Chapter 66

The procession soon entered the cave that could be considered the entrance to the 4th peak. Although it was the fourth peak from the center, this huge peak had dozens of large and small peaks attached to it, making its scale different from the other peaks.

Inside the cave walls, minerals were embedded between the rocks, glittering, and the humid atmosphere became stronger, but the air inside became quite cool.

From the ceiling of the cave, water dripped, forming stalactites and stalagmites. Clearly, it was a lava cave, but when the appearance of limestone flowing down, which could only be seen in limestone caves, was observed, the geological investigators found it strange.

When Hugo looked back, the members seemed quite tired, having traversed the path at a relentlessly fast pace. Moreover, the distances between the processions were also uneven. Thinking that it would be good to reorganize at this point, Hugo checked the watch on his wrist and opened his mouth.

"Attention. After the commanders check and report the personnel of each unit, put down your luggage, and the investigators and scout personnel should immediately carry out their assigned tasks. The remaining personnel should take a break and complete the reorganization, and reassemble here exactly thirty minutes from now."

"Yes, understood!"

At Hugo's command, the lower-ranking commanders flew to the back of the procession to spread this news. The members at the front finally smiled with joy as if they had survived, put down their luggage, and moved in unison again after the mid-level commanders' personnel check.

The investigators and scout members took their various sample collection tools and scattered to their designated locations, followed by the escort personnel. It wasn't a complete rest, but at least it would be better than endless marching.

Hugo, who was looking around, immediately flew to the back, grasped the situation of the procession, and checked the rear personnel. However, the rear escort personnel had not yet arrived.

With Leonardo there, no matter how much of a Sigal it was, it didn't seem like a difficult opponent, but as it took longer than expected, he became a little worried. And at that moment, as if Hugo's worries were unfounded, their voices were heard from the back of the cave, getting closer and closer.

"It's really amazing, amazing. Did you see that thing that wasn't even visible?"

"Commander, I understand, but you need to go and report quickly!"

Delua's exaggerated high-pitched voice echoed, followed by Marlen's exhausted voice. There, the 6th Battalion members and Leonardo were approaching at a fast flying speed.

They were talking so joyfully that it was hard to believe they had just come from slaying monsters, but eventually, they noticed Hugo's presence and shut their mouths. Then, they swiftly descended in front of him and stood in line.

However, Delua, who was standing at the very front, still reported to Hugo with a beaming face and a lively tone.

"Loyalty, 6th Battalion Commander Delua Rivera and 32 others. We were in charge of escorting the rear procession and have completed the extermination of about fifty Drocs and nine Sigals. I hereby report. Blaine blew them all away!"

Hugo glanced at Leonardo behind, but the person at the center of the topic was only looking around the cave interior, as if the glittering ores were interesting to observe.

Then, suddenly turning his gaze to the front and making eye contact with Hugo, he quickly turned his head indifferently, hiding his embarrassed expression. Seeing that, Hugo thought it was a good decision to pair Delua with him.

The Leonardo that Hugo saw never acted in a threatening manner towards those who praised him or showed goodwill. Also, given Delua's lively personality, it seemed like she would constantly talk to Leonardo, helping him blend in with the members.

As a result, it seemed his prediction was spot on, so Hugo smiled faintly and said to Delua, Marlen, some of the 6th Battalion's escort personnel, and Leonardo in front of him,

"Good work, everyone. It must not have been an easy opponent, but you fought well."

Delua responded to Hugo's encouragement with a bright smile. However, Marlen, the deputy commander, looked around and carefully asked Hugo while watching the members who were scattered and doing their respective tasks at the front.

"Excuse me, Commander. Are we very late by any chance?"

"That's not the case, so don't worry. We're currently conducting a brief exploration and reorganizing."

At that moment, Leonardo, who had been looking elsewhere, turned his gaze to Hugo and said,

"Oh, then I want to do some personal exploration too."

At the somewhat abrupt-sounding words, Hugo slightly raised one eyebrow and asked, looking at him,

"...Personal exploration? What are you trying to do?"

"There are many minerals here that I'm seeing for the first time, so I want to take a few. It's a national land, so normally we can't even enter freely, but it should be fine to that extent in return for exterminating the monsters, right?"

Usually, when ordinary mages or specific guilds were involved in the Council's missions as a concept of service, it was a principle to pay 1.2 times the standard mission execution amount. In Leonardo's case, since he came on the condition of pardoning the problems he had caused in the Imperial Capital and being released, there was no payment in terms of amount.

However, from a moral perspective, that point had been weighing on Hugo's mind. So, after pondering a bit at Leonardo's words, he thought it would be better to let him do as he wished, at least in this aspect, and soon lightly nodded his head.

"Alright, I'll allow that much. But you can't go alone."

At Hugo's words, Leonardo slightly frowned.

"Then?"

"I'll go with you! Let's go together, Blaine."

Delua smiled and clung to Leonardo in a friendly manner. At that, Marlen glared at Delua and opened her mouth.

"Commander, we also need to manage and reorganize our battalion members. It's not possible."

As Marlen firmly stopped her, Hugo also added as if agreeing,

"Deputy Commander Diaz is right. Delua, you should take care of your battalion members."

Delua showed a slightly disappointed expression but soon readily accepted it and answered with a relaxed face,

"Understood. Blaine, see you later!"

Waving her hand at Leonardo with a smile, she went ahead with Marlen and the 6th Battalion members to join the rest of the battalion. Then, Leonardo, who was left alone with Hugo, asked Hugo with an ominous expression,

"Don't tell me you're going to accompany me, are you?"

"Why, is there a reason why I can't?"

"..."

As Leonardo's expression became more crumpled, Hugo laughed, finding that face quite amusing.

"Unfortunately, I have a lot of work to do, so I don't think I can accompany you. Instead, I'll assign someone else to you."

At the mention of someone else, Leonardo sighed in relief as if it was a blessing in disguise. Hugo stared at him intently, pressed the button on the communication device, and said,

"Flynn, come to the very back of the procession."

Instantly, Leonardo's eyes widened, and he asked Hugo again,

"You're telling him to watch over me?"

"Yes."

Hugo answered nonchalantly. From what Hugo had felt, Flynn and Leonardo had some level of goodwill towards each other, so he was the most suitable for the role of surveillance, excluding himself.

Eventually, Flynn, who had been at the front, flew quickly and approached the two people at the very back of the procession. Flynn paused for a moment upon seeing Leonardo but didn't show it much.

"You called for me?"

As Flynn spoke to Hugo as if nothing had happened, Hugo gently pushed him, who had come close, next to Leonardo.

"Keep a close eye on this guy."

"...Pardon?"

Flynn asked back in surprise, alternately looking at Hugo and Leonardo. However, Hugo spoke to Leonardo as if he didn't care about Flynn's reaction.

"Flynn will stick by your side and monitor you to see if you're doing anything that could cause problems and if you're not going too far. I'll entrust the control over you to him, so move under Flynn's supervision. If you follow this well, I'll allow a certain amount of ore collection."

Having someone assigned as surveillance wasn't a pleasant thing, but since he could achieve his goal, Leonardo nodded as if he would comply.

As he agreed, Flynn looked at Hugo with a confused face that seemed to say, 'Commander, what about my opinion?' However, his trusted superior only lightly patted his shoulder.

"Go together."

Flynn's mouth twitched as if he had a lot to say. Then, he glanced at Leonardo, who was looking at him indifferently with his arms crossed, and soon answered Hugo in resignation.

"...Understood."