The conversation returned to the troublesome magical barrier.
Ansu said thoughtfully, "You said it only enveloped Novigel after some time had passed. That means setting it up wasn't easy, so it must have a weakness."
"Maybe it's the caster, maybe it's a stockpile of magical resources, or maybe it's the spell's structure. As long as we find the ritual's 'runic core,' we'll find a way to break it."
He decided to investigate the Demon Army's camp in person.
"Ansu, I'm coming with you!" Vera said at once.
Ansu instinctively wanted to refuse, just as he always had.
But when he looked up and met her stubborn, determined eyes, he hesitated.
"...All right."
"We'll go together."
Vera beamed.
"With the two of us working together, we'll definitely succeed!"
After a series of arrangements were made, the meeting ended, and Varg, Elder Matthew, and the others left one after another.
Only Ansu, Freya, and Vera remained in the command room.
Freya suddenly sidled up to Ansu and winked.
"All right, Lord Ansu. Surely you can tell us about these past two years now?"
"Where did you go? Who did you meet? What dangers did you face? And how did you manage to strike back at the God of Clamorous Filth?" Her eyes shone with curiosity. "It must have been an incredible adventure!"
"It was..." Ansu nodded, but his smile was faint.
"When there's time, I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything I went through."
"But right now, there's something else."
Something very important...
He suddenly fell silent.
Little by little, the atmosphere grew heavy.
"Lord Ansu?" Freya looked at him worriedly. "Are you... feeling unwell?"
Vera saw the trace of sorrow churning in his eyes and understood at once.
She spoke softly.
"Professor Duncan, Elder Barnes, and the others woke up