796: Professor Malcolm's Secret Report

"What do you mean, the Brass Fortress won't hold?"

The Castilian elves had been remarkably generous. Murphy had asked them to return the Avalon holy blades they had collected, and thirty blades had been delivered at once. With these in hand, the future of Transia's Avalon Church would be smooth sailing.

But compared with these gifts, Murphy was more concerned about the request Dames had just made.

The vampire lord frowned.

"Wasn't that place blockaded? The information I received said the Brass Dwarves were still holding out. The gnolls hadn't managed to break in, and the dwarves had even retaken some of their tunnels. Could the situation have changed again?"

"I'm not entirely sure of the details."

Captain Dames shook his head.

"I didn't go to the battlefield at Gorgon Pass. The place is sealed off by the power of the Warp, and no one inside can leave freely. But thanks to the Atlantean merfolk's Storm Rippers finally getting to work, some information is now making it through.

"That's what our Ranger-General's message said.

"She believes the Brass Fortress will fall completely before long, and she's preparing to break out with the Rangers trapped there.

"Gorgon Pass is out of the question. Once the Brass Fortress is defeated, the gnolls will overrun the whole area. The Ranger-General can only retreat toward Transia—specifically, by way of the Hunger Plains, heading for Blackflame Pass.

"I told the general where Fort Valor is. I suspect it'll be General Felociel's last refuge."

"Hmm, I see."

Murphy glanced at the thirty holy blades on the table. In that moment, they had become much less appealing. The governor narrowed his eyes.

"So your Ranger-General expects the garrison at Fort Valor to go and escort her, right? That's asking a bit much! It means the soldiers at