The views outside were one to be impressed at. This lands were untamed yet and were untouched by the bindings of time and the trees were sometimes a century old. The place has crickets singing even it was daytime. Making the mood cold and calming. The temperature dropped too after entering the forest. Making Griffith to smell fresher air than normal.

Griffith was looking at the looming trees above their carriage and he went outside the carriage just to look at them. There were chirping of birds as he observed. A drowsy feeling was felt as it was too much relaxing and comforting. The castle was just on the vicinity after exiting the forest.

They saw the wooden castle and it's towering height. Even made of wood, it was a solidly built and imposingly good to see. The enemies would still not underestimate this towering structure even made of hardwood. Though hardwood was as hard as the shields of normal militias. Shields we're mostly made of Hardwood as it was hard and light at the same time.

The lushes of gardens and Vineyards were seen outside the castle. It was made of hardwood chiseled on the tip of the walls. Perfect for the Forester's defense style. They were weak in engineering but were the best wood craftsman and blacksmiths. Making them the best in their own strengths.

As Griffith has observed, it was a silent place. The vineyards were desolate of any presence. Even the walls of the castle has no one to watch. Even the Guard towers has no one on standby. Not the normal one in the norm. Making him ask a question to Relaine.

"Hey, Relaine, did you observe? It was too quiet," Griffith was worried.

"Yes, it was too quiet Griffith. Maybe no one's around?" She said to him then shouted.

"Hey, anyone's here?" She shouted out loud.

Griffith was concerned until someone appeared, the wooden gates were opened and a man exited the wooden gates. An old man with white hair, ponytail and has a butler suit. He went to greet the two. He bowed slightly then introduced himself.

"I am Merlin, the butler of the castle. Here to serve my Lord!" He proclaimed.

He immediately stood straight after Griffith said "carry on".

"I am Lord Griffith. Not a Prince anymore. But just call me Lord or Griffith from now on," Griffith was cheerful.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"As you wish my Lord!" he said again and bowed.

"Oh, a good butler, maybe we can have a feast this night yes? We are tired and wanted something celebratory. For our arrival," Relaine demanded.

"I am sorry to say this Madam Relaine. But all the villages were desolate. No villagers still went back to their homes and went back to farming as the looters were infesting this land. Also, the elders of 7 tribes were all captured. We can only be on our own for now," Merlin said to them.

"I am sorry for my incompetence." He added.

"I am sorry for the current situation," Griffith patted his back.

"I will solve this. For now I need a sword and shield as well as a bow and quiver." Griffith asked him.

"Wait, what will you do? Don't tell me...." Relaine was shocked with his decision.

"I have to save the elders and free the villages of Looters. Then we can move to the norm where villagers give tax and goods to their Lord. If we can't protect our villagers then they would become serfs or worst rebels," Griffith said in a loud and resolute voice.

"They were in the hideout nearby 12 km from the East. More raids on the villages made this realm the poorest," Merlin said to him. Then he became serious, "I have all the things you need Lord Griffith. I will join your mission," Merlin said in worry.

"No, stay here. It will be our defeat if the castle is taken too. I have to train more to defend his realm," Griffith was more worried than before.

"We have few men, 12 in garrison and all were Forester recruits. With more training, they would be Spearmen, Warriors, Skirmishers, or Bowmasters," Merlin announced.

"Okay good, leave them here to defend the castle."

'And so I will go solo.'

The villagers fled and will just return if the looters were killed.

His skills in combat has to level up. With bow and one handed. He will level up two handed later on but he must focus on one handed and archery first. His bow was called hunter's bow and his quiver has 20 arrows capacity. He has a sword and a shield. He has no armor.

He has to level up his skills before he goes on full party mode.

Relaine was stopping him thinking it was madness, "Wait! How in the right mind would you go solo?"

"Well I have done soloing the 12 bandits in the past for you information. It's all in the hands of my bow, after I run out of arrows then sword and shield!" Griffith shouted proudly.

"But if you are defeated then you will be a captive!?" She was alarmed.

"Yeah that,"

"Are you insane and foolish? Is that the tactician I know?" She muttered and scolded him.

"Bla bla, I need to level up my combat skills that's all," Griffith said and was very decided with his decision.

"He left....." Merlin was dumbstruck.

"You brat! I will get killed If you die!" Relaine shouted at him.

"Well that's good to hear! Bye!" Griffith shouted.

"Damn selfish moron....he will solo an entire hideout? Well, let's see how far you can go. If my memory is not lying, then he was trash in combat. He could not defeat even a kid younger than him. Sigh, I am doomed. Maybe I will follow him so to be sure," Relaine said to Griffith.

"Where is the armory? I need weapons and armor," Relaine asked Merlin. He gave her a chest plate and a Two handed sword.

"Well this is good enough, I will have to follow that bastard." She hastily went to follow his tracks that he left behind.