearthstone Witch used magic to strengthen the Charm Technique, preventing the ogre from breaking free of its control.
Then their group rode the two horses out of the woods and returned to a small plain near Moro Baron's castle.
As soon as they returned to the castle in the dead of night, they realized something was wrong.
First, candles had been lit throughout the castle, their glow shining through all the windows.
The place was brightly lit.
Second, unlike during the day, there were more guards on patrol. Quite a few infantrymen and cavalrymen wearing padded armor and Zha armor were entering Baron Moro's castle from outside.
Yveta and the others couldn't help but feel their hearts sink.
Had Baron Moro already issued a Conscription order across the Baron's Territory?
The Old Witch's face changed drastically. "Your Grace, we must flee! They've already found us. We have no army to fight them!"
"I've never fought in a war. That's not something a witch of my rank should have to do!"
Branton's eyes darted around, apprehension in his gaze. "Why have the Children of the Forest suddenly summoned the forces of all the vassals? Why has the castle suddenly gone under lockdown? Did the Children of the Forest realize I was missing? Your Highness, those soldiers over there have seen us. They're coming this way."
"We're finished."
Five soldiers guarding the gate approached them with weapons in hand, their expressions distinctly unfriendly.
Yveta's mind raced. "No. If the baron had issued a feudal call-up across his territory, even if the vassals in every region set out immediately, it would take at least half a day for them to get here."
"But you sneaked out of the castle at dusk. The timing doesn't add up."
"Besides, the vassals couldn't have set out immediately; they'd need time to prepare. If they all arrived at the castle around the same time, they must have arranged it well in advance."
Yveta realized what was going on and said to the others, "Everyone, these troops entering the castle have nothing to do with us."
"This must have been ordered a long time ago, at least a week ago."
"We just happened to run into them."
Seeing how anxious everyone looked, Yveta tried to encourage them. "Have you all heard the saying, 'Fortune favors the brave'?"
"We've made it this far. Don't just turn back now."
"Stand your ground and keep going!"
"We have to stay focused and stick to the plan."
Branton said fearfully, "Your Highness, I'm afraid I'll give myself away."
"Leave it to me," Yveta said.
By then, the guards were standing right in front of them.
When Branton saw who was leading them, his heart lurched. "Uncle Anger, what are you doing here?"
Anger, who had a scar across his face, kept glancing at Yveta and the others, his eyes cold. "You have the nerve to ask? When the baron learned you'd sneaked out of the castle, he flew into a rage."
"What exactly were you doing?"
"Speak!"
Anger's shout made Branton answer instinctively. "I went to look for my sister. I..."
"Looking for your sister? You snuck out in the middle of the night again to look for someone who doesn't even exist, and dragged all these people into it? These adventurers even went along with your crazy game." Anger's eyes rolled strangely, and he made an odd expression. "You don't have a sister. Didn't you know that?"
"Honored guests, I'm sorry you had to see that. There's something wrong with this boy's head."
He pointed to his own head.
Black Wolf immediately played along, looking understanding. "I thought so too."
The Old Witch nodded emphatically. "Then you should keep this boy under control. Don't let him run around everywhere. If there's something wrong with his head, you ought to lock him up."
"That way, he won't cause trouble for you."
"Otherwise, you could end up dead without even knowing why."
Like a certain Demon God.
Uncle Anger didn't notice the Old Witch was mocking him. Instead, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "This lady makes a good point."
Poor Branton had become a man with something wrong with his head after just a few lines of conversation.
That was the terrifying thing about wearing the face of someone close to you: they could turn against you.
The Children of the Forest could easily tarnish your reputation.
If people didn't know that Treant People existed, they would readily believe the things your own family said about you.
Anger said, "Honored guests, please head back. I'm taking this good-for-nothing home."
"Tonight is also the Gathering Day for the vassals of the Moro Baron Territory."
"You'd better leave."
Yveta suddenly understood. Today was probably the day the Treant People planned to take full control of the human army.
That was why they had summoned the troops so strangely in the middle of the night.
But they could have taken years to gradually replace the military leaders in the baron's territory. Why had they rushed to forcibly take control of the army?
In other words, why did they want to control the Moro Baron Territory, and what had made them so eager to tighten their hold over the human army?
Yveta said to Anger, who was about to take Branton away, "Please wait."
"Thanks to the efforts of us adventurers, we've confirmed that Branton really doesn't have a sister."
"But we've made a new discovery. We found an ogre."
At those words, Black Wolf and the others stared at Yveta in shock.
Why would he say it himself?
Hadn't they agreed not to reveal it?
Anger suddenly turned around, his expression twisting for an instant. "You said you found... what?"
"Sir, I found an ogre," Yveta said calmly. "Over in the woods. We fought it and were injured in the process."
"Branton and I want to report to the Moro Baron Territory that an ogre has appeared nearby."
A murderous glint flashed in Anger's eyes.
But just then, the four human soldiers behind Anger spoke up in surprise.
"Ogres? We haven't seen one of those in ages. Is this true, adventurer? Don't make things up."
"If that's the case, we can understand why the baron summoned the troops. He must be planning to hunt down the ogre."
Realizing there were four human soldiers behind him, Anger immediately composed himself, doing his best to look like a normal officer. "Tell me the details."
"I'll inform the baron."
"You don't need to," Yveta said, shaking his head. "It's too complicated. I want to tell the baron in person."
"Besides, Branton was an eyewitness too."
"I want to meet the baron together with Branton."
Yveta saw that Anger kept one hand on his sword hilt. Pretending not to notice, he instead smiled. "If we found an ogre, we can report it to the Adventurer's Association and receive a reward, right? And Baron Moro ought to reward us too."
"Branton also never paid us the money he promised earlier. It seems Branton really isn't very bright if he promised us a reward he can't afford."
"So you want to claim a reward. How greedy." Anger's expression showed that he understood. Contempt and mockery flashed in his eyes. "Fine. I'll take you to see the baron so you can explain in detail how you encountered the ogre. But anyone who lies will be hanged. I hope you won't regret this decision."
"Don't worry. We won't regret it," Yveta said with a smile. "Please lead the way."
Anger sneered.
Damn greedy adventurers. You're in for it now. You can regret it in hell.
The moment he heard Yveta say he also wanted to report to the association for a reward, he had already decided not to let Yveta and the others leave.
Seeing Anger agree to let them meet the baron, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Their plan had taken another big step toward success!
Black Wolf and Leili looked at Yveta with admiration. Their Highness was so quick-witted; he'd managed to come up with a lie that was nine-tenths true in the middle of such a sudden turn of events.
Yveta followed them.
He knew he'd miscalculated earlier.
He had originally planned to return to the castle with Branton, then take advantage of Branton inviting the baron to meet him to assassinate the baron.
But who could have guessed that the baron would be summoning the troops that very night?
The other side would surely refuse to meet them.
They had more important things to do.
So Yveta had been quick to think and suddenly told a lie that was nine-tenths true about the ogre.
That was sure to draw the Children of the Forest's attention, and they would certainly want to know how much Yveta and the others knew about the ogre.
Before you continue