Muhammad replied and said: "Alright, let's go to the room."
The three of them went to the room after dinner. There was only one bed in the room, and Isabelle felt embarrassed by that.
Isabelle spoke and said: "Muhammad, you sleep on the bed. My brother and I will sleep on the floor."
Muhammad replied and said: "No, you two sleep on the bed. I'm going out tonight and will return late."
Isabelle responded to him and said: "Where will you go at night? You don't even know the city, and you might encounter monsters that transform at night or killers. That's very dangerous."
Muhammad replied and said: "That's what I want. I want to explore why there are so many knights and fighters in this small town and what's happening here."
Isabelle replied and said: "Alright, be careful and don't be reckless."
Muhammad replied: "Alright, you two sleep and rest well. I'll head out."
Thus, Muhammad left his room at night to find out what was happening in the town.
After Muhammad left, Isabelle and her little brother Fern were sitting on the bed.
Fern asked his sister: "Why is Muhammad so kind to us even though he doesn't know us? And also, even though we are slaves and weak and don't help him with anything?"
His sister replied and said: "Don't worry. He said he's not kind but rather using us to restore the Duke title and benefit from our money. Even though he says that, the truth is he wants to help us while also benefiting from us. As long as we depend on him, at least we'll be safe and live with dignity. So I don't mind if he's using us—he saved us and treats us with respect."
Isabelle's brother replied and said: "It seems like you and Muhammad get along well. Don't tell me you've fallen for him."
His sister replied: "Stop saying such childish things and sleep. Tomorrow we'll wake up early."
Her brother replied: "Alright, we'll sleep."
And so the siblings slept in their bed, happy because the mattress was comfortable and they had eaten a good dinner.
Muhammad went out to find out what was happening in the village.
He went to the tavern to gather details.
He ordered a juice, sat down in his place, and started listening to the knights chatting beside him.
They were saying that the monster attack was very close and that it was happening frequently, and they didn't know why.
Muhammad went to the bartender and placed a gold coin, saying:
"Tell me everything that's happening here."
The bartender took the gold coin and told him:
"Monster attacks have increased a lot recently, and the village lord asked for knights' support.
Even though knights usually don't get involved in defending small villages, the village lord knows the knights' commander because they were friends, so he asked for his help, and the commander agreed out of friendship."
"As for the fighters, they've come from all over the kingdom to show off and prove their strength to become famous.
Because this is considered a golden opportunity.
The forest is very dark and dangerous, and it seems the monster leader is preparing his army to attack, so the situation is very tense."
Muhammad, talking to himself:
"I was in the forest and no monsters attacked me. Is that not the dark forest they're talking about?"
Muhammad asked the bartender:
"What kind of monsters usually attack?"
The bartender replied:
"They're orcs, ghuroths, ghouls, and goblins.
They attack as one army together. That has never happened before.
Ghouls and orcs were known to hate each other, and ghuroths and goblins also hate each other.
But now, they're attacking as one army."
The bartender added:
"I think someone is controlling them and forcing them to unite together."
Muhammad replied: "Yes, your words make sense.
The person controlling them must be very powerful for them to fear him and obey."
Muhammad began thinking about who could be controlling such monsters.
The bartender said: "That's all the information I have right now, and I've told you everything."
Muhammad replied: "Thank you, you gave me very useful information."
Then Muhammad remembered something and asked the bartender:
"Who is the knights' commander and who is the village lord? Are they strong?"
The bartender replied:
"Yes, they are strong. They trained in the kingdom's army.
The knights' commander is named James Andercia, and his strength is at Rank E, third stage.
As for the village lord, his name is John Kansel, and his rank is E, second stage.
They are both experienced in battles, and they're good at magic control and understand its basics well."
Muhammad started thinking:
"I insulted fighters in the inn, and the village lord seems to be one level stronger than me.
I want to avoid conflict with them because I can't defeat them unless I use the demonic energy,
but I don't want to use it because it'll only attract attention.
Also, it's sealed and I haven't started controlling it yet."
Muhammad said to himself:
"I'll move cautiously from now on.
When I go exploring, I'll wear my father's mask because it hides my aura and power level.
It's useful for stealth missions and reconnaissance."
Meanwhile, the village was asleep, and the knights were in the taverns.
The monsters were slowly approaching the village to attack at night,
because nighttime is the best time for monsters and the worst time for humans.
More than 100 monsters were approaching the village, led by a Lich using dark magic.
All the monsters were waiting for midnight to fall—
so that the soldiers would be asleep and completely relaxed—
and then, they would launch a sudden attack.