The three boys felt the gentle stroking on their heads, and their tense little faces softened.
The girl had just been about to defend her brothers, but seeing them fall into disarray, she instantly became confused.
Before she could even speak, Vera reached out her hand as well.
"Gurgle~"
Hedley had originally intended to come over to discuss the itinerary, wisely stopped. The mercenaries continued what they were doing, but their eyes secretly drifted over.
"Click--"
The clear sound from the amplifier seemed particularly jarring in the otherwise warm atmosphere.
Vera turned her head warily. Not far away, W stood with his hands behind his back, tilting his head back and whistling off-key.
What was that sound just now?
Vera straightened up, her gaze fixed on W, whose hands were clearly hiding something behind his back.
"A sound? What sound?"
W turned her head, spread her hands, and showed her empty palms.
"Could it be the sound of wind blowing gravel?"
As she spoke, her tail curled up tightly, wrapping around the camera.
You'd better be...
Vera didn't pursue the matter, turned and left, leaving the four little ones behind with regretful expressions.
Upon seeing Vera return, the mercenaries quickly averted their gaze, their hands still busy at work, and the camp returned to its usual hustle and bustle.
After the slaves became familiar with their work, lunch was quickly prepared, and everyone sat in a circle, eating and talking.
"Ines has gone to scout the environment; she'll have results soon."
Aren't you worried?
"I believe in her abilities."
Vera pursed her lips as she watched Hedley cutting pieces of meat while constantly glancing at Shilin.
"So there's absolutely no need for that; I'm fine on my own."
Do you know what the other person looks like?
Hedley quickly added information, shifting his gaze away from the suddenly silent Vera to avoid angering his employer.
"The Blood Butcher Squad, led by Blood Demon nicknamed Vampire Blood Butcher, enjoys hunting down notorious mercenaries."
"The squad members are unknown and frequently change, but the number of people appearing each time is never large."
"Like most Vampire, their target is someone with white hair, red eyes, and outstanding appearance."
"His Originium Arts are unknown, but he likely possesses the ability to control blood, and besides that..."
Hedley looked at Vera, his tone becoming more serious.
"The other party appears to be acquainted with the Lord of the Vampire King Court."
"The Lord of the Royal Court..."
Vera frowned. She had heard Vane say that the ruler of the Vampire Royal Court was...
"Ducare?"
Hedley nodded, Vera looked displeased.
"What 'Scar Eye up to? Why would he give him such a target?"
Regarding this point...
Hedley pulled a stack of papers from his satchel and began to explain.
"Blood Butcher once killed an entire squad in Babel Tower, but was repelled by Elite Operator who arrived later and began to flee."
The people of Babel Tower have been searching for him, but he has always managed to escape.
"So the other side is the target of the Babel Tower?"
"That's not all..."
Hedley's voice turned serious.
"The other party had once joined the Military Commission, but later chose to betray it for unknown reasons. At that time, he was being hunted down by the Vampire Demon Lord, but in the end, he survived."
"He was repelled by Elite Operator, yet managed to escape from the Vampire Lord... Did Ducare let him go?"
Vera frowned; this intelligence significantly increased the difficulty of the mission objective.
Hedley put the papers back into his bag, his tone regaining its composure:
"It's highly likely. Otherwise, Blood Butcher, who was personally hunted down by the Lord of the Royal Court, would never have survived to this day, much less remain so active in Kazdel."
He paused, then added:
"Scar Eye probably thinks... that by eliminating Blood Butcher, he can do Babel Tower a favor."
Vera remained silent for a moment, her eyes filled with thoughts.
Involving the ruler of the Royal Court is too risky.
On the other hand, high risk often means high reward...
Is Ducare very active?
Hedley was somewhat surprised that Vera would ask this, but he answered based on the information he had:
"The Vampire Demon Lord's whereabouts have always been elusive, and there have been few reports of him personally taking action in recent years."
"Then let's continue the mission."
Vera made the decision, Hedley, showing little concern on his face.
Vera glanced sideways at the mercenary captain:
Aren't you worried?
"What are you worried about?" Hedley countered.
"The other party seems to know the Vampire Demon Lord. Aren't you afraid of incurring the Royal Court's retaliation? You should know that I will leave after I find the person."
Hedley didn't answer immediately, but looked at Vera and asked in a deep voice:
"So, you already know all this inside information, why did you still decide to continue this mission?"
His gaze held no doubt, but rather an inquisitive look.
I hate answering questions with questions.
Vera frowned, her gaze falling on the flickering campfire in front of her.
"But if I had to give a reason..."
The flames flickered, seemingly reflecting a tall, fiery figure.
"It's just that I happen to know someone more powerful."
"Someone even more powerful than the Vampire Lord...?"
"Don't believe me?"
Vera glanced at Hedley and casually handed him back the dagger she had been using to cut the meat.
"No."
Hedley took the bag and put it away, then stood up to greet Ines as she returned.
"Just a few sighs."
Ines emerged from the shadows, her eyes now showing a hint of seriousness.
"How is the situation?"
Hedley approached Ines and handed her the slices of meat he had prepared.
Ines it without hesitation, responding as she did so.
"They've already spotted us."
"As expected."
Vera nodded. Their team had indeed made quite a commotion; it would have been strange if no one had noticed.
But she was more concerned about something else.
Why do you look so pale?
Vera looked at Ines and asked directly,
"Are there a lot of people on the other side?"
Ines paused for a moment, then her voice rang out again, filled with undisguised disgust:
"... I only saw some disgusting sights."
She didn't describe it specifically, but it was enough to make Ines was used to all sorts of cruelty in Kazdel, use the word "disgusting"...
Seeing that Ines was unwilling to say more, Vera did not press the matter.
"Now that he's discovered us, yet hasn't made a move... is he waiting for us to go in?"
"It might be a trap."
Ines confirmed Vera's guess.
"A red mist shrouds the center of the stone forest; the Blood Butcher Squad is there."
"The goal is very clear..."
Vera wiped her hands and stood up briskly.
The mercenaries resting nearby stood up abruptly, their eyes fixed intently on Vera, awaiting further instructions.
"Ines, lead the way. We'll go straight to the center," Vera said calmly.
"The rest of you, Protect all possible escape routes from the outside. I don't need to tell you what to do, do I?"
Everyone paused, exchanging bewildered glances.
It was clear that Vera did not intend to bring the others in.
"Understood."
Hedley responded in a deep voice, then turned and began to select several skilled men to arrange the task of sealing off the outer perimeter.
Vera turned to look at Ines.
"Do you need to rest a little longer?"
"No need..."
Vera nodded without turning her head.
"W, you and Hedley will guard the outer perimeter together."
"Huh?"
W, who was about to follow along and take advantage of the chaos, was taken aback. Vera didn't even look at her and headed straight for the stone forest with Ines.
"This is an order."
W reluctantly put away the explosives, and seeing that even W was behaving this way, the mercenaries also quieted down.
Hedley stepped forward as if to say something, Vera spoke first.
"Don't worry, I won't let your little lover get hurt."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Hedley's face, while Ines immediately turned her head to the side without saying a word.
Vera said no more, left with two sentences, and went straight away.
"This operation has nothing to do with Hedley's squad."
Vera paused, her gaze passing over Hedley and landing on the mercenaries behind him.
"The one who killed Blood Butcher was a passing wanderer. You provided the information, but you didn't participate."
Hedley stood there, stunned, until Vera and the other woman disappeared from sight before he came to his senses.
The surrounding mercenaries immediately gathered around, their faces filled with curiosity.
"Team leader, what did the boss say to you last?"
Rice couldn't help but ask, and the others also cast inquiring glances.
Hedley remained silent for a moment, then relayed the information truthfully.
The surrounding mercenaries were stunned for a moment, then fell silent.
They were all veterans who had lived on the edge, and they instantly understood Vera's intention.
"Our boss... doesn't want to drag us into this."
A mercenary said in a muffled voice, his tone somewhat complicated.
"If we do this, won't the boss be exposed? Hasn't she always said she doesn't want to attract too much attention...?"
"Isn't all this she's doing just to find someone?" another mercenary whispered in response.
"Completing this mission might directly attract the attention of the Babel Tower and help us find the person she's looking for..."
This speculation weighed even more heavily on everyone's minds.
"We've found her, boss... it's time to leave."
The atmosphere grew even more somber. Although they hadn't known each other for long, Vera had already earned the heartfelt respect of these Sarkaz mercenaries.
The thought of her possibly leaving left everyone feeling empty.
W gripped the camera tightly, looked in the direction Vera had disappeared, and suddenly said to Hedley.
What are your plans for the future?
Hedley and responded.
Are you going to ask me, or are you asking yourself?
W chuckled, left a comment, and turned to leave to set up the explosives.
"I will catch up with her. As for you... you can just rot here."
The mercenaries stood frozen in place, then one by one, they passed Hedley.
Their eyes flickered, as if they were deep in thought, but without exception, none of them dared to meet Hedley's gaze.
Rice was the last to walk by, and he stopped as he passed Hedley.
"You're a good leader, but... I'm sorry!"
Rice quickly left, while Hedley stood there, motionless for a long time.
After everyone had gone far away, a sigh echoed softly.
"At least leave one for me..."