"We are from the exploration squad." Noel and the other three members from the Demon Extermination Squad waved their hands to the people on the fort.
Those who had been standing on top of the wall saw them and immediately jumped over the wall to check on them.
"I am Iadre from the Demon Relief Squad. These three are from the Demon Extermination Squad. I bring bad news with me." Noel gritted his teeth.
The moment Noel mentioned 'bad news,' the scout's expression turned serious.
"Please go in. The Demon Extermination Squad's Vice Captain Rhane has returned to the fort and taken over the command."
Noel exchanged looks with the trio as they agreed to report to her.
They were immediately brought to the main tent where they usually held the meeting.
"Vice Captain Rhane. There are a few people from the exploration squad returning to this fort and they want to talk to you."
Rhane, who was frowning as she examined the map, couldn't help but shift her focus.
"Tell them to come in." Rhane nodded.
Not long after, Noel and the others entered. Rhane instantly recognized all of them. The three members aside, Rhane had seen Noel in the meeting since Clara always brought him.
"You are… Iadre… the masked man that Captain Clara had always brought to the meeting." Rhane narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why do you return and what is happening in the facility?"
Noel glanced at the map first before reporting, "The condition has become chaotic. The demons have been alarmed and a Superior Demon has left the facility. Captain Septa, who is supposed to be with us, has chosen to return to help the other groups. So, that leaves us to report."
Rhane furrowed her eyebrows. That glance at the map didn't escape her eyes. She immediately asked, "Why did you glance? It seemed you could read the map. In that case, could you tell me the current situation with this map?"
Noel nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
"We don't know much about the current situation. However, the fact that they are alarmed like this means a group has been found out. At first, we split ourselves into five smaller groups."
"But the demons started to become chaotic as if someone was being spotted. However, I noticed something from that roar. Instead of continuous roars like channeling the information to the entire facility, there was only a single roar."
"The demons didn't spread the message. So, the one that gave such an order must be a powerful demon. But if a Peak Level Demon wouldn't be powerful enough to do such a thing. The only one that could release that roar and order all those demons was…"
Rhane frowned. "That Superior Demon…"
"Yes. We left pretty early so that we didn't get caught, so we didn't know the situation that much. But if my understanding about the groups is correct, once the demons are released from the facility, they will be leading them to the north." Noel pointed at the woods north of the facility.
Rhane thought for a moment. "It's possible. Our people are directing those demons to the east. So, if we take a look at the map, the only possible route is to direct them to the north. They will loop around through the western area to confuse the demons before eventually going to the south and reaching this place.
"What are their numbers?" Rhane asked as if she was planning to intercept them.
"We are not sure. But I don't think there is more than one Superior Demon currently. So, I believe they are trying to confuse the demons and regroup with the rest in this fort."
Rhane thought for a moment. "It seems that the situation is worse than I thought. The number of demons isn't much of a problem, but we lack information. We don't know the extent of their strength. How many Peak Level Demons and Superior Demons do the enemies have?"
"And there is a chance that the facility has more than one Superior Demon. So, it will make the situation worse if we charge blindly."
Noel agreed with her assessment. The Demon Extermination Squad might look like they were a group of people with muscle brains. But looking at Shale and Rhane, it felt like they were more rational than his original expectation.
Since it was possible to reason with her, Noel gave her a suggestion. "I think we should reinforce the fort while setting up a group of scouts around us so that they can measure the number of the enemies, including the reinforcement from the facility."
"Then, we're going to set up an ambush squad as well. But the ambush squad only has one person, which is extremely efficient in this situation. He is the Plant Lord. We are surrounded by thick trees, so if he ambushes the enemies from the side or even their back, we should be able to repel the enemies without a great loss."
Rhane thought Noel's plan was reasonable, but there was one thing she couldn't accept. "Unfortunately, it will endanger the Plant Lord. He is here not to explore the facility but to support us with his knowledge. So, we have to protect him. Giving him this risky role will cause some problems with the Tower Association."
Noel suggested another idea. "In that case, why don't we give him a scout? With his power, it should be easy to avoid their detection range. As long as he attacks them from a safe distance, he should be safe most of the time. Then, we can simply give him a scout to lead him to a safe location in case something happens.
"I'll try to convince Captain Clara to suggest this idea as well. But I need your approval so that we can start early. The sooner we prepare, the less casualties we will get."
Noel's expression was serious, thinking she would be convinced with this arrangement.
Still, Rhane was a bit hesitant in sending the Plant Lord to such a risky move. But since a Captain would be involved in the decision making, she nodded.
"I authorize early preparation. But the final decision will lie on the captains and the two elders."
"Got it. Thank you very much."
