The meeting with the Demon Monster King came to an end. As the Chocobos departed and various orders were issued, the already bustling military camp became even more lively.
"Reconnaissance team, huh, things just got more complicated." The Sergeant rubbed his brow, exhaling a breath of white mist.
Originally, they were conducting routine preparations because of the unusual movements of high-level demons on the plateau. While such occurrences were rare, they did happen a few times each year.
But now, with the temporary resolution of the demon's activities, the situation had escalated.
Although they determined that the words of the Water Mirror Crane King were true, the trouble lay in the next steps needed after making that judgment.
The Western Plateau was already a forbidden zone of civilization. Besides Adventurers, almost no Humans would willingly venture into that highland.
According to the Water Mirror Crane King, the mutated Highland Volcano had become a forbidden zone among forbidden zones, almost like a hell on earth.
"The poison fog is severe, but because it's quite dense, it doesn't spread quickly. You still have ample time to prepare."
Although that bird said so, who knew how slow this "not quick" really was?
The selection of personnel, the size of the team, the Potions and Equipment needed, and whether preparations for evacuation in the Border City were necessary,
these decisions could not be made abruptly and certainly not by the military alone.
And the temporary secretarial task now complete, the Hero, with nothing else to do, was restlessly watching the adults as they began another heated discussion.
That, Goblin extermination task...
She hadn't forgotten her purpose for coming to the military camp, but in this atmosphere, that purpose seemed out of place.
Even as a Hero, she didn't have the courage to speak of it.
She always believed those disasters capable of sacking cities and nations had little to do with her,
that should they happen, others who were stronger and more exceptional would face and stop them.
After all, at the border front line, there was a true Hero who had slain the Demon King.
As someone targeting Goblins, she only needed to handle the smaller and less dignified tasks.
The girl was content with this; it was her true wish.
But now, in a manner she had never anticipated, the omen of catastrophe loomed abruptly over her and everyone else's heads.
It turns out, when true calamity strikes, it involves everyone.
Yet the Hero did not know what she could do, or whether she should do something; she could only watch herself being swept into it.
[The Hero's Confusion]
Noticing the uneasy Hero, who was neither sitting nor standing, and her evident confusion, the Sergeant paused in silence.
But he didn't say much, only gave her a clear instruction.
"Sorry, Miss Hero, could you please go inform Lord Count?"
Although her speed wasn't greater than that of a Scout or Chocobo, since she could enter and leave the Count Mansion directly, she was more suited as a messenger than soldiers who still needed to relay and report.
Throwing away the thoughts in her head, the Hero quickly nodded.
"Did such a thing really happen..."
The Count reviewed the Hero's notes with a solemn expression.
In the Count's spacious office — a room that could certainly be called spacious — the Hero sat on a soft sofa, her snow-white long hair dampened slightly by sweat.
Strands clung to her cheeks, and she reached back to tie them with a snake-shaped hairpin.
The Count's office was well-heated, and feeling a bit more relaxed, the Hero leaned back into the sofa, exhaling a long breath after her jog back.
The Maid Supervisor, maintaining a gentle smile, served her tea. Nodding in thanks, the Hero took small sips.
Meanwhile, the Count put down the notes, not needing any prompting, as the Maid Supervisor quickly stepped forward, awaiting instructions.
"The Magic Potion for purification and detoxification, and the equipment for resistance to poison and fire, these should be prepared first.
"We also need to analyze the components of the volcanic poison fog. We can't rely entirely on Arcane Artifacts for resistance, so we must ensure a backup plan, which means having Alchemists and the Church's Priests accompany us.
"We might also need to establish an outpost near the Highland Volcano, requiring the help of Engineering Mages as well.
"Maid Supervisor, I'll leave the specific communications to you."
With just under a minute after reading the notes, the Count swiftly organized the immediate requirements and instructed the Maid Supervisor.
He slightly squinted his eyes, his dark red pupils revealing depth.
"In the worst-case scenario, we will need to request aid from the Capital, even the Holy Capital, asking for help from that person — hopefully, this is just a false alarm."
[The army will dispatch the reconnaissance team in [] days]
[The Count's Perception]
D100+30=d100(58)+30=88
"However, Miss Hero, you seem somewhat distracted."
After making his decision, as the Maid Supervisor bowed and withdrew, disappearing from the room in the blink of an eye.
Yet the Hero did not notice this at all, merely staring at the reflection on the surface of the tea in her cup.
Keenly aware of the girl's unusual demeanor, the Count's voice snapped the Hero out of her thoughts.
"If there's anything troubling you, feel free to tell me."
The Border Count stood up, stretching his body slightly. Although his expression showed signs of fatigue from intense thought, his tone remained gentle.