So it was a Ranger squad captain...
Levi fell silent for a moment. Seeing the posture of those soldiers in the Haradrim town, he'd thought they'd actually captured some Gondorian general.
These Haradrim were falsifying military reports.
"Alright, I understand the general situation."
"But I'm quite curious. How did you end up in such a state?"
Logically, frontline strike teams should be the most cautious bunch, especially a Ranger captain. How could he have been captured?
This time it was the Ranger captain's turn to fall silent. Clearly, he didn't want to discuss this matter.
However...
The Ranger captain shook his head. Never mind. Being known by this person wasn't shameful.
"It was the Haradrim commander. When confronting us, he shouted insults, cursed our country, called all Gondorians cowards, and challenged our best fighter to single combat before the ranks."
"I couldn't restrain myself and emerged from hiding."
"As a strike team captain, I failed in my duty, and what happened next proved my actions were wrong."
"When I walked to the clearing to face the Haradrim commander, several archers suddenly emerged from behind him to attack me, followed by over a dozen soldiers who pinned me down on the spot."
"Before my men could react, they quickly withdrew and brought me back to their camp, torturing me with various methods to extract information."
"I said nothing. Soon I passed out from blood loss and pain."
"I thought everything was finally ending."
The Ranger captain's jaw tightened at the memory.
"Miracles always appear in unexpected ways."
"Only those with sufficient determination have the chance to await miracles."
Levi also sighed. This world was a grand symphony, and many people's fates were actually predetermined by destiny.
But this fate wasn't absolutely inevitable. Eru, the world's creator, left everyone room: as long as a person's will was strong enough, they had a chance to break free from destiny.
If this captain had betrayed his companions after just a little whipping, his fate might have been more miserable than death.
Unless he became a complete traitor, betraying his faith and homeland to serve the Haradrim like a slave. Even then, it would be merely surviving. Just barely surviving... right?
True betrayers wouldn't think so. They'd only believe they'd made the truly correct choice, desperately disparaging their own country and wishing everyone would die to demonstrate their "wisdom" and "success."
Such people weren't uncommon. Especially in the Harad and Umbar regions. The latter was founded by Gondorian traitors and would shelter anyone who opposed Gondor.
They built ships, frequently harassing Gondor's coastal regions, later becoming known as the 'Corsairs of Umbar.' The Kings of Gondor were troubled by them for ages.
Though in Harondor, it was usually the Haradrim who were more troubled.
"Those strike teams are so nerve-wracking. Why won't they fight us fair and square?"
At an outpost on the Harnen River's northern bank, two soldiers chatted while patrolling.
If the Ranger captain heard this, he'd surely curse these Haradrim for their treachery. Did I refuse the challenge?
As they talked, the two walked to the neighboring camp. By usual experience, someone should have emerged from the camp to give a handover report, but today it was quiet with no movement at all.
The two soldiers exchanged glances, both sensing something amiss. They ran over quickly, searching tent by tent throughout the camp, but even after checking every corner, they saw not a soul.
Dozens of people disappearing from an entire camp was no small matter. This was immediately reported to the Harnen basin's deputy commander, then passed to the commander's ears.
Disappeared? Could it be the wizard's magic?
The commander frowned.
"Search! Gather men to search! Have people scour the surroundings, get fishermen to drag the riverbed. Even if they're all dead, I want to see their bodies."
"I don't believe any magic can make dozens of people vanish into thin air."
This order was clearly effective, as intelligence came back that very day.
"We found those soldiers several miles from camp beside the main road. From the scene's traces, they encountered a very powerful enemy and couldn't fight back at all."
"At least a hundred cavalry."
A hundred cavalry bullying my few dozen patrol guards?
Bang!
The commander angrily pounded the table: "Those Gondorians have gone too far! We must give them bloody retribution!"
"But we have no idea where the enemy is."
The deputy reminded him.
The commander stood up, staring at his deputy: "You don't need to remind me of this."
"Wasn't there a Gondorian noble who came to join us last month? Bring him here."
The deputy took the order. Moments later, a ragged, haggard Gondorian with somewhat dry lips was dragged over.
Upon seeing the Haradrim commander, he immediately knelt on one knee to show his attitude:
"My lord, I am wholeheartedly loyal!"
"My ancestors once served Castamir, King of Umbar. I have longed for this place since long ago."
Oh? Good lad, so his ancestors were traitors too. How did Gondor let him infiltrate their military?
This was the first time the commander heard this so-called noble had such background. He'd been too lazy to ask before, too busy with torture.
"State your family name."
The noble proudly announced his family's name, dormant for over a thousand years.
However, after he finished speaking, a trace of disdain flashed across the commander's face. Never heard of it.
Probably some early minor noble family that had already perished, one of those who rebelled and fled Gondor with the first King of Umbar.
"Mm, I understand."
The commander waved dismissively: "The past month's imprisonment was all a test for you. You've proven yourself."
"Now it's time for you to serve your purpose."
"Yes, I'm willing to offer my blood and loyalty!" the Gondorian traitor responded loudly.
"Good. Do you still remember where those strike team Rangers' strongholds are?"
"I know."
The traitor thought, then said: "But those cunning fellows never stay long in the same stronghold. My information might be outdated."
By now he completely considered himself a Haradrim, utterly ignoring the racial differences between himself and them.
"Is that so..."
The commander continued asking: "Your comrades don't know you've joined us, right?"
"Yes, my lord. They still think I was captured and tortured, not knowing I've already taken the correct path first."
Hearing this, even the Haradrim commander nearly laughed out loud.
No doubt about it. We captured you to torture you. If not for today's incident, you'd be dead in a few days.
"Go. Return to gather intelligence. I want to know their recent movements and locations."
"After success, you can hold the position of guard captain."
"I will definitely complete the mission."
Excited light gleamed in the traitor's eyes.