They checked the settlements' alignments by sending a regiment over. Peniel told them not to bother with towns or villages as those settlements were sure to submit to Master's rule, unless of course if they planned to take over the settlements by force.
They decided not to do so. Although they could easily subjugate the settlements with their one-million army, they would still need to exert some effort. Additionally, after defeating said settlements, they still needed to station a decent number of troops to keep those settlements occupied. Otherwise, the settlements would just revert to Hydrurond's rule once they left. Doing this would reduce their already limited army.
They passed through one city, one town, and two villages. When they sent the battalion to the city, they were greeted with hails of arrows. So, they proceeded on.