They thought escaping the clutches of the robbers would grant them freedom, only to find themselves in yet another cage.
"I warn you."
Saoās piercing gaze swept over everyone,
"From now on, youād better behave yourselves and not entertain any fantasies."
"My Lord, Baron Rod, is a benevolent man. As long as you work diligently, he will ensure you have food to eat and a place to sleep."
"But if you dare harbor any thoughts of resistance or escape..."
Sao paused, his words icy cold,
"You will starve to death in the darkest of mines."
Finished, Sao didnāt waste any more words, waving his hand,
"Return to Black Pine Ridge."
...
...
"Huff..."
In the woods, Madre halted, looking back in fear,
"Itās so terrifying, the formidable Knight Sao isnāt chasing after us, right?"
"Boss, you really know how to act, donāt you?"
The deputy beside Madre sighed,
"Sir Sao wouldnāt chase us at all, why are you running so fast?"
The deputy took a deep breath, complaining, "Iām starving from the run; the battle wasnāt this tiring."
"Nonsense, the lord said I have professional spirit!"
Madre spat, instructing his deputy, "Be vigilant, even though the Shadow Guard is watching out for us, we mustnāt be careless."
"Alright, boss."
The deputy nodded, waving his hand and took two others to keep guard.
Then, Madre sat down heavily on the ground, took off his helmet, revealing a face covered in sweat.
It was Gang Le.
...
...
Eagle Castle, the reception room.
The air was filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere, like the calm before a storm.
The servants all kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.
Various documents and maps lay on the heavy long table, marked with locations of the plundered villages.
Lurice stood at one end of the table, her face as dark as a sky beset with storm clouds.
"Creakā"
The heavy wooden door was pushed open, a guard walked solemnly inside, respectfully saluting before reporting,
"Sir, Silo is here."
"Let him in."
"Yes, Sir."
The guard responded respectfully, then ushered in Silo, cloaked in black.
"Good day, honorable Baron."
Silo bowed respectfully and saluted Lurice.
Lurice did not respond, waving to the servants, "Leave."
The servants nodded in response, swiftly walking out of the reception room and closing the door.
"Silo!"
Lurice suddenly exploded in anger, eyes blazing with fury, like an enraged lioness.
"Explain to me clearly, what is going on!"
She fiercely threw the scroll she held onto Silo,
"Why would Madre raid the villages of Eagle Ridge!"
"Isnāt he your subordinate? Didnāt you say he was absolutely loyal and reliable?!"
Luriceās face flushed, every word squeezed out through clenched teeth.
"Apologies, Baron, please donāt be angry."
Silo accepted the scroll, respectfully placing it on the long table, his face full of confusion and puzzlement.
"I... I truly donāt know what happened."
"Madre is indeed someone we placed, but such a thing should never happen."
Silo patiently explained,
"Iāve been trying to contact him, sent multiple messengers near the village, but havenāt received any reply."
"This situation is abnormal, Baron."
"Abnormal?"
Luriceās voice carried suspicion, the anger in her eyes undiminished,
"Didnāt you claim he was a scoundrel?"
"A scoundrel raiding our villages, whatās abnormal about that?"
"No, Baron, Madre truly wouldnāt do such a thing; thereās no profit in it!"
Silo quickly shook his head,
"I suspect the person raiding the village isnāt the real Madre!"
His voice suddenly rose in pitch, as if grasping at a lifeline,
"Yes! Someone is impersonating him! Intentionally provoking conflict between us and you!"
Lurice heard this, sneering, slowly walking towards Silo,
"Impersonation?"
Luriceās voice became even colder,
"Do you take me for someone who knows nothing?"
She grabbed Siloās collar,
"Those elders who survived from the village raid saw the attackers with their own eyes!"
"They described features identical to your Madre!"
Lurice reprimanded word by word,
"A physique as robust as a bear, wearing finely crafted armor reflecting cold light."
"And the axe blade always emitting an eerie red glow, the famed Bloody War Axe!"
"Even the words he uttered were exactly the sameāBloody Axe Madre!"
Her voice grew louder, finally nearly roaring,
"Tell me, who else could impersonate these details so flawlessly?!"
Lurice pushed hard, causing Silo to stagger back a few steps, nearly falling.
At this point, Silo also became flustered, his face turning pale,
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible..."
Siloās voice weakened, bowing his head in deep thought.
Suddenly he looked up and shouted, "He hasnāt sold those slaves at all... Yes!"
"Baron, neither your town nor the lands of the Cold Blade Clan have seen Madre selling slaves!"
Siloās eyes sparked with excitement,
"Madre must have allied with Lord Rod, and then he sent Madre to raid!"
He grew more excited as he spoke, as if truly discovering a major clue,
"Yes! Only that cunning fellow Rod would have such a means and motive!"
Lurice heard this speculation, momentarily fell silent, a complex look on her face.