Chapter 175
Calix waited on a mountainside where the view of Lake Moncha was partially obscured by dense trees, watching for the enemy troops to pass by. All he could do was wait, and he was so bored that he nearly yawned.
His casual, unconcerned attitude unexpectedly had a positive effect on the soldiers. The Cantabrian soldiers waited in a state of high morale.
“Commander-in-Chief, movement has been detected.”
It seemed the enemy also intended to advance silently, just as they had. Watching the way the enemy advanced, keeping their footsteps quiet, Calix let out a small laugh and used his wind and water abilities to create fog.
Thick fog quickly formed around Lake Moncha. Hearing the enemy’s sounds of confusion, he gestured to give his soldiers their orders.
In truth, it was a force he could have wiped out alone, but he decided to let his soldiers fight. If they came to the battlefield and never got to fight, that would dampen morale in its own way.
Additionally, the more battles the soldiers experienced, the more they would grow, so this was also to prepare for the larger battles to come.
The Cantabrian army began to encircle the Leonis forces at Lake Moncha, gradually closing the net. The enemy still seemed unaware of the Cantabrian approach.
From watching their behavior, Calix confirmed something important: the enemy currently had no psychic Espers among them.
He waited for the right moment, then used his wind ability to deliver his order to the soldiers.
“Leave not a single one alive. Slaughter them all. Show them the power of Cantabria!”
Calix’s quiet command spread among the soldiers, echoing on the wind.
“At your command!”
Countless soldiers answered in unison. It was a magnificent sight.
Only as the Leonis soldiers, crossing the frozen surface of Lake Moncha, finally realized their presence did they react, but by then it was already too late.
Calix hovered above the battlefield, directing the fight. Zion led the charge in disposing of the enemy and simultaneously relayed Calix’s orders.
Derek did not participate directly. Instead, he climbed a tree and peered into the enemy soldiers’ minds. A soldier assigned to record information stayed by his side.
The goal of this battle was to end it quickly with minimal casualties while extracting as much information as possible. Even minor details could prove useful in future battles.
With overwhelming force, the Cantabrian army drove the Leonis troops back. Calix floated above, searching for the Leonis Commander-in-Chief, but even as the battle neared its end, he could not find him.
Eventually, he flew over to Derek and asked,
“See if you can find out who the Commander-in-Chief is.”
“I’ve been looking since earlier, but no one here knows the Commander-in-Chief’s whereabouts. It seems he’s only revealed his location to his closest aides.”
“Even if it’s only his close aides, surely one of them here would know where he is.”
“Yes, but… something about that seems strange.”
Calix sensed something odd. Though there was no direct evidence, only a feeling. And every time he’d had this feeling before, something had gone wrong.
He gazed at the Leonis soldiers being annihilated and let out a sigh.
“I thought they were a panicked, disorganized mess…”
There seemed to be fewer officer-level figures than there should have been, compared to the number of ordinary soldiers.
“…Don’t tell me they abandoned their men as bait and ran away?”
At Derek’s question, Calix hesitated, then his eyes snapped wide open.
“It would almost be better if that were the case…”
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the direction of the Cantabrian encampment. Somehow, his instincts told him that wasn’t the case. Without taking his eyes off the direction of the camp, he sought out Zion and gave him an order.
“From now on, the Vice Commander is in charge. Leave not a single one alive.”
“Yes! Understood!”
As Zion’s reply echoed out, Calix’s figure vanished without a trace.
* * *
Lea was organizing her records inside the tent when she was startled by the sudden shouts of soldiers. Grabbing only her record book, she rushed outside.
A soldier stationed at her tent quickly assessed the situation and spoke.
“You need to take shelter for now. This way, please.”
“Yes.”
Lea realized the enemy was using a diversionary tactic. It seemed they had also sensed something was amiss. As she followed the soldier, wondering just how many enemies had gathered here, she noticed he was trying to get her out alone.
“Wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
“What about the other Guides? Who’s leading them?”
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