Chapter 134 - Dark Lands Part 8

Sitting on a wooden chair, one of the survivors was interviewed by the Captian. Holding a cup of warm water while his hands still shaking. The captain was on the opposite side of the table. Torches were what accompanied them as they were the only ones in the room.

"So what exactly happened? Why is the security not so uptight? And where are the adventurers? I did not saw anyone in here?" The Captain asked.

"It all started when the adventurers left the stronghold. They were led by their captain. I was opposed to their decision but they greatly wanted to conquer the Riverside Stronghold next to ours. They still didn't come home till then," Said the guard.

"Damn it! I will surely punish him greatly with his stupidity! All were at stake due to his ignorance," Captain said.

"It is alright to leave the stronghold once in a while but the gargoyle attack followed. Making me think that the enemies saw it as a weakness. Gargoyle scouts were seen day by day after they left," The guard said.

"Hmmm, that makes sense. And what happens next?" Asked the Captian.

"It was just a normal afternoon that time and we were chatting idly on the campfire. Telling stories about our families and kids. Laughing at the humour of our comrades while eating grilled meat. All happened so fast when the tower guards sounded the alarm. Shouting Gargoyles incoming. We stand up from where we were sitting and get readied. Fast enough to respond but as we climbed up to the walls, we were utterly shocked. We first can't estimate their numbers as it darkened the sky. But one of our scouts said that their numbers reached a thousand," Said the guard.

"That indeed was a stalemate, to begin with. Of only the adventurers didn't leave, damn it!" The Captain shouted slamming the table.

The guard almost jolted at the booming sound.

"Haha, sorry for my rudeness, please continue," The Captian said.

"Ah, where were we? Ah okay, it was then, we held out. Minutes of fighting was very brutal. The enemies outnumbered us and culled our numbers one by one. It was a mistake on our part as we were scattered. Making the enemy easily kill us one by one. We regrouped but we were only a few left. We fought hard with our weapons. Killed some but we were surrounded. Our leader told us to retreat to the tower and we did. We were running for our lives but our leader sacrificed himself to divert the agro from us to him. We entered the tower and barred the doors. Waited till they will leave us. But they were still banging the door for hours. Luckily, we have barricaded it hard enough for them to enter. Soon after, they left and the place was silent. Even our breathing was so low that we didn't hear our breathing. Focusing on not making noise to hear what was happening outside. It was then you all came. I am so sorry as we couldn't help. We were too afraid to set foot outside," The soldier said.

"Ah, it is okay, thank you for your report soldier. You are dismissed," The Captain said to him.

The soldier left and the Captain was left alone in the room. He was massaging his head and then leaned his head on the table. Putting his hands on top of his head. It was then a soldier entered his room.

"Reporting sir!"

"Go on,"

"The adventurers arrived sir!"

"Good! Dismissed,"

The Captain then grinned at what he heard. It was then, Joan was on the tower on the gate. Looking at the adventurers who were walking by foot towards them. Beside Joan was a guard who has a telescope with him. Joan then thought that he was looking at how many the adventurers was but the guard beside him was worried. He gulped his saliva on the process.

"How? This is not good! Their numbers, why is it they are only a few left? They are numerous when they left! Could it be?" The guard said in shock.

"Could be what?" Joan asked.

"That they failed! This is impossible!" The guard said to him.

Joan then felt confused as well as worried. What could it possibly mean by what he said? And what happened that they failed? All these questions were on his mind but he didn't question the guy. He was trembling as Joan saw him. He was still in great shock so Joan didn't pry too much.

It was then, they saw many adventurers were bandaged. Some of them were carried by their comrades home. They entered the gate and they were met by the Captain. Their leader was in great shock as his face was gloomy.

"I thought we could do it. I thought we can finally liberate Riverside Stronghold," The adventurer leader said while in tears.

"It's okay, don't cry," The Captain said then approached him and punched him in the face. Making him knocked out in just a single blow.

"It disgusts me to see you crying. Put him in the dungeon and jail him. Inform me as soon as possible if he woke up," The Captain said to his men.

It was then they moved him inside the dungeon. Joan saw that they were healing the wounded and so he also helped. He prepared to use his full speed for him not to be noticed. He didn't want to be seen healing others as he was a jobless adventurer. He burst and in a blink of an eye, he used [After image], making him turn invisible for a moment. But that moment was enough, he healed them all in repeating the [After image[ and [Group heal]. Making them in utter shock with what happened.

"What? I am healed!"

"Huh? Me too!"

"What could have happened? I am healed!"

"Who could have made such a miracle!"

"Wait? We all are healed at the same time? Who could it be?"

They were in great confusion and they asked the Priests who made it.

"I can trace the skill, is it a group heal?" Asked the Priest.

"Yeah for sure," said his comrade.