Chapter 786: Hunt and Destroy

Akta's squad spots the charge the instant Tuge and his men surge forward.

With three Knights at their head, the squad accelerates into an attack of its own.

They are not trying to escape. They cut across the water demons' retreat instead.

The Peace Haven cavalry hits before the calamity creatures can form a line, scattering them in all directions.

Only a handful of calamity creatures make it back into the nest. The rest are trapped outside.

If the soldiers were not trying to take prisoners, the ground would already be covered in corpses.

When Tuge rides over, the rescued members of Akta's squad scramble awkwardly to their feet.

Akta opens his mouth to admit fault, but Tuge cuts him off with a wave. "Save it for later! Tell me what is happening here."

"We tried to stop the water demons from escaping, but they jumped into the river. We have no idea where they went."

"There are surviving villagers inside the nest, but we need to screen them carefully. Some may be calamity creatures disguised as humans."

Tuge nods. "Good. Don't worry. They aren't getting away."

"We have sealed the river both upstream and downstream. The anti-magic potion may not hurt them outright,"

"but it will keep them trapped in this area. They can either retreat into the nest or let us fish them out of the river."

Lokas, the deputy company commander, fixes Akta with a glare. "I'll deal with you when we get back!"

Kirad, the other deputy commander, frowns. "There are civilians inside. We can't smoke the creatures out with poison gas."

Tuge nods. "Of course we can't! For one thing, these aren't our citizens. If our operation causes casualties among them,"

"Lumir will be displeased. It may not lead to anything serious, but it would still create plenty of obstacles for our future operations."

"Besides, the water demons' conversion ritual is vital intelligence. The captives can tell us far more if we keep them alive."

Tuge turns and gives an order. "Bring Map here!"

Map is a soldier's nickname. He is a professional, but not a Knight.

Under the effects of enhancement potions, a tiny fraction of people awaken spellcasting abilities or powers resembling those of a bloodline Warlock.

Their strength varies. Those with powerful spiritual power are sent to the Academy of Spellcasters for further study.

Those with weaker spiritual power learn a handful of specialized spells and continue serving in the army.

They are not ordinary soldiers, however. Each is a core combat asset to his unit.

The soldier nicknamed Map is Wesler, a young man of only twenty-four.

He knows several standard spells and possesses one special spell akin to a bloodline gift.

By sweeping his spiritual power across a wide area, he can form a three-dimensional map in his mind.

The map even marks threats and living-energy signatures.

In simple terms, he is a living radar.

Wesler steps forward to report. Tuge orders, "Chart the enemy nest and mark every position inside."

Several Knights escort Wesler to the center of the cluster of small mounds.

He draws his short staff. Spiritual power bursts from him and sweeps across the entire area.

A three-dimensional projection appears above the gem at the tip of his staff.

The underground caverns are complicated, yet the projection lays them bare. Even hidden entrances appear on it.

One secret tunnel runs east along the riverbank. It is most likely an escape route for the calamity creatures.

Tuge immediately gives his orders. "Kirad, take your men through the tunnel, find the exit, and set up an ambush."

"If a large group emerges, surround and kill them immediately."

"If only a few come out, do not attack. Follow them and see where they go."

"Lokas, lead a force into the enemy nest. Form teams of six and send ten teams in first."

"Do not hold back once the fighting starts. We cannot afford any accidents. Kill every creature you encounter."

"Stay alert when you find human survivors as well. Restrain them before escorting them out of the nest."

The soldiers spring into action as soon as the orders are given.

Every soldier going underground is at least Knight rank. Each team also receives several buff spells from the combat spellcasters, including Mental Protection.

The spells are not especially powerful. Most are minor forms of support magic.

When paired with a Knight's combat strength, though, even minor spells can matter greatly.

At the appointed time, all ten assault teams move at once and race into the caverns.

Darkvision lets the Knights see clearly in the pitch-black tunnels.

Aura Concealment hides their presence, allowing them to advance in silence and assassinate anything in their path.

Ease of Breathing buys them enough time to await rescue even if a cavern collapses.

Mud Adaptation keeps their combat strength from slipping in the damp environment.

Mental Protection, finally, shields them from the water demons' psychic attacks.

Lokas is also a Knight Commander. Once activated, his Indomitable Will and Physical Enhancement raise the defenses of the entire assault force another level.

Unburdened by heavy armor, the sixty Knights race through the caverns.

None of the calamity creatures guarding the nest can slow them down.

The assault teams soon reach the heart of the nest and begin killing with ruthless efficiency.

Apart from the water demons, they have no reason to leave anything alive.

More than half an hour later, the assault force completes its mission.

Nearly sixty survivors emerge from the nest.

Akta approaches them and asks, "Did any of you see Sambik's brother? Is he still alive?"

The survivors are still too shaken to answer.

Akta asks twice more before someone finally says that the blue-haired water demon took Sambik's brother away.

During the assault, the blue-haired water demon and one green-haired water demon escaped. Another water demon died resisting, while two more were captured.

Even after questioning every survivor, Akta learns nothing else about his whereabouts.

Berio sighs. "Poor young Ronan must be dead. The water demons wouldn't drag a burden like him along..."

At that moment, a cavalryman rides back with a report. "Lord Tuge, Commander Kirad found something unusual."

"Two water demons came out of the emergency tunnel. One of them was the blue-haired water demon."

"They split up. One is heading east, the other south."

"There is something else. The blue-haired water demon has a young boy with it. He may be a calamity creature disguised as a human."

Tuge has just heard Akta's report. He immediately asks for a description of the boy.

Once he confirms that the boy is Sambik's brother Ronan, Tuge senses that something is wrong. "Keep the green-haired water demon under surveillance and stay on its trail."

"Tell Kirad to move on the blue-haired water demon now. Cut it off before it escapes."

"The boy comes first. Take the blue-haired water demon alive if you can. I'm sending Lokas to reinforce you!"