Chapter 246: Main Command Hall

Max, together with Seraphina, the Holy Knight, and Lancelot, returned to the Main Command Camp.

As soon as they met the Demon Hunters in the Main Command Camp, who were mainly responsible for coordinating the Imperial Army and the Demon Hunters Guild across the Southern Frontier, the soldiers erupted into cheers as they shouted his title.

"Guildmaster!!"

"Guildmaster!!"

"Guildmaster!"

Every single one of them had initially doubted Max when they learned that the Southern Frontier’s reinforcements consisted of him and the other three B-rankers in the Guild.

Sure, they were B-rankers, but they were fighting against hundreds of demons in the Southern Frontier.

They had heard that Angelo, an Arcane Overlord, had not been enough to stop the unstoppable advancement of the demon army.

But their Guildmaster had proved them wrong.

They learned how the demon army had retreated when he appeared.

Although they had not witnessed his actions with their own eyes, they were awestruck by how he and the other B-rankers had been able to turn the tide of the war.

They knew about the Saintess, but they believed she would not be enough to change the course of the war.

Just as Matilda had spread throughout the Guild, it was truly their Guildmaster who had performed the miracle.

If they only knew that Lancelot and the Holy Knight had not even made a move as they watched hundreds of Greater Demons struggle against the Guildmaster’s Radiant Knights, their admiration would have reached past the ceiling.

Max simply waved at them and smiled.

It was a great opportunity to bolster their morale, given that they were fighting not merely a legion of demons, but an army.

A demon army belonging to the Demon Lord of Wrath.

Although it was only the first night compared to the weeks that might follow, it was reassuring that the momentum was on their side.

Max and the others proceeded toward the Central Command Hall, the largest structure in the camp.

The Commander’s Situation Room was a separate room altogether, connected only to the main command hall.

It was a small room where information could be reviewed privately.

The Central Command Hall contained the command table, where every high-ranking official from the Guild and the Imperial Army could gather and discuss the situation.

There was also a large tactical map, communication devices, demon-detection crystal displays, reports from frontier settlements that were constantly monitored by tacticians from the Intelligence Division of the Guild and the Imperial Army, deployment records, supply records, and messenger stations.

The High General and Max would use this room when discussing the overall battlefield situation with their respective high-ranking officials.

The large tactical map was a central map that showed the entire Southern Frontier of Mirefall rather than just the immediate area around Crow’s Crossing.

It was divided into clearly marked sectors:

The Northern Sector, Central Sector, Western Sector, Eastern Sector, and Southern Sector.

The large tactical map was so enormous that tacticians like Matilda had to use a ladder to scribe on it. It gave the command room a clear representation of the entire military corridor.

Beside the map was a smaller board that showed the current status of each sector.

For example, the current status of the Willowmere Sector was Secure, while the Southern Border had previously been listed as High Alert before becoming Secure.

The status was updated in real time, with only a delay of a few minutes.

Another map in the Main Command Hall was the Demon Activity Map.

It could display suspected demon activity, with the information coming primarily from the Guild’s and the Imperial Army’s Scout Divisions.

Matilda and the other high-ranking tacticians were responsible for interpreting the information at the strategic level.

A section of the command hall also contained the current deployment structure.

For instance, in the Western Sector, Gareth’s defensive forces and Imperial Army units were deployed.

When Max entered, he swept his gaze around and saw Matilda currently updating the maps.

He beamed a smile when he saw the Secure status displayed in every sector.

Matilda seemed to sense his presence and turned toward him.

Without hesitation, she immediately ran toward him and was about to hug him, but held herself back.

She realized that she had almost lost her composure, so she hastily bowed to greet him.

"Welcome back, Guildmaster.

Congratulations on successfully defending the Southern Frontier."

Max nodded.

"Mhm. How is the current situation?"

"Everything is going well.

In three hours, everyone is expected to return to their respective camps to rest.

Meanwhile, Gareth and the others were scheduled to return in six hours to participate in a meeting."

"Let them rest first.

There’s no need for them to return.

Tell them to await further orders."

"Understood, Guildmaster!"

Matilda’s voice was filled with awe and respect as she watched Max walk past her.

Max observed the situation through the map, and Matilda happily accompanied him.

Seraphina and Lancelot bid farewell to Max, as they would also take a rest, with the former being accompanied by the Holy Knight.

Just as they left, they met the High General, who simply nodded at them and offered a few words of congratulations.

They felt flattered and ashamed, especially Lancelot, who understood that he had not even contributed to the war.

Facing his father, who appeared cold and distant whenever they were on duty, seemingly neglecting their familial connection, made him feel somewhat conflicted.

In the end, he did not bother greeting him or explaining himself, since his father had already walked past them after greeting them and started a conversation with Max.

"You’ve truly surprised me."

Max turned around and realized that it was Lancelot’s father, the High General.

Perceiving the High General’s aura made him recall an unpleasant memory, but he tried his best to dismiss it.

He could not afford to remain attached to the past.

"What’s so surprising about me?" Max shrugged.

The High General smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"I doubted you, but you proved me wrong.

You truly deserve the Imperial Demon Vanguard title.

And the title of Founder of the Demon Hunters Guild."

Max smiled and nodded.

He forced himself to dismiss the unpleasant feeling as he continued his conversation with the High General, accompanied by their trusted tacticians, as they prepared for the upcoming war.