The train neared the border. William could tell this mission was far more dangerous than his own.

As they approached the border region, the sounds of explosions grew clearer.

All four warriors in the coach knew they could not afford to take this lightly.

Bardy and Brutus checked their armour and took one last look at their weapons.

"Should we have worn armour too?" William asked his lover, watching the other two tighten straps and adjust their vests.

Emma sighed. "I feel uncomfortable with any extra weight on my body."

William shrugged. "Same. Well, don't worry. I'll be your living armour on the battlefield." He meant it. William knew his role in this fight, to stay close and protect Emma from any unseen danger.

Emma smiled in response, some tension easing from her shoulders as she said, "I will rely on you then."

Soon, the coach slowed to a stop. The four of them stood up and stepped out one after another.

The wind was chilly, but the smell of iron and explosions was sharp in the air.

They were near the campsite. William glanced to his left and saw a large town settled nearby, far bigger than Catchipara.

The roads were empty. No lights, no signs of life. Yet when William focused, he heard it.

Distance became irrelevant when so many loud minds were gathered in one place.

Scared minds that couldn't focus on a single thought as their death appeared closer than those they were currently hugging.

'So… they've remained indoors, just like back in Catchipara.' William sighed in disappointment, thinking if the management was actually aiming to protect the civilians or just contain the danger?

Just then, a soldier came sprinting toward them.

He was a middle-aged man with a thick moustache, wearing the emblem of the Empire on his chest.

Blood trickled down his left cheek but from his unwavering gaze and intimidating presence, it appeared that blood didn't belong to him.

"From the Great Hall, my name is Brutus. This is Bardy, Emma, and William," Brutus introduced them calmly, his tone shaped by experience with such situations.

The soldier nodded and glanced at each of them before saying, "Please follow me to the tent where I will brief you on your roles."

Soon, the four of them walked a few steps behind the soldier, passing through rows of tents.

The campsite lay on the northern edge, the town to the south, and battle cries carried in from the north and northeast.

William noticed that nearly every tent was occupied by injured soldiers groaning in pain. Some were being treated, some tended to their own wounds, and some seemed to be simply waiting for their fate.

'This is just like what I've heard…' Living with a man who had spent the prime of his life on the frontlines, William had often listened to tales of a world where men usually died young.

He felt Emma's hand wrap around his.

He squeezed it gently and asked the soldier, "How many Death Sinks have appeared so far, sir?"

The soldier clenched his fist at his side before answering, "Seven Grade IV in two days."

"…!" The words stunned everyone.

Seven Death Sinks so close to each other meant nothing short of a massacre.

Back in Catchipara, just two Death Sinks had allowed more than a thousand Devils to pour out. More than half were defeated by the Great Hall members, and later by Warren's team. The rest had been taken care of by William.

If only two Death Sinks could spill so many Devils, then…

Bardy voiced his concern, "Why haven't the civilians been evacuated?"

The soldier let out a long breath before replying, "Because there is nowhere for them to run."

He offered no further explanation and continued walking in silence toward their destination.

Soon, they entered a tent which, like the others, was occupied by an injured soldier.

It was a man in his early forties, sitting on a crate with his head resting against the canvas, his mouth hanging open.

Blood ran down his head, and his condition looked critical.

Before anyone could speak, Emma stepped closer. Her lips moved in a soft chant as she raised her hand.

A magic circle flared to life around the man, glowing faintly as aether wrapped around him like a comforting blanket.

Everyone watched in awe as his injuries knitted themselves together, his complexion improved, and his once dire state stabilized with remarkable speed.

The soldier who had brought them there stepped forward to check on his ally.

"Thomas? Are you okay? Look at me. Are you okay?"

The injured man, Thomas, nodded weakly. "I can see you, Talec. I… can… bu—"

Suddenly, he gagged and vomited blood right in front of Emma, then went still.

Emma's heart sank as her spell lost its subject. She took a step back.

The man was dead.

An utter silence fell over the tent.

Talec lowered his head and prayed for his departed friend.

William stood there, expression blank, his mind crowded with thoughts.

Moments later, Talec turned toward the younger ones and said, "This could be you if you fight like a soldier on the battlefield."

His body trembled slightly. Grief, regret, and seething rage built in his chest as he continued, "Be a coward if you feel you can't withstand what's out there. Run away if you must, but protect yourselves. Your role is to protect the citizens, nothing more."

Everyone remained silent, absorbing the information without raising a single question.

Talec then handed them several maps, explaining the possible routes of invasion and the paths they should take if Devils managed to breach the defenses.

Brutus spoke on behalf of the team, asking questions precise enough to cover every concern related to the mission.

When it was done, Talec looked at Emma and said, "Thank you, cadet. You did your best."

Emma lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry for your loss, sir."

Talec gave a faint smile. "Don't worry about it. Thomas was always a mad lad, sticking his head into every dangerous place just to make things easier for his brethren."

With a sigh, he glanced at his fallen comrade before adding, "And now, I must carry on his will."

Silence lingered in the camp for a few moments before William rested his hand on Emma's shoulder and slowly led her outside the tent

Bardy and Brutus soon followed the suit and soon the four of them stood outside.

Brutus turned towards the other three and said, "So here is the plan…"

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