While three drones were monitoring the target area from above, three other drones were scouting the surroundings from a distance, each one circling the area along the animal trails leading to the goblin settlement.
As he observed the goblin settlement from the air, Paul spotted several green monsters moving through the forest toward the settlement. Quickly, Paul said, "Group of goblins spotted," then, turning to Kruger, he added, "South, heading toward the goblin settlement."
Hearing that, Kruger replied, "Roger," and repeated the report into the mic.Upon hearing Kruger's report through the mic, Iron Fist (Front Command) immediately responded, "This is Iron Fist. South Fang, assign three Wanderers (Adventurer Squads) to intercept and eliminate the goblin group. Make sure none of them reach the goblin settlement. (Note: the eight guard posts are still hidden from the goblin settlement.) Over."
With those words, South Fang (Southern Striker) replied, "This is South Fang. We received the order. Over."Afterward, Paul saw three adventurer parties moving south toward the approaching goblin group.While watching the adventurers set up a trap for the goblins, Paul shifted his focus to the two other drones flying farther out.
Spotting another group of goblins, Paul reported, "Found, goblin group... north."Kruger quickly relayed the message through the microphone.
Following that, one by one, more groups of goblins began appearing from the forest, moving toward the goblin settlement from all directions.After several goblin groups had been exterminated (at least around forty groups), the eight guard posts returned to a calm and silent state.
After Paul confirmed that no more goblin groups had appeared, Kruger spoke into the mic with a serious tone, "This is Iron Crown. Iron Fist, report status."
Upon receiving the request, Brunhild (Front Command) replied, "This is Iron Fist, reporting. From all guard posts: 25 lightly injured, 9 seriously injured. But they have been treated by the healers we brought from the City."
After a brief pause, Brunhild continued, "As for the damaged supplies, we've lost 56 shields, 145 new polearms, and 97 short swords. Looks like we'll need a lot of supplies for the battle ahead. Over."
Hearing that, Kruger immediately looked at Paul. Paul let out a sigh and said, "What about the Wanderers (adventure party)?"When Kruger conveyed Paul's question, Paul added, "Are they using weapons that have been in the arsenal for a long time?" His tone was filled with confusion.Kruger was momentarily speechless before he immediately responded, "No, Prince. Once a year, veterans or recruits always replace their weapons with new ones. The only exceptions are magic weapons—those obtained through enchantments or dungeon drops." His tone was serious as he explained.
With that answer, Paul became even more confused and asked again, "But why is there so much damage? Are you sure you want to continue this? We still have at least 30 minutes until the Raven unit arrives." He glanced toward the shade of the tree, looking at the position of the sun as he mentally counted the hours.
Hearing that, Kruger responded, "Prince, from the reports I received from the front lines (the goblins that have been exterminated) and from your surveillance notices, there were at least a few special goblins among the 41 separate groups that came to this goblin settlement."
While Paul was deep in thought, Kruger continued, "From the 1206 goblins we managed to exterminate, we found 200 goblin soldiers, 30 Goblin Sorcerers, 12 Goblin Commanders, 74 Goblin Skirmishers, and 7 Goblin Champions." His tone was serious, clearly highlighting the strength of the goblin force they were up against.
As Paul processed the information, Brunhild's voice came over the radio. "This is Iron Fist. There are about 10 parties wanting to return to the capital and abandon the mission. 3 of them: weapons are damaged. 1 of them: seriously injured (still can be saved). 2 of them: lightly injured. Requesting permission to issue ordinary spare weapons (not magic/enchantment) to the adventurers (parties), and to give potions to the injured adventurers. Over."
Upon hearing Paul's nod, Kruger immediately replied into the mic, "Here Iron Crown, request accepted. Also, provide weapons and potions to the adventurers free of charge. The main priority is to exterminate the goblins. However, make sure they continue with the mission and do not abandon it. Over." His tone remained serious and authoritative.
Brunhild's voice came through shortly after, "This is Iron Fist, command received. Over."
After the communication was finished, Paul turned to Greta and said, 'Greta, take this to Brunhild. Give her everything she needs.' While taking the electromagnetic rifle, coilgun (Rifle), Thermal Scope, ammunition, and Thermal Imaging Binoculars from the spatial bag, Paul gave the spatial bag to Greta.
After Greta took her spatial bag, she did a knight salute and said, 'Yes...' and was about to leave."
Before leaving, Paul called her back by saying, "Ah... wait... I forgot my camouflage suit..." while running towards Greta.
Greta, who was a little confused, looked for the suit that Paul mentioned in her spatial bag and asked, "Hmmm... which one is it, Prince?" while searching with her hand in the spatial bag, as if looking for something (not knowing which item it was).
When Paul remembered that Greta still didn't know about the camouflage suit, he immediately said, "That... the one with lots of grass, on that suit..."
When Greta found it, she immediately took it out, saying, "Oh... this one... I thought this was the suit you forgot to take out (dirty suit)" while taking out her camouflage suit from her spatial bag.
While taking the camouflage suit from Greta, Paul said, "No... this is my special battle suit..." while immediately wearing it.
After wearing his suit and seeing Greta still looking at his clothes with interest, Paul immediately said, "Okay, go away... Brunhild is waiting for you..." while shaking his hand as if shooing her away.
When hearing Paul's words, Greta pouted and said, "Okay..." while turning around and quickly jumping from one tree trunk to another, heading towards the front line.
After attaching the thermal scope to the coilgun rifle, Paul said to Kruger, "Kruger, I leave it to you to command," while smiling at him.
While putting his electromagnetic rifle behind his back (with a belt), Paul threw the Thermal Imaging Binoculars towards Ranya and said, "Renya, come on..." while holding the coilgun (Rifle) with both hands and walking towards higher ground (so that Paul could see/aim at the goblin settlement directly).
After catching the binoculars, Renya was still confused by Paul's words, so she said, "What will you do, Prince?" while looking at the binoculars she had caught.
Hearing that, Paul immediately answered, "Of course, practicing," while looking towards the goblin settlement.
Renya, who must have realized this, still said, "Then, who commanded this extermination?"
Paul answered immediately, "Of course Kruger, right… Kruger?" while looking towards Kruger with his command radio.
When asked like that, Kruger could only sigh, stand up, and say, "Of course, Prince," with a knightly salute.
As Kruger sat back down, Paul looked at Renya and said, "See..." with a smile. As Paul walked back, he said, "Come on, hurry up Renya, we have to find a good position," walking fast.
Renya, who knew that, just slapped her forehead and said, "Prince..." while sighing as if giving up. Renya said, "Okay…" and then walked, following the prince from behind, while holding the binoculars.