High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1567: Chapter 311: A Long Night (4)

”This Shadow Stone was located using magical positioning after news spread and several other patrol teams rushed to the scene.”

”Besides the Shadow Stone, all members of that patrol team—including their clothing, equipment, and even footprints—disappeared without a trace... The only reason this Shadow Stone was preserved is that a courageous patrol member tossed it into a pool of water, hiding it among a pile of pebbles.”

”Our patrol team did not detect any danger signals in that area—whether it was the strange sound recorded in the Shadow Stone, the stench noted on the patrol member’s parchment, or the abnormal footprints—none of it revealed any abnormalities.”

”The only certainty is that we lost a brave patrol team and that something terrifyingly strange has appeared in the Silent Forest...”

A shrewd-looking warlock, holding a report, spoke in a low voice to all the captains seated along both sides of the long table.

Avery recognized him as a captain who originally didn’t belong to Gini Cottage—North District was vast, and among the tens of thousands of tricksters, there were no shortages of sharp and capable talent. Some of those who aligned themselves with Korma at the earliest opportunity, much like the veterans of Gini Cottage such as Avery, had been entrusted with significant responsibilities.

Yet, due to the relatively short amount of time, they still carried an inevitable air of ”outsiders.”

As a result, these newcomers often displayed greater enthusiasm and stronger determination when completing the tasks assigned by Korma. Avery was unsurprised that the missing patrol team belonged to these ”outsiders.”

The briefing was brief, and the information it provided was not more detailed than what was gathered from the Shadow Stone. Once the concise warlock completed his report, he quickly took his seat again.

The hall fell into a heavy silence.

The only sounds were the faint crackling from the silvery flames of the sprawling chandelier of candles suspended from the ceiling—small, muted *pop-pop* sounds, as if mourning the patrol members who vanished in the depths of the Silent Forest.

At the far end of the hall, on a high-backed black chair,

Korma slowly opened her previously closed eyes.

”It’s an Outer God,” she concluded without hesitation. Compared to the inexperienced North District wizards, the witch who had once served as Vice President of the Student Council at the First University—and had directly faced the descent of two Outer Gods—pieced together the rich information from the Shadow Stone with her prior experiences and the series of recent incidents at the school. Thus, she formed her judgment immediately:

”Shub-Niggurath, the Supreme Mother God from the depths of the Starry Sky, the Black Mountain Goat of the Forest, who gives birth to countless offspring... Though for now, it’s unclear whether it’s an incarnation of Her or one of Her followers.”

”Based on the descriptions from the Shadow Stone, it seems to only be a Black Mountain Goat cub. However, even the North District wizards, amateurs as they may be, wouldn’t be annihilated in such a short span of time by an ordinary Black Mountain Goat cub... which is why I’m inclined to believe it’s an incarnation of Lady Nicolas.”

Contrary to what the witch might have expected, no commotion or unrest spread through the hall. There were no whispered exchanges, no furtive mumblings, not even nervous fidgeting causing the chairs to creak beneath them.

They simply sat silently, composed and dignified.

Occasionally, fervent and expectant gazes shifted toward her.

Of course. Korma exhaled softly in her heart. How could she expect more from them? A month ago, the shadows seated behind the two long tables had been mere tricksters struggling to survive in the North District. To them, the most dangerous job in the world was crossing the Silent River to gather mushrooms in the Silent Forest.

Ordinary wizards were already esteemed, akin to noble lords; registered wizards, on the other hand, existed only in the extravagant boasts heard in taverns. As for Great Wizards or beings of even higher echelons, they were merely legendary figures, whom most tricksters could never dream of encountering in their lifetimes.

So, Outer God?

For the shallowly rooted wizards of the North District, an Outer God, a demon, a slumbering giant dragon at the mouth of a volcano, or a century-old Great Wizard residing in a distant tower were distinctions without much difference.

Like the Sun—its heat so distant that they could never feel the blaze that could incinerate everything.

At this thought, Korma suddenly felt a wave of weariness. Initially, she had intended to listen to her subordinates’ opinions, but the fatigue welling up from within overwhelmed that intention.

She was too tired.

The witch raised her hand, gesturing for the captains to rise: ”Given the excessive risk, which exceeds the capabilities of the North District’s wizards, I will immediately submit a request for support to the school... Until then, the patrol teams’ routes in the Silent Forest will be pulled back to its fringes, with patrol ranges limited to the edges of the forest. Furthermore, teams should maintain a communication distance no greater than one kilometer.”

”Katherine will handle coordination and arrangements.”

”Be vigilant in strictly investigating all illegal rituals or unauthorized magic ceremonies. Patrol teams are granted on-the-spot arrest authority. As for Avery and Enock, you two must focus on monitoring the North District, strengthening internal reviews... If you discover any tricksters or North District wizards exhibiting unstable mental states, using incomprehensible spells, displaying physical mutations, or producing sinister magical effects, report and apprehend them immediately...”

”I understand that, prior to officially becoming wizards, many individuals in the North District may have had experiences involving the worship of Evil Gods or even Devils. Until today, such behaviors could be forgiven... But from this moment onward, any continuation of those actions will face the severest punishment.”

The orders were issued one after another.

The captains accepted their duties in turn and took their leave.

The figures behind the long tables grew increasingly sparse, leaving the hall feeling ever emptier. When the last few captains departed, their silhouettes fading beyond the hall’s massive doors, Korma finally lowered her eyes.

She did not immediately head to the school for assistance.

Truthfully, she held little faith in the school’s intervention—if the institution truly had sufficient manpower to handle the situation, it wouldn’t have assigned the patrolling of the Silent Forest and Beta Town to the North District’s wizards in the first place.

Seated in her high-backed black chair, she silently deliberated for a long while.

Until outside the hall, in the small courtyard of the Sakura Pub, silence once again blanketed all.

Korma raised her head once more.

This time, however, she did not look toward the door but instead to a corner of the hall’s ceiling, a glint of inquiry in her gaze: ”Did the school bring a new proposal for resolution?”

”You’re thinking about peaches,” came a scornful sneeze from the ceiling.

The pudgy figure of the Yellow Flowered Cat descended from above, landing nimbly onto a long table, leaving a trail of grayish paw prints on the russet velvet tablecloth. In a mocking tone, it remarked:

”If the school really cared, they wouldn’t have left Beta Town’s defense to a frail little witch like you... Out of our past dealings, I’ll give you a suggestion: Danhag’s Enforcement Corps is currently the only powerful strike force within the Wizard Covenant that isn’t occupied. One simple application, and those Wizard’s Codex-obsessed guys would be happy to stir up trouble for Nicolas.”

As the words fell, the Flower Cat had already strolled gracefully to the hem of Korma’s skirt.

It sniffed deeply, shook its head, and let out a loud sneeze: ”As suspected, now I know why I’ve been sneezing...”

”What is it?”

”Perfume,” the Yellow Flowered Cat raised a paw to cover its nose, wearing a fully disapproving expression: ”Citrusy with ambergris—too lofty and gentle, not matching your aura at all.”

”Then what scent do you think suits me better?”

”Bitter orange blossom smoked by moonlight, cool and distant enough to fit you.”