Author: M_W Cancer 

Proofreader: M_W Miss Fierce

Soon, Charlotte's group arrived at the south side. Just like what they had previously planned, both Ethan's group and Chief Lago's group converged with them after waiting for tens of minutes before they finally made their way back to the Emerald City.

The journey back was just similar to how they sneaked inside before, they specifically stopped in some hidden place and begun looking for the location where there are only a few Magical Beasts around, which they will be using as their breakthrough point afterward. 

However, unlike the last time, the difficulty this time has increased to a considerable degree. To be more precise, the number of Magical Beasts was far from similar to the previous time they were here.

"Why does it looked like there are more Magical Beasts this time compared to before?" Ethan can't help but ask curiously.

"Well, apparently, what we saw at the west side, were waves after waves of Magical Beasts being brought here by the Naughty Elves organization for Fate knows how exactly," Iasiah replied. 

"You didn't bother to continue investigating?" Elaine followed up with another question.

"We would, if we could," Nightingale shook his head.

"To put it simply, it was dangerous... Very dangerous. So, we didn't proceed further in case something bad happens to us. We will talk about it later with the others, but for now, let's find our way out of here first. Otherwise, it might just become impossible for us to leave this place without getting noticed by the Naughty Elves organization," Elvis changed the topic.

"Okay, but does anyone have any good ideas here?" Edward turned to look at the others. He explained, "Looking at our surroundings, I'm guessing that it would take us ages if we just blindly guess our way out like the last time, so I suggest we choose a specific direction to search,"

"If we take what Charlotte's team had found into consideration, then we could automatically exclude the west side and choose from either the south side and the east side," Ethan added.

"I don't think the south side is good, at least based on what our group has observed before and also what we are seeing right now," Charlotte informed.

"Then, I guess that only leaves us with the east side," Sele said, before turning to look at Chief Lago's group. If there is anyone that could provide good info about the east side, then it could only be them, since they were the group that had gone to recon over that place.

"Based on what we have observed, there might indeed be a chance that there are fewer Magical Beasts over there compared to this place. However..." Chief Lago paused and turned to look at the others in his group behind him before continuing again, "The problem is, there are currently tens of thousands of soldiers of the Naughty Elves organization over there,"

"It wasn't very apparent previously when we were all staying over there and assigning locations for everyone, since our location was a bit closer to the north side. But as we observed the entire east side, we soon discovered that the place should be where the majority of their soldiers are positioned at,"

"If we go over there, Magical Beasts might not be a problem, but the members of the Naughty Elves organization would surely be,"

"Well, I'd rather choose to give it a try on sneaking around a bunch of people, instead of Magical Beast, at least not these bunch of Magical Beasts over here, since they are all affected by Savage Fox Potion. Once we kill one of them, everyone would immediately notice us, and without a doubt attack us the moment after. By that time, it would be next to impossible to remain hidden from the Naughty Elves organization anymore. On the other hand, if we kill one person or even more, as long as we are silent and careful enough with our actions, then it should be fine," Charlotte suggested.

"I do admit, Charlotte has a pretty reasonable suggestion here," Ethan nodded his head. He added, "Magical Beasts are very sensitive when it comes to the smell of blood, especially in their current state right now of being affected by Savage Fox Potion. While people aren't, unless of course if the smell of blood becomes dense enough for their noses to smell, or if someone has the same cultivation level as us, which I hardly believe there to be many in their ranks of soldiers, especially considering that they are attacking all the cities of the Emerald Tree Kingdom at the same exact time,"

"It's not like we have any better choices here, so let's go!" Chief Lago began leading the way with his group, who are now a bit familiar with the west side.

After tens of minutes of flying, they eventually arrived at the peripheral area of the east side. It was a bit closer to the south side so the formation of soldiers that Chief Lago's group had mentioned could be seen.

In one quick glance, they instantly confirmed that the majority of soldiers of the Naughty Elves organization are indeed positioned on the east side.

It wasn't really that difficult to realize, especially when everyone is now gathered together. They basically just put their ideas together like the last time.

"So, now what?" Sebastian asked.

"I can see that it is indeed easier compared to facing against a bunch of Magical Beasts, but it is considered as difficult nonetheless," Dan scratched his head in frustration.

"There's no use thinking if we don't have any ideas, to begin with, let's just wait for the others to come up with one," Old man Torre patted Dan's shoulder before turning to look at Charlotte and the others for an answer. 

"I initially thought that it was easy, but now I take back my words," Charlotte smiled bitterly. All the soldiers were basically facing the north wall of the Emerald City, so wherever one tries to go, it would always be within the sight of one of those soldiers.

"I have an idea, but not everyone would be able to leave here yet... Some of you would have to stay here and hide for a while to wait for an opportunity to escape," Ethan looked at everyone.

"That shouldn't be a big problem, as long as we hide well enough, no one would be able to easily find us," Iasiah said confidently.

"Yeah, and I can also stay to help them hide," Nightingale added 

Nodding his head, Ethan then began explaining to everyone his plan.

After Ethan finished explaining, everyone quickly separated into two groups. The first group is made up of Ethan, Elaine, and Charlotte, while the second group is made up of the rest.

The plan was fairly simple; only a few people, specifically the first group, would return back to the Emerald City, while the rest would have to stay here and hide. They will then convey to Elfin the Fifth and the others about their findings here and continue proceeding with their plans. As they execute their plans, they will subsequently make a pathway for the second group to escape and return back to Emerald City.

"Here, take this," Ethan handed both Edward and Chief Lago a piece of communicator each, "The plan was to supposedly use these items later, but since we need them now to easily communicate with each from a faraway distance, thus I'm letting the both of you to use them in advance. Be sure to not lost them. Otherwise, our plans, later on, would be hugely affected,"

"Just go, you sounded a lot like mom when you keep on nagging us. And besides, I am the older brother between the both of us, so I should be calling the shots us," Edward said while putting his communicator on his right ear.

"Indeed," Chief Lago smiled while also putting his communicator to his right ear.

"You..." Ethan pointed at Edward while shaking his head helplessly. He eventually decided to just give up giving instructions on what to do and simply reminded the latter instead, "Goodluck and be sure to take care of everyone,"

Turning around, Ethan looked at Elaine and Charlotte. He nodded his head to the both of them before the three of them pulled up the hoods of their mantles to cover their entire faces. In the next moment, the three of them disappeared from their location.

Evidently, they have cast a Teleportation spell for themselves to quickly travel from their previous location to somewhere else. 

The moment the first group disappeared, Edward and Chief Lago immediately prompted everyone in the second group to go and search for a good hiding spot for them to hide and wait for the opportunity to escape this place.

Meanwhile, the first group soon appeared on the top of the north wall, causing all the soldiers who saw them to be caught in surprise and also in a dilemma of how they should react.

"Lay down your weapons everyone, we are one of your allies," Ethan said, before taking out a token with a symbol of an Emerald Tree that Elfin the Fifth had given them before, which they can use to prove that they are allies of the Evergreen royal family.

Seeing the token on Ethan's hand, the Captain, who was the only person here with a high enough ranking to know what it meant, quickly ordered his soldiers to lower down their weapons, lest they accidentally offend someone that they shouldn't. Before the war, all the soldiers with a rank of Captain and higher were gathered together and informed about the important things that they should pay attention to in order to avoid trouble. And that token was exactly one of them.

"We are really fortunate that we didn't encounter someone stupid," Charlotte heave a sigh of relief, before continuing, "So, who wants to take us to meet with Crown Prince Elfin the Fifth? I think that should be a good opportunity for everyone, right? If you know what I mean,"

What Charlotte meant with her words was pretty simple to understand; it meant that taking them to Crown Prince Elfin the Fifth is counted as a favor. And just like any favors, they could ask her for something in exchange, as long as it isn't excessive and also of fair value to the service that they have given to them.

As soon as Charlotte's voice died down, the surrounding soldiers quickly raised their arms high up in the air and expressed that they want to volunteer.

"Me!"

"Me!"

"Me!"