“Everyone has seen Miss Shalum’s capabilities. Please, share whatever thoughts you have,” said Divine Blade Huck.
“In this complex forest terrain, large-scale military operations are completely unsuitable. The enemy can ambush us from any corner. Once we’re ambushed, we won’t have time to retreat or for reinforcements to arrive. Therefore, I suggest we halt this mode of attack,” Samimi stated her opinion directly.
“This…” Divine Blade Huck was immediately put in a difficult position.
“To be honest, I never agreed with this method of advancement from the start. It’s just that everyone had been preparing for so long, their fighting spirit was high, and I was hesitant to speak up. But now the situation has changed. The battle conditions shift in an instant, and I don’t believe continuing to advance in a grand, large-scale formation is a good choice,” Samimi explained.
Originally, this kind of army-scale assault was organized by the major guilds to compete for the Sword of the Hero. But now the guilds have formed an alliance, and the Sword of the Hero has been handed over to the Adventurers’ Guild for handling.
There was no longer any need to maintain this massive military push.
Apart from being grand and imposing—
It offered no advantages.
The reason was simple—
This was the Otherworld.
If sheer numbers could solve problems, then this wouldn’t be the Otherworld.
The core of the Otherworld is the strong.
Either one person can smash the world—
Or a five-person team can smash everything.
“I understand what you mean, but this isn’t something I can decide alone. And getting everyone to retreat now… it’s too difficult,” Miss Meihua analyzed in a low voice. “Making them retreat would be more painful than killing them. That’s just how adventurers are.”
“I don’t understand, and I don’t care,” Samimi said coldly. “I’m a Pastoralist. My mission is to keep as many people alive as possible. The area ahead is undoubtedly a carefully laid trap. Advancing further is just marching to our deaths.”
“So you mean… directly withdraw the army?” Divine Blade Huck asked.
“No,” Samimi shook her head. “I suggest forming an elite assassination squad—a sharp knife to cut off the head. We will deal with Magic Sword Red.”
“Isn’t that just exposing you to danger?” Divine Blade Huck was shocked.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” Samimi said calmly.
Divine Blade Huck fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
“Alright. I’ll convene a meeting.”
—
That night.
All the guild leaders from the Three Major Armies gathered in the Second Army Conference Tent.
This time—
Even Samimi herself was personally present.
Her attendance at a meeting, something she normally never bothered with, spoke volumes about the severity of the situation.
Divine Blade Huck explained the situation first.
Demon Humans.
Poisonous Fog.
Ambushes.
The listeners’ expressions grew grave.
But when he said “halt the advance”—
The room exploded.
“How can that be?!”
“Impossible!”
“Retreat now? You must be joking!”
Everyone unanimously opposed.
The reason was simple—
Withdrawing the army would be a disgrace.
At that moment, Samimi stood up.
“I have something to say. Please, everyone, listen quietly.”
The room gradually fell silent.
She raised her Runic Staff.
Blue light shimmered.
“This technique is called [Magic upon Magic].”
Before the words had fully faded—
She swung the staff down onto the heavy round conference table.
Boom!
The tabletop was directly cleaved with a penetrating crack.
Yet there was almost no vibration.
“Every Demon Human can do this,” she said plainly.
“They can transform their hands into demonic blades, piercing through ordinary equipment in a single strike. This is their most basic form of attack.”
“They possess intelligence and are skilled at lurking and ambushing.”
“They can lie in wait in one place for dozens of days, even a month, completely motionless.”
“They feel no pain, no fear of death. They can trade injury for injury, life for life.”
“They have only one goal—to kill you all.”
The tent fell deathly silent.
“Ahead lies their ambush zone.”
“If thirty thousand people march in, my conservative estimate is—”
“Less than three hundred would come out alive.”
Her tone was as calm as if she were reciting numbers.
“These are the research findings of the Church on Demon Humans.”
“I’m not talking about honor. I’m not talking about face.”
“I’m only talking about one thing—”
“Survival.”
In an instant.
The entire conference tent became utterly quiet.
No one refuted her.
“Adventurers have families too. They have parents,” Samimi continued. “Since the alliance was formed to reduce casualties, then don’t send people to their deaths.”
Miss Meihua spoke up at the right moment. “Then what about Magic Sword Red?”
This was a pre-arranged cooperation between the two.
“Form an elite assassination squad,” Samimi said. “We will carry it out.”
“Draw additional strong individuals from the First and Third Army Corps.”
“Blue Ghost, Red Ghost, and Cresia will join.”
“Eight people will be enough.”
As soon as the words were spoken—
The room was shaken.
Not with opposition.
But with concern.
This was a mission with a nine-in-ten chance of death.
“I have one more compromise,” Samimi continued. “The army can continue to advance, but the pace must be slowed. Clear the area ahead bit by bit to avoid ambushes.”
Having said that, she bowed.
Turned.
And left.
Giving no one a chance to refute.
—
The meeting went more smoothly than expected.
Because this was the South.
The people were simple and honest.
If what you said made sense—
They would listen.
Unlike the scheming and power struggles of the Church.
—
Early the next morning.
Representatives from the First and Third Army Corps arrived.
The Twin Ghosts Tachi Swordsman and the Hero Sword Saint Cresia.
It was explained—
The plan had been approved.
At the same time, a new member joined.
Green robe, glasses, carrying a huge backpack.
She looked completely unlike a combatant.
“And this is?” Samimi asked.
“Steve, a pharmacist from the All-Purpose Guild,” Cresia introduced. “She’s proficient in herbal medicine and botany, and is also a top-tier scholar. She can handle any unknown situations we encounter.”
Samimi nodded.
This was precisely the capability she lacked.
She excelled at judging the big picture—
But not the details.
“Welcome,” Samimi extended her hand.
“Hello! You must be Lady Shalum! I really admire you!” Steve said, nervous and excited.
Samimi was slightly taken aback.
So—
Her kind of persona worked on pharmacists too?
—
Noon.
The assassination squad was fully assembled.
Supplies were well-prepared.
Enough to survive in the Sea of Ten Thousand Forests for a month.
Just before departure—
Divine Blade Huck found Samimi and Serina.
He handed them something.
Several strangely shaped small curved knives.
Samimi’s pupils contracted.
“These are… Demon Knives?”