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Wilkis’s words caused the expressions of those around him to harden.

“Commander, that is a valid strategy, but I believe it’s more important right now to head straight to the center of the forest,” Basil said to Wilkis.

Given the size of the Bronselian Forest, and more importantly, the increasing number of monsters being tainted by the magic as time went on, it seemed crucial to move quickly.

Tarion, standing nearby, also added his voice.

“That’s correct. Since the first appearance of monsters affected by the magic, many others have been contaminated. The longer we take, the worse it will be for us.”

But Wilkis frowned at their words.

“If we move straight to the center of the forest and there’s nothing there causing the magic, then what will you do? Are you prepared to put your necks on the line?”

“…”

“That’s…”

Tarion and Basil’s faces stiffened at Wilkis’s threat.

It was an unreasonable intimidation tactic.

But then—

“The probability that it’s in the center of the forest is very high.”

Claire, who had been observing the situation, spoke up.

Wilkis turned his gaze to Claire.

“High probability? That means it’s not certain.”

“The deeper we go, the denser the magical energy becomes. From what we’ve determined, it’s most likely at the center of the forest. In fact, I am certain of it.”

Claire spoke firmly.

From her previous conversations with Wilkis, she knew that subtle hints didn’t work with him.

He was a man of strong conviction and stubbornness, often using his authority to dominate and assert superiority over others.

That’s why she chose to speak so definitively.

Claire continued.

“We’ve already lost over a hundred men on the first day. The longer we delay, the fewer our troops will become, and the more enemies we’ll face.”

Eliminating the source of the magic as quickly as possible was the best course of action.

It was something everyone present understood.

“Yes, I believe it’s best to eliminate the source of the magic first, then retreat and handle the remaining stragglers gradually,” Basil supported Claire’s opinion.

But Wilkis shook his head.

“If we do that, won’t it take too long? With the subjugation force assembled, it’s best to deal with all the monsters while we’re here.”

“It may take longer, but it’s the safest and most reliable method. A reckless forced march could mean that some of the soldiers will never return to their families. Please, value the soldiers, Commander.”

“…Are you saying my strategy is reckless and that I’m mistreating the soldiers?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Basil couldn’t hide his frustration.

How could he be so obstinate?

Wilkis said.

“A kingdom’s soldier does not fear death! Even if they die, it’s a noble death for the kingdom. It’s something every soldier must be willing to accept.”

“Commander…”

Tarion clenched his fist tightly as he looked at Wilkis. But then—

“Commander.”

“Hm?”

The monk, Homen, who was dispatched from the temple alongside Claire, spoke up.

Homen, the temple’s commanding officer, addressed Wilkis.

“If we head straight to the center and eliminate the source of the magic, we will have achieved our objective immediately. In other words, we would successfully complete the subjugation.”

His voice was calm but carried strength and a peculiar persuasiveness.

“If you quickly end the subjugation and send the soldiers back home, Commander, you will be regarded as a successful leader, earning the respect of many.”

“Hmm…”

“Anyone with enough time would eventually succeed in the subjugation. But only you, Commander, have the ability to end it swiftly.”

“Is that so?”

Wilkis asked.

Basil chimed in.

“That’s right. Especially since the Bronselian Forest is vast. If you manage to finish subjugating such a forest within a few days, it would be a testament to your remarkable leadership and capability, Commander.”

“Yes, our goal is not to eliminate all the monsters but to destroy the source of the magic.”

“Hmm, if everyone is saying that…”

A slight smile appeared on Wilkis’s lips.

“Very well. Then we will head straight to the center of the forest and destroy the source of the magic.”

Tarion swallowed the rising anger that surged within him.

Others seemed to feel the same way.

Only Wilkis, pleased with himself, spoke with a content smile.

“Arrange the troops. We march straight to the center of the forest!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Understood.”

Finally, the suffocating meeting had come to an end.

* * *

“Captain, how did it go?”

“Was the meeting successful?”

As Tarion returned, some of the waiting unit members approached him.

Tarion replied.

“We’re advancing straight to the center of the forest.”

“The center of the forest… What’s there?”

Aaron asked.

The center of the forest was the deepest part, naturally holding the highest potential for danger.

“They say the source of the magic is there.”

“Is there really something like that in the center?”

“I don’t know, but according to the priests, that’s the most likely scenario.”

Aaron fell silent, his face tense. But then—

“What’s the formation? Where are we positioned?”

Damian, who had followed Aaron, asked.

Aaron frowned slightly as if to caution him.

“This isn’t a conversation for the youngest to join.”

“It’s fine.”

Tarion didn’t mind.

The fact that Damian had followed the unit leader to approach him indicated his deep interest in the subjugation.

Tarion answered.

“We’ll be at the forefront.”

Arguably the most dangerous position.

It was something foreseen from the moment the subjugation force was formed.

Damian spoke up.

“If we’re leading, shouldn’t we be operating a reconnaissance unit? After all, the defense unit will be positioned behind us.”

“…There’s no issue with that.”

The lack of reconnaissance had already caused one problem.

Not deploying a reconnaissance unit could create further complications.

Damian raised his hand.

“I’d like to join the reconnaissance.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Just do what you’re told,” Aaron immediately scolded Damian.

But Damian looked at Aaron and said,

“I’m one of the quickest in the unit. I’m good at navigating the forest… and my eyesight is sharp.”

Rank didn’t matter.

In real combat situations like this, ranks meant nothing.

Being high-ranking and experienced only increased one’s ‘possibility’ of survival.

It didn’t guarantee survival.

Moreover, within the Neokalitz unit, there were only a handful who could match Damian’s level.

Tarion looked at Damian.

“……”

Leading a unit for a long time gives you an eye for spotting unique individuals.

And from Tarion’s perspective, Damian was certainly one of a kind.

‘He’s unpredictable.’

—Do you know that he uses magic?

A commoner who could wield magic.

Only thirteen years old, yet he graduated top of his training camp and voluntarily enlisted in the Neokalitz unit.

Every aspect of Damian’s description was contradictory.

Magic and commoner.

Thirteen years old and top of the class.

But more than anything—

‘Voluntary enlistment in this place…’

What could he possibly be thinking?

“…Captain?”

“Alright, you have my permission. But no command authority. Aaron, assign Bex as the leader and form a reconnaissance team.”

“Yes, sir.”

With Bex accompanying, Tarion felt reassured.

Aaron immediately gathered Bex and a few other unit members to form the reconnaissance team.

“You called for me?”

“Bex, take these guys and form a reconnaissance team. You’ll need to depart right away.”

“The rookie?”

“Yes.”

Bex glanced at Damian upon Tarion’s words.

He had shown quite swift movements during training.

“He lacks experience.”

“That’s why you’re going with him.”

“…Understood.”

Bex replied with a hint of concern in his voice.

But unfortunately, there were only a few who could match Damian’s speed.

Speed was the essence of reconnaissance.

“We’ll depart immediately. Switch your spears for short swords.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, sir!”

A reconnaissance team of twenty members was quickly formed.

Bex looked at Damian.

“You’ll stay in the middle of the formation. If anything happens, pull back immediately.”

“Understood.”

Soon, the team, with Bex at its center, began moving swiftly.

And at the heart of the formation—

‘…Now.’

Damian’s eyes sparkled.

This subjugation’s most crucial task was perhaps finding the grotesque source of the magic.

‘There are risks…’

As time passed, the entire subjugation force could be in greater danger.

Finding that source would mean they’d accomplished half of their mission.

Damian heightened his focus, drawing upon his magic as he scanned the surroundings.

Moments later—

“…?”

Damian suddenly stopped, turning his gaze in a specific direction.

A senior member behind him asked.

“What’s wrong? Why did you stop?”

“I sense something over there.”

“A presence?”

Bex turned his head to look at Damian.

The rookie.

“What’s going on?”

“This kid says he senses something over there.”

Bex frowned at the junior member’s words.

What was he talking about?

Bex let out a small sigh.

“Let’s check it out.”

With a ‘just in case’ attitude, Bex decided to head in the direction Damian indicated.

If they found nothing, he intended to give the kid a stern talking-to.

The reconnaissance team altered their course, passing through the dense bushes that obscured their vision. And then—

“…!”

“Gah!”

Bex instinctively raised his fist.

Simultaneously, the unit members halted, holding their breaths.

Monsters appeared ahead.

Their eyes gleamed red, and their bodies were marred with black spots.

“…Monsters tainted by magic.”

But something was odd.

The creatures weren’t of a single type.

“Bex, is this even possible?”

A unit member asked cautiously.

Bex shook his head.

“This is my first time seeing this too.”

Goblins, Orks, and Steel Wolves, all moving together in a group.

And they all had something in common: they were moving in one direction.

Toward where the subjugation force was located.

“…Damn.”

Bex cursed without realizing it.

They were less than ten minutes from the main force’s position.

And yet, the monsters were already this close?

Gulp.

Bex’s mind raced.

What would have happened if they hadn’t spotted this?

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.

Bex glanced at Damian with astonished eyes.

But then—

“Damn… You three, return to the main force immediately and report this.”

“Yes, sir!”

Bex sent back the three fastest members of the team. Then, looking at the remaining unit members, he said:

“We’re going to move in a bit further. We need to assess the size of this group.”

Even at a glance, there were over a hundred of them.

These were monsters fundamentally different from the Morc they first encountered.

The only saving grace was that they spotted them before a surprise attack.

“…Damian.”

“Yes?”

It didn’t matter how he knew or why.

What mattered now was—

“If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately.”

“Got it!”

Damian’s affirmative response prompted Bex to focus ahead.

They had no idea what awaited them up ahead…

“Move out.”

They had no choice but to find out.