"No wonder Kasha said they'd seen Annan Reeves a couple of days ago. It was true!"
"Of course it was. Did you think I was lying?"
"Who would've thought Lord Annan would suddenly come all the way out here?"
The area wasn't actually remote, but it occupied an awkward position. It was neither an important border region nor a thriving commercial center. It had no local specialties, and its tax revenue wasn't particularly high, so it had been overlooked for years.
"When we set out, the Eighth Squad traveled with us for a while. Are they here for this too?"
Deputy Commander Brown answered, "They have a different mission."
Dwarves were active in the area, and the Eighth Squad had been tasked with finding them.
The intelligence was remarkably precise: keep digging down into a great pit, then follow an underground river downstream to find them. It was as clear as if someone had walked the route themselves.
After answering the squad leaders' questions, Deputy Commander Brown's expression turned stern.
"Our mission is to observe the local Subspace. Remember every word I'm about to say, and pass it on to your cavalrymen."
"Subspace can affect our minds and emotions, so these are the rules for this operation. First, if you suddenly find your emotions hard to control, or notice a soldier quietly crying, raging, or talking to himself, move away from him and that area immediately, then notify an officer."
"Second, you are carrying out a special order from the Military Affairs Department. Your family, friends, and acquaintances will not suddenly appear here. If they do appear in front of you, don't trust them, and don't let them come close."
"Third, if you encounter Ratfolk, demons, foreign races, or cavalrymen who have gone mad, fight back without hurting them if