Chapter 2048 - 549: Another Usage of the Soul_4

"My speculation is that they created something extremely evil, and out of some kind of perverse humor, they wrapped it with the name 'Holy Water'."

Luo Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Holy Water.

Soul.

And, the complex character of Professor Scholarly State.

These fragments quickly pieced together in his mind. Although the full picture was not yet clear, the vague outline was enough to astonish even a Demon.

"It seems necessary to conduct a deeper investigation..."

...

After asking about the clues regarding "Holy Water," Erin asked the staff a few more questions, and then went on to visit the camp for further investigation.

The emotions of the refugees were much more stable than she had imagined.

For these people who had just crawled back from the gates of Hell, they obviously didn't need a high and mighty princess to express sympathy.

The pot of bubbling oatmeal porridge, and the warm white light in the military chaplain's hands, were far more tangible than any words.

Watching them devour their bowls hungrily, Erin didn't disturb them further and silently returned to the camp gate with Luo Yan.

At that moment, the urgent sound of hooves kicked up dust outside the camp.

Duke Edward had arrived.

The ruler of the Campbell Duchy came in a rush, his cloak embroidered with the family crest covered in dust.

Not far behind him, the City Lord of Cold Crow City and the potbellied Baron were trying hard to squeeze flattering smiles onto their faces, only to eat dust.

Edward dismounted, completely ignoring the sycophancy of those local officials, and headed straight for the camp commander who had been waiting here.

"Are there any Campbell people inside?"

As the Monarch of Campbell, this was his greatest concern.

The camp commander bowed respectfully and immediately replied.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have checked three times. All survivors are from the Ryan Kingdom, no citizens of the Duchy were found."

Upon hearing this answer, Edward's tense shoulders visibly relaxed a bit, and he immediately asked about his second concern.

"Then, what about the Royal Railway Company's exploration team? Is there any news of them?"

The camp commander's face turned slightly stiff, not daring to make eye contact with the Duke, but still mustered the courage to answer.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have repeatedly confirmed in the survivors' accounts, no one has seen any explorers in uniform. If I may speak frankly... they probably met with misfortune."

Edward fell into silence, his previously relaxed expression once again tinged with a shadow.

"Understood. Go do what you need to do, settle these people well."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The commander of the camp saluted again, then strode back to his post.

After dismissing the camp commander, Edward glanced at Erin and Colin standing at the camp gate, then at the officers behind her.

"Gather everyone, we're having a meeting."

Sir Wesley and Theresa's father nodded respectfully.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

...

Inside the military tent at the center of the camp, the atmosphere was grim.

A military map of the Spinor Earl's Domain was spread out on the table, with several suspected Ratmen nest locations marked in charcoal pencil.

This time, heading to the Spinor Earl's Domain, Edward had set off directly from a banquet at Glanton Castle. He had brought not only his think tank but also the most elite military personnel from the Duchy.

Among them were emerging nobles like Sir Wesley, who rose to prominence during the Winter Moon Coup, as well as traditional nobles like Bertrand, who loyally stood with the Royal Family.

Luo Yan and Erin stood together, also attending this meeting. Edward never treated him as an outsider, neither before nor now.

As the representative of the military, Sir Wesley was the first to break the silence, stating his view on the current situation.

"... The terrain of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range is complex, those rats hide in the deep forest, taking the advantage of the terrain. If we rashly send regular troops into the mountains for a sweep, not only will the supply lines be hard to maintain, but we're also highly susceptible to ambush."

Wesley glanced at Edward's expression and proposed the plan he deemed safest.

"My suggestion is to hire adventurers to form a Mountain Corps for exploratory attacks on the Rot Clan's main caves, while also reinforcing the northern border defenses of Cold Crow City to secure our boundary and block the threat within the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range—"

"That's too slow!"

Erin almost immediately objected.

She placed her hands on the table, her emerald-green eyes burning with intense fire, eager to charge into the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range at once.

"Ladies and gentlemen, while we're holding this meeting, our human clan compatriots are still enduring suffering at the hands of the Ratmen! For every minute we delay here, an innocent life might be lost. The most urgent priority is to rescue them as soon as possible!"

As she spoke, Erin looked at Edward and sincerely said.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead a vanguard of elite troops as the front line—"

"Your Highness! I'm afraid I cannot agree with your reckless plan! Those are Ryan lives, not Campbell's!"

Sir Wesley did not back down simply because his opponent was a princess, responding in a cold and pragmatic tone.

"Campbell's young men have no obligation to fight the Ratmen in the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range to save the neighboring country's captives. They should have their Lion Heart Knight Order rescue them instead!"

"But they are also children of the Holy Light!" Erin did not retreat either, refuting without hesitation, "Facing enslavement by an alien race, we have the duty to stand up! Whether Campbell people or Ryan people, we are all part of the Human Clan!"