Going back to around the time Rick first made it to the Plains.

“General, we are approaching the lands of the Enargo Nation. They will have ways to detect us. It would be wise to take a wider route so that we have a chance to get past without being detected.”

“No need, we have come prepared. Teral activate the device.”

“Understood.”

Teral then took out an opaque stone that fit snuggly in her palm, then she willed her mana to enter the stone, filling it up.

Once the stone was filled, an imperceptible shroud extended outwards, covering the group its aura.

“How long can you keep it active?”

“Roughly 40 minutes while walking or jogging, less if I have to sprint.”

“Then we will exit these lands before that time is up. Focus on the device, Loruk will carry you. Stay together and move with haste.”

After receiving acknowledgment of his orders, Rogu immediately began sprinting at almost full speed with the group following behind him. Of course, since he was Tier 5, he was a lot faster than his peers, but he would likely be the first one detected due to his strength if he exited the shroud.

While the shroud would prevent them from being detected, by means of scanning with various monster race detection technology, it wouldn’t prevent them from being seen, or if someone truly strong happened to have their senses in the area they would be found out with or without the shroud. Due to that they still had to stay to the shadows and do their best to avoid being seen.

Thankfully this route and plan had already been planned out. Despite the rush in which the team was assembled no stone was left unturned in the planning of this mission. There are many plans and contingencies in place to ensure the return of their King. Even if every single one of them died in the process, the mission would be considered a success as long as the King was delivered safely.

Fortunately for them, they successfully made it out of the area of detection within the timeframe. Though by this point Teral was beyond exhausted for having to maintain a constant flow of heavy mana into the stone. She was drained and could hardly walk, let alone speak. Of course Rogu recognized this.

“We will rest for a moment. You two, scout the area. Surgsha and Ra ensure our food stocks are still in order.”

Both Kris and Krel nodded and disappeared into the surrounding woods. While the other two began double checking their rations. They were on the outskirts of the Enargo nation at this point and although they knew the general direction of where they must go, they had no idea for long they would actually need to travel, and that was without counting the journey back.

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So stopping at times to gather food when they could was part of the process.

A few minutes later Kris and Krel showed up. It was Krel who spoke up.

“No immediate threats in the area. There is a caravan traveling in our direction along the main road, but their guards are roughly Tier 3.”

“Understood. Teral, can you move?”

“I can.”

“Good, Surgsha, our food?”

“We are okay for now, we might need to restock in a month or so.”

“Mm, form up. We will head out shortly.”

As everyone prepared themselves to continue the journey ahead, Rogu took out the Bloodstone and carefully caressed it in his hands.

‘I will soon find you my King.’

A few moments later and the team was on the move once more.

…..

Time continued to pass, and around the time Rick was a month into his journey back to the Tribe, the Royal Retrieval Team ran into their first real problem.

“Sir…we will have to fight.”

“I know, but we will do this efficiently.”

The Team was currently on the banks of a raging river in the dark of night. They had already learned that for miles on end there would only be one way across. A bridge that was off in the distance. Nothing was wrong with the bridge itself. The problem was what awaited them after the bridge.

On the side of the river sat an encampment of sorts. From what they could see it was a group of 30 or so humans that were lightly armored. According to their limited knowledge of the area, there should be no such encampment here, which posed a problem.

Rogu could only wonder if there was more to this that met the eye. This type of encampment appearted semi-permanent. Why would the humans set this up here? By this point they were quite the distance away from any human nation, and were far into the Wild Lands as they were dubbed.

Only officially recognized demi-humans governed these lands from this point on. Of course Goblins weren’t included in that list of official races.

Anyway, he knew they had to be dealt with for the sake of their mission, but it had to be delicate. There would be no way to pass without being seen, and they couldn’t wait to see if they would ever dismantle the camp and leave. So blood would need to be shed. He would ensure this went as silent and quick as possible. He refused to have armies on his tail as he journeyed to their King.

“Listen carefully. I cannot sense anyone stronger than Tier 4 in that camp, but we are outnumbered and we need to be quick, efficient, and ruthless. I am not worried about that camp, but I am worried about what may come after. We have to ensure they have no time to send any messages.

“Teral, are you able to disrupt the wind around the camp to limit the traveling of sound?”

“Yes, but it will be limited, faint sounds only. Anything too loud and the wind won’t matter.”

“That is good enough. Kris and Krel. The success of this will rest on your shoulders. I want the entire camp to know the pain of meeting the Shadow Goblin Clan at night. Loruk, Hurgs, and Sarug, be ready to play clean up. Surgsha, Ra, and Ulgri remain here and do not cross the bridge until we are finished.

“Understood?”

No one spoke, but various nods was all the confirmation Rogu needed.

“Good. Move out.”

The members of the team didn’t waste any time and immediately began to move as their orders dictated. Kris and Krel seemed to blend into the night as they sprinted across the bridge. No sound could be heard from their steps, no smell came from their bodies, even the wind itself didn’t react to their movements. They were one with the environment.

Rogue watched all of this happen with subdued awe. No matter how many times he witnessed the members of the Shadow Goblin clan, he would always be shocked at their abilities. They were made up of the same type of Goblins as every other Clan, but when they disappeared into the night like this, one couldn't help but think they were an entirely different race of Goblins altogether.

The encampment was in for a rough night.