Chapter 428: Go to Venton Mount

Back at Southern Watch, the moment they entered and explained their plan to Doug, he paused before responding, “I don’t oppose it, but we need to prepare thoroughly.”

Isolde let out a quiet breath of relief. She had feared Doug might object to the idea.

Doug gave her a brief glance and said, “One must take responsibility, even as a woman. If you think just because you’re a woman, you can avoid your duties and leave them to the men, that’s self-deprecation, not self-love.”

Doug was a very contradictory man, especially when it came to Isolde. He wanted to protect her, yet he knew she had great potential to grow and become strong. He wanted to shield her, but he also wanted her to spread her wings. He understood the danger of going to Venton Mount, but for her, it was also a good opportunity for growth. More importantly, he knew this was an act of filial piety she needed to complete.

Oliver had already begun reorganizing the route map. He made a new one, correcting the existing path and adding a small trail he had discovered on a previous journey to Venton Mount. While it was a rougher path, it was less infested with snakes because Ruben had placed them along the main path to guard it. The small path, while slightly treacherous, was less guarded.

“Isolde, come here.” Once the map was finished, Oliver gestured for her to come closer.

“You’ll take the left side of Venton Mount. There’s a small stall near the base, but be sure to avoid the owner’s gaze. He works for Ruben and is stationed there to watch for anyone trying to sneak up. Ruben has a lot of snakes and rare animals guarding the path, so be cautious. The main route is heavily trapped, but the left side trail is largely unnoticed, so it’s not as heavily guarded—just a few venomous snakes occasionally. However, the path is steep and narrow, and there’s a cliff on the right side. You can’t ride up, but I’ll follow you in stealth, and you won’t be noticed.”

Isolde quickly replied, “No, you can’t come with me. If he sees you, we’ll have no chance.”

“Trust me,” Oliver said. “I’ll follow you quietly. You won’t be noticed.”

“No, you can’t come! This journey is too dangerous…”

Oliver looked at her, his tone firm, “It’s decided. No more arguments.”

Isolde wanted to say more, but Doug cut in sharply, “Enough talking. We’re leaving now.”

Isolde looked at Doug, who was now glaring at Oliver, “Some things don’t need all this talk. Just give the orders.”

“Understood,” Oliver said with a hint of a smile.

Isolde shook her head in exasperation at the two men but ultimately agreed.

Once the decision was made, Oliver wasted no time. Hattie and Hazel had already prepared the horses and were waiting at the gate. As they mounted, they noticed the Sharp family approaching. They had gone to the Langley family first, then to the Valen family, but hadn’t found anyone. Upon guessing they might be at Southern Watch, they hurried over, just in time to see Oliver and Isolde leaving.

“Hattie and Hazel, stop them. Don’t let them catch up,” Oliver’s voice cut through the cold wind.

Hattie and Hazel quickly ran back, blocking the Sharp family’s path with a large wooden beam.

Kolton halted his horse and dismounted angrily. “Hattie, Hazel, stop this nonsense! They’re going to Venton Mount—they’re risking their lives!”

“We’re just following orders,” Hazel responded, sitting on the wooden beam, refusing to let the Sharp family pass.

Kolton’s frustration grew. “Father, we don’t need to go this way. Let’s take another route to follow them.”

“Don’t follow them,” Hazel warned. “They’ve already gone far ahead. If you follow now, you’ll only alert Ruben’s men, and it’ll jeopardize Isolde’s mission.”

Kolton kicked the ground in frustration. “How can we just stand here? If anything happens to her, everything will fall apart.”

After a tense moment, Kolton finally gave in and decided to head back with Doug, still seething with worry.

Inside Southern Watch, Kolton couldn’t contain his anger anymore. He stormed at Doug, “You’re supposed to be the mentor here! She’s come all the way here, and you let her go?!”

“Why should I stop her?” Doug replied calmly, not bothered by Kolton’s fury. “She’s tough; she’ll make it back safely.”

Kolton, still anxious, shot back, “Sadie said Ruben is dangerous, and Venton Mount is not for the faint-hearted. Even if she’s strong, she’s still just a woman!”

“Don’t underestimate women. When Isolde faces danger, she can handle ten men at once,” Doug smiled, trying to ease Kolton’s worry. “Look, just sit down and have some coffee. Worrying now won’t help. She’s already gone. All we can do is wait for her to come back safely. Plus, Oliver’s going with her. If anything happens, he’ll help. Even if she doesn’t get the Crimson Serpent’s blood, she’ll come back safely.”

Kolton grumbled, “It’s easy for you to say. Oliver’s only tailing her, but he can’t actually climb the mountain. The danger is still too great. Natasha hasn’t woken up yet. If she does and finds out… it’ll break her.”

“Let’s go to Montlins Manor, and wait for Isolde there,” Doug suggested.

Kolton stopped him. “No, we should go to Venton Mount. We need to find a way to help her.”

“No, we’ll just make things worse if we go. Isolde is better off going alone. The fewer people, the better. Ruben won’t kill her—she might not get the Crimson Serpent’s blood, but there’s no real danger.”

Doug’s calm reasoning eventually convinced Kolton, and they decided to go to Montlins Manor instead.

Before they left, Doug summoned Hattie and Hazel. “You can go now. Remember, take the main route up. Did you bring the arsenic powder? You don’t need to kill the snakes—just drive them away. If you encounter Ruben, don’t engage. Just act curious about the path. When he tells you to leave, you can slip around to the back of the mountain and hide. The snake nest is there. If Isolde gets into danger, scatter the poison there. But remember to tell her to hold her breath first. After you deal with the snakes, she’ll be able to escape. Oliver will be nearby to protect you from Ruben.”

“Understood,” Hattie and Hazel replied before quickly heading out.

Kolton, hearing Doug’s detailed plan, finally relaxed a bit.

Isolde and Oliver set off on horseback, reaching Venton Mount. As they approached, they spotted the small stall Doug had mentioned. But they didn’t stop. They rode right past, pretending they were just passing through.

They bypassed the stall, took their horses down into a small hollow, tethered them, and then began the trek up the left side path on foot, moving quietly, one in front, the other following closely.