"We have to strike first, but… what I'm worried about now is, since the Demon Race is already acting abnormally, could it mean…"
Wirbel's expression grew heavier, so Fíliya cut in.
"Are you trying to say that the demons on the other side… have something like a 'tactician'?"
"Yes, it's the only way to think about it right now."
Wirbel nodded.
"Huh? No way… Aren't all demons those incredibly arrogant fools who look down on humans from the bottom of their hearts and only know how to attack head-on? The war between humans and demons has gone on for many years, and there's never been any record of them using 'tactics'…"
Ehre seemed to realize the gravity of the situation, her face showing a hint of hesitation.
The average strength of the Demon Race is far greater than that of humans. Under these circumstances, there are only two reasons humans can still fight against them.
1. Humanity's level of organization, or rather their unity, is far superior to that of the Demon Race.
2. The Demon Race is a group of brutes who are supremely conceited about their individual strength and impossibly arrogant, which is why they often get taken out by human cunning.
But if a 'tactician' were to emerge among the demons, the balance of power between our races would be completely shattered, and humanity would face a catastrophic defeat.
A demon with a brain… That's too terrifying…
Ehre subconsciously put her hands on her head.
…The atmosphere grew suffocating for a moment. Of course, this suffocation was only visible on the faces of Wirbel and Miss Ehre.
Fíliya, on the other hand, looked excited, lost in some pleasant thought.
Suddenly, Miss Ehre seemed to think of something else. Her expression stiffened, and she asked in a trembling voice.
"D-Don't tell me it's a greater demon? Like the kind you read about in books… A greater demon on the level of the Seven Sages of Destruction has come here?"
In response to Miss Ehre's concern, Fíliya simply exchanged a slow glance with Wirbel, and then they shook their heads in tacit understanding.
"Quite the opposite."
Fíliya sighed and placed a hand on Miss Ehre's little head, then slid her palm down to the nape of her neck, grabbing it.
The sudden action made Miss Ehre's skin crawl, but Fíliya paid no mind to her reaction and simply continued speaking her thoughts.
"If there really were some greater demon on the other side, it would have come over and slaughtered us all by itself long ago. Even if they have a 'tactician,' the arrogant nature of the Demon Race is impossible to change."
"Because 'tactics' are something the weak created out of necessity to overcome the strong… In other words, in the eyes of that 'tactician' over there, it doesn't believe it can win through a direct confrontation."
"To put it another way, our opponent isn't strong… at least not in terms of raw power. And as for its intelligence, well, I think it's nothing special either."
…Hmm?
Hearing this, Wirbel's eyes lit up, and he quickly pressed for more.
"Fíliya, why do you say that?"
"Because I'm here now… If I, the 'reinforcement,' hadn't arrived, that demon's plan to continue the 'siege' and cut off your supplies might have worked. But the outcome is now clear… The squad the demons sent to intercept me was wiped out. This made it realize it can't proceed with its plan… which is why it caused that commotion just now."
Wirbel clearly understood Fíliya's explanation, but Ehre still looked like a curious child.
So, Miss Fíliya added.
"Ehre, look. From our perspective, I'm the only reinforcement, and no more will be coming. But that demon doesn't know that. So, what do you think it's thinking?"
"Oh…"
Ehre finally understood something.
Fíliya nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. From its perspective, the fact that one person could break through its ambush and arrive as reinforcement means it's highly likely more and more humans will be coming to this battlefield. What's more, I wiped out the squad it sent… So it panicked, and now it wants to close the net tonight."
"That's why I said its intelligence is nothing special. You're all overthinking it. How could a 'tactician,' something the Demon Race hasn't produced in hundreds or thousands of years, just happen to appear in such an insignificant place? At most, the one on the other side is, hmm, just some fellow who somehow managed to grasp a superficial understanding of human tactics."
Fíliya's words greatly relieved Ehre, who patted her chest and let out a long sigh.
"Then, there's one last question."
Wirbel took a deep breath.
"That magical disturbance from earlier… What exactly are those demons doing?"
"Hmm, they're probably trying to figure out some way to launch a surprise attack. That's the only possibility."
Fíliya thought for a moment before giving her answer.
"But… I've already sent out scouts. Whether on the ground or in the air, there should be no opening for the demons to exploit."
Wirbel's brow furrowed. This was the one thing he couldn't figure out.
The demons… would most likely launch a surprise attack, but… how would they do it? From… which direction?
Fíliya didn't answer the question. Instead, she looked at Ehre.
?
Ehre tilted her head. She noticed Fíliya was looking at her, but… why?
Don't tell me… she expects me to think about this…
Isn't this the time for you and Wirbel to step up? I'm not good at thinking about this stuff…
But, Fíliya is still staring at me, as if expecting me to give her a satisfactory answer…
Ugh, the pressure is immense.
I guess I'll try to think about it.
And so, under Fíliya's expectant gaze, Miss Ehre forced herself to think.
Hmm, not from the ground, not from the sky… Could it be… that?
Her thought process wasn't long. It was clear that this top student, who often seemed a bit out of it, possessed a very sharp… intuition.
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately gave her answer excitedly.
"The demons, will they come from underground?!"
When she finished, she didn't even look at Wirbel, who was frozen in place. Instead, she stared straight at Fíliya, clearly seeking her approval.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh~~~! Ehre, you're so good, so amazing, so good, so amazing!"
Fíliya didn't hold back her praise in the slightest, grabbing Ehre's head with both hands and then ruffling it around as if kneading a ball of yarn.
"As expected of my disciple. If you just put your mind to it, you can figure it out."
Fíliya continued her praise, completely ignoring Ehre's beet-red cheeks.
"Le' go o' me!"
Miss Ehre struggled hard. She desperately wanted to retort, "Who's your disciple?! That was just me expressing my gratitude before! I, Ehre, would rather die, drop dead outside than…" Ugh, in any case, there was no way she would accept someone her own age as a master.
And… praise is one thing, but aren't these words a little too… childish? She's really treating me like a kid!!
Miss Ehre fumed silently.
Just then, Wirbel snapped out of his daze. Seemingly oblivious to the strange interaction between the other two, he spoke quickly.
"Fíliya, Ehre… Save the nonsense for later. Now that we've figured out the enemy's objective… we have to respond quickly. Come with me, we're assembling the troops."
____
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