Oscar was sitting in his office as usual. However, he had a lot of bandages covering his body. His inner body was even messier.
"How are you doing?" Milfa knocked on the door, entered, and asked for his condition while bringing his tea.
"It's not too bad," Oscar answered while writing down a few things. "How is the situation outside?"
"We have reached a stalemate for the time being. The Royal Family is maintaining their position while the Tower Association can't move. It seems that they are concerned about the spies among themselves. Currently, the Water Lord is the main investigator in their own rank."
"How long do we need to wait until they join us?"
"Approximately two to three months."
"The situation is not looking good." Oscar looked down, contemplating. "They do know that we're an army against demons, right?"
"Yeah. It's just… due to that plant and medicine, the Supreme Devil Organization is using the demons in their attack, causing us to get involved as well."
Oscar covered his eyes, feeling troubled. "How about the other demon squads?"
"The Demon Recovery Squad has chosen their new captain while their Vice Captain remains in his position. On the contrary, the Demon Spear Vice Captain has become the Captain himself. While both new captains aren't as strong as the previous one, they are still quite good. But don't expect too much from them."
"The injured captains?"
"The Demon Hunting Squad remains on their base, defending any attacks. The other three Demon Squads are considering their successor."
Oscar contemplated for a moment and said, "We can't be too aggressive currently."
"But haven't we gained an upper advantage?"
"No. Don't forget that their Supreme Devil has yet to make his appearance. We don't know about his strength or his identity. If we become too complacent, we will be swallowed by the Supreme Devil Organization."
"I see…" Milfa nodded in agreement before taking out a letter. "By the way, I think you should see this first."
"A letter? From the Royal Family?"
"No. From Dimitri."
"Huh? Why did that guy send me a letter after all this time?" Oscar frowned while taking the letter.
Milfa remained silent since she hadn't read the content yet.
Oscar paused for a moment before sighing. "I don't know if this is for the worse or the better…"
"What's wrong? Did he take advantage of our situation?"
"Yes and no." Oscar handed her the letter so that she could read it herself.
She couldn't help but gasp.
'I'm informing you in advance that I'll be taking a few things from the army's storage. You have no choice but to let me exchange my points or I will haunt the army. However, you should also feel rejoiced because this action gives you another opportunity.'
'I will be heading to a certain place to divert the enemies' location. Just spread the information that Noel Ardagan is moving south. This will divert a portion of their power.'
'In addition, the Ardagan Family will be rebuilt soon, creating another face amidst the chaos. You should know that the Ardagan Family is the enemy of the Royal Family and the Supreme Devil Organization. Its existence will cause another problem to both influences, which you can take advantage of.'
'Hence, it will be in your best interest that you put your recommendation of the Ardagan Family's revival for the ascension ceremony.'
"Is he serious?" Milfa made a wry smile. "I do admit that Laufey's target is his own nephew. And spreading this information will probably make him change his target, but I'm not sure how the entire organization will react."
"Yeah. That will also put that little brat in danger." Oscar paused as though he had realized something. "Unless… he is planning to leave the country."
"Leaving the country? Don't tell me…" Milfa gasped. "Leaving the country means that the organization has to face either antagonizing the country or giving up. The other country could also use this as a chance to protect Noel and rope him to their side."
"No matter what, Noel Ardagan is the author of the Rune Books that have become popular in all countries. This must be the reason why Dimitri is telling us to spread the name of Noel Ardagan instead of Iadre."
"In addition, the Royal Family will be confused as well. They believe that Noel Ardagan has died in Anna Stargaze's hand. They will probably try to stop him from leaving."
Oscar looked at the ceiling in disbelief. "That's why I don't know how they will respond. And it won't be as simple as you think. The fact that Noel Ardagan is leaving the country means that the other countries have the chance."
"Ah! This will soon become an international affair."
"Yeah. To think that someone who became an adult not long ago could cause such a huge movement." Oscar shook his head helplessly. "I guess I can see the reason why Laufey is aiming for his life."
"There is a reason?"
"Yeah. If you trace back the Ardagan Family's ancestor, it's clear that Noel, in one way or another, has gotten the inheritance of his ancestor. This is the only possible explanation for his unusual growth."
"His ancestor? What kind of ancestor does he have?"
"I've taken a look since Dimitri chose to abandon the army in order to be with the Ardagan Family. Out of spite, but in that research, I found out that the Ardagan Family's ancestor was actually a Spirit King."
"What?! The legendary Spirit King?" Milfa dropped her jaw in disbelief.
"Yeah. From all this time, the Ardagan Family's talent is mediocre. So, the fact that Noel Ardagan suddenly has this kind of talent means that he has gotten an inheritance or another thing that boosts his talent. And looking at how Noel Ardagan has been lazing around, it must be after the execution of his parents. Although I don't know the exact details, if this prediction is correct, then Noel Ardagan will become an extraordinary figure if he manages to fully bloom."
"I see. So, what will be our stance?"
"We? We can support him to a certain extent, but don't forget that the Demon Banner Army will remain neutral in most cases."
"Most cases, huh?" Milfa narrowed her eyes and asked, "Does that include the Third Prince?"
That question alone was enough to show that she was already aware of Oscar's relationship with the Third Prince.
Their gazes were locked on each other for a moment before Oscar shrugged. "I will be on the Demon Banner Army's side until death."
Milfa observed his expression for another few seconds before saying, "We'll leave it at that. In any case, do you want me to do something about Dimitri?"
"No. Just guide him to the storage and let him get whatever he wants. He was a captain and had been accomplishing his missions without rewards, so giving a few things should be fair for him."
"I understand." Milfa politely bowed to him before leaving the room. Though, she added one last message. "By the time we receive the letter, Dimitri should be on his way toward this place. I think he will appear in two or three days. Do you want to pass some messages?"
"No," Oscar answered without hesitation, but his expression looked troubled. No matter what, Dimitri was his rival for the commander position, so it was better they didn't meet this way.
Just like Oscar, Dimitri thought the same way. That was why he said everything about their plans in the letter instead of discussing it personally.
As Milfa said, Noel and Dimitri were making their way to the Demon Banner Army Headquarters.
Noel's objective would be the kids, while Dimitri would take care of his matters in the Demon Banner Army.
But as one would expect from two important individuals, before they entered the fortress, Milfa actually stood in their way.
"Welcome, two guests." Milfa stopped them five kilometers from the fortress, showing that she didn't want anyone to hear anything.
"Well, it's surprising to see you greeting us, especially from this far." Dimitri appeared from Noel's shadow.
"You're going to steal a few things from our storage, so I guess I should meet you from here."
"What steal? I'm simply trying to claim what's mine." Dimitri shrugged. "Besides, we even have paid a higher price."
"Of course." Milfa nodded and glanced at Noel. "I assume that you're planning to meet the kids. They are very talented kids to the point they can defeat bandits without Spiritual Energy. So, I don't know what you're planning to do, but I think it's better to not waste their talents."
"You don't have to care about that. In the end, the kids are the ones going to choose their own path." Noel shook his head.
"In that case, let me guide you to the secret entrance. If you are spotted here, spreading your information will be seen as a trap by the Supreme Devil Organization."
Noel nodded. Since the army was the one spreading the information, if they were seen in the headquarters, it would be clear that the information was a trap and the organization wouldn't move, causing their plan to fail.
This was the reason why Milfa greeted them far from the fortress.
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