Chapter 577 - A Shift of Power Within The Demilitarization Belt
...
A few moments later, Zanna managed to regain herself. She was not as talkative as before, and a visible pout remained on her face as she sat still.
"It's weird seeing our leader behaving so obediently. You sure we didn't mistakenly enter an alternate reality?" Hawk said quietly to Dove.
"If our fearless leader hears you, she'll get mad, you know?" Dove replied in a hushed tone; however, she was unable to contain her chuckle.
Zanna glared at Hawk and Dove. They watched as she was bullied, and now they were laughing among themselves? Traitors! Stupid! Meanies—Zanna wanted to yell these words, but when she remembered her trip through the sky, she swallowed them.
Meanwhile, Hawk and Dove fell silent as they look away from Zanna to avoid direct eye contact.
"Your gentle approach—are you sure you weren't too harsh? She seems a bit spoiled and naive, but she doesn't appear to be a bad person." Niflheim said as he looked towards Zanna, who, in return, glared at him as she ground her teeth.
"It's fine. She's behaving now, and that's all that matters. More importantly, we should be more concerned about what she told us. If I'm not mistaken, then the Demilitarization Belt will be the least of our allies' worries." Izroth stated.
"I still can't believe so much happened in such a short span of time. Things were going smoothly before I left the frontlines. To think the circ.u.mstances would shift like this—they may have to concede the Demilitarization Belt to Tempest." Niflheim commented.
After some convincing, Zanna willingly informed Izroth and Niflheim of the events that transpired while they were undergoing the challenge within the cave.
According to Zanna, a red demon named "Equator" appeared on the battlefield and began to slaughter the War Brigade. Even two Commander ranked NPCs could not hold it back for more than a few moments.
However, the trouble did not end there and was just the first part of Tempest's diabolical scheme. Once the creature made its appearance, a large striking force came out of nowhere and descended upon the battlefield—this was Tempest and their allies' real fighting force!
Following their arrival, an already chaotic battlefield became further fractured as the War Brigade was forced to retreat. Unfortunately, this did not come at a cheap price as the War Brigade had lost over 40% of their main force.
After that, the War Brigade kept having to withdraw and receded back closer to the edge of the Rosentarus border. But, even all this was just the beginning of their many problems.
The randomized magic core with over one hundred layers of unique magic sequences that were embedded into the War Brigade's insignias had been deciphered! No one knew why or how, but every insignia belonging the War Brigade within the Demilitarization Belt became defective. Instead of displaying an individual's actual rank, it labeled everyone the same. It also had its hourly randomization effect neutralized.
At first, it was only an inconvenience. However, soon enough, multiple spies infiltrated the War Brigade, using a counterfeit insignia with the deciphered magic code. Because of this, the War Brigade lost several figures in command positions due to assassinations. Furthermore, an abundance of delicate information was leaked in the process.
With no other choice, the head General in charge of the Demilitarization Belt sector sent out an order that every member of the War Brigade must destroy their insignias.
Fortunately, every one of their members had their name imprinted into the core magic system that stored the data of those officially registered. Nevertheless, the War Brigade's insignia was no longer usable within the Demilitarization Belt, and so, everyone had no choice but to temporarily change war branches. Luckily, the only code deciphered was the War Brigade's; therefore, the remaining war branches' insignias were still safe to use.
However, Izroth's attention was ultimately drawn to one thing—the appearance of the red demon. Even though Zanna referred to it as "Equator", Dove unconsciously chimed in.
"Wasn't it Ekquilore?"—is what Dove said without thinking at the time, and when Izroth heard this name, he immediately knew the red demon's identity.
'Commander Ekquilore. The last time we met, I eliminated him during my journey to the Shadahi Realm. At the time, he was only a weakened level 17 rare boss. Now, that same creature can take out Commander level NPCs. I knew its strength was suppressed, but to think the difference would be this huge between then and now. The boost to its overall power is not by any means small. But, the question remains, how did he cross over from the Shadahi Realm without the Boundary Sealing Sphere?'
While Zanna explained everything she knew and her guildmates even helped fill in some blank areas, there was a limit to how much information they could provide given their war ranks. Izroth understood that if he wanted more detailed answers, he would likely have to visit this camp they spoke of.
As a Captain, even if he was a member of the General Support Unit, Izroth should have no trouble gathering additional information unknown to most others.
'Since he arrived here alone and not with an army or that Shadahi chained to the throne, there is a high chance they used a unique method to bring him over from the Shadahi Realm. One that cannot be easily replicated. This can be seen as the one upside for the War Brigade.'
Izroth believed that if the Shadahi who was bound to the throne were brought to this place, then 40% losses would have been seen as a miracle.
"It's hard to believe the Generals did not take action personally. But, after what the voice of Resseki told us, I can understand why they decided to stay their hand." Niflheim said with furrowed brows.
"You're right. They won't take any action unless they are 100% confident in killing it. Because, should they fail, it would only come back stronger than before—impossible to defeat again using the same method." Izroth confirmed.
'My first two baneful swords would be completely useless against it since I used both during our first encounter. Then, I suppose it's a good thing I'm not the same as I was back then.'
After discussing several topics, Izroth decided that he would take a trip to the camp Zanna mentioned. As for Niflheim, even if he did not want to go, there was no choice. As a member of the War Brigade stationed within the Demilitarization Belt, he needed to join a different war branch and acquire a new insignia before doing anything else. Otherwise, it may affect his contribution point gain and take away his ability to accept war objectives.
With those goals in mind, Izroth and Niflheim made their way towards the coordinates given to them by Zanna.
...
Several minutes later...
"Why did we have to accompany you?! Don't think I'll let you bully me forever! You hear me?! Stupid head! Bully! Tyrant! Is this any way to treat a classy lady?! You'll be single forever!" Zanna complained. She had already told him everything she knows, and now he wanted her to guide him personally to the camp?! Why?! Hadn't she suffered enough?!
"Children should learn to respect their elders. Or, can it be that you need another trip as a reminder?" Izroth said.
"Y-you...! I-I-I'm not afraid you...!" Zanna said as she quickly took several steps away from Izroth and put her hands up defensively with open palms.
"B-besides... We're probably around the same age! What elder?! I'll have you know I turned eighteen this year!"
Due to his Heavenly Golden Body, Izroth's did appear younger than his actual age; however...
"You know of a technique to forcibly halt your growth?" Izroth asked in a slightly surprised tone, ignoring the former half of Zanna's words. He did not think that such techniques existed in a world that lacked spiritual essence; therefore, he was genuinely shocked.
Niflheim suddenly coughed but stayed quiet as he simply played it off as him clearing his throat.
However, Zanna nearly coughed up blood after hearing Izroth speak. To her, it only sounded as if he was mocking and poking fun at her! She wanted to do nothing more than strangle him!
Zanna's face turned bright red as her cheeks puffed up. She tried to hold it in but failed miserably as she yelled, "STUUUUUUUUPID! Waaaaaah!"
Zanna ran crying towards Dove with her arms out. But, on her way over, she tripped on a rock, fell flat onto her face, and slid forward a few meters as her cries ceased.
"..."
"..."
"Leader, are you ok-" Dove spoke but was promptly interrupted by Zanna.
"...I'm fine," Zanna replied indifferently.
"But-"
"I'm fine."
Dove silently sighed as Zanna slowly stood to her feet and walked onward quietly with her head down.
...
A few seconds after the incident, Izroth received a message via the system.
〈System Alert: Player Dove has sent you a message, "Please go a little easier on our leader. If you are upset, I don't mind if you take your anger out on me instead. Our leader may act out a bit, but she's really a sweet girl with a good heart. I hope that you do not think too poorly of her."〉
'Oh? Again?'
Not even a handful of seconds had passed, yet Izroth had received a private message not only from Dove but the other members of Zanna's squad as well. Although the words differed, the meaning was ultimately the same—requesting that he turn his "anger" to them and go easy on Zanna.
'In the end, every last one of them practically sent me the same messaged. If she has people like this willing to follow her, perhaps I was too harsh.'