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Under immense psychological pressure, Abbendis and the others did not enter the city directly. They cautiously explored along the outside of the walls and found nothing unusual.

Leopold the hunter and Rohan the killer went to scout Plaguewood again, but found no ambush by Undead forces. Elite knight squads like theirs were less likely to draw the attention of large Undead armies.

"We can't wait any longer. Let's go." Having made up her mind, Abbendis was the first to step into Stratholme. Augustine, Leopold, and Rohan followed her into the city.

After passing several corners, the four saw that the street stretching into the distance was littered with signs of battle. Ghoul limbs covered the ground, Gargoyles lay shattered by the roadside, Crypt Fiends had been crushed flat, and Abomination corpses lay scattered about. Vast patches of the floor had been stained a sickly green, giving off a foul stench.

"When we retreated yesterday, Abominations hadn't appeared yet. Roderick killed these," Abbendis explained to the others.

Unable to determine what lay ahead, they did not dare advance rashly. At a time like this, Rohan was naturally the most suitable choice for a stealth reconnaissance mission.

After a long while, Rohan reappeared before the other three.

"The Scarlet Bastion soldiers were all turned into Undead guards by the enemy. I saw Marol. He didn't escape his fate either." He paused briefly to catch his breath.

Then he continued, "There are many freshly collapsed buildings ahead. They were probably left behind after Roderick's battle, but I still found no trace of him."

"Time is of the essence. Since the enemy's guard is lax, we'll go forward and look for him immediately." Abbendis made the decision somewhat impulsively, but no one objected.

When they reached a ruin buried beneath bricks, Rohan carefully examined