“So… you mean that this time, the Evil Tide is only expanding its Silentification range, and the number of Evil Forms hasn’t increased, right?”
“The details are as the other scouts have reported.”
Inside the military command tent, Count Leicester, the Supreme Commander of the Border Army, along with the Chiefs of Soldiers from other units who had joined this meeting, were listening to the reconnaissance report from the vanguard troops regarding the current state of the Evil Tide.
The count’s hand rested firmly on the sand table, his gaze fixed on the gray-shaded area marked on the map.
Hell still held Satan’s wrath and the wails of demons.
But once a region is swallowed by the Evil Tide, no matter where, after being completely tainted by the disaster, it becomes a “Silent Zone” — a barren wasteland that rejects all life, where not even demons can survive.
“…It’s a relief that we don’t have to bear an excessive combat burden against Evil Forms. That much is comforting for our kingdom’s warriors. Also, according to your report, the Soul-Eater you encountered—the Lord-Class Evil Form—was the root cause of this Evil Tide. Can we confirm that?”
“That is my judgment, sir.”
Lortisa responded truthfully.
Last night, she had led her team deep into the Buffer Zone between the two nations for the third reconnaissance mission.
Following the meteor that pierced the night sky, they ventured into Silent Sun Town. The encounter with the Devourer Lord was purely an unexpected bonus.
In the days since they had been guarding the frontline, only one Evil Form had appeared — and it was unusually large.
Not only Lortisa, but the other Chiefs of Soldiers present, upon hearing the intelligence, reached the same conclusion.
“So, if we eliminate that Devourer Lord, there’s a chance we can quell this Evil Tide…”
Count Leicester stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Rather than passively holding the line and waiting for the Evil Tide to spread and the uncertain threat to worsen, it was better to act proactively if there was a possibility to resolve the crisis.
This was the experience humanity had accumulated since the Evil Tide first ravaged this world.
“Ah, as expected of the Chief of Soldiers. To uncover the root of this disaster in just a few days, I am truly impressed,”
Northen spoke with a perfectly timed and measured smile beside the sand table.
His praise was courteous without slipping into flattery, embodying the dignity of a noble knight.
Having said that, he turned to the count with a proposal:
“My lord count, given this crucial intelligence, I believe we should conduct a carpet search and hunt down that Evil Form to resolve this Evil Tide crisis as soon as possible.”
“Hmm…”
Count Leicester pondered briefly before shaking his head.
“No. First, the Evil Tide covers too vast an area. Searching for a single Evil Form, even a Lord-Class one, in the western segment of Silent Sun Valley would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Second, we must consider the political implications. The Evil Tide’s origin lies within the Empire of Zongri’s territory. If our Border Army crosses the border, it could trigger an international incident.”
The commanders exchanged glances inside the tent.
“In any case, whatever strategy we adopt next cannot avoid consulting with the Empire. Until we receive a response from their envoy, maintain vigilance but hold your positions.”
The count issued his order bluntly.
As the others began to leave the tent, Lortisa was suddenly called aside.
“Chief of Soldiers.”
“Yes—My lord count?”
Count Leicester paused, then looked at her:
“Lortisa, I understand your desire to quell the Evil Tide swiftly, but do not forget your position. Crossing the border without authorization is strictly prohibited.
However, considering the invaluable intelligence you brought back, I will overlook this once. Remember, it cannot happen again.”
“Yes, sir.”
Lortisa saluted respectfully, stepped back a few paces, and turned to leave the tent.
She hadn’t gone far before she saw Karine waiting outside the Main Camp gate.
Before Lortisa could approach, the female warrior hurriedly came over:
“How was the strategy meeting?”
Lortisa shook her head lightly:
“The count ordered us to hold our positions for now.”
Karine’s face fell in disappointment:
“Seriously? You already dealt a heavy blow to that Devourer Lord. Even if it escaped, it couldn’t have gotten far. It’s a perfect chance to capture it, but we’re letting it slip away… Damn frustrating.”
Listening to her adjutant’s complaints, Lortisa remained silent.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested in the complex factors behind this decision; rather, at this moment, none of it mattered.
Even if the sky were to fall, she needed to put everything else on hold first.
Leaving Karine behind, the Chief of Soldiers quickened her pace.
Karine hadn’t even finished venting before hurrying to catch up:
“Hey, hey, Chief—”
As if anticipating her adjutant’s words, Lortisa answered without looking back.
“If it’s just military affairs, handle it yourself. No need to report to me.”
Karine blinked in confusion.
Usually, as second-in-command, she managed almost all military matters in the unit.
At least the superior would still listen to the specifics.
But now, Lortisa had clearly cast everything aside.
Leaving the helpless female adjutant standing there, she hurried back to her own tent.
After all, she had finally found that person.
Even though it had been confirmed as true, not a mere illusion,
Lortisa was still afraid.
Afraid that the figure she longed for every night in her dreams was only a false vision, one she would never see again upon waking.
Perhaps only by staying by his side at all times, seeing him with her own eyes, could she find peace.
Her mind filled with that name, Lortisa’s steps quickened without her realizing, until she was running.
Ignoring the curious gazes of soldiers she passed, she rushed to her tent.
But just as she reached out to pull back the door curtain, her movement abruptly stopped.
It was as if only at this moment did she realize she was still a young woman.
(—How should I behave in front of him?)
Even the kingdom’s strongest Chief of Soldiers couldn’t help but have such thoughts.
Taking a deep breath to calm the pounding in her chest, she lifted the curtain—
No one?
She checked the empty room several times, but the figure she longed for was nowhere to be seen.
Her emerald eyes hardened sharply.
Stepping inside,
the bedding on the campaign bed was neatly folded,
the mercenary attire on the desk was packed away, not a trace left behind.
As if no one had ever been here.
(—No, that’s not right…)
Lortisa instinctively clenched her fists, restraining the trembling urge.
That was right. She was no longer the powerless girl who struggled just to survive and could do nothing.
With her current strength, as long as she was nearby, she could find him.
Forcing herself to stay calm, she turned around and immediately collided into the familiar embrace etched deeply in her memory.