Just how intense the battle had been could be seen clearly by anyone who ventured outside the military camp and looked at the devastated terrain.
Many soldiers of the Rakia Kingdom were now gossiping everywhere, saying that the adventurers of Orario were even stranger than the monsters.
Oh, and…
"Next time, I'm never attacking Orario again."
Comments like this were spreading all over the place.
Of course, anyone caught saying this by the kingdom's higher-ups would be in serious trouble.
They might even be executed outright.
But for now…
Cough cough… it's embarrassing to say, right here, in this "Large Tree Labyrinth Borderline Defense" camp, the kingdom's highest-ranking human and deity were throwing a tantrum like spoiled children, wrestling on the floor.
Pulling hair, tugging ears… all because…
"Marius, don't stop me! That exceptional human, I must recruit her! She will become the world's undefeated female general. Rakia unifying the continent is only a matter of time…"
"You idiot god! Don't push your luck, aahhhh~"
Yeah… that's pretty much how it went.
Cough cough… no matter how foolish they were over there, for now, on our side…
"It seems my strength alone is insufficient to put enough pressure on you."
After a long pause, Hedin pushed up his glasses and muttered this line.
"However, the intended objective has already been achieved."
When he said this second sentence, the light reflected off the gold-framed lenses on his fingertips.
Hearing that, the others asked in confusion:
"Hmm? Objective?"
"What objective?"
"Wasn't it just a fight?"
"You even got knocked down yourself, and you still have the nerve to say that."
The four Gulliver brothers, smallfolk by birth, began spouting their usual professional taunts.
Hedin tilted his head expressionlessly, golden sparks flickering across his fingertips.
"Cough. I'm personally not very used to participating in setups like this."
Seeing that the tent might very well explode in the next moment, Renjiro (Aether) cleared his throat and took over the conversation.
"Thanks to Hedin, the 'cooperation with the Loki familia' and the demonstration of power at the Large Tree Labyrinth border have both achieved remarkable results."
"Going forward, following this momentum, not only will the 'Joint Subjugation Squad' be easier to form, but our influence within this camp will also grow significantly."
"Furthermore, managing subsequent operations will become much smoother."
When Renjiro finished, Hedin didn't verbally acknowledge it, but he gave a subtle nod of approval.
At the same time…
"Ah? Hmm hmm… I see, I see…"
The four smallfolk were utterly confused.
Hogni himself was also bewildered.
He knew his rival, Hedin, had plans, but what exactly he was scheming… was beyond his comprehension.
"Of course, there's also a minor reason. This time, it was just a coincidence," Renjiro continued.
"Shortly before Lumine departed for the Large Tree Labyrinth, both of us had already reached Lv.4."
"To avoid unnecessary chaos and slow down the subjugation of the 'Secret Realm: Scorpio,' Lumine and I even reported lower favor levels than we actually had."
"But now, since we are forming a 'Joint Subjugation Squad' to confront Antares, this will inevitably be revealed."
"So it's a good opportunity to inform the Goddess and make the relevant information public… Uh, what's wrong with you all?"
Renjiro noticed all six officers in the tent staring at him and Lumine with strange expressions.
Instinctively, he stopped talking and asked this question.
"This is the first time I've felt such a complicated mix of emotions," Hedin said in a low voice.
Indeed, he truly didn't know whether to feel relieved or uneasy.
Being defeated by Lv.4s was much easier to accept than losing to Lv.3s.
But considering how quickly these two newcomers had reached Lv.4 and… the terrifying sense of awe he had felt earlier…
Even if they have no "dreams (beliefs)," what does it matter?
Hedin sighed internally.
The "push" is still necessary, and they will shine even brighter because of it… but…
You can't gauge this kind of talent with ordinary logic.
The golden-haired white elf thought to himself.
Then…
"Eh?"
When he instinctively looked at the girl who had seemed to be "lacking something essential," he was surprised to realize…
The uneasy, discordant feeling he had sensed the first time he met her had vanished.
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