With the authorization, they began their preparation. The entire fort became extremely busy since they were expecting hundreds if not thousands of demons coming straight at them. This would be the first huge battle with the demons.
On the one hand, they had fortified the area with forts and ditches. On the other hand, the demons wouldn't be that easily stopped by all these. The powerful demons should be able to penetrate the fort with their power, so they had to be careful during the preparation.
As expected, the first one to return to the base was none other than Plant Lord's squad.
Noel met up with Zion to ask him a few questions regarding the Plant Lord. He hadn't told Zion that the Plant Lord was suspicious. But due to this, the Plant Lord shouldn't realize that Zion was observing him this whole time.
This was one of Noel's plans. However, it wasn't enough.
He had already made a plan to isolate the Plant Lord. But as one would expect from the Plant Lord, his reputation didn't allow Rhane to ask for his cooperation with the ambush.
That was why Rhane didn't do anything to convince the Plant Lord. Instead, she was waiting for any captain to discuss it personally with the Plant Lord.
The second squad to return was Captain Shale's squad. They waited for the demons to leave first. Once the peace was restored, they sneaked out of the building and tried to regroup with the others.
Although they didn't see Septa's squad, they personally witnessed Plant Lord's squad leaving the facility. So, they decided to regroup with the others to think of their next plan.
Just like Rhane's explanation, Captain Clara and the Stone Lord led their squads to loop around the base in order to confuse the demons. With the help of the Stone Lord, they made significant progress in stalling them.
This way, they should have a few minutes to react before the demons reach the fort.
But to everyone's surprise, the third one who returned to the fort was not Captain Clara or the Stone Lord. Instead, it was Septa.
Noel finally saw the opportunity in Shale's existence and Septa's expression.
He sneaked around to see the two captains, trying to get a meeting with both of them at the same time.
And since he was trusted by Clara, the two ended up agreeing to his request and met him privately.
Noel confirmed the suspicion in Septa's face first before he said, "I believe there's no need to introduce myself anymore. So, I'll skip the pleasantries. I need your help."
"What kind of help?" Shale asked. He knew that this masked boy was Noel. With his high expectation, he wondered what Noel wanted to do in this situation.
"I want your help to convince the Plant Lord to set up an ambush outside the fort. With his strength and the surrounding woods around us, I believe he is the perfect person to sneak attack them."
The two captains were confused. They also brought up the same problem that would arise once they did something like that.
Noel simply said, "We will send a scout that can help him escape in case something happens."
"!!!" Septa immediately widened his eyes in shock as if he had realized something important. He had talked with the shadow that appeared inside the building.
He recalled the conversation.
"I only have one task. It's to kill the Plant Lord. The evidence is not big, but I have made a promise. And I think it's already a bit obvious about the relationship between the Plant Lord and the Supreme Devil Organization, especially regarding the case of the extinct plant."
"!!!" Septa widened his eyes at that time. He had gotten the report from his subordinate about the shadow that helped them deal with a Devil Bishop. His strength was so overwhelming that he could limit the search to only a few people. And in that instant, he recognized the identity of that shadow. "I see. So, you must be the Captain of the Demon Assassination Squad, the rumored Shadow that managed to complete every single target except for the last one.
"And if I'm not wrong, it means you are related to the Ardagan Family. Looking at the current situation, there's no Ardagan on the surface. But how convenient to have Iadre appear after Noel Ardagan mysteriously 'died' in that valley. Isn't that right?"
The shadow was silent for a while. "My identity doesn't matter. All I need is your cooperation."
"You must have used your connection to contact my mentor." Septa sighed. "Though, I can't simply dismiss the suspicion when the smell is already too much for my nose."
Septa couldn't ignore the extinct plant and the mushrooms. Ultimately, he nodded his head. "Alright. I'll cooperate with you… or more precisely, Noel Ardagan."
The shadow smiled and disappeared. Even Septa had a hard time finding his presence and trace of Spiritual Energy.
After remembering the conversation, Septa sighed and stated, "Alright. I'll agree with your suggestion. In fact, I'm the one who will accompany the Plant Lord. This will stop the Tower Association from complaining.
"However, I'm not going to reveal my identity. I'm going to disguise myself as a member of the Zero Squad."
Noel remained serious, but the shock was reflected on Shale's face. He never expected Septa to agree to this kind of suggestion. At the same time, thinking about Noel, he might have done something that caused Septa to agree.
He became interested in Noel even more. He said, "I can agree to that. In fact, with the current situation, it's better for me to take the reign of the fort."
"With this, no one will complain if Septa is missing somewhere since I can simply brush the matter by sending him somewhere."
"However, I have a condition." Shale raised one finger.
"A condition?" Noel tilted his head in confusion. This wasn't the time to put on a condition.
But Shale's condition was simpler than he thought.
He simply pointed at Noel and said, "You… become my vice commander during the siege."
