Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

They all wore cloaks with hoods to protect their identity. The area was safer for the Royal Family, but it was not entirely free from danger.

Enemies could be lurking in the darkness, awaiting the right moment to strike. The king was weakened, and that was the ideal moment for anyone wishing his death.

Fortunately, the only thing William and the others faced during their journey to the nearest city were magical beasts. They did not spot other human beings.

The Wildlands were a place where few dared to venture, especially with the ongoing war. Everyone was occupied with other concerns.

Finally, after a few days of walking, they reached the city. However, the royal family did not want to enter, preferring to camp in the surrounding forest.

"Why are you staying here?" William asked.

The king hesitated to enter the city.

"It's dangerous," the king said, "you know the royal families who usurped the throne probably have spies in the city. It is almost a certainty."

The king had a point. It was almost a certainty that the royal families who had usurped the throne probably had spies in the city.

Furthermore, William had killed many soldiers guarding the royal palace to ensure everyone's escape. It wouldn't be long before the news spread, and people learned that the royal family had left their hiding place and their fortified palace.

"And what should we do in that case?" William asked.

"You will have to go in and talk to the people," the king said.

Ultimately, William would once again have to be the one to solve the king's problems. This was already starting to become a routine occurrence. He had only known the king for a short time; he could only imagine what the future held.

Though he wanted to refuse, he had no choice but to do it. It was either that, or staying on the island during the war and dying. William did not want to die.

"Alright, but how do I start? I mean, infiltrators could be in every aspect of society, couldn't they? I'm certainly going to be attacked," said William.

The king already knew. "Yes. You will attract people who will believe and want to escape, but at the same time you will attract enemies. But it's better for them to attack you than me, isn't it? Remember, I need to live, otherwise no one will have the portal to leave this island."

William was not in a position to negotiate with the king. The king held all the leverage.

The situation was not easy for William. He found himself compelled to comply with the royal family's wishes, even against his own will.

"Fine," he said, "but I'll go with Kier, and you keep Victoria safe."

"I will."

Victoria, usually one to insist on accompanying him, remained silent. Jhen's death had deeply saddened her, and she now sought time alone to process her thoughts. It was for the best; she was not strong enough for such a perilous mission.

Kier and William departed the temporary camp, heading towards the city. Upon reaching the gate, a guard recognized William—the same guard he had spoken with during his previous visit with Jhen.

"Hey, you are back," the guard said, "what happened to the secret mission?"

The mission had changed entirely, and the situation no longer looked promising. William, sensing the guard was trustworthy and not one of the royal family's suspected infiltrators, requested a private conversation.

"Can we talk? No one must know, not even your superiors," William whispered.

The guard frowned, finding the request strange. If it were anyone else, he'd have them tossed into a cell. But William was with a captain of the demon army and on a secret mission.

"Fine," the guard said. "My shift ends in half an hour. Meet me at this tavern…"

The guard explained which tavern he wanted to meet William at. William nodded and entered the city.

"Do you trust him?" Kier asked as they walked through the stone streets.

"I do. You?"

"He seems okay."

The city was calm. There was no joy on the faces of the citizens. Everyone was so damn worried about the current invasion. No one knew if they would see tomorrow or not.

William went directly into the tavern the guard mentioned. He arrived early, wanting to drink before the man showed up.

"Give me a mug of beer, please," William said.

"In no time, sir!"

The tavern was the most vivid place in the city. Alcohol did wonders. It was the type of 'remedy' people looked for during such tough times.

William and Kier drank a few beers. The guard showed up fifty minutes later, now dressed in more 'normal clothes'. For a private conversation, he couldn't walk around in his guard attire. He was also wearing a hood.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" the guard asked.

"Are you sure this is a safe place to talk? No one will listen?"

William wanted to be certain it was safe to speak freely in that tavern. According to the king, spies could be everywhere, so it was best to avoid talking openly.

"You can trust me," the guard said. "I know the owners of this tavern, and they dislike the current noble families ruling the island. They prefer the royal family."

"Good," William said, leaning forward, "now listen carefully…"

illiam explained everything that had happened, omitting some details, of course. He recounted the most important part: he had rescued the royal family, but defeat was certain, and they should flee the island, abandoning everyone else to their deaths. Not everyone, though. They would still take 500 people with them.

When the guard heard that, he thought William was going mad.

"I can take you to the king so you can speak with him personally. If I do, will you help us find 500 trustworthy people to get off this island? They need to be strategic individuals; after all, we'll need to rebuild the demon civilization…" William said.

The guard thought for a moment and said, "Alright, it's a deal. Take me to the king."