Bermuda

Separate from the misaligned gazes between the two that no one else noticed, the general meeting that started early in the morning proceeded swiftly and decisively.

Gray first explained that the movements of the peninsula's monsters after the mother body's elimination showed, as expected, a pattern of scattering in all directions, as if out of control. He added that while there was a possibility some creatures had instinctively fled after detecting the volcanic eruption, the same phenomenon occurred even in areas unaffected by the explosion.

Since there were also creatures that inhabited areas near active volcanoes, the prevailing opinion was that the strange movements shown by the monsters were more appropriately attributed to the mother body's death.

Then, pointing to the stand set up by members of the Operations Department, he drew lines on the map following the monsters' migration routes.

The final place where the creatures that had moved from south to north had gathered was the border area of the Elder Millie Peninsula.

"Immediately after the first eruption, the creatures that rushed in simultaneously launched a full-scale offensive, neutralizing the 3rd and 4th Defense lines we had set up in the border area. The hastily expanded 5th Defense line and the gate are holding, but as we're not at a stage where we can be at ease, we're simultaneously reinforcing the defense line and carrying out clearing operations."

"..."

"We're receiving help from the Hareth Knights and the Parren Army for this work, with about seven company-level units being deployed in rotation. The remaining number of individuals is estimated to be less than 500. While we can't approach carelessly as there are many Dermocas, the fortunate thing is that the creatures have lost their organization and are in a state of confusion, so we've received a response that it can be cleared up within about a week."

"Are we collecting the eggs suspected to be the next mother body?"

Bruno, sitting next to Hugo, raised his hand and asked. Rather than being genuinely curious about the content, it was to point out key briefing points that shouldn't be missed.

Gray noticed this and turned a page in his materials before answering.

"Some of the Dermocas that appeared in the border area were spotted moving while carrying these eggs in their mouths. As soon as they were discovered, a dedicated unit was dispatched to collect them. So far, a total of eight eggs have been found, and the individuals carrying the eggs were captured alive using tranquilizer bullets for future searches for remaining eggs."

Bruno nodded and lowered his hand. Judging that the answer was sufficient, Gray quickly moved on to the next topic.

"Also, we are continuously observing and reinforcing the barrier in the southern area that we had released for survivor rescue. However, we've confirmed that there's a problem with the air-blocking effect being significantly reduced in that area, as the barrier surface has already been cracked once."

"..."

"While the risk of collapse is low due to the high density of the barrier membrane, we could see volcanic ash containing moisture accumulating nearby. Fortunately, no large ejecta or toxic substances have leaked out, but new traces that warrant careful examination have appeared. Although the type is unidentifiable, there were traces as if a monster's claws had sharply scratched the barrier surface."

The commanders stirred at this new report. The appearance of traces that hadn't existed before on the barrier surface indicated the possibility that some monsters might still be surviving inside the barrier.

Sure enough, Isabella, the 12th Battalion Commander of the Southern Branch, immediately raised her hand and asked:

"So does that mean there are creatures still alive inside?"

"Based on the circumstances, yes. However, we judge that most have already died from suffocation, and it's estimated that a small number of individuals capable of underwater breathing are hiding in the lake and moving in search of an escape route. Currently, we haven't found any evidence that they've escaped, and we're tracking their location following the traces as a precaution. The traces mostly continue along the southern coastline, and we've dispatched a company-level investigation unit."

Isabella crossed her arms and held her tongue with an uneasy expression. As the atmosphere suddenly became chaotic, Bruno, as if trying to summarize the situation, added from his seat:

"Even if there are surviving creatures, their numbers shouldn't be large, so there's no ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) need to worry too much. Didn't we consider the possibility of complete eradication unlikely from the operation planning stage? Rather, given that the number of monsters gathered in the border area is less than expected, things are flowing in a much more positive direction than our concerns."

Bruno tried to calm the commanders' confusion, saying it was nearly wrapped up and the rest could be sorted out gradually. This was probably intended to prevent the meeting atmosphere from becoming agitated in preparation for the gloomy topic that would be mentioned next.

Aided by him, Gray surveyed the audience and continued to convey the details related to the progress of the subjugation.

He explained that the subjugation was in its final stages in most areas, and that to prevent the reproduction of surviving creatures or track hidden nests, they were scattering animal meat inserted with poison and location-tracking chips like bait.

Hugo scanned the materials Flynn had organized, looking for the same content. Seeing him quietly nod, Bruno gestured to Gray to move on to the next topic.

"Next, regarding the casualty rescue operations, the managers of each area will brief directly."

As Gray finished speaking, the commanders who had been in charge of searching the divided areas came up onto the platform.

The one at the front received the baton and began reporting on the status of the recovered remains and rescue operations.

"The area with a high concentration of casualties spans about a 20km radius from coordinates (15, 368, 94) to (59, 70, 118) in the southern area of the peninsula. This is the section where the mother body flew northward after escaping from Peak 118, breaking through the defense lines near Peaks 112-119 and advancing to the plains."

Behind the commander continuing the briefing, a member of the Operations Department turned over the map installed on the stand. What appeared was an enlarged map of the southern area of the peninsula, with the high-casualty area marked in red lines.

"Currently, this section spans both inside and outside the active barrier, so we've only recovered the bodies and personal effects on the outside for now. About 220 bodies have been identified, and the remaining seventy or so are severely damaged, so their identities will be determined after being transferred to the Council headquarters through dental comparison and detailed examination of personal effects."

As the number of confirmed deaths approached nearly 300 from just some areas as of today, the expressions of those listening were utterly devastated, and heavy sighs escaped between their teeth.

Even Leonardo, who had been quietly staring at the head seat, turned his eyes toward the platform at these horrific numbers. The terrible scene from that time flashed vividly in a corner of his memory. His already furrowed brow contorted even more in an instant.

"Other bodies visible to the naked eye inside the barrier are entangled with monsters that were trying to escape, making it difficult to determine the exact number. Therefore, after waiting for the volcanic eruption to subside and enter a calmer stage, we plan to release some barrier stones and dig tunnels to enter. Also, a large number of casualties occurred near the ravine in the 2nd Plains section, and regarding this, Captain Hamilton of the Operations Department will continue the report."

The 2nd Plains section was where two companies, led by Marlen Diaz, the 6th Battalion Commander of the Central Branch, had drawn a demarcation line and were on standby. Leonardo unconsciously scanned the commanders sitting in front, looking for Delua's face.

He could easily find her near the head seat, as befitting a battalion commander, but he couldn't find Marlen, the unit commander, around her—who was trying to appear calm despite looking gloomy.

Leonardo's eyebrow lifted slightly.

'Did she not attend?'

It didn't make sense for a unit commander to be absent from a general meeting that even lower-ranking commanders attended. He rolled his eyes, in case she might be sitting somewhere else, but somehow, he couldn't see Marlen's figure at all.

Leonardo suddenly felt a chill down his spine, wondering if she might be included among the casualties the commanders were briefing about.

Although the weight of death isn't determined by rank, he didn't want to hear news of a familiar face dying. But once the thought occurred, it grew uncontrollably, suddenly making him feel nauseous and his hands and feet cold. It was a kind of aftereffect.

Meanwhile, the words that kept being heard were death, body, remains. Given the bitter topic, the overall atmosphere in the small square became solemn.

Occasionally, a stray wind eerily circled and flowed through the center of the square where the paths from the four directions met. Leonardo, covering his mouth with the hand that had been resting on his chin, turned his eyes to the right-hand path where the wind was blowing, following his swaying bangs.

He felt as if a faint smell of blood, like yesterday's, brushed his nose. Reaching a point where he couldn't distinguish whether it was real or an illusion, Leonardo suddenly felt regret wash over him.

'Maybe I shouldn't have said I'd come.'

The sensation of the corpse he had carried by biting its clothes was still vividly present around his lips. Leonardo, who didn't consider his mental strength particularly strong, suddenly worried that he might end up vomiting in the middle of the place where the commanders were gathered.

Because of this, as he looked around anxiously, his eyes accidentally met those of another adjutant sitting to his right.

In fact, the "accidental" part was Leonardo's thought, and the adjutant had been aware of his poor complexion all along.

However, Leonardo, who was cautious about trading words with strangers, was about to turn his eyes away quickly. But just then, the adjutant, bending at the waist, picked up a water bottle placed at his feet. He leaned his upper body toward Leonardo and whispered softly:

"Want a drink?"