As we regrouped once again, I noticed the difference immediately.
Compared to the first raid, the mercenaries no longer carried confidence on their faces.
Now...
Only grim reality remained.
The pain in my ribs still lingered.
I couldn't tell whether the armor had completely stopped the sword or if it was simply keeping the wound from bleeding freely.
Either way, removing it now wasn't an option.
I uncorked a healing potion and swallowed the remaining liquid before patting Rusty's neck.
He snorted softly, as if telling me he was still fine.
Only then did I look toward Azpen.
Even he had been wounded.
A shallow cut stretched across the side of his forehead.
Blood slowly trickled down his face.
The wound wasn't serious...
But seeing an Aura Knight injured was enough to lower everyone's morale.
Azpen simply wiped the blood away with the back of his hand and continued speaking with the knights around him as though nothing had happened.
Even after drinking the potion, the pain in my ribs refused to disappear.
I climbed down from Rusty to check him for injuries.
As I walked, the pain grew sharper with every step.
It felt as though my ribs were protesting every movement.
Still...
Now wasn't the time to collapse.
Far in the distance, explosions continued to echo.
The mages were still bombarding the nest.
The infantry would wait until the bombardment ended before surrounding the nest and beginning their assault.
Azpen let out a slow sigh before speaking.
"Rest for one hour."
"Compared to the previous raids, this will be a longer break."
Nobody objected.
There wasn't even a proper place to sit.
Only muddy swamp water, twisted roots, and damp ground surrounded us.
The entire forest felt tense.
Every rustling leaf made someone reach for their weapon.
About ten minutes later...
A scout suddenly descended from the treetops.
He landed silently in front of Azpen and whispered into his ear.
I couldn't hear the report.
But I didn't need to.
The expressions alone told me everything.
Azpen's face darkened.
He rubbed his forehead before quietly discussing something with the knights beside him.
Whatever the scout had reported...
It wasn't good.
After several minutes, Azpen called everyone together.
The mounted mercenaries gathered around him.
His expression was more serious than before.
"The scouts have found another rear force."
A heavy silence fell over the group.
Several mercenaries visibly paled.
"So..."
"The force we've been attacking until now wasn't their entire rear army."
"It was only a detachment."
"The main rear force is advancing toward the nest."
"Our scouts believe both forces are moving to regroup before launching a full counterattack."
A mercenary couldn't hold back anymore.
"How?"
"For two whole days we couldn't find a single trace of them."
"And now our scouts suddenly locate both forces?"
Before Azpen could answer, the scout spoke.
"For the last two days they stayed hidden."
"They scattered through the swamp and disappeared whenever we searched."
"But the constant bombardment damaged parts of their nest."
"They've abandoned their hiding places and begun moving openly."
"That's how we finally found them."
The explanation only deepened the silence.
Another knight spoke.
"Even if we strike the smaller rear force again..."
"It won't matter."
"They'll simply regroup with the main force."
"And if we fight them head-on..."
"They outnumber us."
"They know this swamp better than we do."
"If we're surrounded..."
"We'll be wiped out."
Everyone fell silent again.
Azpen looked across the gathered mercenaries.
Then he spoke.
"We're changing the plan."
Every eye turned toward him.
"We ride."
"Not toward the nest."
"But toward the point where both rear forces intend to regroup."
A mercenary immediately objected.
"But, sir..."
"They'll outnumber us there."
Azpen nodded.
"I know."
"That's why I've already sent a crow to the Mercenary Office."
"They're dispatching infantry to support our rear."
"Our job is different."
"We strike before both forces fully unite."
"If they become one army..."
"The battle will become far more difficult."
"So we'll attack while they're still moving."
"We break their formation..."
"Then withdraw before they can surround us."
No one answered.
There wasn't a better plan.
But everyone understood the risk.
This wasn't another raid.
This was an attempt to stop two enemy forces from becoming one.
If they failed...
There might not be another chance.