Martina noticed Kael’s tense expression. Her brows drew together and she asked softly, "What happened?" Her voice caught the attention of the others. One by one, their eyes turned toward Kael. His face had grown pale, his jaw stiff as though he was forcing himself to hold something back. For the first time in his life, Kael could not find words. He looked at them, opened his mouth, then shut it again. A hollow silence stretched before he sighed. "Nothing," he muttered, shaking his head slowly. "But I feel it’s an absolute disaster right now. I wonder whose side the others are on." Martina back straightened, and her sharp eyes narrowed a bit. The weight of his words was not lost on her. Vic gasped, his voice breaking the silence. "Doesn’t that mean if someone chooses the demon side... it’s quite easy for them to win?" The tension in the air deepened. Kael’s face darkened even further, but he stayed silent. Martina’s voice cut through. "Hmm. It won’t be easy since we are here." Handle nodded firmly. "Yes, we can turn things around." He clapped a hand on Sol’s shoulder. Sol gave a small, shy smile in response. "Of course," Sol added, and his eyes shone bright. "We have one of the best teams." He glanced toward Linda,Herio,Freya,Gare,Vic who both gave encouraging nods. Kael nearly choked on his own saliva hearing things. Inside, his heart was breaking apart in panic. His thoughts screamed, but his lips would not move. ’No, you don’t... You don’t know what you are going to face.’ Gen, standing at the side, blinked in surprise. His sharp gaze shifted between them. He did not understand what these strange words meant, but he kept his silence. The night passed quietly, with no disturbances. Yet beneath the calm, Kael’s unease burned heavier than ever. The next day, Hans summoned everyone to the central tent. His cold golden eyes swept across the room as he introduced Martina and her group. The soldiers gathered there erupted into murmurs. "What, a S rank... No, two S ranks..." "Thank the gods... We truly lacked top power to hold against the demons." "Finally, we can breathe a little." "It’s a good sign. A very good sign...The Gods had finally listened to our prayers." Their voices carried hope, almost desperate relief. Kael stood silently among them, scanning every face. But no memory surfaced. Not one of them felt familiar. His unease only grew deeper. Hans studied the enthusiasm of his people, the faint smile on his lips giving nothing away. Then his tone shifted calmly but sharp as steel. "Since we now have the means, it is time to step forward." His eyes locked on Martina. "How is your skill when it comes to leading troops?" The tent grew silent. His words were heavy, but he wasn’t questioning her rather he wanted to know her capabilities His gaze carried no softness, only the weight of a commander who had seen too many men die. "Please answer fairly," Hans added, his voice cold. "I do not gamble with the lives of my men." Martina inhaled, holding her back straight. Dozens of piercing gazes were fixed on her, waiting for her reply. She answered firmly, though her tone carried honesty. "I am neither excellent nor bad. I can lead my people well, but..." She paused, her eyes shifting slightly as though searching for the right words. Hans caught the look and nodded faintly. He understood. "I will send someone to accompany you. You will hold the highest command, but he will stand as your second. He knows the land, and his judgment is steady." "That would be good," Martina said, giving a small nod. Hans turned his head. His voice rang sharp. "Riley!" "Yes, Sir!" The reply came with a crisp salute. A man stepped forward. His body was quite broad, yet his stance straight as a spear. A scar crossed his hardened face, running from temple to chin. His eyes burned like cold steel as he stopped before them. "You know your duty," Hans said, his gaze unwavering. "Yes, Sir. Leave it to me," Riley answered with firm confidence. Kael’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. He did not like the rigid aura that clung to Riley. Even Martina’s face showed unease. She masked it quickly, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of worry. Kael and Martina looked at one another. Both Martina and Kael thought the same thing. This man was going to be a pain in the ass however.. From the high ridge, a shadow moved. A man dropped down with the weight of a hammer striking the ground. His boots dug into the dirt as he landed, his armor rattling with the force. Without pause, he grabbed a massive boulder, lifted it with terrifying ease, and hurled it aside. The rock smashed into the ground with a deep crack. Yet the same hands that had tossed stone like paper suddenly reached down and lifted a small white rabbit. His rough palms became gentle, as his calloused fingers brushed across the creature’s soft fur. His expression was strange. Fierce and sharp, as if he might devour the little animal, yet his eyes shone with an almost childlike innocence. His voice was heavy but oddly tender. "Oh my, what a precious thing. How can people be so cruel to kill such innocent beings and eat them? Creatures like you should be free from torment also." The group behind stood in silence. "Does he... have a personality disorder?" Herion muttered, barely holding back his shock. "We shouldn’t say that," Vic whispered quickly, though he nodded at the same time. "It’s bad to talk behind someone’s back, pal." Handle gave him a long, eerie stare, unimpressed by his half-hearted lecture. Moments later, Riley approached them, still holding the rabbit as though it were the most fragile thing in the world. His face had returned to stone, and his expression was cold and unyielding. His voice carried no warmth when he spoke. "I have taken a look at the surroundings. No demons in sight, but according to intel, ten kilometers from here we might encounter them." Freya crossed her arms, leaning forward. "Shouldn’t we advance and just sneak attack?" she asked, but Riley’s gaze snapped to her, sharp and unblinking. The look he gave her was colder than steel, and it made her flinch back. Her lips pressed tight as her shoulders stiffened. ’Holy shit... what a cold look,’ she thought, shivering slightly. Riley’s voice remained flat. "It is difficult. They have the natural advantage there. The terrain is shaped for defense. If we walk into it, we will be in a pinch." Content orıginally comes from 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾※𝙣𝙚𝙩 Martina narrowed her eyes. "So what do you suggest?" "I suggest camping," Riley answered. Her brows rose slightly, but she stayed silent, waiting for his explanation. Riley turned his head toward the land around them, his tone calm and exact as he laid out his plan. "This slope gives us a natural defense line. The mountain ridge shields one side. There is a water body nearby, flowing from the high stream. That gives us supply, but it can also serve as a trap if left unguarded. If we set camp here, the terrain becomes ours. We can bait them. By sending scouts forward, they will notice our movement. The demons will try to attack us here, thinking they’ve cornered us. But when they come, we turn this ground into their grave. We can also capture survivors and draw intelligence. Every detail counts." Kael’s lips curled faintly. He gave a short nod. "That’s a good idea."