Chapter 70

"Looks like you're in a real mess." Seeing Karl's eyelids flutter, Zhao Mai knew he was gradually waking up. "I've done my best to treat your wounds, but it seems you have some broken bones, which I can't do much about. You should know, I've used up all the potions I had."

Indeed, apart from the disease-curing potions he would never use, only three bottles remained from Darryl's box: Haste, Bull's Strength, and Protection from Energy Damage.

Both Karl and Longchong were injured. The healing potions and Cure Light Wounds spells were just enough to stabilize their conditions. The ranger's most severe wound was in his abdomen, where a spear had pierced a hole in his intestines. If he hadn't encountered Zhao Mai, this wound would have led to a slow and excruciating death.

"Mike?" Karl forced a smile by lifting the corners of his mouth: "Thank you for coming to help me. I would have died without you."

"Sure, no problem. Your injuries look pretty bad. Although you're much better now, there are still hidden dangers," Zhao Mai said frankly. "The wounds have only stopped bleeding, but they haven't healed. This suggests that there are still hidden injuries inside your body."

Karl took a deep breath and immediately felt pain in his lungs and heart. He tried to sit up using his arms, but his left wrist and left shoulder couldn't bear the weight. This was a sign of fractures, and he must avoid any strenuous activity to prevent broken bones from piercing his internal organs.

"Who did this to you?"

At this question, Karl fell silent, tightly pressing his lips together, his brows furrowed and trembling slightly. He was hesitant, unsure whether to tell Mike; on the other hand, what he had experienced was too embarrassing to share, especially in front of Mike, who was almost his student.

The giant snake "Longchong" leaned its head over and gently nudged Karl's ear. The ranger then made his decision, took a deep breath, and began to recount his story.

"After you left, I found that the gnome had also disappeared. Worried that he might harm you, I sent Dogmeat to help you. He was really overconfident to cause trouble in my forest! I also had Dogmeat retrieve the Radiant Gem Amulet, which you know about."

"Of course, I gave it to him."

"Dogmeat never returned, so I went out to look for him and found signs of the Angerborn Servants. These shadow creatures never used to leave Vipercliff Castle, and they had never appeared so far south. I quickly prepared my gear and went to Vipercliff Castle with Longchong."

"There was a big problem there. A group of Nightmare Cultists had taken over the place, using Lamashtu's madness to mix the incorporeal Angerborn Servants with evil creatures, creating even more evil, powerful, and cunning species. I saw them forging weapons and even building the bases for siege engines, realizing the situation was dire."

"North of Vipercliff Castle are the mountains, to the east is the Healthy Forest, and to the west is the Ashen Lake. They were building siege engines, which could only mean they were planning to attack Nepo Town to the south. I hurriedly left Vipercliff Castle, first warning the gnome tribes in the forest, then alerting Nepo Town. But I was ambushed on the way and sustained these injuries. I barely managed to escape."

Karl seemed to be gathering strength, pausing for a moment before continuing: "Five people attacked me, including the half-orc Soru. He was wearing the Radiant Gem Amulet, but it didn't seem to be working. He was controlled by a kobold, almost obeying every command. I sensed the shadow aura of the Angerborn Servants from that kobold, so it likely came from Vipercliff Castle. The battle began, and I killed three bear goblin bodyguards, but I was injured and couldn't kill the kobold to free Soru. He stabbed me in the abdomen with a spear, and I knew I couldn't stay. With the help of the forest animals, I managed to escape their pursuit and made it to this place."

Zhao Mai was shocked: "Soru killed Dogmeat and took the amulet? How could he do it?" He quickly picked up Dogmeat and held it in his arms to comfort it. The poor dog was motionless, as if paralyzed.

"It might not have been him, probably the kobold," Karl's face was pale, but he still held out hope for the half-orc. "I found him at the edge of the forest, raised him, and educated him. I know him. If it weren't for mind control, he wouldn't... wouldn't do this to me."

"Under normal circumstances, he could still be a good companion. But didn't you notice the hidden anger in Soru?" Zhao Mai shook his head, recalling his battle with the half-orc. "When you were around, he might have been a normal child. But once out of your sight, if provoked, he couldn't control himself. That kind of rage seems to be in his blood, but that's no excuse. Even if we had a conflict, he was raised by you. Why didn't he come back to you and admit his mistake?"

"I might have been too strict with him, always worrying that his orc blood would influence him too much..."

"Karl, I know you don't want to admit it, but Soru has gone down the wrong path," Zhao Mai said. "If I see him again, I won't show mercy."

"You... I..." Karl knew he couldn't persuade Zhao Mai, and he couldn't even persuade Longchong. There was something he didn't mention: when he saw Soru, the giant snake showed a terrifying hatred, indicating that Soru's aura had thoroughly enraged this cold-blooded creature. Longchong was determined to kill the half-orc, regardless of other enemies. The ranger didn't want to think too deeply about the reason, but he understood it.

"Mike, forget about Soru for now. Can you go warn Nepo Town? They will soon face an enemy attack."

"It's probably too late," Zhao Mai said. "When I was by the lake, I saw black smoke rising from Nepo Town. I'm sure the enemies you mentioned are already attacking. Now, it's important for you to recover. Do you want me to take you back to your place?"

"I need to go to the battlefield. I can't let the Angerborn Servants from Vipercliff Castle continue to wreak havoc. It's my responsibility." The snake pushed against Karl's back, helping him stand shakily. "As long as I have a breath left, I will keep fighting."

"You can't fight like this!" Zhao Mai stopped the ranger. "I used so many potions, not to send you to your death again! Nepo Town has walls, guards, and many hired warriors. They don't need an old ranger like you!"

"I..." Karl sighed deeply, "I need to see if Soru is there. If I can save him and persuade him to turn to the good, I can rest easy."

"You're really foolish..."

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