The sailors shouted while witnessing Nathan and the others emerge from the water. They took out the rope ladder, allowing them to climb back to the ship.
Everyone looked worried, considering they had returned much faster than the original plan.
As the one responsible for the ship, Greg immediately reached the deck, wondering what had happened. Even Flora panicked, thinking that something must have gone wrong.
Lena nodded to them. "Dismiss. Continue working in your stations. Greg, come with me. Flora, you should do the same."
Their hearts sank, knowing that the duchess wouldn't bring them to the meeting unless something big had happened.
The moment they reached the office, Lena slammed the table while saying in a strict tone. "With my authority as an admiral, I shall make this zone a blue danger zone and invoke my special military rights to ask for reinforcement from the entire kingdom.
"Greg. Deliver the message right away," Lena ordered.
"Y-Yes, Ma'am!" Greg nodded furiously before rushing to Lena's table, forging a letter with her seal.
Meanwhile, Lena continued, "We will now discuss our plan to investigate these unknown ruins."
Lena pointed to the map and grabbed several military pieces according to their current information.
"Our target is the ruin in the middle. It's protected by at least two hundred aliens around it. Once we go there, these aliens will definitely attack us, not counting the number of aliens we will have to encounter inside the building. I doubt they will be less than a thousand.
"However, our target this time is not a full exploration, but a raw investigation. Hence, several of you have to remain outside and focus on dealing with the aliens around the entrance before securing our escape route.
"Once we're done, we will immediately retreat back to the city and handle all the problems there. In case the aliens notice us and attack us, we'll immediately retreat without achieving much result. Our priority is to bring this information back. Understood?"
No one raised their hand.
Since there was no question, Lena continued, "Alright. Since there are eight of us, two of you will come with me. The rest will remain outside. Hence, the two summoners who will come with me…"
Before Lena gave the name, Nathan immediately raised his hand. "I believe I should enter the ruin."
"!!!" The people couldn't help but look at Nathan, slightly hostile.
Obviously, Lena didn't even want to consider that idea because Nathan's status was special.
However, Nathan had predicted her refusal and explained it before she had the chance to reject him. "Fenrir's sense was the one raising the suspicion. In other words, his sense will allow us to know the alien's movement much faster than anyone else here.
"In addition, I have Anubis, who can provide healing abilities. By combining these two factors, I should enter the ruin. Besides, even though I don't have a lot of knowledge about ruins, I might be able to see some aspects that can determine whether the ruins are made by humans or aliens."
When Noel pointed out those reasons, Lena couldn't help but grit her teeth, knowing that they were reasonable enough to the point where she shouldn't reject his request.
Meanwhile, Selena raised her hand and said, "In that case, I will remain outside. My ability is a bit too big for this type of environment. Besides, even though this has become a military mission, I still have to accomplish our original mission.
"In other words, I will be the one searching the surface and finding the remains that can be used for the summoning. This way, the rest of the summoners don't have to take care of the mission anymore."
Lena's eyebrows twitched, wondering how these two kids could say all the perfect excuses to make her unable to reject them.
Lena thought about making both of them remain outside so that they could accomplish the mission, but with this reasoning, it seemed she had no other choice but to let Nathan in.
Lena paused for a moment. Tasha, the one Selena beat previously, couldn't help but speak up. "I don't think it's a bad idea, Commander.
"They are strong and definitely can help us. Although it's true that some of us are stronger than them.
"I believe Levy should enter the ruins, since she is much more knowledgeable. Letting her see the pattern or materials to make the ruins should be enough to give some knowledge about the ruins.
"Meanwhile, Sir David might be strong, but he is actually better to remain outside for the sake of ensuring the escape route in case of an emergency."
Lena took a deep breath before saying, "In that case, we'll do that. The three of us will enter the ruins. I will have two people sweeping those aliens from the right and another two will kill the aliens on the left.
"I will let you, lass, search for the bones. However, the moment I deem it's too dangerous, stop everything you're doing and we'll evacuate immediately."
All of them nodded their heads, not having an objection to the current strategy.
"Then, we're done here. Get as much rest as you can. We'll immediately head to the ruins once the sun is up.
"Remember, our opponent is strong. If we underestimate them, we might die here."
"You're dismissed." Lena waved her hand.
Once outside, Flora couldn't help but say, "Still, the situation has gone from bad to worse, huh? Nothing new, isn't it?"
"That's true." Selena nodded in agreement. "Well, we've gotten used to it already. I will ask Amphitrite to find the remains, so you should focus on the ruins, Nathan."
Nathan smiled wryly. "Why are you agreeing to the fact I have bad luck? But I appreciate the help."
Selena shrugged while Flora asked, "Is there anything else we need to worry about?"
"It's not something we need to worry about, but there's something I'd like you to do for me. It's a bit weird, but it should be possible." Nathan looked at Flora with a solemn face.