Inside the modified Warthog APC, enhancements were made to protect passengers from phantasmic forces. Layers of new material were added to the vehicle's armor, making it heavier than usual. The glass panels were coated with a special tint, providing the same protective function as the enhanced armor. These modifications were engineered by Arthur, the head of the Legion's engineering department.

The ventilation system inside the vehicle was also modified, making it less efficient than most air-conditioning models. For a ten-person crew, the modifications were sufficient. Vashni was meditating comfortably while Mitchell slept on Lucia's shoulder. Gary couldn't join them because he was sick.

The team was led by 2nd Lt. Keene Armstrong, who sat opposite Mitchell and Lucia, observing them. Noticing Lucia glance away, he decided to strike up a conversation.

"Medic!" 2nd Lt. Armstrong called out, catching Lucia's attention.

Startled, Lucia accidentally pushed Mitchell away. He woke up in surprise. "Y-yes, Lieutenant?" she stammered with her deep and melodious voice.

"I haven't seen you here before. Do you have a thing for my man, Mitchell?" 2nd Lt. Armstrong asked.

Misunderstanding his question, Lucia blurted out, "No, sir, he's mine!"

Realizing her mistake, she quickly corrected herself, blushing. "I mean, it's my duty to observe and make sure Mitchell is in fine condition, sir!"

2nd Lt. Armstrong smiled at her reaction. "I know what you mean, medic. Keep an eye on my boy. I'd hate for him to get sick."

Mitchell, still groggy, was puzzled by what he heard. As he tried to sleep again, Lucia pushed him. "Don't even think about it!"

Vashni ended his meditation upon hearing the commotion. He noticed that the device on Mitchell's lap, resembling a radio, started to emit static sounds and flickering lights. Curious, he asked, "What is that device, Mitchell?"

Mitchell, seeing Vashni's curiosity, replied, "This is a Phantasmal detector. It detects any phantasmic activity in the area. The lights indicate radiation levels."

"I see. What kind of radiation does this device detect?" Vashni inquired further.

Mitchell reluctantly answered, "Abler's radiation."

Understanding the significance, Vashni returned to his seat near 2nd Lt. Armstrong, who was studying a map. Overhearing the earlier conversation, Armstrong spoke up, "That's an impressive device you have there, Mitch. We're five kilometers away from the town of Wales."

"Indeed it is, sir!" Mitchell responded.

"My boy!" 2nd Lt. Armstrong called Mitchell's attention.

"Yes, sir!" Mitchell replied.

"I would brief you all when we arrive at the town. For the mean time, Major Galahad had given me a special order for you," 2nd Lt. Armstrong said.

"What is it? Sir?" Mitchell asked.

Meanwhile, in the town of Wales, the situation had deteriorated over the past few days. Almost fifty percent of the town was inaccessible, the veil had weakened, and several civilians were being possessed. Micah was worried not just about the possessions but also about the infestation of Phantasmo parasites, which were more unpredictable and dangerous than ordinary phantasms.

The mayor had locked himself in his office and hadn't spoken to Micah or the others since. Given the escalating danger and the improbability of resolving the situation, Micah considered abandoning the mission. The mayor's non-cooperation only made things worse.

"Are you sure about this, Micah? There are grave consequences for your actions," Lyon said, sitting with her in a cafe in the safe part of town.

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"I am sure headquarters will understand. Despite us risking our lives for these people, if the mayor and his people won't cooperate, we're just wasting our time and lives for nothing," Micah replied. "The Scarlet Order knows that we Abler-kind are rare. Losing two of us on a mission would be a fatal blow to their operations and existence."

"How can you be so selfish!?" Lyon objected. "The lives of these people matter!"

Eckart, overhearing their conversation, replied, "I believe your leader is correct. You two are essential for the survival of our world. Just as she said, the mayor does not want to cooperate and his people are too obedient to him. Leave them to their fates!"

Rolly, though silently objecting, also found Micah's words logical. He continued to look out the window, noticing the sky changing to gray—a sign of the impending arrival of the Legio Phantasm.

"Guys, I believe this sign is not good!" Rolly said, pointing out the window.

"This is not good!" Micah said, seeing the ominous sight. Cold sweat formed on her forehead as a sense of dread made her hair stand on end. She looked at Lyon and said, "What now, Lyon? Should we evacuate?"

"No, ma'am! Until we confirm that help won't come, I will wait here. The Legion has sent its aid!" Lyon insisted.

"How can soldiers help our situation? We need more exorcists to contain this problem!" Micah yelled at him.

Lyon stood silent, considering the gravity of their situation. He felt tempted to agree with Micah's words. With their organization, the Salamanders, having its hands full with widespread phantasmal activities, Micah's argument made sense.

Suddenly, a vehicle appeared outside the town. It was a gray-painted Warthog APC, approaching the town's entrance as seen from the window of the cafe by Rolly. He called everyone's attention, surprising Micah, who sensed a familiar aura from inside the vehicle. "Another Abler... no, there are two of them!" Micah thought, standing up.

Vashni, who had been trying to sleep, suddenly opened his eyes when the APC stopped abruptly. The driver shouted from the front seat that the entrance to the town was barricaded. The roar of static from Mitchell's device woke everyone inside the APC.

"Turn that damn thing off!" Many complained, irritated by the deafening noise.

Mitchell adjusted the knobs, lowering the noise from his device. He stood up and apologized, explaining, "I am sorry, everyone. This device, designed by the Engineering Department, detects phantasmal activities. The sound you heard earlier confirmed an anomaly here."

2nd Lt. Armstrong stood up and looked outside through his periscope. He saw many possessed and mutated individuals around the barricades. After assessing the situation, he ordered the driver to park the vehicle in a grassy field several meters outside the town, believing the area was safe.

"Listen up, my boys!" 2nd Lt. Armstrong began. "We are here to rescue the exorcists and some guild members trapped in the town. The worsening situation indicates that the exorcists sent here have failed to contain the problem."

Mitchell and Vashni exchanged glances. When Mitchell tried to speak, Vashni stopped him and spoke on his behalf, "What about the evacuation of the town's people, Lieutenant?"

"About that... we cannot force an evacuation since only the government can do that! The lives of the exorcists are crucial because they are rare. Vashni and Mitchell will remain with me; we have matters to discuss," 2nd Lt. Armstrong said.

After the short briefing, everyone, including Lucia, exited the vehicle. Mitchell and Vashni remained inside with 2nd Lt. Armstrong. Once they were alone, 2nd Lt. Armstrong began his briefing, "This situation is worsening, you two..." He paused, then continued, "Major Galahad told me about your backgrounds as Abler exorcists. You two are special and rare, and we can't risk losing you."

"I don't understand, sir," Mitchell said as 2nd Lt. Armstrong paused.

"Mitchell!" Vashni reprimanded him.

"Listen, my boy!" the Lieutenant yelled, then continued, "You two are too important. I don't care what you think, but we cannot lose someone like you in our ranks. I will have five men escort you at all times. While the others work in two groups—a two-man team and a three-man team—we will search the town for those willing to evacuate, and you seven will search for the Salamander exorcists."

"I understand..." Mitchell said.

"You two may leave; I will exit after you," 2nd Lt. Armstrong ordered.

Back at the cafe, Micah and the others were discussing how to meet with the mercenaries who had disembarked from their vehicle. The elevated ground and a small canal separated them from the mercenaries. Their distance, also of several hundred meters, made it difficult to communicate by shouting. They planned to meet up with them.

"Lyon, whether you like it or not, we will get out with those mercenaries. I don't know what their purpose is, or if they were sent here due to a request from the Salamanders, but I will convince them to get out of here as fast as we can," Micah said to Lyon.

"Fine!" Lyon replied.

Eckart grabbed his rifle that he had placed at his side, as the knocking from the possessed was getting louder. Many of them tried to breach the barricaded door they had made to keep them out. Racing against time, Micah knew that the barricade wouldn't last long.

"We will have to hurry, everyone... if you all wish to live!" Micah said, opening the opposite door from the barricaded one.

Rolly went ahead to check the area. Finding no one, he declared, "Area clear!"

Micah and the others followed, with Eckart being the last to exit the café. Smoke soon poured out as Eckart burned the café from the inside to prevent the phantasms from following them with their scent. At least the smell of fire and smoke would distract them.