"We''ve been discovered," John whispered, his voice low.


    The system map never lied, and now the courtyard was densely packed with red dots, with Archibald and Leopold''s blue dots standing out starkly.


    "What do we do? They are still inside," Isabe said, though puzzled how John could know from such a distance that the ce was crowded, she didn''t press further.


    Everyone has their secrets they prefer to keep to themselves, which is perfectly normal.


    Besides, John having inherited secrets from the realm was nothing out of the ordinary.


    "Do you remember the path we passed by the back mountain?" John asked after a moment of thought, to which both nodded.


    "Head to the back mountain first. Take these, and use them if you run into trouble. I''ll catch up with them," John instructed as he handed over some MP and HP recovery potions.


    Fortunately, these small vials weren''t bulky, fitting easily into a pocket.


    Isabe frowned, "Are you nning to rescue them by yourself?"


    Amelia slowed down her movements, "Didn''t you say it? Everyone here is strange, and there''s the power of the dark god at y. How could we possibly feel at ease with you going alone?"


    They both knew John had his strengths; his previous escape from the courtyard to save them had already demonstrated his capabilities.


    But now that his escape had been discovered, it indicated there were surely more people inside the courtyard.


    "What if something happens to you?"


    "Don''t worry, if things get too dire, I can hide them in my secret realm," John reassured them.


    "I sent you two to the back mountain also to check it out. I overheard them talking, and they seem very wary of that area."


    John quickly ryed the snippets of conversations he had picked up while passing through the vige.


    Although the uing ritual seemed to be a cause for celebration in the vige, John had picked up hints of unease regarding the back mountain.


    "There must be a way out of this secret realm, and if there is one, it''s likely in that dreaded back mountain," he concluded.


    The two women exchanged looks, quickly made up their minds, and started stuffing the supplies into their pockets, making sure nothing would fall out.


    They then nodded at John.


    "Be careful, we''ll leave markers," Isabe started, but John cut her off quickly.


    "No need!"


    He nced around the still quiet courtyard, feeling a sinking sensation in his stomach.


    "These people know this vige inside and out. Whatever markers you leave, they''ll notice. Don''t worry, I have a way to find you."


    The system map wasn''t just for show.


    The bright blue dots representing his teammates were distinct, and he couldn''t miss them.


    Plus, having traveled this path, he had expanded the map significantly.


    As long as they were within the disyed range of the map, he could find them.


    Although hesitant, Isabe and Amelia nodded, trusting John''s judgment.


    "Alright, take care of yourself; we''re heading out."


    They knew John wasn''t one to act rashly.


    If he suggested this course of action, he must be confident in his n.


    Staying could only hinder him; better they check out the back mountain themselves.


    After watching the two depart, John took a deep breath.


    He didn''t know exactly what awaited him in the courtyard but was aware of the dangers.


    He needed to tread carefully to avoid furtherplications.


    Yet, he realized that caution might be futile now that they''d been discovered.


    Rather than sneak around, he might as well confront the situation head-on.


    As expected, when he approached the courtyard, the gate swung open from the inside.


    Three to four dozen figures d in ck robes and hoods fixed their gazes on him.


    Archibald and Leopold were bound in the center of the courtyard, gagged with cloth, their eyes wide with panic, frantically shaking their heads at John, signaling him to flee.


    John understood they were urging him to escape.


    But now that he was there, and with his friends'' captors unlikely to let anyone go, how could he possibly leave them behind?


    "I didn''t expect you to daree back," said a man who appeared to be the leader, his eyes clouded with malevolence.


    John responded with a calm smile, "Why wouldn''t I?"


    Seemingly caught off guard by John''s retort, the man sneered and harshly pped Archibald across the face.


    "Because you left, these two must die! Remember, they are dying because of you!"


    He then drew a knife and pressed it against Archibald''s throat.


    The p had dazed Archibald; his head swung to the side, his mouth filling with the taste of blood, muffled by the gag.


    If looks could kill, the man before him would have been in a thousand times over by Archibald''s furious re.


    Beside him, Leopold, enraged, attempted to lunge at the squad leader but his bonds prevented any effective movement.


    Instead, another captor struck him hard in the stomach with a fist.


    "Ugh," Leopold grunted, his mind going nk from the pain as cold sweat dripped down his face.


    He curled up on the chair, nearly bursting up in agony if not for his restraints.


    Leopold red furiously at the man beside him, only to receive another punch.


    "What are you looking at? Believe me, I''ll gouge those eyeballs out if you keep staring!" snarled another man who appeared to be a squad leader as well.


    The room was filled with curses, though some of their words were unintelligible to John and hispanions.


    John quickly assessed the situation.


    The two squad leaders were dressed simrly in ck uniforms, but their cuffs were embroidered with white stripes, and their caps were adorned with simr whitece.


    The rest of the men wore in ck without any white details.


    Though the leaders'' ents were distinct, their words were somewhat understandablepared to the others, whose speech waspletely foreign to John''s group.


    Despite having a knife pressed against his throat, Archibald showed no signs of fear.


    He fixed a steady, defiant gaze on his captors.


    Had he been able to speak, he surely would have been hurling insults by now.


    "Show some sense and crawl over here on your knees, and maybe I''ll spare your life!"


    The squad leader sneered, his eyes gaining a new intensity as he looked at John.


    The others around him stared intently at John as well, like predators lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce at their master''smand.


    John, unfazed by the situation, chuckled softly and fixed his gaze on the man before him.


    Slowly, he spoke, "Do you dare kill him?"


    The squad leader''s movements halted abruptly, his expression stiffening as he red at John.


    The next moment, the de edged even closer to Archibald''s neck, as if the slightest pressure would draw blood.


    "You guess whether I dare or not?"


    Archibald could feel the knife''s proximity to his neck, rmingly close.


    Yet, it seemed the man was still wary of something.