"Lady Rime has no tolerance for the weak, and losers are weak."

Kase continued, "In the worst-case scenario, even other followers will hunt down the losers as sacrificial offerings.

So if they haven’t achieved their goal yet, they’re not inclined to flee. However, they might run if they’re cornered with no way out."

Colin interjected, "Is there any way to avoid the Druids’ reconnaissance when we attack? It would at least reduce our disadvantage a bit. Rushing into a stronghold they’ve been fortifying for who knows how long is definitely not a good idea."

"In the forest? Do you think—ARGH!"

The Elf was halfway through his sentence when the Plated Armor Strongman, who hadn’t spoken, suddenly gripped his shoulder. The guy immediately shut up.

"Stop making trouble."

The Mage glanced at the Elf, then continued, "The forest is the Druids’ home turf. We can’t just kill every little animal we see."

Colin lowered his head and thought for a moment.

"So, since we know they haven’t fled, it means our opponents can’t interfere with our ability to locate them. At the same time, we can’t get rid of their spies. That means a head-on confrontation is next.

Also, according to the intel, Blights can’t spread their seeds over long distances. So as long as we take care of the Druids, we’ll be in the clear."

Colin paused.

At this, the few people in the room sighed in unison.

The Mage scratched his head and added, "It would be great if we had a few more High-tier Casters here. I’m not skilled in Prophecy Magic myself."

’This mission is pretty tricky,’ Colin thought.

Wiping out the stronghold would be easy enough, but killing every single one of the Frostland Druids is another matter entirely.

After all, these guys can turn into rats and scatter when pushed into a corner. If even one Druid escapes with Blight seeds, all our efforts will be for nothing.

"So, based on those two points, our only option is to press forward and charge straight into the Druids’ stronghold for a decisive battle. It would be best if you guys could find them directly and carry out a decapitation strike."

The Plated Armor Strongman reached out and knocked on the tabletop.

He continued, "Then you will command the field personnel against the Blights, while we focus on the Druids."

"Me?" Colin pointed to his own cheek. "I’ll be in command?"

"You’ve already established your prestige, and your combat experience is solid. You’re the best choice."

As the Plated Armor Strongman spoke, the Halfling also came over and patted Colin’s forearm. "Go on, kid. There’s no one better for the job right now."

Rendered somewhat speechless, Colin silently nodded.

He’d spent his whole life studying and had never even been a class monitor, yet now, based on a few words, he had to command over forty people in a life-or-death battle.

"So, let’s just take it one step at a time."

After saying that, the Mage took out a bandolier.

On it were eight pockets with buckles, each holding a fist-sized clay pot.

"This is ’Blazing Fire Glue.’ The moment a pot breaks, the contents will ignite. You can have these for emergencies."

Colin shot Kase a look, and the Half-Orc immediately fastened the bandoliers over his shoulder. He was in dire need of a Flame Attack.

"And about the Blights—aside from the two types we’ve already encountered, there are also stronger Vine Blights and Tree Blights. We’re sure we won’t run into those two, right?"

"There will only be some Vine Blights. I can confirm that," the Elf said.

Colin nodded. "Then it’s settled."

After that, the group discussed a few more trivial matters before calling the village chief to gather the other Adventurers.

The two of them stood with the members of the Gray Squad, watching the crowd assemble.

Once most of the Adventurers had arrived, the Plated Armor Strongman shouted, "We’re moving out to complete our mission! You will be under Colin’s command. I trust you haven’t forgotten this Mage’s performance yesterday, turning the tide of battle?"

The crowd of people standing below broke into laughter.

Colin gave a small wave, acknowledging them.

With the rough arrangements made, the group set off immediately.

Everyone held their weapons at the ready, advancing along the small path.

To prevent the Druids from launching a counter-ambush on the village, the Elf left his raven behind.

Although he was in command, Colin didn’t really need to do much.

Members skilled in close-quarters combat voluntarily took up positions on the outside, while those with ranged experience walked on the inside of the formation.

Everyone remained vigilant, watching their surroundings for any sign of movement to avoid being ambushed.

The fact that they were field personnel for the City Watchers showed that this group of Adventurers was actually quite capable—at least, they were certainly better than the desperate types who could only call themselves Adventurers by picking up a stick.

"Why do you have such a big problem with that Elf?"

Colin walked up beside Kase and asked in a low voice. It wasn’t like there was anything else to do while they were traveling.

"Because they’re a bunch of little bastards created by a bastard God."

Once on this topic, Kase became much more talkative. "When the world was created, the God of humans, the God of Dwarves, and all the other Gods were choosing lands for their children. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Then the Elf Deity, acting on his own, divided up all the land before the Deity of Destruction arrived! He even said that Orcs were a race of chaos and destruction and that we didn’t deserve a place to live! He even started a pointless divine war with the Deity of Destruction!"

Up ahead, the Elf’s pointed ears twitched.

He turned back and cursed, "Isn’t that exactly what the Orcs are doing in the northeast?"

"That’s different! If we had our own land, it wouldn’t be like this!"

"Give me a break. Your mongrel god was born from destruction, destined to throw everything into chaos. What gives you the right to be on equal footing with other mortals?"

Kase rolled up his sleeves and yelled, "Then let’s see if you can stand on equal footing with me!"

"Perfect, I’ll just make a necklace out of your teeth... ARGH!"

The Mage up front smacked the Elf on the back of the head. "Gentlemen, must I remind you that a group of brain-dead environmentalists is waiting for us not far from here? Are you sure you want to kill each other right now?"

"Let’s just say it’s my fault, alright?" Colin also pulled Kase’s sleeves back down.

Only then did the two of them slowly calm down.

Colin finally let out a sigh of relief.

To him, listening to the two of them bicker about "divine wars" and "Gods dividing the land" felt a little surreal. He figured it was probably something like a deep-seated national or ancestral feud.

Kase had been quite reasonable when facing that old human veteran, so Colin felt there might really be something to his grievances.

’In any case, it’s probably best to avoid asking about these things in the future.’

As the group advanced, the surrounding environment began to change.

The small path underfoot gradually faded into a barely discernible animal trail. The once-normal soil started to turn black and soft, as if saturated with some kind of slime.

The thickets growing between the trees became denser, and many of the bushes appeared completely withered and dead.

According to the Dwarves’ intelligence, Twig Blights could perfectly disguise themselves as bushes.

Under Colin’s command, every dead-looking bush was shot with an arrow or two to see if it would move.

With this sweep, which was quite literally a case of treating every plant as an enemy, they actually managed to root out a few Twig Blights.

Finally, the Plated Armor Strongman at the very front held up a hand.

"Halt," Colin also raised his hand, shouting the order to those around him.

At the commander’s order, the entire column came to an immediate stop.