Aayam awoke in a different place, feeling pain throughout his body. He recalled how he and Risa had rescued the prison demons and allies, with Risa inflicting wounds to make it seem like he was on the enemy's side. As a door creaked open, Commander Derick entered.
"Finally awake. I have questions for you," said the commander.
"Where...am I? What's happening?" Aayam struggled to speak clearly due to his injury.
"In the medical bay. Things are chaotic."
"Chaos?"
"The enemy breached the city and caused damage."
"Is it true, sir?"
"Yes."
"I can't believe it."
"Soldier!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Where we found you, at the underground prison, Otto and all others were killed. Every captured demon escaped. Any idea how?" asked the commander.
"I don't know, sir. Before the attack, someone from the security squad took me to the slums," Aayam replied.
"Is that true?" The commander realized there might be a spy they hadn't detected.
"I rushed to General Otto's room when I heard about the prison breach. I can't recall after that," Aayam continued.
Commander Derick acknowledged the information. "Thank you. Rest now."
"Is that all, Commander? He's the lone survivor from the prison guards," someone interjected.
The leaders believed Aayam was the only survivor. They sent people to find Otto, but the place was destroyed when they arrived. Aayam and Risa brought him back.
************
"That's all in my report," Derick stated.
"Did you find evidence to confirm his claims?" asked the superior.
"No, all but one person was killed by Otto's team."
"What about the demon brought to Otto by the guard team? What happened to them? Why wasn't it reported?" questioned the superior.
"We sent people to find them in the slums. When they returned, they found the guard team's bodies charred."
The room reacted with shock.
"Were they attacked by someone?" the superior inquired.
"Yes, their bodies showed signs of a strong attack," Derick confirmed. The room grew tense, realizing there might be another threat in the city.
**********
Three days passed, and Aayam was discharged from the medical bay. The city of Sigilla was being fortified, wary of potential demon attacks. Suspicious individuals were seeking someone, casting eyes on Aayam since his release.
To earn their trust, Aayam needed to persuade them by completing assigned tasks.
At the Nessus army base, a significant event unfolded.
"General Batibat!"
"What is it? Are we under attack?"
"No sir, our spies have returned."
"What!?" Batibat rushed out of his tent to verify the news. The scouting team was expected back in two weeks after infiltrating enemy lines, but they returned after just one.
At the scout team's location, Batibat found injured civilians, some unable to move.
When the general saw injured civilians and the spies, He call for the medical team to come and treat the wounded.
Spoken went up to the general and gave his report on the mission, noting the dire condition of the injured, as well as what little information they gathered on the enemy. Before Spoken finished his report he let out a loud cough.
"Spoken! Are you alright? Euryale, get him medical attention from Emily!" Batibat ordered, but Spoken insisted on speaking.
"Sir, I'll be fine. Let me finish my report," Spoken said.
"Go ahead, what do you have to say?" Batibat inquired.
"There is still one more person in Sigilla, He was that kid I recruited from the voliter group. He'll send more information in the future." Spoken said before passing out.
"Thank you for your hard work, Spoken. Rest and recover soon." Batibat watched as Spoken was taken to be treated.
"Euryale!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Have some men watch for any messengers, especially that kid still behind enemy lines. We can't let him get caught."