It is now half past 3 in the afternoon. It has been 30 minutes since the recon teams left. Ryu was right now drawing out the topography of the area with AI’ assistance. Ryu was good at mapping as was one of the survival skills he learnt from his 2nd elder brother who joined a military college. Scattered across the table he worked on were drawings of the fortress and immediate surroundings, paper work for new requirements and facilities, defence plans and a paper on discussion of the name of the group and its banner.

Tolle was assisting Ryu with the documents as he briefed the details. Other than Tolle there were 02 others. Vice of the logistics team Li Lin who was a female Chinese and Salman Ubaid a male Turk, who was the head of the Engineers.

After drawing out a simple map, Ryu passed it to Lin to make copied of and she quickly left. Remaining in the room were Salman and Tolle as they stood by the table and waited on Ryu.

[So, explain to be simply, what we need to do for defence of the fort, in order of priority]

Ryu who was leaning back on his chair with his eye closed, spoke these words to Salman.

[Commander, the fort still requires facilities like a foundry and smithy as well as more stores for supplies. Additionally, portable cranes and larger wagons are needed for setup of the obstacles outside the fort]

[I see. I will head down to the plaza after a while to prepare the wagons. As for the buildings, bring me a rough sketch to give me an idea of what you need]

[Understood. By your leave]

[Tolle, are the combat plans ready? What are the expect-able scenarios?]

After Salman left, Ryu immediate got into discussion of combat plans with Tolle. Ryu’s first concerns was preparing combat contingencies. Tolle had led discussions with the leaders of the combat platoons and drafted out 4 possible action plans. He and Ryu spent an hour in review and discussion of the plans.

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A distance away, Recon patrol 3 was heading in the direction of the Elven Kingdom. The dungeon was to the north were patrol 12 went to explore.

Along the way the patrol collected various plants and fungi as well as minerals that they spotted. This was as per instruction from the Lieutenant Commander to building information on the ecology and environment.

As they pass 30 minutes from operations, the patrol is now 3 kilometers from their starting point. They have come across a stream which the patrol stops for rest and review of the route. As they had progressed, a detailed topography was being drawn out.

[Hey! Found something here!]

One of the solders call out. Patrol leader Albert makes his way to the solder has he points to an unconscious person lying near the base of a tree.

Cautiously Albert instructs the solder to approach and verify the status of the person.

The solder closes in and confirms that the person is breathing. Albert moves in closer. Behind him 2 more solders stand alert and ready.

Albert unable to verify nor inquire, has it moved to camp. He orders half the team to remain as he leads the others to complete the reconnaissance.

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Leaving Patrol 03, Patrol 07 has come across a road block.

They had come across what appears to be the remnants of a battle of monsters. They found various carcasses of monsters and several destroyed trees and boulders. The stench was truly horrible.

The leader of the platoon, orders the collection of some carcasses to take back to base and orders their retreat. He determines that further progression is impossible.

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With Patrol 03 having found another worldly inhabitant, albeit unconscious and Patrol 07 retreating from inspection of a battle ground. The situation of Patrol 10 was in some sense, unique.

What appeared before them was no monster. There was no physique to speak of. They heard laughter, but no words. They saw what appeared to be orbs of light in a luscious basin that was easily several hundreds of meter wide with a slanted slope leading down almost 50 meters deep.

No knowing what was before them, this team too decide to retreat back to base to report.

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It was now the 3 mark for the end of recon operations. 10 of the 12 patrols had returned with only Patrol 12 and Patrol 05 unaccounted for.

The findings of the recon teams were abundant. Several heaps of flora, fauna, ores, minerals, liquids and carcasses were brought. Ryu quickly distributed them out to the logistics and newly summoned scientists and alchemists to research them. He also instructed AI to conduct its own research.

Now only, Ryu remaining concern is the status of the 02 unaccounted patrols. Ryu orders the other patrols to rest and share their logs and topography later.

After the patrols were dismissed, Ryu refers to Tolle.

[Tolle, what do you think are the chances that the patrol may not return?]

[There stands an 80% chance that they may not. However, logic dictates that monsters will holler out a scream if engaged]

[I see. But, if what they faced what not a monster but a mutant plant. There would not be any noise to alert us]

[ … That is indeed possible]

[Tolle, please prepare teams to standby. I would prefer to know what had happened to them and will need to dispatch people again]

[Understood]

Just as Ryu makes a decision and instructs Tolle to prepare accordingly, a massive roar is heard from the north of the forest.

This gave Ryu the raise to the worst case premonition. He and Tolle run up to the rampart of the northern wall to see what happened.

For their surprise, they find that the Patrol 12 is returning. They had looked battered and had come from a bitter battle.

Ryu orders the defences to stand alert and rushes to the gate to meetup with the returning Patrol.

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[Apologies Commander. We are late. Situation Report. Encountered monsters. A hoard of them. One confirmed demon as well. Lost 4 personnel. 02 more seriously injured. All findings of recon are accounted for]

The patrol leader spoke in short breaths. He was visibly extremely exhausted, but as Ryu, the commander had come to them, he reported without delay.

[Understood. Now take an immediate short rest. When you recover to a modest amount, report back to be more details. Tolle, order the garrison to prepare for combat. Northern front may have a battle later]

[Understood]

[COMMANDER!]

A shout came from the southern wall.

Ryu and Tolle rush over.

[Patrol 05 has been spotted. They seem to be towing something over!]

A soldier reports to them. Patrol 05 was still at the forest edge and were slow paced. Ryu immediate orders a cavalry patrol to move out and assist the recon patrol. Ryu and Tolle move to the central plaza to wait for their return.

Not long after the group arrives in front of Ryu, Tolle and the gathered heads of various departments and Platoons.

The solders tow in a large wagon. Leader of Patrol 05 reports to Ryu.

[Commander this was found abandoned in the forest. No habitants found within 1 kilometer vicinity. It was 5 kilometers from base. Apologies for the delay]

[Acknowledged. What is inside?]

[There seems to be a lot of books, samples and small vials. We deduce that it belongs to either an alchemist or a magician. We were unable to decipher much from its items]

[I see. Tolle have the items moved into my office and arrange for some researches to work with me on these later. And following on Patrol 12’s situation moves the entire fort to combat ready alert]

Just as Ryu finishes giving these orders. A sound of a Chinese bell is heard in his head and a thunderstorm unexpectedly moves over the fortress. And Ryu’s premonition alerts goes into overdrive.