"You're looking for a blue-robed wizard. What does that have to do with me?"
On the other side of the river, Levi argued with patrolling soldiers, feeling helpless. Still couldn't escape them.
Though Harondor beneath his feet was disputed territory with garrisons from both Gondor and Harad, this was still the Harnen River basin. The entire southern bank was filled with Haradrim towns, and the northern bank often served as their landing point for receiving Umbar corsairs.
He'd thought staying away from the Ford Bridge would be fine, but these fellows didn't even spare the area around the bridge.
Gondor proper was simply too far from here. They couldn't reach across, at least not to the enemy's home shore.
"By the commander's orders, all recent travelers must verify their origins and purpose. You'd better clear your suspicions within three sentences."
"I'm just an ordinary passerby visiting my cousin."
"Ordinary passerby, visiting your cousin?"
The stationed soldier looked Levi up and down with quite an expression.
"This area only has military camps and soldiers. Who is your cousin, where did your boat come from, and don't you know the commander has already forbidden unauthorized river crossings?"
"And what's that thing wrapped tightly in blankets beside you? Is there a person in there?"
"You need to explain."
"Uh, would you believe me if I said there's a baby inside? He was overdeveloped as a child and grew quite large. I'm bringing him to find his family."
Levi picked up the Gondorian commander with sincere eyes. Though his face was mostly covered by his hood, no matter how sincere his eyes were, the soldier in front couldn't see them.
"Do you take me for a fool?"
The stationed soldier looked quite unfriendly, and several more soldiers came running from behind at the commotion.
By now this soldier was convinced that even if the person before him wasn't who the commander wanted, he was definitely a murderer. The blanket probably contained a corpse.
"Sneaky fellow who won't even show his true face. Come with me!"
Seeing the soldiers about to surround him, Levi knew he couldn't delay any longer.
"Fine, I'll come with you."
He shrugged helplessly and took a step forward with the Gondorian commander under the soldiers' watchful eyes. Then suddenly began running forward, fast as a rabbit.
"Catch him!"
The shouts immediately alerted other soldiers in the tents. At least dozens poured out, grabbing weapons and chasing in the direction Levi had run, pursuing for several miles without giving up.
Quite persistent. Looking like they'd fight to the death.
"I wanted to resolve this peacefully."
Beside the main road, Levi set down his burden and drew his sword. When did even a few dozen people dare to attack me? Can I tolerate this insult?
"You chose this yourselves!"
The Harnen River garrison gradually approached. Just as Levi was about to simply drop his disguise and clean up the pursuing enemies, suddenly several barn owl calls came from behind a nearby tree.
Barn owls... Wait, where would barn owls come from in this place?
Levi turned his head to see an inconspicuous oak tree among the withered bushes where the sounds originated. Three local Haradrim flowers beneath the tree seemed to form a perfect triangle.
Rangers? No, that's not right. Probably Gondor's frontline strike team. Gondorian Rangers.
Levi waved to indicate no need for concern and charged directly at those dozens of men. His mindset was stable, but someone was getting anxious.
"Come back!"
The Gondorian Ranger behind the tree couldn't hold back and quickly jumped out: "Don't go to your death. We have enough time to hide!"
"No need."
A brief response drifted over. The Ranger looked around, gritted his teeth, and had no choice but to first take away the person on the ground.
When a corner of the blanket was exposed, the Ranger's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Captain?"
The person in the blanket didn't respond. The Ranger looked at his captain, then at the departing mysterious figure. Gritting his teeth, he chose to drag the captain toward the underground stronghold.
"What's the situation?"
As soon as he went down, three other Rangers immediately surrounded him.
"This is... the captain?"
"Still alive!"
Someone checked and looked quite excited.
"The wounds on his body are all healed, and his breathing is stable too. God, it's truly a miracle."
"When the captain was ambushed by those despicable Haradrim yesterday, I thought I'd never see him again."
"How did you bring the captain back?"
"It wasn't me." That Ranger said: "The person who brought the captain back is up there. I couldn't see his face clearly. Right now he's facing dozens of Haradrim soldiers alone."
"What?"
Several exchanged glances and immediately decided: "You stay here and watch over the captain. The three of us will go up to help."
"No, that's dozens of people. You'll all die."
"We can't just watch that brave warrior die at enemy hands."
One Ranger stepped forward and said to the one who had brought the captain back and given Levi the signal:
"Take word back to Gondor. Not one coward in our entire squad!"
The three took up weapons, shared the last small cup of ale remaining in the stronghold, and then climbed the ladder one by one.
Click.
The underground passage entrance opened, and a faint bloody smell wafted up. A mysterious face blocked the opening, peering inside.
"Who's there!" The Ranger reacted extremely quickly, immediately drawing his weapon. The Ranger behind who hadn't climbed the ladder, also quickly nocked his bow.
"Hold your fire! Friendly!"
"He's the one who brought the captain back!" The Ranger tending to the captain in back quickly explained after taking a look.
"Where are the enemies?"
Though confirming Levi was friendly, the three still climbed up and looked around.
"All over there."
Levi pointed in one direction, where not a single person stood. All pursuers eliminated.
"...Just who are you?"
After a moment of silence, the Ranger questioned.
Levi took the opportunity to remove his hat and headwrap, revealing his true face, and pulled back his robe.
"Levi Stonecraft, residing in Roadside Keep."
"Greetings to you all."
Thud!
Like a heavy hammer striking their souls, the Rangers took deep breaths, looked at each other, and nodded.
Confirmed. It was him.
"Apologies, we didn't recognize you earlier."
"Nothing to apologize for. Daring to attack when facing ten times your number shows commendable courage."
"How is your commander?"
"Commander?"
The Rangers repeated the word in their minds, feeling somewhat confused. What's happening? When did the captain get promoted?
"I'm alright..."
At this moment, a voice came from the underground passage. It was that "Gondorian commander."
"I'm not some general."
He climbed up in a few steps: "That was a Haradrim lie to boost their own morale."
"Thank you for your assistance, Legend Levi."
"I owe you my life."