『They were discovered by the patrol team.』
『Tonight, you activated Level III alert. We conduct patrols onshore in the no-man’s zone, and that was when they were found.』
『Our people saw a massive fire. They chose a location on the south side of the volcano, with the mountain blocking the view from the north. I suppose they didn’t expect anyone to come ashore to patrol from the sea.』
『The patrol team didn’t alert them but instead requested reinforcements through the Mind Link. By the time they realized it, they were already completely surrounded.』
『None of them escaped?』
『Yes, the patrol members are watching them. They are all here.』
『Did anyone see what they were doing?』
『Our people didn’t dare get too close, so they couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they seemed to be gathered around someone, discussing something.』
It was probably Worker Hughes. When he descended and spoke with this group of Moths Chasing Fire, the Sirens had already crept up unnoticed and even completed the encirclement. That was truly unexpected.
『They have been in a standoff for a long time. They are not panicked at all, and their order is very well maintained.』
Hughes soon saw the group of Moths Chasing Fire.
Just like when he saw them through Worker Hughes’ body not long ago, they were dressed in loose red hooded robes, standing quietly in place, watching the surrounding Sirens.
『Did you try calling out to them?』
『Yes, but they neither surrendered nor revealed their identities. They only continued the standoff with us.』
Hughes vaguely felt something was off.
When he was still in that body, Chloe was clearly in a hurry to send him back. Hughes had thought she was going to flee, so why wasn’t she anxious now?
Hughes parted the Sirens and stepped forward, carefully examining the red-robed cultists.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and his gaze stopped at the hems of their robes.
The hems were completely intact, but Hughes distinctly remembered seeing them slowly burning before.
Ash immediately understood, nodded, and raised his hand to summon a sea serpent, which twisted its body and crawled toward the red-robed cultists.
The red-robed cultists retreated slightly, as if wary of the sea serpent, but the serpent did not stop and continued slithering forward.
One of the cultists stepped back a few paces but soon stopped, behind him was a tree, and he was trapped against it.
The other red-robed cultists showed little reaction, merely watching their companion in silence.
The ominous feeling in Hughes’ heart grew stronger.
Finally, the sea serpent reached the cultist. Ash glanced at Hughes for confirmation, and Hughes, his expression dark, gave a nod.
The sea serpent bit down.
The red-robed cultist’s leg was torn open, but he remained silent. Losing the support of his leg, he simply collapsed.
When he fell, he didn’t land like a person but more like... a piece of clothing, or rather, a paper figure, fluttering lightly into a pile.
The Sirens’ expressions darkened.
Hughes waved his hand, and the Sirens rushed forward, striking at the red-robed cultists with long-handled axes, but they only pierced through empty paper figures.
These paper figures barely reacted, when faced with an approaching person, they simply turned towards them and slowly retreated.
“Lord, these seem to be made of some kind of silk thread.” Ash came closer, grabbed a red robe, and gently tore it apart, causing fine silk threads to scatter in the air.
Hughes reached out to touch it.
It felt soft and slightly elastic, reminding him of... a cocoon.
“Moths Chasing Fire, seems their name is not just their cult’s title but also a reflection of their supernatural abilities.”
『Lord, we have checked the area. There are only these empty shells. The cultists have disappeared without a trace.』
『Did you find the body?』
『No, it seems they took it with them.』
This group of Moths Chasing Fire probably thought they had successfully deceived him.
Indeed, if Hughes didn’t have that body, he might have been fooled and lost track of them forever.
But now he knew that Chloe was their leader, which meant their stronghold was no mystery.
They could run—but could their church get up and flee as well?
The Sirens, though unwilling, still followed orders and withdrew, heading south.
『Lord, these cultists...』
Seeing the expressions of the Sirens around him, Hughes pondered for a moment before raising his voice: “These cultists have not truly escaped. They have not left Castel. I have special means of gathering information on them. Don’t worry.”
The Sirens were a force under his command, but they were not soldiers.
Every time Hughes mobilized them, it was under the pretext of defending their home, so they needed to understand why they were fighting.
“Knowing why you fight” might seem insignificant after all, in battle, following orders should suffice.
But in the long run, a force without belief would eventually fall into decline and ruin.
So Hughes softened his tone, comforting the disappointed Sirens.
“These people are from Moths Chasing Fire. I have some understanding of them. What they are doing is highly dangerous, but for now, they have not directly opposed us. In the future, we may have some interactions. If you encounter any information related to them, report it to me immediately.”
『Are you saying we might even cooperate in the future?』
『It’s only a possibility. It depends on their stance. If you encounter them, do not attack first, exercise restraint.』
The Sirens exchanged glances and nodded.
Hughes took one last deep look at the forest before leading the Sirens away.
Soon, silence returned to the woods, but strangely, no insect chirps followed.
From between the leaves, a few moths crawled out, spread their wings, and flew into the sky.
『Although it’s unlikely, maintain vigilance around the island. Report any anomalies, especially anything leaving this place.』
『Let’s see what choice they make. If expected, they will contact me on their own.』
Ash narrowed her eyes. She despised these cunning cultists, they were like moray eels, slipping away at the slightest distraction.
Perhaps there would be another chance to engage them.
Next time, she would not fail.
Back at the manor, Hughes bathed and changed his clothes.
“Connor, send an invitation to Chloe of the Candlelight Church. Invite her to tomorrow’s banquet welcoming Miss Beatrice.”