Chương 428: Chapter 401. After Battle Report

" Are you absolutely sure about it?"" How many times do I need to repeat myself, Jessie? Yes, the old Demon's final words were "Lord Dardus". What else is there to say? Even if it wasn't what the old Demon said, you know what he definitely didn't say, Jessie? Anything remotely close to Warrick, King Warrick, or King Warrick Dreadnaught. The Demon called out to a Lord Dardus."" It's just that we need to make sure about this. It's a big deal.""

Well, having me repeat it consistently isn't going to do us any favors either. Also, have you taken a minute to think about what we can confirm from all of this!?" Lucy was frustrated at the repeated questioning she's been receiving by not just Jessie, but the appointed Leader of the Adventurers' village that we've come back to. After the Demons disappeared, we didn't have a way to track them, we decided it was best to head back to the village, we took the children as well as the body of the old Demon with us.

We kept them in the forest as we looked to see if the Demons attacking the village were still there. To my relief, they weren't. With that squared away, it was a simple walk to the village, almost like a big battle hadn't even taken place. When we arrived at the walls of the village, we were greeted with an argument being had between Jessie and the Leader of the Adventurers. A man named Frank.

He was a military type, tall, in armor with short brown hair and black eyes with a buzz cut and what looked like enough scars to match any battles he's been in. In short, the argument they were having was about making a search party to find us. Since we've arrived, that clearly stopped being an issue. Us girls were then brought inside a room, along with Jessie, Ben and Luke and we began to be questioned by Frank and his right hand man... Or woman I should say.

Lori, the woman standing behind Frank, looked like she had a Job that was similar to Lucy's. She wore a bandana around her black hair. She was missing her left pointer finger and was quite slim but well-built. The most striking thing about her though, was the fact that she had light-magenta colored eyes." What are you talking about, Ms. Lucy?" Frank asked Lucy what she was referring to. It was what we've all come to understand from our fight in the forest. Laura was the first to answer Frank's question."

They're not some kind of ancient savages. They're smart and strong. They can plan and if we're not careful about how we defend ourselves and approach them, they'll be able to defeat us. Not just here, but everywhere."" What!?" Lori and Frank were shocked at our announcement, however, everyone else didn't seem too bothered by our findings. I mean, everyone involved in the invasion has been saying for the longest that Demons are just as smart and capable as Humans.

But we've been ignored since the King and his Court all thought that we were simply making excuses." Are you saying that only because you've failed to kill the squad you were fighting?" And again, we're met with resistance, this time it was only from these 2 Adventurers." Allow me to present some of the facts. 1. Demons have been positioned just outside of the 2nd biggest City in Promethia. Not only that, but they're obviously trying to slowly gain ground and control of the areas around it.

They're starting here and most likely are planning to branch out until they surround Phoenix Tail from all directions."" How can you be so sure that's what they'll do?" Lori asked this question. Jaime took over the answering from Laura for this one." It's a simple and effective strategy to use. Also we have reason to believe that they've done similar strategies for the villages they've attacked so far.

From the reports that we've been allowed to look at, every time a village is taken, the only way we figure out about it is someone stumbling upon it after its been ravaged with no survivors. The only way I can think of that being the outcome every time is a siege. For a city as big as Phoenix Tail, that means blocking off all main and side roads. What do you think the big road we've all come here from Phoenix Tail is?" Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon."

The Main Western Road that connects Phoenix Tail to everything important to the West of us, right?" Lori answered the question. Laura took over from Jaime to continue." Exactly. Which brings us to the 2nd point. They're obviously experienced in Military Strategy and planning. We all saw the signal flare that marked for them to evacuate for what ever reason.

On top of that, we found the old Demon employing Mind Magic to control the kids we've brought back to fire those Spells to try and break the shields guarding the village. Artillery fire against a force without anything close to it. Again, it's clever and shows planning for victory." Laura finished her 2nd point. This time, the difference in the response was surprising. Instead of wanting to fight against what we've been saying, Frank and Lori began to look horrified.

I suppose it's because they can tell that we're not lying. Though it might also be because they've inadvertently been too lax about protecting the village from the Demons. This wasn't unnoticed by us. Especially Lucy." I hate to interrupt your realization, but there's still one more point we have to tell you."" What would that be?"" The force is way bigger than what ever the reports have claimed.

The witnesses obviously only saw the Scouting Squads who were looking around to bring back information to the main force."" You can't be serious..."" They've taken out more than 60 Adventurers. The Demons that attacked were the small fry foot soldiers that were led by an experienced commander from the sound of it. Speaking of which, did anyone capture or kill him? I believe our opponents referred to him as "Gabble".

We've no idea if it's his real name, but the Demons didn't know we were there, so I'd assume it was either his name or nickname they use for him." Frank rubbed his temple with his left hand as he answered Lucy's question." No... He escaped after issuing an order. It was some code word that no doubt was meant to mean "cause a distraction so most of us can escape"."" I see. That's a shame."" So, what do we do now?" To Lucy's comment, Lori asked a question that was full of anxiety.

To this, a calm voice we hadn't heard since entering the room began to speak." We plan accordingly."" What does that mean exactly, Old Man Ben?' Ben had answered the question, but it didn't seem to make sense to Lori. It didn't make much sense to me either. Ben simply turned to look at Jessie and began to speak." You need to send a message to Phoenix Tail that we need more Adventur... No, you should send 2. One for Alexis and the other to request help from the Royal Army.

This job has become much bigger than we thought it'd be."" It'll take time. There's no telling if another attack will come."" I know that. That's why we ask Alexis for reinforcements. We need as many High-Ranked Adventurers as possible. The only good thing to come out of this is the corpses we've been able to collect from the enemy. We'll send them along with the tally for who killed what."" Why would we do that, Ben?" Frank asked this question. Jessie seemed to understand where he was going with it."

The majority of Demons that were killed were by Jessie and the Hero, Luke. With that, we can send proof that he's been successful on the battlefield against the Demons. This can boost morale and give the people a figurehead to rally around. One of the few good things about this Country is that they're all clamoring for a Hero worth his salt. I'd say the corpses of Demons can help prove it to them.

Along with that, we can explain the rest of the party successfully subjugated a key member of the enemy personnel that was keeping Human children hostage and torturing them."" Stir up all the hate that's built?" Jessie commented on Ben's plan." It's either that or let them lay siege to the town. It should be fine. The Demons aren't exactly trying to be our friends here, Jessie. Sometimes, you need to fight hate with hate on the battlefield." Jessie sighed and closed his eyes before speaking again." Okay.

I'll get to writing the letters. Luke, I want you to put your signature as well. This way King Roman will know that it's not a counterfeit."" Sure thing. Let's get to it." Jessie turned away from Luke and looked at us girls now." For you 4, you did great. I didn't get a chance to say it, since everything happened so quick. But you all did great. you took out someone that was protected by strong Demons and even saved those kids...

More than that, you came back banged up, sure, but more importantly, you came back alive. Your Teachers will all tell you that you should learn from this encounter. And they wouldn't be wrong. Now's a good time to reflect on your battles, rest and then think about how to be better, okay?" We all nodded to Jessie's words. That's when something strange happened. / BANG! / A door was slammed open." Frank! We got news from the Phoenix Tail!"" About what, Muras?"" It's about Diablos and a bunch of other Countries!

A war is happening!" The news shocked the room. The young man who opened the door entered the room and placed a newspaper on the table. Tales of Summits and explosions were all around. But the truly shocking headline for all of us was about someone we'd met for a short time. The Paladin that Luke fought before. He's gone missing somehow? Lots of questions and not many answers began to flood the room we were in. And after it was all said and done, a heavy feeling of confusion began to fill the room.