The Copper Wheat Tavern was quickly packed full of adventurers.
Dozens of rugged men sat at wooden tables, gulping down cheap Copper Wheat ale and stuffing themselves with roasted meat. The whole tavern was so noisy that even talking face to face required shouting.
A stubble-faced adventurer chugged his ale and yelled,
“The Demon Army is really desperate this time. I heard they’ve got two or three hundred thousand troops, a pitch-black sea of them!”
“What’s there to be afraid of!”
A one-eyed man at the next table slammed his mug down hard.
“We’ve got the Lady Goddess protecting us!”
“That’s right! I just heard someone on the street saying that over five thousand Border Guard Army soldiers have all been blessed by the Lady Goddess—every one of them is super strong and invulnerable. The Demon Army will just be walking to their deaths!”
“I really want to see the Lady Goddess with my own eyes. If I could get even a single look, my whole life would be worth it!”
The tavern was filled with this kind of idle chatter.
Rock, Rayne, and Aurelite found a table in the corner and sat down.
Rayne leaned his greatsword against the table’s edge.
“Alright, stop listening to their bullshit.”
“What do we do next? Head straight out of town and fight the Demon Army?”
Aurelite shook her head.
“No. Since there’s a ruler here, we need to pay a visit first.”
“We’re outsiders. If we don’t follow a unified command, we’ll only cause chaos on the battlefield.”
Aurelite was the more level-headed one.
Rock nodded in agreement.
“Aurelite’s right.”
“Let’s grab something to eat, then head to the Lord’s Mansion.”
“With so many people coming to help, the Lady Ruler will definitely be happy.”
The three soon set off for the Lord’s Mansion.
—
At that moment, inside the Lord’s Mansion.
In the spacious, bright study, Consta was still sitting behind the desk. Today she wore the same white European-style suit, with her white round hat placed on the coat rack beside her. She held a quill in her hand, quickly reviewing the mountain of documents piled on the desk.
The housekeeper, Masha, stood beside the desk, holding a small notebook and reporting item by item.
“Lady Ruler, the reconstruction work on the west side of town is mostly complete. The refugees have all been resettled.”
“Also, the Night Demon Society sent word—they’ve completely dispersed and hidden among the various villages. No one suspects anything.”
Masha’s voice was steady and efficient.
“Click.”
Consta nodded in satisfaction, set down the quill, and took a sip of the black tea on the desk.
“Good work, Masha.”
Consta leaned back in her chair, a slightly mischievous smile spreading across her face.
Just then, the study door was knocked on.
The Guard Captain, Aiwei, pushed the door open and walked in quickly. She also wore a neat short haircut, clad in a crisp set of knight’s light armor, moving with an air of authority as she walked.
“Lady Ruler.”
Aiwei stopped in front of the desk and bowed respectfully.
“The city gate guards just reported that a group of adventurers have entered the town.”
“There are a few dozen of them. They say they’re from the Adventurer’s Association, gathered voluntarily to help defend the border.”
Consta nodded.
“Mm, I already knew about this.”
“The Adventurer’s Association informed the rulers of all border territories in advance.”
“Where are they now?”
Aiwei replied,
“Three representatives among them are now outside the Lord’s Mansion. They request an audience with you, hoping to hear your arrangements for the defense line.”
“Let them in.”
Consta said to Aiwei.
Before long, the study door was opened again.
Rock, Rayne, and Aurelite walked into the study.
Consta remained seated, her gaze quickly sweeping over the three as she made a mental assessment.
The chubby uncle leading the way looked genial, but his steps were steady—clearly a shield warrior with a solid lower body.
The skinny, orange-haired young man in the middle had bright eyes, brimming with an irrepressible energy, like a powder keg ready to ignite.
The last one, a girl with deep sea-blue hair tied into several long braids, had the calmest eyes and an even breathing rhythm. She seemed to be the sharpest thinker of the three.
“Lady Ruler.”
Rock spoke first.
“I’m Rock. These are Rayne and Aurelite.”
“We’re the representatives of this Adventurer Volunteer Army.”
Consta stood up, a flawless elegant smile on her face. She walked around the desk and came before them.
“You three must have had a tough journey.”
Consta’s voice was gentle and full of warmth.
“I’ve heard. I’m very grateful that you all came to help defend the border.”
“At this time when we’re short on fighting strength, your arrival is something I, as the ruler, representing Tattle Town and everyone in this domain, offer you our immeasurable thanks.”
Rayne scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
“The Lady Ruler is too kind.”
“The Demon Army is pressing on the border—this is a disaster for all of humanity.”
“We adventurers may be undisciplined usually, but at times like this, we know we have to do our part.”
“We brought a few dozen brothers and sisters—all B-rank adventurers. The three of us are A-rank. We’re entirely at the Lady Ruler’s command!”
Rayne thumped his chest in assurance.
Aurelite lowered her head in thought for a moment, then looked up and spoke in a calm tone.
“Although we have numbers, we lack unified training. So we need the Lady Ruler to assign us clear defensive areas, to avoid conflicts with the regular army.”
Consta nodded, turned back to her desk, picked up a map, and spread it out.
Then she motioned for the three captains to come closer.
Consta’s slender fingers lightly tapped the map. She looked up at the three captains.
“Three Captains, I am well aware of your strength and have seen your passion.”
“Guarding the border was originally the army’s job, but since the adventurers have this intention, on behalf of everyone in the Border Guard Army, I thank you as well.”
Hearing the ruler so polite, Rayne straightened his back, feeling honored.
“Since you’re willing to follow my orders, I’ll make the arrangements directly.”
Consta shifted the topic, pointing to a few locations on the map.
“Captain Rock, take your team, along with a group of adventurers you select, and station at Windmill Town.”
“There’s an important granary there; it cannot be lost.”
Rock nodded.
“Understood.”
“Captain Aurelite.”
Consta’s finger tapped Tattle Town, which was marked in red.
“Your team will stay in Tattle Town, responsible for internal security and backup defense.”
Aurelite nodded in agreement.
“No problem.”
“As for Captain Rayne…”
Consta finally looked at the orange-haired young man, pointing to a location behind and to the right of Tattle Town.
“Take your people to Red Leaf Town.”
“There are many refugees resettled there who need strong military protection.”
Rayne wasn’t as quick to agree as the other two.
The more he listened, the more something felt off.
The defense lines they were assigned were all in the rear.
This wasn’t a defense line.
This was the deep rear!
If the Demon Army could fight its way into this town, it meant the border had already been breached long ago.