Inside the command tent, a storm lantern swayed gently in the wind from outside, its bright light illuminating a crude wooden table piled with maps and files.
Diu Ni Leimu, who should have logged off and gone to bed, was irritably rubbing his temples, his brows knotted together. A report freshly copied by the clerk lay open before him, its ink not yet completely dry.
"Three defectors?"
He repeated the words, his voice hoarse from staying up late and thick with impatience.
Diu Ni Leimu looked up at the NPC staff officer standing stiffly before the table. The staff officer, Alvin, was a graduate of Bagnia's regular military academy, meticulous in his conduct.
Even now, well after midnight and exhausted himself, he still maintained a soldier's bearing.
"Yes, sir."
Alvin bowed slightly.
"About half an hour ago, a sentry squad discovered and captured them in the brush outside the southwestern perimeter of the camp. There are three of them: an old man, a younger man, and a woman. They claim to be survivors from Minisia after the fall of the Suvano Region. They voluntarily surrendered and requested an audience with the commander, claiming to have important intelligence and asking to serve as guides."
"Heh..."
Diu Ni Leimu gave an inscrutable chuckle, his expression complicated.
"More guides? How many groups does that make?"
Alvin lowered his head and glanced at the data sheet in his hands.
"In the forty-eight hours since our army reached the Suvano coastline and established camp, sir, these three bring the total to seventeen groups of local survivors who have voluntarily come to surrender or claimed they could provide guide services."
"Seventeen..." Diu Ni Leimu leaned against the rough wooden chair and stared up at the tent's canvas roof, feeling his headache worsen.
"An average of eight