The Shifting Situation

Sordelin, who had gone north to investigate the situation, sent back intelligence—using concealed relay devices set up along the riverbanks, the Iron Rangers Vanguard Team had remained in contact with the Magic Net communications network in the Southern Territory. With convenient long-distance communications, Gawain immediately learned of the "Crystal Cluster Monsters" encountered by the High-ranking Ranger.

To be honest, he wished this report had never reached his hands.

"...We encountered those monsters in the Dolan Hills northeast of Pompeii Territory... They looked like humans fused from flesh and crystal, but stronger and taller than humans. They seemed to possess formidable physical abilities and some spellcasting capability, but their exact combat strength remains unclear—we only know that incinerators are highly effective against them.

"Based on the remaining clues, those monsters should have wandered in from farther north... We found an attacked village, but the villagers showed no signs of infection. The source of contamination should not be nearby...

"...The local lord and his army answered the royal summons and went to the front. It is said that no news has come back from them for a long time..."

Sordelin reported the situation in the north with meticulous seriousness through the Holographic Projection. Behind him was a temporary camp built at the foot of wind-sheltered rocks, while Iron Rangers soldiers stood guard vigilantly nearby. There were too few relay nodes, so the transmission was somewhat distorted by interference, but Gawain could still see obvious worry on the High-ranking Ranger's face.

Large areas had lost contact, local lords were missing, and bizarre flesh-and-crystal monsters had wandered out of the disconnected regions... Every sign pointed toward the worst possibility.

After completing his report, the High-ranking Ranger asked for his next orders. "Should we continue forward?"

"Continue to the outskirts of Giantwood Pass—but if you