The next day.
The three captains gathered in the meeting tent. Noel was fortunately invited as well. His insight was extremely useful after all.
Septa had a grim expression the whole time. It seemed that there was a huge problem coming their way.
He looked at them for a while to the point Clara couldn't help but ask with an annoyed face. "What's wrong, Septa? You surely don't gather us like this for no reason, right? Looking at your equipment, it seems you're about to leave. Is that all?"
"No…" Septa shook his head helplessly. "I have received a reply from the Headquarters to immediately investigate the Plant Lord. But there is something more…"
"It seems that the Headquarters is sending a troubling reinforcement to replace me…" Septa sighed.
"Huh? Isn't the reinforcement supposed to be the mad wolf Urza? Although he is a rough bunch, he is not that troublesome to deal with." Clara frowned, feeling something bad.
"No. The reinforcement this time is… that woman."
"!!!" Clara and Shale were dumbfounded when they heard about the replacement.
"Seriously?" Shale gasped and looked away. "Is this true? What should I do this time? I haven't done anything wrong, right?"
Noel was startled by Shale's reaction. Shale's strength was among the top in the Demon Banner Army. There was nothing he should be afraid of other than the commander. But he didn't understand why he had such a reaction from this mysterious woman.
Clara let out a sigh. "This is truly annoying. To think that the situation is like this… it seems that the one who suggested it is not the commander… but that woman."
Even Clara looked troubled when she heard the identity. Noel was confused since he didn't know who they were talking about.
He raised his hand and asked innocently. "Excuse me. Who are you talking about?"
Clara looked at Noel with a pale face as if blaming him for something. It seemed she still remembered how she was annoyed with the fact she had to meet her when discussing Noel's matter with the commander.
Septa, on the other hand, wasn't truly bothered, considering he would be away during that time. So, he explained it to Noel. "The one we're talking about is the Captain of the Demon Adjudicator Squad, Captain Milfa."
"Hmm… To be honest, I don't know much about her." Noel shook his head helplessly as he still couldn't understand why it was a problem.
Septa pointed at Shale and said, "See that Shale over there? He is the third strongest person in the army. And he is the one who most likely succeeds in the commander's seat. However, there is one scary woman whose strength is second only to the commander… She is Milfa.
"Despite having that strength and cool head, she has stated that she has no intention to replace the commander. Instead, she will support whoever becomes the commander."
"In a head-on fight, I don't think Shale has ever won against her… right?" Septa asked Shale.
The latter only looked away, but that was enough for the answer.
Septa shrugged. "See? Well, her strength aside, that woman is kind of strict. I mean… she is easy to get along with most of the time, but on a mission, if there is a single mistake… no matter how small it is, she is going to judge you. That's the reason why she is the captain of the Demon Adjudicator Squad. That's why she is so scary and troublesome. Her advice is good though."
"Oh?" Noel widened his eyes before nodding in understanding. It seemed that the woman who would come this time was interesting.
He didn't really mind personally, considering the woman would point out all the mistakes he had. He wanted to complete something to perfection, so, of course, her presence was like an opportunity.
Though, he didn't know whether he would regret this decision or not after seeing how annoyed Shale and Clara were.
"Well, that's all I want to say. Good luck in dealing with her." Septa waved his hand as he hurriedly escaped.
"Oi, not fair!" Clara gritted her teeth. Even Shale clenched his fists. "I'm going to remember this, Septa. Just wait… I'm going to annoy you to death the next time we meet."
"…" Noel scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to say. "Is there anything I have to know about this? I mean, I am not one of the captains, so I don't think I will be noticed by her."
"No. You can leave." Clara waved his hand, dismissing him.
Noel nodded and left the tent. Meanwhile, Clara and Shale exchanged looks.
"A bet?" Clara put a smile on her annoyed face.
It seemed both of them had the same idea in mind as Shale completed the bet. "To see whether he is annoyed or not?"
Clara nodded. "The loser will have to drink and tell her she is annoying."
"…" Septa closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "Sure. I believe he will be annoyed by her as well."
"Then, I am going to believe in my squad."
Noel didn't know their little bet. But they didn't know that there was someone eavesdropping on their conversation.
The shadow from the torch flickered for a split second before it calmed again.
And when Noel was about to return to his tent, he heard a voice ringing in his ears.
"Young Master. I'm going to apologize in advance. Actually, I was the mentor of that woman. Because I was strict with her, she ended up becoming strong and strict. She might give you some trouble…"
"!!!" Noel widened his eyes, not because of the content of the discussion, but because Dimitri chose to talk to him.
Noel looked around, especially at the shadows around him. But there was no sign of Dimitri. He was surprised that Dimitri would stay this close to him and even contact him this way. It seemed that there was something more about this Milfa.
"Well… I don't mind perfection since it's beneficial for me too. But I don't know to what extent, so I guess I'll wait and enjoy the show." Noel let out a sigh.
The next day.
Noel ended up standing outside the fort with Shale and Clara.
Milfa had arrived with a smile.
Noel was surprised by her appearance. Despite how they described Milfa, she looked like a mature woman who took care of others. Even her smile was warm and made one feel secure. While waving her hand, she introduced herself.
"Hello, I'm Septa's Replacement. I'm the Captain of the Demon Adjudicator Squad, Milfa. Pleased to meet you."
