“Since you have already arrived, I will move right to the deal,” said Ned, taking a stick and pointing it at the ground. He started drawing different objects moments later.

“Right now, we are here,” said Ned, pointing at the thing, looking like a tree.

“This is the front lines, and our and enemy forts,” said Ned, pointing on the big line and square objects.

It took only five minutes for him to finish his self-made map.

“Before we discuss our plan of action, Nora, please tell us everything that you saw on your way here. What is the overall situation on the captured territory? How often do nagas attack?” asked Ned, bombarding her with a series of questions. Other scouts also moved their glances at her, wishing to learn some new information.

“Well, it’s unstable. Though, our forces captured many forts and started burning and drying the swamps, its rate is still slow, comparing to the rate we push back nagas. Small groups of nagas attacked our escort several times, and I also heard that they also attacked several supply caravans.”

“What about scout groups that left forts several weeks ago? How many of them returned and what they tell about our enemy?” asked Ainz.

“We didn’t have time to talk with them, but I learned some information from a scout group that escorted us here,” said Nora, “In short, those scouts tell that it’s almost impossible to pass through the naga defense line in the center. They tried different approaches, but enemies protected all potential routes. Only a few of the most experienced found a way how to pass through unnoticed while others had to look for the weak parts to try their luck. But, after several attempts, nagas increased their defenses and sent their own groups, led by several of their shamans. As a result, many suffered casualties and retreated,” explained Nora, moving her glance from Ned at Ainz. The scout seemed to nod and touched his chin, thinking about something.

“What about the next attack on the enemy lines?” asked Robert.

“I am not sure, but it looks like it will only happen in a week from today. Right now, more and more forces arrive at the forts each day.” The scout group quickly exchanged glances with each other when they heard her. They concentrated their attention on Ned, with obvious questions in their eyes.

“Wasn’t our failed attempt enough for you or do you want to lose another group?” asked Ned, looking at his people." Looks like we will have to wait for another week."

Scouts nodded and returned their glances at Nora.

Theo and others also noticed this interaction and realized what most likely happened with the previous water porter’s group. They most likely died in their attempt to pass through the enemy defenses.

“Since, we have already failed several times, trying to pass through enemy defense lines, we would better wait for the army attack. It would be much easier,” said Ned. Robert, Ainz, Miko, and Riko nodded, agreeing with him while Raimund showed a displeased expression on his face.

“Captain, if we do so, we will lose to other independent scout groups. I am sure at least several of them have already passed through the center of the swamps and slowly approach the fields where they can start harassing enemy supply lines. We risk losing that award,” said Raimund, remind to his comrades about one important thing. Instantly other scouts changed their expressions and looked at Ned, waiting for his decision.

“I know, Raimund. But, it’s better to keep our lives than lose them in exchange for that. Besides, we don’t know what to expect after we pass through the center of the swamps. We will try our luck next time when the main army would distract most of the enemy forces,” said Ned, looking at the Raimund. His subordinate seemed to be displeased, but changed his expression when he heard his next words," For now, we will concentrate on hunting and make sure we have enough merit points for that."

“Yes!” exclaimed Raimund. “At least we will kill some of those bastards.”

Scouts and water porters just continued to look at the joyful Raimund with different expressions on their faces. Some were amused, while others felt embarrassed.

...

..

.

Several hours later, Raimund was dashing through the small sturdy surface, stopping for several moments to launch an arrow or two at the group of nagas behind him. Dirt covered his clothes, while around ten or twelve nagas chased him, making sounds that seemed to threaten and laughing ones.

He was their prey.

Jumping through another log, Raimund turned and moved in a certain direction when he saw several tall trees there. They could help him solve his current difficult situation.

So, it didn’t take long for him to increase his speed in that direction while nagas quickly exchanged glances among each other and following Raimund.

A short time later, when Raimund passed through several trees, he saw he had no more way to go. There was only dirty water in front of him.

Realizing his precarious situation, Raimund released a sigh before turning and looking at the quickly approaching nagas. He raised his bow, aiming the closest one while nagas have already started smiling as they looked at him.

However, they didn’t attack right away, letting one naga take his word.

“Human, give up, you have no way to go,” said the naga, sipping, “If you give up, we promise to leave you alive.”

The naga wanted to say something more when Raimund interrupted her.

“How many humans have you already scammed, naga?” asked Raimund with an indifferent expression on his face.

The naga smiled, realizing that his trick didn’t work.

“You could be the 9th one. But, it’s a pity that it didn’t work for you. It could make things much easier for us,”

“Idiots,” said Raimund, clenching his bow, and moments later he unleashed his arrow while nagas started approaching him.

In short, the situation looked dangerous, but when nagas passed through a certain threshold, a smile appeared on Raimund’s lips as he looked at nagas.

Several moments later, something happened with trees and they fell behind the nagas, blocking their way back. Several figures appeared on other trees, and moments later ballista-like arrows appeared on the battlefield.

“Ambush!” cried the same naga while his subordinates stopped and turned in different directions.

In short, human archers appeared on the trees behind and on their flanks, and it didn’t take long for their arrows to appear and begin killing them. Besides, the naga also noticed that several figures also appeared near to Raimund and a glance at them was enough to see several spells that were aiming at them.

The naga released a tired sigh before gathering his breath and roaring moments later.

His roar took scouts and water porters back for a semi-second, but they quickly continued their business when many bubbles started appearing in the water.

Right now they were fighting a top of the small island with several trees, surrounded by water from 3 sides.

While they continued to deal with the nagas they ambushed, sudden sounds started coming from the surrounding water.

Sending another fireball, Theo turned to look at the source of the sound. A surprise appeared on his face when he saw another group of around 15 nagas appear in the surrounding waters. Those nagas were covered in a thick layer of dirt but move out quickly as if it couldn’t interrupt them in their movements. Besides, there was a unique-looking naga, holding an object similar to staff, commanding them. He was their shaman, and it didn’t take long for his object to glow as he pointed at his subordinates. With each second, he blessed more and more nagas, strengthening them.

The appearance of the new enemy group made everyone realize what was happening. Raimund also concentrated his attention on the naga he was talking to, only to notice his sly smile.

It was an ambush in the ambush.

They thought they lured a group of enemy nagas to a certain position where they could easily deal with them, but in reality that naga just let them lure his people to lure them in their own ambush. Only now, Raimund and others realized how enormous advantages these nagas have here in the swamps.

Understanding their precarious situation, Ned’s voice resounded across the battlefield.

“Kill the ambushed nagas as soon as possible. Raimund, Nora, and other water porters try to slow down their shaman and other nagas as long as you can,” cried Ned, gathering his battle energy and sending another ballista-like arrow at the ambushed nagas.

Other scouts mirrored his action and unleashed their firepower at them while Raimund released a tired sigh before turning at the shaman.

He and water porters needed no more orders and already started fighting with nagas.

Theo quickly chanted several fireballs and sent them at the closest naga while Leonardo unleashed his icicles at the shaman to interrupt him from giving blessings. Nora, Bell, and Ryan moved out to meet nagas in a melee while Robin unleashed his arrows at the shaman to assist Leonardo.

A short time later, around 7 nagas were busy fighting with Nora and other melee fighters while Theo successfully killed one naga, using “Firestorm”. His strong fire snake just melted that naga in mere seconds.

His comrades, and especially Nora, were surprised when they saw that spell and realized Theo’s affinity to fire. Now they knew he was keeping his strength when he fought against the puppet in the arena.

Though, they made some progress and already killed several nagas other nagas free from combat roared and threw their tridents, aiming at Theo and other long-distance fighters.

An earth shield appeared in front of Theo to save him and Leonardo that was close to him, while Raimund just evaded the trident. However, Robin was a bit late and ended up with an injured hand, unable to continue the battle.

A short time later, they started their attack, increasing the pressure on them.

Nora, Bell, Ryan, and others tried their best to hold the enemy, but their shaman was like a needle in the ass, increasing nagas’ overall forces and helping them to push water porters back. Only Nora, as a silver knight, continued to fight in her original spot near the shore.

Such battle continued for another ten minutes. Water porters and Raimund gathered their forces to kill one or two nagas while Nora, Bell, and Ryan held the enemy. Besides, when Theo joined hands with Leonardo, the enemy shaman had much less time to give blessings.

However, it wasn’t enough and slowly nagas pushed Nora back, and at a certain moment, one of them even injured her hand with his trident.

Bell and Ryan also had light injuries and were away from Nora to help her when several nagas attacked her at once.

In short, the situation was dire. Nora was holding a lot of nagas and without her everything here would change.

Theo and Leonardo started chanting a certain spell, hoping to help her, but it was already late.

Naga’s trident was quickly approaching towards Nora’s back and when it was already a half meter away from her, a sudden boom resounded around her.

Several ballista-like arrows appeared, hitting those nagas, sending Nora in the short flight away while nagas lost significant parts of their bodies.

Ned, Robert, Ainz, Miko, and Riko appeared behind Theo and others and unleashed several of their ballista-like arrows, quickly changing the flow of battle.

Realizing that Nora was already safe, Theo pointed a certain direction to Leonardo, and a moment later, two one-meter-long ice spears appeared from the ground, aiming at the shaman.

The enemy shaman easily evaded from the ice spear that appeared from the front by jumping back. But it was his last mistake because he himself jumped at the ice spear, nailing himself to it.

With the appearance of the scouts, the battle was over and it didn’t take long for Theo and others to finish with most of the naga, letting only two injured nagas escape by jumping back into the dirty water.

...

..

.

A short time later, when scouts and water porters finished gathering their proof, they gathered around injured Nora and Robin to discuss the results.

“So, what do you think?” asked Ned, with a serious expression on his face.

“They made us, captain,” said Raimund, “It has been a long time since someone lured us in such traps. Nagas know the swamps as their back fingers. It’s highly disadvantageous for us to fight here against them,”

“Looks like they prepared that trap a long time ago, and those nagas were just waiting for a signal. Who knows, how many more traps like that are hidden here in the swamps. Now, I see why headquarters are burning the swamps,” said Ainz.

“We have underestimated nagas and forgot that they could stay inside the cold water for a long period,” said Robert.

Miko and Riko said nothing and just nodded, agreeing with Robert.

Ned spent several moments listening to the opinions of his comrades before turning and looking at the slowly recuperating Nora.

“What do you think?”

“It’s an excellent lesson for all of us not only not to underestimate nagas but also not to underestimate their shamans.”

Ned and other scouts nodded to her words before Ned moved his glance at Theo and Leonardo.

“What are your names, boys,” asked Ned, looking at them.

His question was like an official recognition, and Raimund and others just couldn’t call them by nicknames anymore.

“Theo,”

“Leonardo,”

Ned nodded to their words and smiled a moment later.

“That fire snake was very strong, Theo,” said Ned with a smile on his lips. “Besides, that last attack against a shaman, using ice spears was also spectacular. Keep it up, boys.”

After exchanging several words with them, Ned turned and looked at his subordinate

“Now, let’s decide what to do next.”