Once Samael and Ajax's identities were revealed, word soon spread like wildfire within the encampment.

Countless tales and rumours have gone by as the years have passed. Many have heard of the stories of brave warriors fighting on the front lines and bringing victory in their wake. But everyone knew they were all hoaxes. False adventures and feats spread to raise morale.

At least that was until the peculiar rumour of two echoes who fought teeth and stone against an opponent capable of bringing calamity upon its wims.

It started as nothing but worthless ramblings, the usual, if you may say. But not for long.

The truth of the events that unfolded that day slowly unveiled itself, revealing what many have thought of as fantasies to be nothing but the truth.

Some thought it was luck that they survived, but as the years passed, the more they were proven wrong.

The two legends slowly gained fame through their merit. Eventually being bestowed with the title of...

"The grim hound and the shadow saint..." Timeus muttered as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was truly an unexpected visit. Who would've thought that the Watchers Guild would send the very legends who fought the Saint of Plague, Antrax?

Had he known, he would've prepared a feast for them to show his respect for their power.

"If you may excuse my rudeness, sir... But why the long face? Isn't it a blessing now that they're here?" A tall man in his 30s inquired.

Timeus released a soft sigh. "Indeed, it is a good thing that they're here, but it still baffles me that the Watchers Guild, an association Tera despises, would send a saint," he replied.

A saint is as rare as it gets. It was the powerhouse of each guild present. There's a reason why there's one in every sanctuary.

Everyone who holds a position within said guilds knows enough that the Saints the citizens have knowledge of are but the tip of the iceberg.

Each and every single organisation keeps their true powers away in case a struggle for power arises.

"Still, we should be thankful. With them here, perhaps things will truly change for the better," Timeus said as he glanced outside his tent.

Only time can tell.

***

Samael silently strode forward, ignoring the murmurs and whispers of the warriors residing within the camp.

He had learned to keep his ears shut tight, as his reputation often garners unwanted attention.

The warriors keenly followed Samael's movement, quietly measuring his true power and whether the rumours and tales held true.

However, they would only be left disappointed and confused as Samael felt like a veil of darkness, one so dark their gazes could not pierce. Thus, they turn to speculation.

"Is he really the Grim Hound?" A voice asked.

"I'm not sure myself," a voice replied.

"He doesn't look that strong." A voice chimed in.

"Shhh! He might hear you!" A voice reprimanded.

Samael could only let out a sigh as he kept his eyes forward.

He has been looking for Ajax for a while now. The saint suddenly vanished the moment Timeus ended their meeting. Where did he go? Samael is unsure himself.

However, he does have a hunch.

Shutting his eyes close, Samael's senses peaked as his Void compass shot out, shrouding the encampment slowly but surely.

Found him, Samael thought as he speared a glance ahead.

His senses slowly led him straight to a tent; residing inside was Ajax, along with a few familiar faces.

"Samael!" Erubin exclaimed as he painstakingly sat up, his body buried under layers of bandages.

"Erubin, you look... well," Samael said.

Erubin chuckled in return as he leaned back with a sigh.

"How long will you be bedridden?" Samael asked as he sat down.

"A few weeks minimum, as said by the doctors," Erubin replied as he smiled wryly.

"Well, it is what it is," Samael said.

Turning his gaze to the side, Samael caught sight of Ajax sitting around a table with layers of papers laying before him.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Inching closer, Samael saw a map and dozens of pieces of paper containing information regarding the situation these past few weeks—information they have regarding the enemies and backgrounds of the warriors present in the camp.

A soft sigh escaped Samael's lips. They just got here, but there was no time to rest. They must complete this mission within 2 to 3 months at most. Any more than that, and the sanctuaries will suffer greatly.

"Have you made plans already?" Samael asked as he sat at the edge of the wooden table.

Ajax remained silent for a while as he burned his gaze at the map of Georgo Road.

"I have," Ajax responded after some time.

Samael reached out, grasping the files before carefully reading them, his brows slowly arching as his eyes stride forward.

It's this bad, huh? Samael thought.

According to the file he has in his hand, it has been a few months since Georgo Road was raided and overtaken by monsters.

There were no reports regarding when the wolves attacked. From what he understood, it was "sudden" and done before they knew it.

That's odd. Samael's gaze narrowed.

Georgo Road is one of the most heavily defended roads in all sanctuaries. After all, it's responsible for delivering aid to other cities. So how come it was overtaken in the span of a few weeks? Not to mention the absurd speed of locating and capturing each minor road.

These minor roads are hidden and are only known to specific transport groups and organisations; for them to be located with ease is simply confusing.

"Erubin, do you have a list of the organisations and people who know the locations of the minor roads?" Samael asked.

"Hmm? Sir Ajax also asked that question earlier," Erubin replied.

Shifting his gaze towards Ajax, the saint handed him an envelope.

Samael took out the documents, breezing through them, but to no avail. He failed to see anything out of order.

The Chandler Trade Corp. is in charge of the delivery of the goods, along with the Xerxis Trading Unit. Samael thought.

On the other hand, the Liesco Knight Squad keeps maintenance and patrolling the area. The rest are government officials close to the knights order, Samael concluded.

Massaging his chin, Samael couldn't help but frown. It was truly odd.

"Is there something wrong, Samael?" Erubin asked upon seeing his troubled expression.

Samael lowered his gaze for a moment, lost in his thoughts as he asked. "Are there any other groups not included in this list?"

Erubin fell into contemplation as he replied. "No, not as far as I know. Why? Is there something amiss?"

Should I tell him? Samael asked himself.

No, at least not yet, he thought.

"It's nothing," Samael responded before spearing a glance towards the silent saint and leaving the tent.

Ajax soon followed, trailing Samael's steps and meeting him at the back.

"So you noticed it too," Ajax said.

Samael gave a nod.

The situation itself was suspicious and absurd. For the abominations to conquer the Georgo road with such ease, not only decimating each attack launched by the camp but also avoiding the traps and defences laid in place, they would have to be well informed and prepared.

While many may believe this is a stupid claim, it isn't entirely impossible. There are a variety of sentient creatures out there, capable of learning and memorising patterns. And based on the reports, it isn't too far-fetched, as the wolves have shown enough intellect to ambush, specifically target resource routes, and even use their comrades to lure out warriors into the woods.

Still, it seems they're only capable of that much, which leads Samael to think that there's...

A mole.

Someone within Tera has purposely given the beasts information regarding the camps guarding the road.

"It seems there is a traitor within their walls," Ajax said.

Samael's brows furrowed. "If what we're assuming is indeed correct, how did this 'mole' even interact with the wolves? Not to mention, even if the rat did in fact give the abominations vital information, they do not have the capability to understand and fully utilise it," he reasoned.

Samael and Ajax fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

What Samael said is, in fact, the truth. Even if the imgrave wolves are smart, they're not that smart to use such intricate intel to plan out attacks in the bases situated at random.

Unless they didn't.

The longer he thinks about it, the more it makes sense to Samael. If there were indeed a rat, it would justify how each and every attack Timeus has led has ended in failure.

"It seems we're going to pay Timeus a visit," Samael said.

***

"They're here, sir," Timeus's assistant, Lucas, said.

"Thank you, Lucas; please let them in," Timeus said.

Lucas gave a brief nod before making his way out.

It didn't take long before Samael and Ajax made their way inside the room, silently sitting across Timeus.

Timeus cleared his throat as he asked, a cold bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. "Sir Samael and Ajax, what brought you here today?"

Sensing Ajax's silence, Samael leaned closer. "General Timeus, we came here to clear out some doubts."

Timeus's brows furrowed. "Doubts?"

Breaking his silence, Ajax spoke. "Has there been any contact made with the Church of Light?"

Samael's gaze shifted towards the saint. Ajax was taking a very straightforward approach. Isn't he even worried their agenda might be revealed?

"The church of light? Of course. As you know, the tertian order is quite close with the ministry. It's common knowledge, really," Timeus replied.

Samael's visage remained blank, his thoughts running wild. The knights and church of light are close?

Things weren't looking too good for them.

"How far do the knights interact with the church?" Samael inquired.

Timeus shifted his gaze towards Samael. "Hmm... Well, for starters, the church often sends rations and aid here in the georgo camp. They provide us with the necessities and even manpower at times."

"We also sometimes launch joint missions and training sessions along with the exchange of students to further strengthen our bonds," Timeus resumed.

Samael fell silent, lost in his thoughts. Noticing this, Timeus couldn't help but extend his curiosity forward.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked.

"No, it's nothing," Samael lied.

No matter how high Timeus's rank is, they still cannot reveal the contents of their mission. Especially since he's a knight.

It seems they're at a dead end.

"Can you arrange a meeting between us and the parties included in this list?" Ajax said as he handed Timeus the documents regarding all people who knew the coordinates of each and every minor road.

"Unfortunately, most of the people on this list are far within Tera. As you know, messages are nearly impossible to deliver as the roads are blocked by abominations," Timeus replied.

Ajax tilted his visor slightly upward as he spoke. "You said most. Who are those currently accessible?"

"That would mostly be the knights, including the Liesco knight squad in charge of maintenance before the invasion," Timeus answered.

"Do you want me to schedule a meeting with them?" he resumed.

"That would be appreciated," Samael said before raising his feet.

"Oh, another thing. General Timeus, can you give us access to information regarding those who know the coordinates of the minor roads?" Samael asked.

"I'll give my regards to Lucas; please rest assured," Timeus said.

"We'll take our leave now; thank you for your time," Samael said before leaving the room with Ajax.

"What now?" Samael asked the saint.

"For now, we wait and proceed as I've planned. If there really is a mole, they might get suspicious of us," Ajax answered.

Samael could only hope for the best.