His pace quickened as he entered a well-built village, where neatly paved roads stretched before him, replacing the rugged pathways of the wilderness. The sight of the village amidst the untamed surroundings intrigued Ben, raising questions about the nature of their quest. Buildings rose robustly, their architecture speaking of a thriving community. Market stalls however had no activity, and villagers went about poor daily routines, seemingly perturbed by the chaotic world beyond their borders. Ben inquired discreetly, gathering information about Rilus's whereabouts from villagers who recognized him. Their responses revealed that Rilus had been a prominent figure in the village, with a reputation for his evil deeds and peculiar talents. Speculation arose about Rilus's sudden claim to the throne of land baron, leaving many wondering how he had gotten there. While the mystery deepened, Ben's determination to find Rilus only intensified. With each step, he immersed himself in the labyrinth of the village, seeking any clues or remnants of his friend's presence. Days turned into weeks as Ben methodically tracked Rilus's path, following whispered tales and fragmented information. His pursuit led him through the village's hidden nooks and crannies, unraveling a tapestry of secrets, alliances, and forgotten histories within the tightly-knit community. As the village's secrets slowly revealed themselves to Ben, he discovered that Rilus had been entangled in something far more complex than a simple journey of friendship. The mystery grew deeper, entwining the destiny of the village and its inhabitants with Alsies's disappearance. Undeterred, Ben pressed on, determined to unearth the truth and ensure his friend's story. Yet with each revelation, the village only seemed to become more enigmatic, holding secrets with the power to alter lives and shape destinies. With unwavering perseverance, Ben embraced the unknown, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. Guided by a mixture of determination and loyalty, he delved deeper into the intricate web of the village's mysteries, inching closer to the heart of the enigma that had captured Rilus. For now, with the village well-built, but paint peeling walls and paved roads leading the way, his search continued, fueled by an unyielding belief that the answers awaited him within the shadowed corridors of the village's secrets.Ben found out that Rilus took his place as lord of the land through a trusted ally who informed him of the political intrigue and Rilus' deceptive tactics. Ben discovered Rilus' plan to eliminate him when he was lured into the forest and left vulnerable amidst wild beasts. As he discovered his past from an old man, he realized what had really happened between them, why Rilus was lord of his domain. As if the old man was seeing the story he began."As the winds of change swirled in the realm, Alsies began to sense a subtle shift in Rilus' behavior. Observing the gradual ascent of Rilus within the court, Alsies's intuition raised its alarm. Suspicions grew as Rilus cunningly maneuvered himself into positions of power, subtly undermining Alsies's authority and influence. The first inklings of betrayal began to cloud Alsies's mind, urging him to probe deeper.A critical turning point occurred when a loyal ally, cognizant of the unfolding conspiracy, risked all to reach out to Alsies. In a clandestine meeting, this trusted informant disclosed to Alsies the extent of Rilus' machinations. Through meticulously gathered evidence and confidential conversations, Alsies was able to comprehend the true nature of Rilus' ambitions. The reality of his enemy's intentions intruded upon Alsies's consciousness and propelled him towards the imminent danger that lay ahead.Seeking to gain further advantage and eliminate Alsies definitively, Rilus devised a perilous plan. Aware of Alsies's fondness for the untamed wilderness, Rilus successfully baited his rival into a seemingly innocent exploration of a remote forest. Unbeknownst to Alsies, Rilus prepared to orchestrate a sinister scheme that would expose the depths of his malevolence. Alone amidst the trees, Alsies unknowingly found himself at the mercy of wild beasts, Rilus' henchmen enlisted to deliver a fatal blow, however finding Alsies alive they decided to sell him instead as a slave. Everything spiraled from that moment, Alsies could not sell since noone wanted to touch a baron as a slave, he was tortured for information on nobles by the prisons, but he escaped after months of torture. Until now, noone knows where he is." With this final say, the Old man took a sigh and sat back.Ben looked around, the land was ravaged by poverty and despair. To his dismay, Ben discovered that since Rilus ascended to the position of lord, the people had suffered immensely. Reports of starvation, increased taxes, and abject poverty flooded his ears, painting a grim picture of the sorry state into which the realm had fallen under Rilus' rule. Driven by a sense of duty and the need to understand the true extent of the suffering, Ben set out to engage with the people directly. In conversations with the impoverished citizens, he uncovered heart-wrenching stories of families torn apart by hunger and destitution. The weight of their testimonies reinforced Ben's resolve to confront Rilus and restore prosperity to his once-thriving land.Armed with the knowledge of the appalling conditions plaguing his domain, Ben directed his efforts toward gathering irrefutable evidence of Rilus' misdeeds. Through extensive investigations, exhaustive audits, and interviews, a compelling case against Rilus began to take shape. Official documents revealed exorbitant tax hikes that burdened the already impoverished inhabitants while simultaneously enriching Rilus and his loyal supporters. The damning evidence left no room for doubt as to Rilus' culpability in the plight of the people.The discovery of the dire consequences resulting from Rilus' ascendancy to lordship thrust Ben into a harsh reality. He was almost killed the same way twice. Witnessing the suffering of his subjects firsthand and unearthing evidence of Rilus' deception, Ben became fueled with an unwavering determination to right the wrongs inflicted upon his people. Armed with this knowledge, Ben prepared to confront Rilus, challenging his authority and promising to restore prosperity, justice, and compassion to the land he once ruled.As Ben grappled with the staggering revelation of his lost lordship, a bitter taste of betrayal engulfed his soul. It became painfully clear that his once-trusted friend, Rilus, had orchestrated the entire charade – from seizing Ben's position of power to engineering his downfall in the forest. The tendrils of deception, woven meticulously in the fabric of their friendship, cut deep into Ben's heart, leaving wounds that would never fully heal.While Ben mourned his friend's treachery, he began to witness the relentless toll exacted upon the land itself. Monster attacks, once a minor threat, had grown in frequency and ferocity during his absence. The inhabitants now lived in constant fear, their lives dominated by hunger, disease, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. As he surveyed the once-thriving villages reduced to mere shells of their former selves, Ben realized the full extent of Rilus' destructive reign. Adding salt to the wounds of the people's suffering, Ben discovered that Rilus had imposed exorbitant taxes, further plunging them into poverty and despair. The already burdened populace, ravaged by monster attacks and their resultant struggles, now faced the additional hardship of economic oppression. The heavy taxes weighed heavily on their shoulders, pushing them deeper into cycles of poverty, destitution, and rampant inequality.