While Amon was going in this direction.

From the same side, two figures were running. They were wearing black cloack. It fluttered in air as they ran.

For now they were still far away from Amon.

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!

The footsteps echoed through the silent forest.

They jumped from one tree to another easily. They were none other than demons. The same ones from the other day.

"Shit, we shouldn't have gone there. It would have been better if we had just returned," the demon with amber eyes muttered.

But it was loud enough for the other to hear.

"Aziz. This is not the time to curse our decisions. Though I never thought those scouts would actually see us."

Aziz snorted. "It's good they're not too strong. Because of that, we ran away from them so easily."

He looked at the other demon running beside him.

"Vikara. Why didn't you kill them? With your strength, you could have killed all of them easily."

"I was thinking the same. But before I could move, one of them ran away from the group. I saw a communication device in his hand. So he might have already informed the base. We couldn't waste even a minute there."

Aziz paled a little.

He thought about what would happen if someone strong came after them, not forgetting that there was someone at the sixth rank. He was the one leading all the humans here.

If they were to face him… then they were done for. They would have no hope.

But then he dismissed that thought. They were already far away. They couldn't follow them anymore.

At least, he hoped so.

Still, they needed to be fast and cautious. The two demon figures continued their run.

Not knowing they were heading down a path that might lead them toward a human boy.

Though he wouldn't be a problem for them. Rather, that boy would be the one who might get into trouble.

They hoped they wouldn't cross each other's path.

---

From the other side of the mountains, inside the human camp, the atmosphere was tense.

Inside the largest tent, Galahad Valliant sat at a sturdy wooden table. A lantern hung above, its steady light illuminating maps spread across the surface– rough sketches of the surrounding terrain, the mountain range, and the dark forest beyond. His expression was calm, but his sharp eyes moved constantly, as if weighing countless possibilities at once.

Outside, the night was quiet. Too quiet.

The tent flap suddenly shifted.

A knight stepped inside.

He wore the silver-and-blue armor of Valmoria, the insignia of the kingdom etched clearly on his chest.

His posture was rigid and disciplined, but there was urgency in his eyes. In his hand was a small crystal device. Used for long-distance communication.

He had gotten information about demons from other side. Where few scouts were exploring.

He knelt on one knee immediately.

"Commander Galahad," the knight said, his voice firm but hurried. "We've received a report."

Galahad looked up instantly. His eyes narrowed.

"Speak."

The knight swallowed and continued, "Our scouts detected demons near the outer forest zone. Two confirmed demonic signatures. They were spotted moving at high speed, heading deeper into the forest."

The moment the words left his mouth. Galahad stood up, his eyes cold and serious.

Finally they found something about them. They had came here to stop the demons. That was their objective. Now they are closer to them.

This was a chance to get to know about there whereabouts. Where they are located. Their base.

The chair scraped loudly against the ground as he rose to his full height. The pressure in the tent seemed to shift instantly, as if the air itself had grown heavier.

"Demons," Galahad repeated, his voice low.

Beside him, Caspian Evangeline also stood. His usual composed expression hardened, eyes narrowing in focus.

"Are you certain?" Caspian asked. "Not corrupted beasts or illusions?"

"Yes, sir," the knight replied immediately. "The scouts confirmed it. Horn structure, mana signature, and movement patterns all matched demon classifications."

Silence fell for a brief moment. Then Caspian turned toward Galahad.

"We can't ignore this," he said. "If demons are moving this close to the mountains, that means they came to spy on us. To get information about us."

Galahad's eyes sharpened. He knew. That they have upperhand here. That demons were more familiar with this place than them.

"Should I go? I will take some soldiers with me. Or do you want Lyra to follow them?" Caspian asked. He was more than ready to go after them.

Without hesitation, Galahad replied, "No. You guys don't need to go. I will personally go."

The knight's eyes widened.

"Commander—!"

Caspian turned fully toward him. "You're going yourself?"

"Yes," Galahad said firmly. "Demons don't move without reason. If they were seen, it means they are going back to their base to give information about us. We should capture them as fast as possible. Unlike them, we don't have a single clue about them."

He grabbed his greatsword from where it rested against the tent wall. The weapon was massive, its blade dull silver, yet it radiated an oppressive presence even while sheathed.

"I'll move ahead immediately," Galahad continued. "Have the camp remain on high alert. No unnecessary movement. Reinforce the perimeter and keep all lights burning, even through the day. We can't be careless. Better to be safe."

The knight bowed deeply. "Understood!"

Caspian exhaled slowly, then gave a small nod.

"Be careful," he said. "This forest doesn't follow normal rules."

Galahad allowed himself a faint, grim smile.

"Neither do demons," he replied.

With that, he turned and stepped out of the tent.

"Which side?"

He asked the knight. The one who inform him. He walked outside the tent.

He didn't said anything. Just pointed in on side of forest.

Galahad nodded.

He put forced on his leg and kicked off the ground.

BOOM!

He vanished from his place.

He headed toward the forest, toward the demons… and unknowingly, toward a certain lone human walking the same path.

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