Archer's Adventure Manual

Chapter 179 Advance Team Leader Du En

Lake led his legion through the streets and alleys, finally arriving at the Warren nobleman's manor.

Lake discovered that the residential areas had some building damage and partial defects.

However, as the most luxurious place in Luoyan Town, the Warren nobleman's manor obviously does not have this problem.

Even with some problems, big and small, the manor remained very clean and beautiful, maintaining the elegance befitting an aristocrat.

"Such a big thing happened in Rockfall, but I didn't expect the Warren nobles to handle it so well, without their own estates suffering any damage," Lake teased Mark, who was leading the way.

"You jest, sir. It's just that the monsters haven't ravaged this place. Perhaps it's because of the protection of our ancestors that we have such good fortune."

"But most importantly, there was help from the advance team of Plasson. Without their help, the manor, no matter how beautiful, would eventually become ruins."

Lake asked curiously, "I'm very curious about what the situation was like with the monsters back then. I heard that they surrounded all parts of Rockfall Town, and the situation was very critical. The Plasson faction even issued the highest level red alert."

"I believe that for a danger of this level, the advance team alone might not be enough. You must have helped in the process. Could you tell me about your great achievements?"

"I believe that protecting Rockfall is something worth celebrating. People will admire you sincerely because of your deeds, and the knights will take you as role models. I can also help you apply for Plasson's honor in my name."

Mark shook his head and chuckled. "I just did my job. There were a lot of monsters that day. I led a group of soldiers to protect the residents of the town on the east side. Those monsters were very difficult to deal with, but I completed my mission."

"As for more details, I'm not sure. You can ask Baron Warren for more information."

Lake was not surprised by Mark's ambiguous answer. When they arrived at the foot of Warren's noble castle, Lake paused.

"My legion has a large number of people. If we want them all to enter the castle, it will be quite troublesome," Lake said with a troubled expression.

"Since you say the advance team is staying at the castle, and I happen to know the team leader, how about you give me your name and have him come out so I can have a chat with him?"

Mark paused, then hesitated, "Baron Warren is already waiting for you inside the castle. Isn't what you're doing a bit inappropriate?"

"This is a necessary procedure. If you have any objections, you can raise them with the Plassen Guard Department. That's your right," Lake said calmly.

As the legion's commander, he did not intend to do anything risky before the situation became clear.

His first task was to verify the veracity of Mark's words. If the first advance team had indeed encountered no incident in Rockfall, then why hadn't Plasson's side received any information?

It's highly suspicious that they don't even have the most basic method of sending messages by bird.

"Very well, as you wish, sir." After confirming Lake's attitude, Mark Warren didn't say anything more and went into the castle to report.

Lake then turned to the vice-commander beside him, "Roth, what do you think the Warren nobles did? If the intelligence from Plasson is accurate, then who changed all of this?"

Vice-captain Roth thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Captain, it's still too bizarre... In fact, it's even worse than the monster battles we expected. There are many adventurers' corpses on the outskirts. Facts don't lie."

"Is it possible that the Warren nobles are controlled by monsters, or... that they have a direct interest in them?" Lake made this guess.

The current peaceful situation may be under the control of those monsters. According to Plassen's intelligence, those monsters may have a shrewd leader.

It's not impossible for a monster with a brain to do such a thing.

While waiting, Loran and Barton also arrived at the manor. They saw Lake's legion and chose to rejoin the ranks.

Lake had no objection to this.

The soldiers rested on the spot, discussing matters concerning Rockfall Town.

"I saw the tavern in Rockfall Town on the way... it looked deserted. I was thinking of stopping by for a drink. Where are all the adventurers? I haven't seen many of them."

"Our orders were to come and help Rockfall Town resolve its troubles. The adventurers were the first to act when danger struck. Didn't you see those skeletons on the outskirts of Rockfall Town? The adventurers either died or escaped."

"Then why don't the lords and nobles here run away?"

"Are you stupid? Their territory is right here. If they run away, they'll lose everything. They'll definitely fight to the death to defend it, and it seems they did. It looks like the outcome is good."

Lorraine and Barton also sat down cross-legged to rest for a while. Barton's eyes were full of complicated emotions. He always felt that something was wrong with his parents, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.

Loran suggested that he return to the legion, as they needed more information and, if possible, a solution. Patton naturally agreed.

Barton whispered to Loran, "Garen, could it be some kind of evil magic...? I'm not a mage, I don't understand these things... I'm just making a guess."

"Do you think my parents might be under some kind of dark magic? They seem really off. Garen, you're a mage, you know about this kind of thing, what do you think?"

Loran shook his head. "I don't know. There are many kinds of magic in the world. I only have a very basic understanding... Nobody can say for sure."

Having come into contact with the Cult of Dreams, Loran had some understanding of mental magic. The Dream Bishops indirectly made people addicted to dreams by influencing their minds.

Even now, Loran has no idea how they managed to do it; perhaps they learned it from the starlight of a dream as vast as the ocean.

In short, none of the classic texts about dreams mention their methods.

Barton's parents, as well as old Smith whom Lorraine knew, all seemed to be under psychological influence, though Lorraine was unsure of the exact method.

Just as Loran was pondering this, a series of footsteps came from inside the castle.

Then Loran saw a handsome man, wearing bright silver armor, walking out of the castle with a smile on his face.

Lake also showed a rather surprised expression when he saw the man.

"Captain Dunn? You're really here?!" Lake's tone was full of surprise. He had thought that Mark Warren's words were a lie, but he didn't expect that the information was actually true.

The man before them was indeed Dunn, the captain of the first advance team.