Translator: CinderTL
Avril felt utterly cursed.
As a probationary member of the Shadow Veil Organization, her life had been remarkably easy.
Delivering intelligence, scouting enemy positions...
These tasks were effortless for her, allowing her to even steal naps between assignments, living a life of comfortable leisure.
The Mistland mission was no different.
With Graham, a powerful transcendent professional, leading the charge, the campaign had progressed smoothly.
Though the demonic beasts swarming from the dense fog were tenacious, they proved almost incapable of halting the army's advance.
As a result, Avril, the army's messenger, found herself with little to do. She spent her days in her tent, counting the days until she could return to the River Domain Nations.
So when Graham needed someone to return home early to deliver preliminary victory reports, Avril was the first to volunteer without hesitation.
What could be better than escaping the monotony of the front lines and returning home ahead of schedule?
Thus, she eagerly joined Dylan's logistics team, tasked with searching for a missing transport convoy.
She had assumed it would be a safe, short-term assignment.
What happened next?
First, the team suffered devastating losses in a brutal attack by demonic beasts lurking within the Mistland.
Then, their retreat was completely blocked by a massive mountain range that had suddenly appeared.
To make matters worse, their experienced commander was critically wounded and fell unconscious during the battle.
Amidst the chaos and despair, the soldiers witnessed Avril's combat prowess and recognized the aura of her Shadow Veil membership.
And so...
Almost by force...
Avril, a messenger who only wanted to deliver a letter in peace...
Found herself inexplicably appointed as the temporary commander of this trapped and battered unit!
Listening to Deputy Barry's report, the elf girl tugged at her long brown hair in frustration and spoke in a low voice.
"So, you're telling me we've not only lost the last three bags of coarse wheat cakes, but the rats have also devoured our remaining hemostatic herbs? Deputy Barry, is this the 'good news' you've been tallying all morning?"
"Commander Avril, I'm terribly sorry, but..."
Seeing the young woman on the verge of losing her composure, Barry cautiously raised his head, his voice barely audible.
"That's exactly the situation, and... the patrol just reported finding fresh claw marks to the southeast. They're deep, probably not from ordinary beasts..."
"Claw marks! More claw marks!" Avril's voice suddenly rose, cracking with the desperation of someone pushed to the brink by trivialities.
"We're trapped in this damned Mistland! The wounded are groaning! Our food is running out! And there are unknown monsters lurking outside!"
"Yet here I am, stuck listening to you tell me about mice stealing herbs? And those damned claw marks! What do they tell us beyond 'there's danger'? Direction? Numbers? Species?"
After a brief silence, Deputy Barry's voice lowered further.
"Commander... we lack tracking experts, and this fog..."
"I know! Of course I know!" Avril's voice was thick with helplessness.
"And the wounded! Barry, tell me, how many clean bandages do we have left? How much usable medicine? Did the soldier whose leg was slashed yesterday fall into a coma today? Do you even know these things?"
"This... I'll confirm immediately, Commander," Barry said, his voice trembling with fear.
"Immediately! Go now!" Avril nearly roared.
But her voice suddenly deflated, filled with deep self-loathing.
"No... wait... I'm sorry, Barry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's not your fault..."
"Aaaah! Gods above, how can there be so much to deal with?!"
She grabbed her brown hair in frustration.
"Damn the supplies! Damn the mist! Damn the Wolf King! And these endless documents and reports!"
"All I wanted was to deliver a message to the River Domain Nations! This cursed temporary commander position? Whoever wants it can have it! I need help... no, I need relief!"
Just as she was lamenting, the heavy curtain was violently thrown open.
A rush of damp, mist-laden air flooded the tent, sending a shiver through Avril, who hadn't slept for two days and a night.
"Damn it! Didn't I tell you to—?!"
Avril snapped her head up, her bloodshot eyes glaring at the tent entrance.
"Before you come in, you need to... Ugh..."
The slightly agitated voice abruptly trailed off.
Avril's eyes widened involuntarily. After a moment, she whispered in disbelief, "Ro... Roland?"
"It's me, Avril."
Roland's gaze swept over Deputy Barry, who was trembling beside Avril from her earlier outburst. He couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Looks like you're not exactly qualified to be a temporary commander?"
"Hahaha..."
Following Roland's gaze, Avril saw the terrified expression on Deputy Barry's face and forced out two dry laughs. She quickly smoothed her slightly disheveled brown short hair.
Her previously harsh voice suddenly softened. "Wait, Roland, how did you get here?"
"It's a long story..."
Roland casually pulled up a chair and briefly recounted his recent experiences, while also asking Avril for information.
Avril readily shared everything she knew without reservation.
Before long, the tense atmosphere in the tent had been dispelled by the elf girl's lively laughter.
Witnessing this scene, Dylan and Barry exchanged glances, their faces etched with disbelief.
The temporary commander's brutal efficiency in slaying demonic beasts and her decisive handling of complex affairs remained vivid in their minds.
It was utterly impossible for them to reconcile that image with the lovestruck elf girl before them.
"Avril, do you have any news of Theresa and Galvis?" Roland asked.
The elf girl gently shook her head.
"Since entering the Mistland, I haven't left this place at all. My knowledge of the outside world is probably even less than yours."
"I see..."
Considering Theresa and Galvis's strength, Roland sighed softly, temporarily suppressing his concern for his two companions and refocusing his attention on the immediate situation.
"So... your casualties aren't severe? You were just forced to stay here after getting lost in the mist?"
"Exactly."
The elf girl nodded in confirmation.
After taking a deep breath, Roland continued his questioning.
"Do you remember where Dean Graham was stationed when you left?"
"Of course! In Jade Rock Forest!" Avril replied confidently.
Hearing the familiar place name, Roland couldn't help but glance down at the pair of red eyes in his waist pouch, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"What a coincidence, Avril. I happen to have a guide here who can navigate the Mistland. Miss Vanessa."
As his words faded, the tent flap was drawn back once more.
The Purple-Haired Witch glided into the tent with graceful poise, offering a polite bow to the assembled group.
When she raised her head, a perfectly measured smile graced her captivating features.
"Good day, everyone."
Avril's smile faltered imperceptibly as she took in the mysterious purple-haired woman, a flicker of scrutiny and wariness crossing her brown eyes.
Her aura was enigmatic, her strength unfathomable.
And...
Avril's gaze swept over the witch's slightly voluptuous upper body, her brow furrowing slightly.
How could Roland be traveling with a woman like this?
"Good day, Miss Vanessa," Avril replied, her voice remaining soft yet tinged with a formal, official tone.
(End of the Chapter)
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