The Serpentspire Legion had been precisely deployed around the now-cleared monster lair, moving with complete discipline according to the firm orders of the Deputy Commander, Serenity.
In the western sector, the border's calm was suddenly shattered. Hundreds of monsters burst out from the thick, foul-smelling swamps. Hordes of giant Plague Rats and horrifying mantis-like Dire Locusts crawled and leaped wildly, filling the soldiers' view.
The monsters' terrifying sizes varied from one to three meters tall. They were so huge and horrifying that even a single one of their kind would have been monstrous in the modern world.
The number of monsters pouring in reached three times the total number of soldiers deployed in the western sector. However, thanks to their combat experience and deeply ingrained military training, not one soldier showed the slightest sign of panic.
The vanguard on the front line stood ready in their assigned positions. Massive iron shields were raised high against their chests, locking the formation together. Their primary task was to become an unyielding fortress that could withstand the monster horde's charge and keep it from breaking through to the rear, while also buying time for the mages chanting spell incantations and focusing their Mana.
Each vanguard maintained a distance of roughly one to two meters from the others. The aura of the skill [Aegis Fortress] erupted from their bodies, radiating golden light that towered upward like an invisible steel wall.
*Bang! Bang!
The thunderous sound of impacts echoed deafeningly as waves of Plague Rats mercilessly slammed into the vanguard's protective auras.
*Clang! Clang!
Just as noisy, the sharp sickle strikes of the Dire Locusts clashing against the front line's steel shields produced ringing clangs that shook the ears.
"The front line is under control!"
Asfer, captain of the western sector unit, shouted from directly behind the vanguard formation, warning his soldiers.
"Earth mages, cast your magic! Restrict the horde's movement!"
The earth rumbled as the incantation [Terrene Spike Rampart] activated. Massive stone spikes burst from the ground on the left and right sides of the vanguard formation. The monster horde attempting to circle around and break through the rear defenses was instantly trapped in a tight formation.
The earthen spikes did more than restrict the enemy's movements. They also stabbed viciously through the monsters' bellies and thick shells, filling the air with green bodily fluids and agonized roars.
"Fire AoE mages, get ready!"
Another shout from Asfer rang out as he issued a new command.
"The spell is ready, Captain!"
The leader of this sector's mage unit gave his reply.
If Efren had been there, he would have recognized the man immediately—the talented fire mage in his early twenties who had thrown a few sarcastic remarks at him in the barracks' dining area.
"Launch the attack!"
*Boom! Boom! Kaboom!
A sea of flames exploded violently in the middle of the trapped monster horde. A wave of heat tore through the air, transforming the swamp into a blazing hellscape. Successive explosions thundered, shaking the ground beneath their feet and devouring the monsters' shells and flesh until they burned to ash in an instant.
The talented young fire mage Efren had recognized earlier stood out dramatically in this area, showing off his exceptionally aggressive control of magic as he burned the reptilian monsters' crawling paths clean.
Meanwhile, the battlefield in the eastern sector was no less terrifying. Dense forest trees were infested with hordes of giant spider-like monsters and sharp-scaled snakes slithering quickly through the undergrowth.
Unlike the tight formation in the western sector, the eastern sector's forces divided themselves into several small subgroups along the forest's edge.
The vanguard inside the forest deliberately kept a little more distance from one another. These small gaps had been created so that the archers, crossbow users, and wind mages in the rear could fire precise shots through the front line.
Ice magic began to take effect. Ice needles the size of large crystals shot forward from behind the vanguard, striking and piercing the restrained monsters.
"Get ready!"
Derten, captain of the eastern sector unit, shouted loudly amid the uproar of battle.
Bowstrings were pulled taut, green wind-magic circles expanded into perfect shapes, and crossbows took precise aim at the horde ahead.
"Launch the attack!"
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A barrage of arrows, crossbow bolts, and razor-sharp wind blades simultaneously cleaved through the air. The massive attack struck deep, severed vital organs, and brought down the monster formation with devastating force.
"Close-combat knights, get ready!"
Derten's next instruction rang out.
Although the combination of ranged attacks was deadly, the sheer number of monsters meant a small portion of the enemies was still breathing.
"Finish them with me!"
Derten's command echoed through the air as he led the close-combat knights in drawing their swords to meet and eliminate the remnants of the horde.
Elsewhere, the main force led by Serenity herself advanced steadily toward the northern sector.
Amid the ranks of uniformed soldiers, mages, and knights marching in step, Serenity first halted her forces at a designated area—the former lair of the Orcs and Bogarts that had already been cleared.
"Deputy Commander!"
Upon seeing Serenity and the large force behind her, the soldier in charge of monitoring the lair immediately stood at attention and saluted. The customary address of "Serenity" used by ordinary soldiers did not even cross his lips. As a soldier, he understood the current situation on the ground perfectly.
In the military hierarchy, soldiers serving under a regional official were indeed addressed by the title "Knight." However, when they were leading troops and carrying out an official field mission, their rank title was the proper form of address.
"I authorize this man to study the lair. Give him access to observe it,"
Serenity instructed the overseer without beating around the bush.
"There's no need to pull your guards away to escort him. I've already assigned several intelligence soldiers to act as his guards."
The person Serenity was referring to was none other than Ang'ais—the suspicious man captured yesterday at the border.
Serenity then turned her gaze toward the interior of the monster lair. The former dwelling place of the Orcs and Bogarts radiated an intensely dark atmosphere.
In several places, cracks in the ground released dark, misty vapor—a surge of negative Mana beginning to spread due to the numerous deaths and remnants of the massacre.
"Understood, Deputy Commander!"
The overseer's reply came firmly.
Serenity's gaze shifted to Ang'ais.
"Thank you for granting me permission, Lady Knight,"
Ang'ais said politely, curling his lips into a faint smile when he realized Serenity was watching him.
Serenity merely gave him a brief nod.
As she watched Ang'ais enter the inner area of the lair flanked by four intelligence soldiers dressed entirely in black, Serenity's memories suddenly returned to what had happened yesterday inside the interrogation tent.
Yesterday, beneath the dim glow of the interrogation tent's hanging lamp.
Ang'ais sat calmly. A small, mysterious smile was etched across his face, and he seemed entirely unbothered despite the Mana-suppressing manacles tightly encircling both his wrists.
In a relaxed tone, he laid out the reason behind his actions, which had aroused the soldiers' suspicions.
"There was nothing illegal that required further explanation, Lady Knight,"
Ang'ais began.
"As a researcher who saw anomalous clouds of smoke and traces of negative Mana appearing... my natural curiosity drove me to investigate them and uncover the truth."
Ang'ais then extended both hands toward one of the guards, who stood glaring at him.
"Could you give me my belongings back so I can prove who I really am? My badge,"
Ang'ais requested from the soldier, who had previously searched him and confiscated all his belongings.
The soldier hesitated and looked to Serenity for confirmation.
"Give it to him."
Serenity gave the soldier a brief confirmation.
After retrieving the metal pin-shaped object, Ang'ais held it out toward Serenity.
"Use your Mana to access the items inside it, Lady Knight. I've already granted you permission to use it. Take a look."
Serenity accepted the badge and began channeling a small amount of her Mana into it.
The next second, a small magic circle glowed across the badge's surface before slowly floating into the air. Serenity's expression immediately changed to one of surprise.
"Those are all the belongings I was carrying, Lady Knight. There is nothing else,"
Ang'ais informed her, responding to the confused expression on Serenity's face.
The magic badge turned out to be an extremely high-quality item. Once Mana was channeled into it and permission to use it was granted by its owner, the user could view the entire contents stored inside the badge's magical subspace.
Information in the form of an item list flowed directly into Serenity's mind.
While sorting through the scroll of information in her thoughts, Serenity chose to withdraw several physical documents from inside the badge. The letters turned out to be official research permits and a researcher's declaration issued directly by the Imperial Research Institute, complete with its emblem and an authoritative wet seal stamped on the papers.
"I hadn't even had the chance to explain, but your subordinate just arrested me on the spot,"
Ang'ais complained with a soft chuckle as he watched Serenity take his belongings from the badge.
"If I had resisted then, I would only have looked even more suspicious to the purge Legion from the Margravate of Serpentspire, wouldn't I?"
"What is your real purpose?"
Serenity cut in sharply, interrupting Ang'ais's explanation.
Even with valid documentary evidence displayed right before her eyes, Serenity's vigilance did not slacken in the slightest.
"A legitimate researcher should have submitted an official request to the Legion's command staff assigned to this region, not snuck in secretly."
"My mistake, my mistake..."
Ang'ais raised both manacled hands as if surrendering.
"I had just arrived in the area and happened to see that fascinating phenomenon. Unfortunately, before I had the chance to report it, I was already captured."
Ang'ais leaned forward slightly, trying to convince Serenity with an especially ingratiating expression. "Since the person in charge of the Legion forces is right in front of me, I'd like to formally request permission to observe and study this lair. You can examine my research proposal stored inside the badge. The spontaneous formation of a dungeon from a monster lair is one of my primary research focuses, Lady Knight."
Silence settled over the interrogation tent for a moment. Serenity said nothing as she weighed every potential risk and the reasons behind the honesty of the man before her.
"This monster lair is under strict surveillance, and the surrounding area is extremely dangerous,"
Serenity finally declared firmly, settling the matter.
"I will not allow you to conduct your research alone. I will assign several soldiers to escort you, and every subsequent action you wish to take in the lair must receive direct approval from the local overseer. If you agree to these conditions, I will grant you permission to conduct your research."
"Thank you very much, Lady Knight,"
Ang'ais replied without objection.
"It's already getting dark. You can only begin tomorrow morning,"
Serenity added as she rose from her chair.
"I will confiscate and inspect all your belongings tonight. These Mana-suppressing manacles will not be removed until you begin your research tomorrow."
Without waiting for Ang'ais to reply, Serenity turned and walked out of the temporary interrogation tent.
Serenity sighed softly, sweeping away yesterday's memories and refocusing on the present situation as Ang'ais's back slowly disappeared into the darkness at the mouth of the monster lair.
Her suspicion still weighed heavily on her heart. That was why she had instructed her four best intelligence soldiers not to take their eyes off the man's every move for even a moment.
Serenity turned around to face the hundreds of soldiers behind her.
"We're moving out now!"
Serenity's command was firm. Without wasting any time, she led her soldiers farther into the northern sector.