After a while of waiting...
Squad Leader Yan Ning still hadn't returned with the others. With nothing else to do, the soldiers chatted idly.
With so many men, conversations abounded—though most topics were trivial, hardly captivating.
The young soldiers talked most about the two adepti. Yanfei was familiar to them—they often encountered her during patrols.
The legal consultant always seemed busy; they'd never had much chance to speak.
But that didn't matter. All they needed to know was that Yanfei was a half-adeptus. In Liyue Harbor, gossip and rumors about her were plentiful.
No one was foolish enough to spread rumors about her in her presence, though. Spreading rumors carried consequences—in serious cases, prison wasn't out of the question.
Their eyes kept drifting toward the two adepti. The pair seemed close, frequently engaging in intimate physical contact.
At least, that's how it appeared to them.
"Hey, brothers, we're lucky this time. First real combat mission, and we've got adepti fighting alongside us. Something to brag about."
"True. These are legendary great adepti. Remember what the old folks said? You might not see one in years."
The soldiers chatted animatedly. At some point, all conversation had turned to the adepti.
Adepti often found constant mortal scrutiny uncomfortable. Mortals always treated them as something special.
"That's not the point. Focus, will you? Look how close those two are—there's definitely something juicy there."
The speaker was a young soldier, not particularly strong, with a smattering of freckles on his otherwise handsome face.
Before enlisting, he'd been quite the gossip. He enjoyed reading too, though the books were more suited for adults. He knew a thing or two about such "healthy" literature.
His greatest interest lay in "healthy" books about women and women. So naturally, he'd already spun elaborate scenarios about the two adepti's interactions.
Not that he could help it. He was a little obsessed.
"Now that you mention it... but maybe they're just close friends?" A simple-looking big man ventured.
"Anything's possible. Trust your eyes." The freckled soldier replied.
"Hey, hey, what are you guys talking about? Let me in on it!"
The conversation grew livelier. For a moment, they seemed to forget they were on a suppression mission—it felt more like a casual gathering.
Just then, Bonanus, having finished her chat with Yanfei, noticed the stares behind her. She crossed her arms. She always felt uncomfortable with people gossiping behind her back.
Just as she was about to speak, a heavier voice beat her to it.
"All of you, shut up! You think this is a vacation?" The shout came from the vice-captain, in charge of maintaining order in the captain's absence.
This is the worst squad he and the captain had ever led—bar none. Two months in the military and still like this. These men belong in logistics.
After this operation, he'd talk with the captain about reporting this to their superiors.
"Utterly undisciplined! Months have passed, and you're still acting like children!"
"We've turned a blind eye long enough. What now? You want to mutiny? Say the word—Liyue's prisons are always open."
The vice-captain grew louder with each word. No one dared contradict him. Irresponsible as they were, they understood this much.
Arguing with their vice-captain was as unwise as a company employee talking back to their boss. The consequences would be severe. A soldier's duty was to obey.
Looking at the now-silent men, the vice-captain sighed helplessly. How disappointing.
Seeing his expression, Bonanus frowned slightly. To think the mighty Millelith had soldiers like these. Surprising.
But it's not my problem. Their internal issues are theirs to handle. I'm not interested. If they keep this up, they'll pay the price someday.
With this thought, Bonanus stopped paying attention. She sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and ignored the noise.
...
A few minutes later...
Yan Ning didn't keep them waiting long. The operation went smoothly—they'd dismantled some of the monsters' defenses without making a sound.
With such dim-witted creatures, even their best defenses were just ropes tied to stakes driven into the ground.
Easily dealt with by setting them ablaze.
After that, he led his men to higher ground, using crossbows to take down several stronger Hilichurls.
Experienced marksmen were something else—one shot, one kill. No chance for the enemy to react.
This stirred the Hilichurls. They grew alert, grabbing weapons, scanning the surroundings while shouting in their incomprehensible tongue.
The lookouts on the towers spotted them first. These Hilichurls carried crossbows too—and knew how to use them.
Spotting the soldiers, they fired immediately.
Their aim was poor—all the bolts missed. Yan Ning seized the opportunity to retreat quickly with his men.
Soon after, Abyss Mages floated out from the cave, scanning the surroundings. They sensed danger approaching.
They began directing the Hilichurls, preparing to break out of the encirclement and find a new gathering point.
Under the mages' command, the Hilichurls fell into formation, following their "commanders" toward the exit.
---
Back at the main force
Yan Ning led the pursuing enemies back to the formation.
The front-line shield-bearers opened a gap just wide enough for them to slip through.
"Brothers! Ready yourselves! They're coming!" Yan Ning shouted orders the moment he was inside, though he couldn't see past the shield wall.
He could hear the thunderous footsteps of Hilichurls charging toward them. From the commotion, the Abyss Mages had gathered quite a crowd.
The Hilichurls were furious. They brandished weapons, howling incomprehensible words—likely profanities.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The Hilichurls crashed against the tower shields in waves, creating a cacophony of noise. The Millelith shields held firm, absorbing the impact.
"Strike!"