Everyone stared at Miss Nightmist in utter confusion.
Altaïr stole a glance at Lambert, an "oddball" in her own right. Perhaps her unusual hearing could pick something out of those so-called sounds?
But she offered no further comment.
Nightmist seemed completely unbothered by everyone's curious and bewildered stares.
Her tone remained as steady as ever as she began a more conventional introduction. "6★ Light Bowgun user. I specialize in mobile skirmishing with Spread Ammo and support. The Guild has appointed me as the on-site commander for this defense operation."
The Hunters seated around the table were somewhat surprised. Most had assumed the commander would be Griffin, who was higher-ranked, more famous, and appeared far more dependable.
Altaïr, however, had expected this outcome.
He was one of the very few Low Rank Hunters present who had actually fought an ultra-large Monster.
Such creatures were simply too enormous. Blademasters fighting at close range could not see the whole battlefield; most of the time, they could barely make out a single leg. With such a restricted field of view, they could not quickly assess the situation or issue the right orders in time.
For that reason, commanders in large-scale defensive operations were generally chosen from among Gunners or personnel who did not fight on the front line. As a Light Bowgun user, Miss Nightmist was better suited to command than Griffin, a Great Sword user, at least under ordinary circumstances.
In Altaïr's view, Ted or Malika would have been the best choice. Both were veteran top-tier Hunters with far more experience, neither would be fighting directly, and each could oversee the battlefield without any concerns about a restricted field of view.
However, Griffin, Ted, and Malika raised no objections when Nightmist asserted her authority as commander.
Although many still had private misgivings about Miss Nightmist's cryptic manner and words, they all accepted her authority as the on-site commander.
"All right. Let me explain the situation," the Professor said, beckoning to Erik, who had taken his seat earlier.
Only then did Erik remember his duties. He hurried over with a long roll containing a large map and, with an attendant's help, hung it on the restaurant wall. For now, the restaurant was serving as their strategy room.
It was a map of the ElDe Region.
The coast lay along its southern edge. The Latio volcanic mountain range stretched across the center, while Manti Town, their current location, stood near the northern edge.
"According to continuous monitoring by the Elder Dragon Observation Team's hot-air balloons, the target is currently around here." The Professor pointed to a spot near the edge of the mountain range.
"Shen Gaoren avoid extreme heat and arid environments. In theory, this one will not approach the volcano's core area. It should either skirt the edge of the mountain range or detour around it entirely.
"That is good news for us. It buys us at least two or three more days.
"At its current speed, the Shen Gaoren is expected to reach Manti Town in seven or eight days.
"That estimate may not be exact. I will post the monitoring balloons' daily reports here, so please keep a close eye on them."
Everyone nodded.
The Professor then explained the target in greater detail from a scholar's perspective, pinning a sketch of the Shen Gaoren to the wall beside the map.
"Known Shen Gaoren generally stand between forty and fifty meters tall. Our target is a large specimen, standing around fifty meters."
That first statement alone drew stifled gasps and sharp intakes of breath from around the room.
The Professor continued, "Even leaving aside the enormous dragon skull it carries on its back, Shen Gaoren's own carapace is extremely hard.
"Because of the way it walks, Blademasters can reach only the lower sections of its legs. Gunners can target the core of its body, but the steep firing angle, long trajectory, and other factors greatly reduce Ammo effectiveness, making it nearly impossible to penetrate its defenses.
"Therefore, avoid relying on physical damage wherever possible. Its elemental weaknesses are Dragon, Fire, and Thunder, so prepare your attacks accordingly."
The Professor's explanation was remarkably blunt for a scholar. He knew exactly what the Hunters wanted to hear. Lengthy lectures were pointless; these people would not listen carefully anyway. He might as well give them the essentials.
After covering a few more details about its weak points, the Professor paused and looked toward Ted and Malika at the edge of the room.
"Ted, Malika, you have both faced a Shen Gaoren before. Is there anything else you would like to add?"
Ted shrugged. "You've covered all the important points. As for what to watch out for in battle... Oh, right. Altaïr asked us about that this morning, and he was thorough. I saw him writing everything down. Just ask him. If I go over it all again, I might forget something."
Everyone turned toward Altaïr.
Altaïr pulled out his memo and relayed the information he had gathered from Ted and Malika that morning.
Everyone present was a veteran Hunter. Based on the information available, they each had a good idea of what they needed to do.
"Senior Ted, Senior Malika, the Professor said you have faced a Shen Gaoren before. Could you share the tactics you used then?" Nightmist asked.
Her voice still had that slow, airy quality, but her question went straight to the heart of the matter.
Ted waved a hand. "There isn't much to say. The basic plan is to have the Hunters keep the target occupied, creating openings for heavy weapons such as cannons to steadily wear down its stamina.
"When it reaches the final line of defense, hold the fortress wall and use the Dragonator to wound it badly enough that it retreats.
"As long as the defenses have enough firepower to wear it down during the earlier engagements and the fortress wall is sturdy enough to withstand its attacks, repelling it isn't difficult."
He crossed his arms and looked toward Manti Town's stout mayor. "To put it bluntly, thirty percent depends on the fighters' performance and seventy percent on how well the fortress has been built.
"If the fortress itself isn't strong enough, the only way to protect the town is to throw lives at it."
The ever-smiling mayor's grin disappeared, and his expression turned grave. He addressed the Hunters solemnly. "Everyone, please put your minds at ease. Thirty years ago, Manti Town also came under attack from a Shen Gaoren. The town had only recently been founded. Had the Hunters not fought to the death, it would have been trampled flat.
"We were warned that Shen Gaoren would return, so in the thirty years since, we have rebuilt Battle Street and made countless preparations.
"We have the latest-model heavy rapid-fire cannons, multiple layers of fortifications to impede the target, several Dragonators, and ample supplies of every kind.
"Please fight without fear. Never again will you be left with no fortifications to rely on and be forced to plug the gaps with human lives.
"In short, we are counting on all of you." The mayor bowed deeply.
The mayor's assurances put everyone at ease, but nothing inspired more confidence than what they had seen with their own eyes.
The Hunters were not fools who thought only of food and drink. Throughout the day, many of them, Altaïr included, had gone outside Manti Town to inspect the facilities along Battle Street and check the wartime supplies stockpiled in the warehouses.
Manti Town's defenses were every bit as formidable as those of a major city.
The generous reward the mayor had promised from the outset raised the Hunters' morale even further.
"I have a question." Malika, who had barely spoken until now, raised her hand.
Everyone turned toward her.
"When ultra-large Monsters such as Lao-Shan Lung and Shen Gaoren migrate, they invariably draw packs of predatory Small Monsters in their wake, all looking to exploit the chaos. They are another threat we cannot ignore.
"During the attack thirty years ago, while the Hunters desperately held back the Shen Gaoren, many Remobra,
"Ioprey, and other Small Monsters must also have slipped past the walls, invaded the town, and caused heavy casualties. Am I right?"
Sure enough, the stout mayor's face darkened as memories of that year resurfaced.
The town walls burning in the dead of night.
Ioprey rampaging through the streets and smashing into residents' homes, while Remobra circled overhead before diving to snatch away screaming townspeople...
It had truly been... hell on earth.
(Translated by yourtl.app)