As Vapad marched off the encampment, Samael closely followed. He hid in the shadows as he concealed his presence.

As the priest walked out of the main gate, Samael moved like his shadow. The priest kept glancing around as he dragged the large bag.

What are you up to? Samael couldn't help but wonder.

Vapad sped up his pace, opting for Samael to hasten his as well. The priest took the forest path, making sure to only travel in the regions with claw marks and a large gash, symbolizing there were no abominations there.

It seems he knows his way. How long has he been doing this? Samael wondered

He also knows the location of these symbols and what they mean, so he's done his research, Samael thought.

Vapad kept walking, his breathing ragged as he struggled to keep the heavy bag on his shoulder.

However, to Samael's surprise, the man suddenly took off, vanishing into the darkness.

Samael's brows rose up as he lunged forward, expanding his void compass to trace the man.

But before he could, Vapad walked off from behind a trunk, bumping into Samael and falling down.

"AHH!" Vapad screamed as he curled up, using his hands as a makeshift shield.

Meanwhile, Samael stepped back, giving the man some space as he spoke.

"Calm down! It's me, Vapad," Samael said.

"NO! PLEASE DON'T EAT ME!" Vapad screamed as he crawled back.

"IT'S ME!" Samael roared, snapping the man from his chaotic stupor.

Vapad shot a glance at Samael, squinting his eyes as he slowly recognized the man.

"S-Samael?" Vapad asked.

"Yes," Samael confirmed as he sighed.

"W-what are you doing out here?" Vapad asked.

"Hunting," Samael answered after a pause.

Vapad released a sigh of relief as he rose up, ridding himself of dust.

"Sorry, I was afraid of the wolves, so I ran! I did not know it was you, Samael," Vapad said.

"What are you doing out here?" Samael asked.

"Uh, yes! Taking a piss!" The man said.

Samael's gaze narrowed.

Lies. He's making up a story. It seems he didn't notice me earlier, Samael thought.

Better play with it for now so I don't make him suspicious, Samael concluded.

"I see. Be on your way back; the forest is dangerous," Samael said as he walked off. However, Vapad swiftly called out to him.

"Uh, may I ask a question?" The man said.

Samael cast a glance over his shoulder.

"Do you often hunt at night?" The priest asked.

Samael remained motionless for a while before giving a slow nod.

Lying to the priest would be hard. He could just ask the guards at the checkpoint and reveal the truth.

He might get suspicious of me if I lie to him. I'll have to play it safe for now, Samael thought as he strode forward again, vanishing in the darkness.

***

Samael's small venture proved fruitless. Vapad decided to go home after his encounter with Samael.

As the morning light painted the sky blue, the camp had begun another lively day. Samael did not see Vapad much in the morning, nor was he present in tent 46.

As Samael arrived there, he was greeted by Liesco knights.

"Grab me that water jug, David," Seth said as he groaned, massaging his head.

"Migraines, one of life's worst enemies," Miya uttered as she rested her head down.

Samael knocked three times before he entered the tent, where Portugal rose to his feet to greet him.

"Ah, Samael. We've been waiting for you," Liesco said.

Samael gave a nod as he swept his gaze around, his brows furrowing slowly.

Vapad is not here, Samael thought.

Noticing his gaze, Portugal couldn't help but ask. "Something wrong?"

Samael shifted his gaze back to the man. "The priest?" Samael asked.

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"Vapad? We haven't seen him yet. He must be running late," Portugal answered.

"I see," Samael muttered.

Has Vapad noticed? Samael couldn't help but wonder.

"So, do we proceed with our plan? Route 4a, isn't it?" Portugal asked.

"Yes," Samael confirmed.

"Understood. If it's okay, can you give us some time to prepare? Migraines are a real bitch," Portugal answered.

Samael gave a brief nod as he flashed a brief gaze at the other members of the knight squad.

Samael left the tent afterwards, wandering for a bit in search of the priest. His voyage eventually led him back to the training grounds, where he spotted the same knight.

"Hey! I didn't see you at the party. Where were you?" The knight asked.

"I was there," Samael denied.

"I must've been hammered," the man said to himself as he chuckled.

"Hey, have you seen Vapad?" Samael asked.

"Hm? Vapad? I heard he's feeling quite unwell, so he'll rest for a while," the knight answered after some contemplation.

"I see," Samael said.

"Is there something wrong?" The knight asked.

"No, nothing," Samael denied.

After some talk, the knight left Samael on his own as he went back to training, swinging his sword tirelessly.

Meanwhile, Samael decided to go back to his tent. Analyzing the events last night.

Vapad is hiding something. Even the other inhabitants didn't seem to know of his nightly strolls, Samael thought as he sat in a meditative position.

Do the Liesco knights know? Samael wondered.

Vapad seemed to be heading deeper into the forest. What else could his purpose be besides relating to the wolves? Samael's brows furrowed.

Due to his position, no one would suspect him of anything. He's also established as a kind, compassionate man by everyone in this camp, Samael thought.

Vapad was oddly sneaky on his exit, expertly avoiding the guards on his path. He seemed very experienced with whatever he was doing and knew his way around the woods.

He certainly has been doing this for a while now. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so versed in the realm of stealth.

He's also pretty smart to use the opportunity given to him because of the feast. No one would expect anything considering they're all drunk and asleep, Samael thought.

He also stashed some food in his large bag. What else is inside it? Intel? Coordinates? Samael couldn't help but ask.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Samael's eyes opened as he rose up, opening the entrance of his tent to be greeted by the knights.

"You ready?" Portugal asked.

Samael gave the man a nod as he went out.

As they walked towards the forest, Portugal asked a question.

"I've been noticing; is there something wrong? You've been awfully tensed," the man asked.

He's a sharp Samael.

However, it was an opportunity to know better.

"I've just been wondering. Did Vapad really just appear out of nowhere?" Samael asked.

"The priest? Well, he was sent by the church, as everyone knows. Back then, we were tasked with accompanying him due to our recent accomplishments," Portugal said.

"It might not seem like it, but we've been managing since the start of all this. We've never lost a brother or a sister in all this chaos, and we don't intend to," Portugal resumed.

Samael's brows rose. It was impressive to think they haven't lost anyone. While harsh, they were certainly weak, making this accomplishment all the more fascinating.

"That being said, the higher-ups seemed to have really liked this, so they put Vapad in our squad. Wait, is something wrong with the priest?" Portugal inquired.

Do I tell them? If Vapad really is the mole, then it would be best to let them know. But my evidence is lacking. Should I proceed? Samael wondered.

Portugal noticed the conflicted look of Samael as he stepped back.

"Hey, you don't have to tell us anything. However, we'll be here when needed. But we would appreciate it if you trusted us more. After all, we are comrades, right?" Portugal said.

Samael's gaze traveled down. Sharing his gathered information does not guarantee the knights will believe him, but if Vapad was indeed the mole, then the squad would greatly benefit from raising their guards around him.

"What I'm about to reveal is a secret we should never reveal," Samael said to Portugal.

The knight's visage darkened. "I must stop you right now, Samael. You don't need to tell me anything. It's okay; I trust you," Portugal said.

Samael gave a nod. Portugal felt similar to Ajax. Albeit more lighthearted,. However, he did not feel the same familiarity as he felt with his mentor.

"Vapad... I saw him sneak out in the middle of the night," Samael said.

Portugal's forehead creased.

"What are you saying?" Portugal asked.

"In my reports, Vapad was not present. He had no records of being part of your squad despite the orders coming from the higher-ups," Samael said.

"But how? Vapad has been with us since the invasion," Portugal said.

"That is what I'm saying," Samael said.

"Why would a priest travel at night without permission as he heads deeper into the woods? A non-combatant at that," Samael said.

Portugal remained silent for a moment.

"Are you saying Vapad is hiding something?" Portugal asked.

"I believe there's a snake amongst us. Our first mission was sabotaged. Those wolves did not just decide to vacate their nests when we arrived. Imgrave wolves don't do that. They're highly territorial," Samael explained.

"They would either have a compelling reason to leave or they'd be pushed back. Based on the signs, it seems they left in a hurry," Samael said.

"Are you saying Vapad gave those wolves information? But how? They're abominations. Mindless killing machines built for humanity's downfall," Portugal said.

"Imgrave wolves are smart enough to develop tactics, negate ambushes, and use formations. What's stopping them from using inside information?" Samael said.

Portugal fell silent. His gaze was lost in contemplation.

"If... Vapad really is what you tell him he is, then we'll have to be careful. We do not know how much information he's revealed," Portugal said after a while.

Samael gave a nod.

"I'll relay this information to my squad members. Be assured, justice will shed light on the truth, and the culprit will be punished," Portugal said as he held Samael's shoulder.

As the group inched towards their objectives, Samael noticed the telltale signs of Imgrave wolves.

"We're nearing," Portugal muttered.

Samael shot the man a glance.

"Yes, we are," Samael uttered.

"How did you know?" Samael asked.

"Whenever you make that serious face, I know something's up. Not to mention, it smells like piss in here," Portugal said.

Samael expanded his Void compass, reaching further into the towering decaying trunks and revealing what's behind the dense fog of war.

"Two dens a few hundred meters north of where we are and another three west of us," Samael said.

Samael burst forward, blending with the darkness as he kept a watchful eye ahead, taking notes of the coordinates of the dens.

As he returned, Samael marked a tree with four marks.

"This area is infested. We should return," Samael said.

The Liesco knights nodded in response as they wrote down the coordinates of the lairs, making sure to write the number of the wolves and the route they took.

Then they went back.

As they arrived back, Samael swiftly went his own way.

Vapad was yet to be seen leaving his quarters. Some people have checked on him and confirmed he was okay.

But Samael believes the priest was not giving up so quickly.

As Samael went to his tent, he stumbled upon a man wearing a cloak, seemingly waiting in front of his quarters.

"Who are you?" Samael asked.

The man shifted his gaze towards Samael.

"Ah! You must be Sir Samael. I was just passing by and remembered this is where you were stationed, sir. Yuin's told me a lot about you," the man said.

He knows Yuin? Samael wondered.

"Ah, apologies. I'm Thorn, one of the few scouts before Yuin and the rest," Thorn said.

"I see. What bought you here?" Samael asked.

"Just passing by for a mission," Thorn said.

"What mission?" Samael asked.

Thorn chuckled. "Unfortunately, I cannot disclose the details," Thorn said.

Samael gave an understanding nod.

"I'll be on my way then," Thorn excused as he stormed away.

"Send my regards to Yuin," Samael said before he went inside his tent.