Flynn and Leonardo retraced their steps and rejoined the procession. Leonardo headed straight to the rear, while Flynn returned to Hugo, who was positioned at the front.
"I'm back, Commander."
Hugo, who had been focused on the detector and map, looked up at Flynn’s voice.
"Yes. Anything unusual?"
"No, we really were just surveying for minerals."
Hugo folded the map in his hands and asked,
"What kind of minerals?"
Flynn was briefly caught off guard—he hadn’t expected the Commander to inquire about the types of minerals, especially when his instructions had only been to observe Leonardo. But after recalling what he'd seen, he responded,
"Uh... there were some mimetite and amphibole series... Oh, and Blaine gave me a few earlier."
As he spoke, Flynn retrieved the minerals Leonardo had handed him during their return and gave them to Hugo. Hugo examined the six or so samples in his palm and chuckled.
"These are all valuable. Seems he’s got a good eye for minerals."
"That’s what I thought too. He said they were pricey."
Among the samples, Hugo studied a softly glowing blue mineral with particular interest. Flynn, noticing where his attention had settled, added,
"It’s a dilato-series mineral. I asked what he planned to do with it, and he said he’d make an amp stone."
"An amp?"
Hugo focused a small amount of mana into the hand holding the mineral. Instantly, the mana surged and the surface of the mineral froze. As he turned it over in his fingers, Hugo remarked with a faint note of puzzlement,
"He wouldn’t need something like this."
"That’s what I thought too. But Blaine said it’s because of that thing on his neck. I didn’t push for more details."
At the mention of the object on his neck, Hugo’s eyes narrowed. He hadn’t expected Leonardo to bring it up first—it was something he himself had avoided asking about, assuming it would be a sensitive subject.
Since that device was said to suppress mana, an amp would logically be used to compensate. Hugo had never experienced the inability to draw out his full mana reserves, but imagining it was enough to understand how frustrating that must feel.
With that thought, he could grasp why Leonardo might be trying to craft an amp stone.
Still, from what Hugo could sense, this mineral would only allow short-term amplification—it wasn’t something that could support sustained use. Worse, if it amplified the kind of mana Leonardo possessed, it would likely break apart in no time.
Several questions came to mind, but since Flynn said he hadn’t been able to get more details, Hugo chose to remain silent. After giving the glowing mineral in his palm one last glance, he handed it back to Flynn.
"Alright. Good work."
****
The procession, which had reconvened at the assembly point at the designated time, resumed its march and pressed deeper into the 4th peak.
Though they had °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° reorganized along the way, the group’s fatigue was visibly greater than it had been at the outset. But staying overnight in the middle of a cave with no access to open air posed a serious suffocation risk—they needed to find a space that was either ventilated or exposed.
To that end, Hugo and the vanguard advanced cautiously, dispatching scouts ahead in search of a suitable location for a base camp.
When the earlier scouts returned empty-handed, it was the 8th Platoon leader and members of the 1st Battalion from the Central Branch—the only representatives of their unit in the subjugation team—who reported having found a viable site.
The place they found was on the mountainside, where the cave wall had hollowed out significantly. Cool air flowed through the opening, and a wide, flat ledge extended from the mouth of the cave—ideal for pitching camp.
Below that, columnar joints in the rock created a natural staircase that descended to an even broader ledge, making it easy to accommodate a large group. Though there was a steep cliff nearby, that actually worked in their favor—it would deter monster incursions during the night.
At Hugo’s command, geological investigators inspected the rock bed to ensure it was stable enough for an overnight stay. When they confirmed its structural integrity, Hugo addressed the vanguard commanders:
"This is where we’ll set up tonight’s base camp."
At his order, the commanders relayed instructions, and the members began unloading gear and raising tents. Large tents for the officers were pitched near the cave entrance, and in the open space below, individual tents were arranged in neat rows.
During this time, Hugo and the other commanders assembled a makeshift table and reviewed the monsters known to inhabit the area, along with the intended route for the next day.
“Dermocas are known to appear around this section, so our pace will definitely be slower tomorrow.”
“But didn’t we already fall behind today’s schedule?”
“I suggest we proceed in company-sized units once we’re about a fifth of the way into the 4th peak.”
Each company commander offered their thoughts. Hugo listened with arms crossed, eyes fixed on the map spread before him.
As the officers’ tents neared completion, the rear guard of the formation began to arrive at the base camp. When Hugo spotted Delua among them, he raised a hand and called out,
"Battalion Commander Rivera, over here."
At his call, Delua and Marlen quickly approached. Leonardo, however, kept some distance.
"Leonardo. You too."
At Hugo’s words, Leonardo hesitated, then reluctantly came forward to join the meeting table. Hugo reached out, placing a hand on Leonardo’s left shoulder as he pulled him in closer beside him. But Leonardo abruptly flinched and stiffened, shaking Hugo’s hand off and stepping away.
The movement was swift and sharp—enough to make the gathered commanders fall silent.
Hugo, sensing the shift in the air, stared at Leonardo, who seemed just as surprised by his own reaction. Lowering the hand that had been brushed off, Hugo said,
"My apologies."
Though Hugo placed the blame on himself, the others couldn’t help but view Leonardo’s behavior in a negative light. To reject the hand of a man so respected—it was not something that sat well with them. Even Delua and Marlen, who had warmed to Leonardo after spending the day with him, simply observed the moment in silence.
Then, piercing through the awkward quiet, came a low snort.
Mocking.
Hugo and Leonardo turned at the same time toward the source. Meterion stood nearby.
Hugo said nothing, merely shifting his attention back to Leonardo to gauge his reaction.
Leonardo met Meterion’s gaze in silence, his brows faintly furrowed.
What’s with him?
After briefly assessing his expression, Hugo cleared his throat and redirected the meeting, resuming discussion of the route for the next day and the patrol layout for the camp perimeter.
Leonardo listened quietly, answering only when directly addressed by Hugo. But every time he spoke, he could feel the sharp, uncomfortable stares that accompanied him.
"That’s it for the meeting. Each commander, assign personnel for night watch and patrol duties and report up the chain of command. Battalion commanders, compile final reports and submit them before lights out. The rest of you—eat, handle personal maintenance, and rest. Wake-up call is at 0600 Fidele time."
"Yes, understood."
"Dismissed."
"Dismissed!"
The commanders dispersed quickly to deliver orders to their respective units. Leonardo watched their backs in silence. Hugo, meanwhile, kept his eyes on Leonardo, contemplating his earlier reaction.
His hands and back seemed fine... is it his shoulders he’s especially sensitive about?
When they first arrived in Fidele Territory, Hugo had touched Leonardo’s shoulder as he helped him off the wagon. Leonardo had also flinched back then. At the time, Hugo assumed it was just a mood issue—but tonight’s incident suggested otherwise.
While Hugo stood pondering the back of Leonardo’s head, Leonardo suddenly moved to walk away. From behind, Hugo called out,
"Leonardo, where are you headed?"
Leonardo stopped, turned, and replied matter-of-factly,
"To set up my tent."
But Hugo gestured behind him and said,
"No need. You’ll be sharing mine."
"...What?"
Leonardo blinked, clearly startled.
Behind the officers’ meeting table was the largest tent—obviously the Commander’s quarters. With an expression like he’d just heard something outrageous, Leonardo looked between Hugo and the tent, then said flatly,
"I’ll pass. I prefer solitude."
With that, he turned sharply and walked away. Hugo’s firm voice followed him:
"It’s not a request. It’s an order."
Leonardo stopped in his tracks. Turning back, he glared, his expression twisted in disbelief.
