"Why didn''t you use Fortress in the first ce?" Corbin argued in a dissatisfied voice.


    Seeing him being so rude to the 4th prince and the imperial knight seemed to be very distressing. Thanks to this, Carl was able topletely let go of his lingering feelings about Corbin.


    Catherine exined the detailed story on Carl''s behalf. Of course, it wasn''t meant to make Corbin understand.


    It was to make Bilford and Milton understand and sort out the situation rather than to be a countrymoner knight who was no better than an imperial soldier.


    Catherine gave a sinct exnation of the gnolls'' tactical movements and finally spoke of their eerie demeanor.


    "There was an assassination attempt?" Milton asked again, rubbing his deeply wrinkled forehead.


    Catherine didn''t just exin with words. She had an imperial soldier bring in the corpse of the ck-furred gnoll, which she had ordered to be set aside.


    "…"


    Corbin, who thought Carl and Catherine were crazy, couldn''t help but stiffen his face in horror when he saw the ck gnoll.


    The limbs were particrly long and had very high muscle density. At the same time, the bones were thin and slender, so the body weight was rtively lightpared to its long body.


    Additionally, the ck fur was strangelyckluster, so there was no reflection at all even when light shone on it from up close.


    A shadow seemed to have risen. It was clearly a body used to jump over a barrier under the cover of darkness.


    This time too, its intestines werepletely empty. No, that wasn''t the end.


    "…its internal organs are in a strange condition." Milton, who was rummaging through the intestines of the ck gnoll that had been cut into its stomach, muttered with a pale face. "The digestive system has shrunk to the point where it cannot function properly. It can be said that the excretory organs have degenerated."


    Milton said, groping the corpse with trembling hands. Everyone was speechless. It was hard to even open their mouths because of the horror.


    The ck gnoll seemed to have been created only once to be used for assassination, like a disposable weapon that would be discarded when it had served its purpose.


    "…Check out the other gnolls." Meanwhile, Carl gave orders with a calm expression on his face. "There will be some that have traces of having eaten."


    "… … How do you know that?" Corbin asked stupidly. Corbin waspletely entranced and couldn''t even tell that he was being rude to Carl.


    Carl pressed his eyebrows and suppressed the overwhelming fatigue. "We didn''t kill that many gnolls yesterday, so they probably had to eat whatever gnolls survived."


    And then, because someone had to talk about this terrible situation, Carl spoke with his own words.


    "This ck gnoll was born yesterday or today. Since it participated in battle right after it was born, it is inevitable that there will be no trace of eating."


    "…Even..." Bilford, who was about to say this was nonsense, quickly shut his mouth.


    Carl smiled bitterly at Bilford, who noticed his gaze.


    Yes, He hope this is all just a vain illusion. But not only Carl but everyone else could no longer ignore it.


    Gnolls are created by something every day, can be given various characteristics ording to the situation, and are undermand from some entity to carry out tactics. How should I resolve this situation?


    ***


    Only the soldiers were excited, but the leadership team, including Carl, could not restfortably even at night.


    In particr, Charles and Milton were the most important characters yet powerless, so all four of them, including Catherine and Bilford, had to be in one room.


    Carl couldn''t take off his armor even when he slept. Carl, who had clearly taken overmand, went around the vige with Catherine behind him in the morning, encouraging the soldiers.


    "When the reinforcements from Hilfin Castle arrive, they will advance straight into the forest. Until then, get plenty of rest."


    "Yes! Master Carl!"


    The soldiers were greatly encouraged as they had already defeated the gnolls twice with minor casualties.


    "Lord Carl, this is Bordeaux Cheville, the guard captain of Hilfin Castle."


    Guard Captain Bordeaux is a person who conspired with Maldin to deceive Carl.


    Perhaps he could have survived by seeing the situation and quickly switching to Fardin.


    "Thank you. Bordeaux. Thanks to you, we can eradicate all those damn gnolls."


    Carl didn''t waste time or make things ufortable with Bordeaux by asking him about the past.


    Since it was brushed aside as if nothing had happened, deep relief flowed from Bordeaux''s face as he bowed deeply in front of Carl, feeling uneasy inside.


    "I n to send a punitive force into the forest right away." Carl did not give Bordeaux a detailed exnation. Because there was no need for that. Themanding authority should naturally belong to Carl.


    Bordeaux just has to follow orders. And now talking about the strange parts of gnolls will only spread fear.


    Bordeaux doesn''t know anything and just goes into the forest thinking he''s going to kill an ordinary gnoll, along with the soldiers he brought with him.


    Not knowing can make him brave. So, Carl did not tell the soldiers of Ax Sound Vige about the suspicious nature of the gnoll.


    "You walked all the way here from Hilfin Castle, so I''ll give you a short break."


    "Yes, I understand."


    Bordeaux responded politely and retreated.


    ''As expected, a baby is a baby. He''s anxious to get the gnoll through offense rather than defense.''


    However, Bordeaux was secretly looking down on Carl. This is because he made a judgment about Carl based only on his outward appearance.


    After Bordeaux left, Catherine spoke to Carl in a cautious voice. "Lord Carl, I think it would be better for you to remain in the vige."


    Despite Catherine''s expressionless face and calm voice, it was clearly conveyed that she was very worried about Carl.


    "There''s no telling what he might do without me."


    Carl will enter the forest with the punitive force.


    This is because there is no confidence that the being that was watching Carl will fight the punitive force without Carl.


    It was clearly targeting Carl. If Carl remains in the vige, he may ignore the punitive force and attack the vige.


    After that, if you leave the forest and advance to any part of the territory, it will be over.


    If Carl steps into the forest with the punitive force, it will be impossible to ignore him.


    They will definitely attack the punitive force.


    The army that has entered his territory even has its leader, Carl. He can''t leave them alone!


    "There is no chance if not now. We have to win the game before this guy''s head grows bigger."


    Catherine hesitates, unable to easily respond to Carl''s words. What Carl said is 100% right.


    The gnolls do not have to fight the Ax Sound Vige and the punitive force but can just circle around, leave the forest, and attack the defenseless Hilfin territory.


    Before the gnollmander thinks too far, before he grows any further, he must decide the oue in a short decisive battle.


    However, Catherine was feeling great resistance to having to go into the forest where Carl was thinking.


    There are too many variables in a forest. It is the enemy''s home ground, and the terrain is also unfavorable to humans.


    Knowing Catherine''s concerns, Carl smiled softly and spoke. "Lady Catherine, what have I to fear when I have you?"


    "… … ."


    Catherine gasped in embarrassment at what Carl said with a smile.


    Carl knew that Catherine did not fully trust and follow him and that she regarded him as a weak child. Nevertheless, he smiles casually and shows unwavering trust in Catherine and Bilford.


    Before the knight, she feel ashamed as a person. As if truly possessed by God, Carl has achieved incredible, unbelievable things.


    Nevertheless, Catherine was suspicious and distrustful simply because Carl was sick.