The sun gradually rose, finally ending the long night.
Cain couldn't help but leap onto high ground and look back south toward where the Haradrim army was positioned.
"What's that?"
He squinted into the distance, seeing the great army had now stopped advancing. A clearing had been made in the center of their formation, containing two figures.
One was quite familiar, the despicable Haradrim military commander who had ambushed him days ago.
As for the other person...
"It's Levi. He's brought the Haradrim commander to his knees, probably capturing him as a prisoner to force their retreat."
This thought occurred to Cain. Worthy of him, easily capturing the enemy commander. So powerful.
Just as Cain expected, shortly after, the Haradrim army began dissolving in layers around Levi as the center, frantically retreating without even maintaining formation.
...
Rumble rumble...
War elephants turned direction, moving quickly toward the southern riverbank as the great army withdrew to home territory.
"I'll do anything; don't, don't kill me."
The commander knelt on the ground, head bowed, not daring to look directly at the person before him.
"I swear, I swear to never oppose you for life, including your people and anyone close to you!"
"Oh, such awareness?"
Levi curiously used his sword to lift the man's chin, pressing the blade tip to his throat and forcing him to raise his head.
The commander took a breath, having no choice but to look at Levi. But that face didn't seem as fierce and terrifying as he'd imagined.
Piercing sunlight fell across that face, shining directly into the pupils, yet couldn't even make him blink. Those eyes merely calmly reflected external things, including himself kneeling on the ground.
"You should understand that 'oaths' are very important things."
"Once an army broke their oath to Gondor. After death, they could only become trapped spirits imprisoned in lightless shrines, unable to rest even now."
"How can I ensure you won't turn around and forget what you've said?"
"My lord!"
The commander now showed no fear, speaking earnestly:
"You deserve this from me, and I know the price of wavering."
Levi didn't immediately answer, only asking:
"I heard you're hunting a blue-robed wizard?"
"Yes, he kidnapped our court mage. That mage was also a wizard; they had some dispute."
"Cancel the hunt for him, and don't set foot on this land again."
"My lord, I'm merely a small commander of riverside forces. Some things aren't mine to decide."
The commander looked troubled.
"Hmm?"
"But I guarantee that within my jurisdiction, your will shall be realized," he quickly added.
Levi couldn't help but chuckle.
"Interesting."
"Do you still have any Gondorian prisoners?"
"No more, my lord. Our only prisoner had already betrayed Gondor; this operation was because of him, but don't worry, he's dead now."
Should be dead, right? The commander wasn't certain but could only say this.
Dead? Levi fell silent for a moment. If so, that fellow had at least died as he deserved.
"I have another question."
He didn't pursue this matter further, continuing: "I heard you withdrew forces targeting Gondor two years ago. Why?"
This was essentially asking for Cain, one of the strike team's main investigation targets.
Hearing this, the commander fell silent.
"Because of you, my lord. The Dark Lord gathered most of our forces to advance toward Khand. The front lines couldn't be maintained, and they had to temporarily withdraw."
"..."
"Alright."
Levi sheathed his sword and waved dismissively. No more questions now.
"Go. Remember your words."
"I hope you're a wise man."
"Yes."
The commander quickly stood and ran after his army.
"My lord, I'm called Bashir."
After running two steps, he suddenly turned back and carefully mentioned this.
"Doesn't matter."
You may not care, but I do! Bashir's face fell, but he only dared complain internally. Hope this lord remembers my name so he doesn't kill me by mistake someday...
Moments later, he finally caught up with his main force.
"Commander, you've returned!"
"Yes, I'm back."
Once at his stronghold, Bashir immediately resumed his usual coldness and brutality. But not everyone here was foolish. Bashir's return had many suspicious aspects, like how he wasn't killed by that legend.
Though thinking this was disrespectful to their commander, what gave him the ability to survive that person's hands?
"You actually managed to escape from under his nose," the deputy approached with implications, actively bringing up the matter.
"I traded my treasured wealth and his companions' lives for my return. Do you have something to say?"
Bashir's tone grew cold.
"No, I only want to say this was all worthwhile!"
"All treasures and prisoners can't compare to your life. Even our king would find this worthwhile."
The deputy quickly bowed his head.
Bashir narrowed his eyes. This deputy was indeed a good deputy, dutiful, and able to complete almost any order well.
But... too curious. Pity.
Bashir shook his head, mounting the horse his deputy brought and riding forward. Pity... we're no longer on the same side.
The Haradrim army thus withdrew to the river's south bank. The Harondor region would likely enjoy a period of peace.
Levi stood in place looking around, confirming nothing remained, then turned back.
"How did it go?"
As soon as he caught up with the main force, Cain immediately came to inquire.
"They've withdrawn. Probably won't return for a long time. Also, I asked about the intelligence you wanted to gather."
"Their withdrawal was due to changes in the East. Sauron called them to gather armies and march eastward. Border forces withdrew from Gondor because they couldn't maintain position."
"I understand." Cain nodded.
"But I'm curious, who is the enemy the Dark Lord wants them to attack?"
"To require assembling tens of thousands of troops, their enemy is probably no weaker than Gondor."
If there's a common enemy, perhaps we could forge an alliance.
"It's me."
Right. Unexpectedly, even beyond Cain's own expectations, he felt no surprise at this news.
A thousand words become four: get used to it.
"Alright, mind if I bring this news back to Gondor?"
"Nothing inconvenient about it, not something to hide."
"Understood."
"There's one more thing..."
Cain hesitated before speaking: "Did you see Trett?"
"No."
"He was killed by the Haradrim commander."
Cain stopped moving and said nothing more.
He returned to the unit, selected four men plus himself to form a standard five-man ranger squad, appointed a temporary captain, and instructed him to continue garrison duty with the others, while he took his newly selected squad members and returned to Gondor with Levi.