Heir Of The Supreme

Unlike the prior day, they thankfully didn't encounter any other sizable threats.

Based on Cecelia's data, it was highly likely that the Tristing Queen was an extremely powerful Rank 2... Or even a Rank 3.

If their group had encountered such a creature, it was highly likely that none of them would have survived to tell the tale.

Not only would a Rank 3 Tristing Queen be extremely hard to kill on its own, but its army of drones would have quelled any hope of resistance.

Luckily, the most powerful monster they encountered was another ape-like magical creature similar to the one Lyn had dispatched earlier.

They even managed to come across the fresh corpses of several unknowns, all of which seemed to have died from asphyxiation after passing through a tear.

A sizable puddle of seawater surrounded them, but that was nowhere near enough to meet their needs.

The creatures themselves looked like large fish-like creatures with several rows of needle-like teeth.

Being bitten by one of these abominations would be a similar experience to being trapped in an iron maiden.

Thankfully, they were already dead.

Not only that, but they graciously left their bodies behind.

Some of them even had Rank 2 cores!

After the hell their seven-man group endured yesterday, it seemed that Lady Luck was finally smiling down on them.

It was to the point that they managed to reach their destination ahead of schedule.

"We've arrived."

Hearing Cecelia's announcement, the captains let out a cacophony of sighs.

Reaching the supposed site meant that one-third of their mission was completed.

All that was left was to find the hidden Holy Ruin and return home with the loot.

Having reached the approximate location of their ruin, they didn't have to travel extensively for the next few days at least.

They could even set up a semi-permanent camping ground and use it for the duration of their stay.

No need to constantly unpack and repack their bags either.

Or even carry them around, for that matter.

Walking over to Cecelia, Lyn observed the map on the smart tablet.

They were on the outermost border of the location mapped on the map.

It wouldn't take more than a half-an-hour walk to get from here to the middle and another half an hour from there to reach the other end of the circular border.

"We'll continue until we reach the center and camp there."

After another thirty minutes of walking, the group finally dropped their bags and watched eagerly while Rick set up their shelter.

It was already evening, so it wouldn't be long before the sun dipped past the horizon and heralded the coming of night.

Given how late it was, it was decided that they would begin their search efforts tomorrow and simply take the rest of the day off today.

As they all lazed around in the dirt burrow, a small smile broke out on Ginny's lips.

"Not having anything to carry or do... It's amazing."

Delsie nodded her head.

"Not only that, but we completely hit the jackpot today. Who would have thought that we'd stumble onto free loot?"

Lorie looked at her companions and sighed.

"You guys are far too carefree. Remember... We're still in enemy territory."

Rick turned to Lorie.

"About that... I'm surprised we haven't encountered anyone yet. I was quite sure that we'd meet at least one patrol from Kelon, but surprisingly, we didn't see a soul."

Lorie nodded.

"I share your sentiment."

Delsie raised an eyebrow and looked at the two of them in doubt.

"I understand patrolling the border, but what kind of sane person would willingly traverse this strip of hell? We spent a sizable portion of our trek inside the territory of a swarm of Tristings, for crying out loud."

Agreeing with Delsie, Ginny continued.

"We had trouble as a group of effectively six 2-Stars, so would the Kelon Coalition really send people to patrol here? The area is basically a natural barrier of its own. Not only would it be a waste of men, it would also be dangerous for them."

Hearing Ginny's logical rebuttal, Lorie and Rick couldn't help but agree.

"Sorry. I guess... I'm just a little paranoid," Rick apologized with a tired smile.

"Yeah... There's no point tiring our nerves worrying about problems we don't have," Lorie added.

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While it was good to be cautious, being overly cautious was also harmful.

Sometimes, it was simply better to count their blessings.

As they chatted, the hungrily gobbled up their dinner before huddling around Cecelia's tablet.

"For an area this big... It could be anywhere," Rick sighed.

Since it was undiscovered all this time, there was a high chance the Ruins were located underground.

Meaning... It would be Rick's job to help them unearth it.

Unlike his fellow Captains, Rick's workload would only increase from here.

At this point, he was beginning to suspect that the army was a black company.

But... The pay was good.

Thinking about his siblings, who he'd had practically raised with his earnings from the military, Rick couldn't help but think his suffering was somewhat justified.

Some siblings were already taking part-time jobs to help their families stay afloat.

If he quit the army, everything would fall apart.

For that reason alone, Rick needed to continue his job no matter how tough or gruelling it got.

On top of that... He also had Delsie here too.

Sensing his thoughts, the others threw him sympathetic looks.

After this was over, they would surely treat their war hammer-wielding friend to a nice meal.

Once they all returned home safe and sound.

***

As the group were chatting peacefully, not too far away from their camp, a man wearing a camo-coloured uniform stepped out from behind a tree.

Coldly looking down at the layer of dirt acting as the dirt burrow's ceiling, he pulled out a handheld radio and pressed a button on it.

As a small red light lit up on the device, he pulled up to his mouth.

"Start the operation."