Chapter 95

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Chapter 95: The Unexpected Guests of Hillenbrand Town

While Lolth and her group, accompanied by Doyle Candice, were heading towards Shelldor’s territory, a group of unexpected guests arrived outside Hillenbrand Town at noon.

“Captain Rayleigh, there’s a small town a few hundred meters ahead, though it appears unremarkable. There are no signs of demon race activity… With only about two hundred residents and such a remote location, the demon race has likely abandoned it!” reported Wood Elf Mora, who continued to serve as their scout.

Though Rayleigh couldn’t match a Wood Elf ranger’s vision without magical enhancement, he managed to spot the human settlement in the distance.

“About two hundred people, and indeed quite secluded…”

As a native of the Republic of Seychelles who had fought on the western front for many years, he had never noticed this town on the border between the Zima Principality and Lauren Duchy. He vaguely recalled seeing a human settlement marked on a map in this area.

When he activated Magic Essence Perception, he detected barely any magical energy fluctuations or demon race remnants. Upon closer inspection, he sensed some minimal residue, as if one or two demon race members had passed through days ago.

“Perhaps the demon race came but left once they realized there was no value in ruling here!”

Rayleigh reached the same conclusion as Mora. The discovery of this town was fortunate for them. Though Isabella’s stolen Demon Army token had eased their anxiety, and everyone’s energy had recovered after a hearty meal the previous night, they still lacked Lolth’s tents and equipment, making wilderness camping challenging. While the remaining Holy Alliance soldiers could endure hardship, they certainly didn’t enjoy it. Finding a town to rest in was indeed welcome news.

“Brothers, there’s a human town ahead with no demon races present—let’s rest there!” Rayleigh announced, lifting everyone’s spirits.

“There’s actually a human town here?”

“And no demon races… we’re really lucky!”

“Yes, since meeting that demon race group, our luck has turned around.”

“I can finally enjoy some proper hot food.”

“Though it probably won’t be as good as those instant noodles the demon race gave us!”

“Why are you still thinking about that demon race, you traitors!”

“Don’t scold them—you were salivating when I mentioned instant noodles earlier!”

As the group grew animated, Mora remained cautious. “We should still be careful, Captain Rayleigh, in case the demon race has set an ambush…”

“I understand,” Rayleigh nodded, “but we’ll have to take that chance… Even if we encounter demon races, they shouldn’t be numerous or as powerful as that succubus from before—we might even be able to defeat them!”

“Should we take the main road directly, or detour through the forest to the south and circle into town carefully?” Mora asked after a moment’s consideration.

Rayleigh pondered the suggestion but ultimately shook his head. “I don’t think that’s necessary. Any powerful demon race warrior would have noticed us by now. There’s no need to waste energy on an unnecessary detour… Let’s take the main road!”

“You make sense, Captain Rayleigh,” Mora agreed.

Little did they know, this decision to take the main road would prove to be one of the best choices they had ever made.

They continued along the main road and soon reached Hillenbrand Town’s northern edge. The northern farmlands had grown wild with weeds, appearing desolate and deserted except for a few playing children.

“Even this remote location couldn’t escape the war’s effects…” Rayleigh sighed.

The children noticed the approaching group and began pointing and chattering.

“So many people, there must be hundreds!”

“No way, it’s a hundred at most!”

“Look at the pointed-eared and short ones with the humans… elves and dwarves, right?”

“That elf without silver hair is pretty!”

“Are they nobles?”

“If they’re nobles, we should tell the adults and Uncle Maider quickly!”

“But how do we know if they’re nobles?”

Hearing their discussion, Rayleigh coughed and said, “We’re not all nobles—most of us are Holy Alliance soldiers…”

As soon as he spoke, he noticed the children’s demeanor change.

“Holy Alliance?”

“Are those the ones the demon race chased away?”

Though finding their reaction strange, Rayleigh didn’t grasp its significance. “Well, not exactly chased away… we merely retreated temporarily. We’ll reclaim this place!”

The children exchanged glances before running toward town, shouting:

“Quick, someone come—Holy Alliance is here!”

“The people who oppose the lord have returned!”

“The noble lord is coming to collect taxes and grain again—”

“Uncle Maider, quickly fetch the lord—”

“Hurry, tell the lord!”

“Master Tina is still here, who will tell Master Tina?”

The group watched the fleeing children and their shouts with bewilderment. Despite their defeat, they hadn’t expected such a reaction from commoners—as if they were approaching bandits.

Not only Rayleigh but everyone felt perplexed. And the eleven elves led by Mora grew particularly alarmed at the final mention.

“Tina… Master Tina?”

Though there were no Moon Elves among the eleven elves—mostly White Elves, Wood Elves, and River Sprites—they all knew of Tina Leinster Newmoon, the Moon Elf Princess. Her capture had shocked the entire Elven community.

When the children had mentioned a “beautiful elf with silver-white hair” earlier, the elves found it hard to dismiss as coincidence.

“Could it really be Master Tina?”