Given the vastness of the battlefield between the Wilwatikta Kingdom and the Demon Species, it was not uncommon for the movements of either side to go undetected.

The limited number of monsters on Wilwatikta’s side often resulted in missed sightings of demon hordes, which could then launch surprise attacks from behind.

To mitigate this risk, the headquarters deployed sylphs and druids to establish a communication network spanning the entire battlefield.

One of the key innovations in this network was The Eyes of Queen. After Nerphyl evolved into a druid, she gained the ability to link the vision of one sylph to another.

This allowed every sylph to share their visual information instantly. If one sylph spotted a demon horde, others in different regions would receive the same vision.

However, this advantage brought a significant challenge in managing the overwhelming influx of information. Processing the simultaneous input from thousands of sylphs across a vast battlefield was impossible.

To address this issue, the headquarters formed a specialized team tasked with analyzing the data collected by the sylphs.

Once processed, this information was distributed to guerrilla squads, including Leon’s squad. With these insights, each squad could devise strategies tailored to the battlefield’s conditions.

Currently, Leon’s squad was on a mission to retrieve information from a predetermined meeting point. There, they encountered a sylph responsible for delivering crucial data. Based on the information provided, Leon’s squad would prepare a trap to lure the detected demon horde.

If the demon horde numbered in the hundreds, their task was to drive it toward an ambush site prepared by the asuras.

If the group consisted of only a few dozen, they would join other squads to steer the demons into a trap.

However, if the horde comprised only a dozen or so, Leon’s squad might be tasked with eliminating them directly—provided the conditions allowed it.

This information system enabled the headquarters to coordinate tens of thousands of monsters with speed and efficiency.

"The target consists of 200 demons," the sylph reported calmly. "Imps, Hellhounds, and Gremlins make up the majority. It is highly likely there is a Level 2 Core Demon among them, but given the size of the group, the presence of a Level 3 Core Demon cannot be ruled out."

The captain and veteran hobgoblins’ faces darkened at the report. The same grim expressions were absent from the newer hobgoblins, however. They seemed eager, oblivious to the real danger that awaited them.

Leon’s squad consisted of twenty hobgoblins, led by a Gold Tier Hobgoblin captain. In theory, their captain should be capable of matching a Level 3 Core Demon, but on the battlefield, reality was rarely so straightforward. Even against a Level 2 Core Demon, the odds of surviving a one-on-one fight were slim.

"We can’t drive this horde on our own. Where’s the nearest ambush point?" the captain asked, his tone firm despite the worry etched on his face.

"The closest ambush point is eastward, about 20 kilometers from here," the sylph replied. "But there’s no support from other squads. The front lines are already swarming with demons, and the other squads are tied up with their own missions."

The captain let out a heavy sigh. If they had to drive 200 demons without support, it was likely that half the squad would die in the process. Yet the chaotic state of the battlefield left no alternatives. Every squad had to shoulder its burdens alone.

"All right. Where’s the target currently located?" asked the captain.

"They’re moving at a speed of 40 km/h from the north. Likely, they’ll reach the ambush point to the northeast, about 120 meters from here," the sylph replied quickly. However, her expression shifted to urgency. "Ah, is there anything else you’d like to ask, Captain?" She seemed to have just received critical new information and needed to leave to deliver it to another squad. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The captain noticed the sylph’s haste and simply nodded. "No, thank you for the information."

"Then, good luck!" said the sylph before vanishing—or more precisely, camouflaging herself with the surroundings as she flew off to continue her mission with another squad.

"Five minutes, then we move!" the captain called out once the sylph had departed.

"Captain, what’s the plan this time? We don’t have much time to prepare traps and stop this horde!" one of the veteran hobgoblins asked anxiously.

"Hmm..." The captain remained silent, not answering right away.

"With the demons’ speed, we don’t have much time. The distance to the ambush point is too far. I think it’s best if we regroup with another squad before moving forward," suggested another veteran.

One by one, the veteran hobgoblins offered their opinions. The conclusion of their discussion was clear: "We’ll die. It’s better to abort this mission."

Leon merely observed in silence. He knew that any suggestion he offered would simply be ignored by the captain and veterans. Yet he also understood where this discussion was heading.

The captain’s silence wasn’t because he was unsure or lacked a plan. Similarly, the veterans urging for a retreat weren’t cowards. They were waiting. Waiting for their trap to spring.

And spring it does.

"What? Are we retreating? Where’s your fighting spirit?! Aren’t you ashamed? You all disgust me! You won’t be welcomed in the paradise of The One!" one of the newer hobgoblins shouted boldly.

"Exactly! What’s this? Retreating before a fight? Aren’t you supposed to be veteran hobgoblins? Won’t you be embarrassed in front of the other monster races if you flee without even battling?" another chimed in.

"Tch! I thought I could learn from seasoned warriors like you. But I didn’t expect you to be cowards like this. Hmph!"

One by one, the newer hobgoblins began jeering at the veterans. Their words were sharp, taunting, even insulting.

Strangely, none of the veterans appeared genuinely angry. Instead, Leon, watching closely, noticed fleeting expressions of relief and faint smiles on their faces. Yet the veterans knew this wasn’t the right time to reveal their true intent.

They intentionally put on offended and angry expressions, feigning outrage at the mockery.

"You bunch of rookie hobgoblins! You’re arrogant and know nothing about real battles!" one of the veterans shouted in frustration, though it was clearly an act.

This reaction only fueled the arrogance of the newer hobgoblins. They became even more fervent in their taunts, believing they were truly superior to the senior warriors.

Some of the rookies began to sense something odd about the situation, but by then it was too late. The confidence and emotions of their comrades were already too high to be stopped.

When the captain judged that the moment was right, he fixed his serious gaze on the loudest of the rookies. In a firm voice, he asked, "If we don’t abort the mission, what do you think we should do?"

The question caught the young hobgoblin off guard. "Ah? Uh... uh... we—we must still complete this mission!" he stammered at first, but his voice grew steadier toward the end. Leon noticed a faint, knowing smile on the wrinkled faces of the veteran hobgoblins.

"Very well, we’ll proceed with the mission," the captain said in a cold tone. "But how? Do you dare face 200 demons on your own?"

The young hobgoblin gulped audibly. Though brash and reckless, he wasn’t stupid.

His military training in the Wilwatikta Kingdom had taught him about the power of demons. However, no lesson could truly capture the terror that only those who had faced a demon horde on the battlefield could understand. Before he could respond, another young hobgoblin spoke up.

"We’ll fight to the last drop of blood! Our mission isn’t to confront all 200 demons directly, but to herd them toward the ambush point. So, we don’t need to engage them head-on—just delay their advance!" he shouted passionately.

"Yes, that’s right!" another chimed in with enthusiasm. "We just need to take turns slowing them down while moving toward the ambush site!"

One of the veteran hobgoblins smirked slyly. "Oh? In that case, who’ll face the horde first? Are you brave enough? Heh!" His tone was full of mockery, and his expression was so irritating that the young hobgoblins clenched their fists in frustration.

"Of course, it should be you who face them first!" retorted one of the rookies with a derisive tone. "We’re not cowards, but we’ve never been in battle before. You’re the veterans! You understand the enemy better than we do. Do you expect us younger ones to march into danger while you cower behind us?"

Leon studied the young hobgoblin who spoke. He seemed to suspect something was off about the veterans’ supposed cowardice, but even he couldn’t resist joining the ridicule.

"Ugh..." The challenged veteran was momentarily at a loss for words. Not because he feared the taunts, but because continuing to argue would risk exposing their true plan.

The captain quickly took control of the situation. "All right, we’ll herd the demon horde in shifts," he declared firmly. "The veteran hobgoblins will take the first rotation and confront the horde first. Leon, you’ll lead this effort."

Leon furrowed his brow but wasn’t surprised by the order or the smirks on the veterans’ faces. "Understood," he replied curtly before standing and preparing himself.

He wore no armor, carrying only a short sword. His near-death experiences had taught him that no shield would be enough to protect him.

"Let’s move out!" the captain ordered.

It didn’t take long for the squad to reach the area the horde was expected to pass through. The thunderous sound of marching feet soon filled the air—a clear sign the demons were close.

Leon stood at the front of the formation, but oddly, his body faced the opposite direction from where the horde was coming. One of the rookies, clad in leather armor made from mutated animals, armed with a shield and sword, looked at Leon in confusion.

"Hey, what are you doing? The enemy’s not in that direction!" he exclaimed in bewilderment.

Leon didn’t respond. He simply listened intently. A deafening roar erupted from behind him. The horde of demons had already detected the Mana radiating from his body.

Without hesitation, Leon sprinted with all his strength, passing the hobgoblins ahead of him.

The young hobgoblin turned to look behind him, and his face instantly paled at the terrifying sight: a horde of 200 demons, composed of Imps, Hellhounds, and Gremlins, surging forward like a black wave ready to devour everything in its path.

Leon paid no attention to the chaos behind him. His focus was solely on catching up with the veterans who had already begun running ahead.

As for the rookies left behind? At the very least, they could buy the squad a few precious minutes.

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