By Zephyria After Hugo had first skimmed through the records, the chief investigator, who had barely regained his senses, expounded on the contents of the inscription and additional interpretations in front of the commanders. The meeting quickly turned into a heated debate, with the main opinion being that the direction of the subjugation should be redirected to prioritize attacking the core.
“If the core has the power to control them, shouldn’t we gather all our forces here instead of heading south as we are?”
“Then it would be best to move the Gate defense personnel inside.”
“But what if we pull the troops away and the defense of the border area becomes weak, allowing demon beasts to escape?”
“That being said, if only a few units enter first and the creature turns out to be stronger than expected, we could end up in a situation where we can’t stop it. Are you saying that the vanguard should gamble with their lives?”
“I believe that the responsibility of the rear units, who must maintain a flawless defense system, is just as important―.”
Seeing the atmosphere becoming overheated, Bruno, unable to bear it any longer, lightly tapped the table with his baton to draw attention.
“Everyone seems to be getting worked up, so please calm down first. We gathered here to discuss the future direction, not to argue.”
At his more solemn voice than usual, the commanders quickly quieted down. Bruno then glanced at Hugo, waiting for him to speak.
After the chief investigator finished his briefing, the records were returned to Hugo’s hands, and he couldn’t take his eyes off the papers spread out on the table. The contents clearly proved the existence of the core, the leader. Moreover, the one who sealed that core was….
‘Theodore. The first Emperor.’
Hugo made a subtle expression and ran his hand over the name. It was commonly known that most records related to the first Emperor had been lost and could not be found, but he never expected to see it here.
Already tired, and then suddenly faced with such a huge revelation, Hugo was just as confused about how to proceed.
What was even more difficult was that if they were to launch an all-out attack on the core right now, he, as the commander-in-chief, would have to lead the troops here, which meant he wouldn’t be able to spend time searching for the missing people.
As he rubbed his brow in frustration, one of the company commanders from the 7th Battalion of the Southern Branch, who had been engaged in a heated debate earlier, spoke up again.
“In my opinion, some troops should be deployed as rear units in the northern plains and border areas.”
Bruno, who had been watching Hugo, turned his gaze.
“Reason?”
“Although the existence of the core, the leader, is recorded in the inscription, it would be difficult to be certain that it still exists after so much time has passed, wouldn’t it? Gathering all our forces in one place in this situation could end up being a futile effort.”
Bruno, listening, nodded as if he thought it made sense.
“Then it would be best to first gather only the nearby units to search the location where the core is presumed to be, and then discuss troop deployment after gathering a little more information. What do you think?”
His question was essentially asking for Hugo’s opinion.
In any case, he needed more time to find Leonardo and Kenneth before attacking the core. Hugo agreed with the company commander and Bruno in order to buy some time, saying.
“Let’s do that for now. Are there any units on standby within 20 miles of the current location?”
“The 12th and 13th Companies of the 9th Battalion of the Southern Branch.”
“The 6th, 9th, and 10th Companies of the 7th Battalion of the Southern Branch.”
“The 3rd and 4th Companies of the 6th Battalion of the Central Branch.”
The battalion commanders answered one by one to his question, and Hugo’s last gaze turned to Meterion.
Meterion, who had been wearing a rather displeased expression, looked away for a moment before reluctantly uncrossing his arms.
“The 4th, 5th, and 6th Companies of the 3rd Battalion of the Central Branch.”
Hugo didn’t want to keep his gaze on him for long either, and as soon as he heard the answer, he turned his eyes to the other commanders and asked.
“…Then let’s have the six companies of the 7th Battalion of the Southern Branch and the 3rd Battalion of the Central Branch gather here immediately, and the two companies of the 9th Battalion of the Southern Branch… are they currently with the exploration team?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“The 9th Battalion will continue to protect the exploration team, and the two companies of the 6th Battalion of the Central Branch will set up a dividing line and stand by in the northern plains in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“The commanders of each unit that needs to move should lead their troops back here by midnight today. Also, for future troop deployments, other companies should stop advancing for now, and when the commanders of the 12th Battalion of the Southern Branch arrive, we will resume the meeting with the battalion commanders and deputy commanders….”
Hugo’s expression gradually hardened as he gave the instructions. Soon, his face turned sharply cold as he stopped speaking.
“……”
It was because he felt a subtle sensation flowing through his fingertips, spine, and skin.
The commanders, puzzled by the commander’s sudden silence and his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings, held their breath along with him. His sharpened blue eyes looked up at the sky, then suddenly began to dart around as if searching for something.
Bruno, who had been moving the model horses on the table while listening to Hugo’s words, also sensed something was wrong and raised his head. Then, he carefully called out to him with a serious expression.
“…Commander?”
However, Hugo didn’t answer and focused solely on the energy that had flashed past for a moment.
‘This is definitely….’
It was definitely ‘him.’
He wasn’t far away, and he had emitted Magic Power for a brief moment from somewhere in the southwest before disappearing in an instant. And the moment he felt it, Hugo was able to confirm two things he had been thinking about all along.
That he was deliberately moving secretly without using Magic Power in order not to reveal his location to him, and that, thankfully, he hadn’t escaped outside yet.
It was then, as Hugo’s gaze turned southwest, having immediately pinpointed his location.
Kuoong―!
A very loud and powerful sound and reverberation erupted from the huge mountain range to the south.
The vibration was so strong that it could be felt through the legs as the ground shook, and everyone who had attended the meeting turned their heads in that direction with surprised eyes.
Immediately after the huge reverberation shook the surroundings, a strong gust of wind blowing from the mountain range stirred up dust and spread rapidly, engulfing the entire base camp in an instant.
Whirlwinds swirled, trees shook violently, and things flying in the wind came crashing down threateningly like sharp weapons. The commanders hastily faced the towering mountain peaks and erected multiple layers of Aura in front of the storm.
However, the aftermath was so significant that all the heavy model horses on the table fell over, and the maps and Magic Circles that had been set up as supports swayed, forcing the nearby members to barely hold onto them.
“W, what’s going on?”
Amidst the commotion, the fierce storm that swept through carried an unknown fishy smell. Squad Leader 8, who was sweeping back her hair that was obscuring her vision, felt the energy of a powerful being in the wind, so strong that it gave her goosebumps.
Her gaze, as she unconsciously rubbed her arm with her hand, turned to the very center of the Magic Circle drawn on the paper. And Dellua, who had captured that sight, also gazed at the same spot, following Squad Leader 8’s gaze.
Dellua, sensing something that would exist in the very center, inhaled slightly. She looked up at the mountain peaks to the south again and murmured.
“Could it be….”
All the birds in the forest flew up, and for a while, the flapping of wings and cries continued.
Hugo, who was also watching the mountain range warily, turned his head back to the southwest. If he kept paying attention to this vibration and storm, he felt like he would miss the fleeting energy he had sensed forever.
He clenched his fist as if he had finally made up his mind, and then he condensed Magic Power in his right hand, creating a Greatsword that was more solid and filled with more chill than usual. Then, he lightly tapped the cluttered table three times with the back of his hand, drawing the attention of the commanders who were confused in front of him.
“Everyone, focus. I won’t say it again.”
At the Supreme Commander’s voice, the commanders turned their heads and stared at him. Hugo scanned the commanders to make sure all eyes were on him, then opened his mouth.
“The commanders of the units scheduled to gather are to lead their troops back here by midnight today at the latest. We will discuss the Tactical System and troop deployment again later. And Amos, Vice Commander.”
“Yes, Legion Commander.”
“There were similar warning signs a few days ago when a large Dermocas Swarm appeared in the plains. I will entrust you with full command authority until I return, so please analyze the cause of the wave just now and secure the perimeter.”
“Yes?”
Bruno urgently asked back upon hearing his words.
“Ah, no, Supreme Commander, where are you going?”
Bruno asked with a confused face at Hugo’s appearance, as if he was about to entrust him with full authority again and disappear somewhere. Hugo patted Bruno’s shoulder a couple of times and said,
“I will go to the southwest, so even if there is an unidentified loud noise from that direction later, absolutely no one is to follow. I will take care of that side. I’m counting on you for the rest.”
Having finished speaking, he immediately gestured to Squad Leader 8 behind him as if there was no time to delay, and then left the spot in an instant with a dazzling light.
After the remaining members of the 1st Battalion exchanged glances and disappeared from the spot, the commanders’ gazes all turned to Bruno.
Faced with the sudden situation and the gazes directed at him, Bruno covered his head with both hands.