A relatively young demon walked through the myriad of trees sprawling all over the forest surrounding him. Some sun rays illuminated his brown cloak, along with his gloves.
His wary steps left footprints in the soil. However, in terms of pattern, they weren't too different from the others…
The lad looked at his footwear.
Casual, yet resistant shoes. They were made in such a way so that the prints they left behind would resemble paws slightly.
The designer had made sure to not make the normally visible parts too… unique. Their ultimate purpose was still camouflaging, after all.
… He came back alive. And if his thoughts were right, then so did his teacher.
"Mission successful…" he uttered. A smile appeared, despite his tiredness.
The demon soon reached a strange tree trunk covered by vines. He removed them, revealing a small hatch.
Underneath the surface, and with its interiors shielded by the sprawling plants from outside, the bars were used by the lone bandit to reach the area hidden in the underground.
A tunnel, illuminated with torches. It led further down the ground, with a wooden door and walls awaiting in the other end.
He walked over, and knocked.
"It's me, Jan. I'm done with the stone quarry."
The soft voice of the kid traversed the walls. It didn't take too long for someone to let him in.
"You're back, at least."
A fiend, surprisingly tall for his age, was the one to open the door. Two sharp eyes, which had to look down to meet the newcomer's gaze, locked onto Jan's skull.
He stood upright. A few years' worth of physical training were very clearly reflected in the toned muscles underneath his brown uniform.
"Phillip."
"Remember, we're having a duel tomorrow." After that, the taller demon didn't reply any further. Instead, he simply walked down a hallway leading to a few rooms. One of these was a large hall where almost two dozen demons swung their weapons at each other.
None of them dared use their Ego. However, the weaker ones were willing to use their own limbs.
"Haaa!"
"Khh…"
Two demons holding wooden weapons stood out from the others. Their sloppier movements contrasted with those from the other individuals in the room, who showed more refined footwork and positioning abilities.
Needless to say, they all wore a variant or another from the standard uniform representing their syndicate: Long brown coats with dark chestnut square-patterns below the knee area, and plain leggings.
Many hung their coats on the walls, showcasing the long-sleeved shirt with the syndicate's square pattern. Others chose the shirt with the short sleeves, but they all ultimately had their uniforms.
… They were quite different from the bandits' uniforms.
Meanwhile, Jan returned to the living quarters of the base.
He strode down a different, quieter hallway. After passing by the infirmary, he arrived.
"Ah, Jan, you're back."
A female demon wearing the syndicate's standard uniform, alongside a small duckling hat on her head, greeted the newcomer. The tired smile of a fighter who had drawn her weapon adorned her face, as violet as her own two eyes.
"Hi, Madine."
With a smile cracking the evident tiredness he felt, Jan sat down on the bottom bed of his bunk.
"Commander Edgar is waiting for you in his office."
"Got it… Hopefully I can nap after this."
"As if, we have training to do today."
Jan groaned. But since protesting any further was pointless, he only did that.
The fiend knew she wasn't the best. However, he knew she was better than him. By an ample margin.
"You should go, don't keep him waiting."
"Right."
Jan left the quarters. The return to the entry area was quick, just like the arrival to the Commander's room.
Located at the end of the first hallway, the office's presence served as a good motivator for anyone in the sparring rooms. In fact, the sparring demons put forth their everything.
Almost as if they were wary of someone silently judging them.
….. The demon knocked on the door twice.
"You may come in," resounded a voice within the room.
He stepped forth into the wooden realm, where his gaze met three figures.
A titan whose indigo hair shone under the light permeating the room. His confidence would have flooded the room with ease, as evidenced by his relaxed posture.
He knew it was all going well.
A figure he was vaguely familiar with sat in front of him.
"Ah, Jan. Good thing you're here. Would you mind reporting your sightings in the quarry?"
"N-now?..." fearfully questioned the youth.
After all, he did recognize the stranger's figure.
… It was their employer.
"Yes, novice. Stop wasting our time and speak," spoke the one sitting behind the titan.
"Chill out Victor, go easy on the kid."
"... As you say, Commander."
The titan urged Jan to speak though an affirming head nod.
"Our trip to the town's stone quarry has confirmed a few things… First off, the quality of their equipment is subpar, at best. The same applies for the abilities of a majority of their soldiers."
The demon took a second to let the three individuals process that information. However, one of them lifted his pale hand.
"I'd like to ask a question."
"G-go ahead."
"How do you justify the recent loss taken by our allies?"
"Uh…" The kid's face paled slightly. He looked away awkwardly.
Victor shook his head, but the leader decided to interject. "You said a majority of them weren't good, correct? What about the remaining minority?"
Jan's eyes widened a little bit. He recomposed himself after understanding the leader's intent.
"There's a few troops whose skill surpasses that of their peers. However, there's only three people like that in the quarry we scouted."
The employer nodded his head. "Understood. Feel free to continue."
The newbie nodded. "In total, we spotted fifteen non-uniformed individuals and ten Shepherd members. Some noteworthy details are that the civilians were unarmed, and that most of their guards were far from accustomed to carrying out tasks involving guarding a target."
"I assume that concludes your report?"
"Yes, Commander."
The well-built titan nodded twice. "In that case, you are dismissed."
"Understood, Commander!"
The newbie left the room hurriedly after bowing down.
"….. Edgar, are you sure you can get this over with?"
The titan's glance went towards his employer. "Of course, Herald Arthur. We'd never dare to betray the confidence that the School's mentors have placed upon us."
The two kept talking for a while, until Edgar had to excuse himself.
"Sorry, I promised some of the newcomers to help them understand the basics of the business…"
He thanked the Herald, and went to practice with three of the younger members in the room.
"... Even he has pupils of his own," muttered the old man.
"Sadly," replied Victor. He stood head-to-head with the Herald, facing him with far more caution than Edgar.
"... How's the plan coming along?"
"Good. He doesn't know a thing."
"When will the bandits attack the town?"
"Approximately in 30 days. Edgar thinks we'll do it in two months."
The employer nodded his head.
"Remember our deal. You get him off my back while they invade that illiterate shithole, we… owe you a favour," voiced Victor solemnly.
They didn't shake hands. The agreement came in the form of silence from both parties.