Chapter 252
“Achoo!”
Oliver sneezed and looked around. He suddenly had a strange feeling.
They were currently traveling to the place where the camp was supposed to be located.
The entire journey was eerily silent. The others were intimidated by Oliver’s mysterious presence and did not dare to speak to him much.
The girl who had fainted earlier had woken up and was now walking normally. She occasionally tried to initiate small talk with him, to which he responded with crisp answers.
“Sir, I think this is where it should be…”
The man spoke to Oliver, who nodded and looked around.
As expected, the area was empty and barren. There was no trace of any possible settlement.
At least, that’s what it seemed like at first glance.
Oliver narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over every rock and shadow, scanning the landscape with practiced precision.
Hmm… there’s really nothing here, Oliver thought to himself. It seemed they still weren’t in the right place.
But why do I feel uneasy? He had an odd feeling in his chest, wondering if he was moving too slowly with such a large group. Should he abandon them here?
In the end, he decided to lead them for a little longer to see for himself.
Just like that, the group continued walking for hours, stopping occasionally to search for traces of a hideout.
“Hmm?” Oliver raised his hand, motioning for everyone to stop.
He had seen something.
A figure stood atop a nearby rock, staring directly at them.
The figure noticed Oliver looking back and jumped down. The height was considerable, enough to turn an ordinary person into a pile of broken bones.
As the figure descended, Oliver’s gaze remained fixed on him—sharp and unwavering.
The figure’s features became more visible as he landed.
Unexpectedly…
It was a human.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed, his mind racing. A human, here?
“You’re looking for the reinforcement hideout, right?” the man asked in a hoarse voice.
Oliver remained silent, studying him. The man was as thin as a stick, with bony limbs, a sunken face, and heavy dark circles under his eyes. He wore a black hat and loose-fitting white clothes, standing out starkly in this barren environment.
“Indeed,” Oliver replied. “And who might you be?”
The man glanced at Oliver briefly before answering, “I’ve come to fetch you. We’ve been observing you for some time now.”
Oliver’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Observing him? He hadn’t sensed anyone nearby. “You’ve been observing us? I didn’t see you anywhere. And why show up only now?” Oliver asked, his tone sharp and questioning.
The man nodded. “We had to ensure you weren’t bait sent by the demons to lure us out.”
“So? Have you confirmed that now?”
“We have. You’re not a threat, which is why I’ve been sent to bring you to the hideout,” the man replied calmly.
“I see,” Oliver said, raising an eyebrow. He found it odd that he hadn’t sensed them but attributed it to the possibility that they were stronger than him.
After all, the reinforcements had to be skilled enough to survive in demon lands while remaining hidden.
“Alright, lead the way.” Doubt lingered in his mind, but he had little choice. Oliver had his doubts but chose to follow. He still needed to remove his cloak as well.
The man led them along a long and winding route, passing through various rocks and hills before they arrived at a narrow corridor that ended at a small, concealed door.
“Behind this door lies our hideout. We’ve designed it so the demons have difficulty finding it,” the man said in a low tone.
As they passed through the door, Oliver sensed multiple presences.
A prickling sensation crawled up his spine as he stepped inside, his senses alert to every sound and shadow.
They entered a sparse area with desolate streets and makeshift camps scattered around.
Occasionally, a few humans glanced their way as they walked through the area.
Their eyes were wary, faces gaunt and worn, as if they had seen more horrors than most could bear.
Everything seemed normal.
Yet, Oliver couldn’t shake a bad feeling. An unease stirred deep within him, like the low rumble of a storm gathering on the horizon. Restlessness churned within him.
“Where are we headed?” Oliver asked.
“To the chief of this place, the one who oversees everything,” the man replied as he led them to one of the larger camps.
Inside, Oliver immediately noticed a chair facing away from them.
“Chief, I’ve brought them as per your instructions,” the man announced.
“Well done. Show the guests their accommodations,” came the reply.
“Excuse me,” one of the enslaved people spoke up nervously. “What will happen to us now?”
“You will stay here for a few days until the reinforcement group returns with other captives. Then we’ll send you all back to human territories,” the chief answered calmly.
Relief flickered across the faces of the freed captives, their shoulders sagging as if a great weight had been lifted. Oliver listened in silence, his mind seemingly occupied.
“Follow me. I’ll show you where you can stay,” the thin man said.
The group’s spirits lifted. They were finally close to returning home.
The little girl seemed happy too, though she kept glancing at Oliver, hesitation evident in her eyes. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but she quickly closed it, her expression conflicted.
The thin man showed them to their quarters and left quickly.
“Umm…” The girl turned to look for Oliver, only to realize he had disappeared. Disappointment flickered across her face. She wanted to say something but held back.
She hugged her arms around herself, biting her lip. She had wanted to thank him, or maybe just to talk, but he was gone.
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Later, in the Chief’s Tent
“Have you arranged everything?”
The thin man returned to the tent where the chief was waiting.
“Yes, all of them have been shown to their quarters,” he replied.
“Good. It should suffice for now,” the chief said. “I don’t think they suspect anything.”
“We’ve done as instructed. It’s no longer our concern. Prepare for evacuation.”
“Yes, sir,” the thin man replied, his eyes turning cold. He cast a wary glance at the chief, a trace of fear visible in his posture, as if he were afraid to linger too long. A trace of fear and vigilance crossed his face.
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