Time flew by, and a week passed quietly.
Though the frontlines remained tense, with the arrival of supplies and reinforcements, the situation finally began to improve.
In the span of that week, the fortifications were successfully completed.
Trenches, barricades, traps, and various defensive measures were now in place.
The soldiers could finally breathe a small sigh of relief.
Though the pressure of the looming threat still weighed on them, they were no longer unprepared for the potential attacks from the magic beasts.
The commanders wasted no time.
As soon as the supplies arrived, they dispatched large numbers of scouts to gather intelligence deep within enemy territory.
The regions surrounding the Celestoria Mountain Range, particularly the areas where magic beasts were suspected to be active, became the focus of their scouting efforts.
Scouting teams moved swiftly and discreetly, bringing back valuable information.
Inside the command tent, Father Raphael stood with a serious expression, his gaze fixed on the map in his hands.
Five other priests had gathered once again, and the tension in the air was palpable as they prepared for their next crucial decision.
Father Phillips was the first to speak, detailing the information his scouts had brought back.
"To the north, there's a large concentration of magic beast habitats. Groups of more than a dozen beasts are frequently active.
"The northwest is rugged, with steep cliffs that make troop movement difficult.
"As for the northeast, it's heavily wooded with winding paths.
It's the only route we currently know of for discreet movement, but it's also a prime spot for magic beasts to lie in ambush."
His report left the tent in a state of deep thought, as the complexity of the situation was far beyond what they had anticipated.
Father Raphael nodded slightly, once again shifting his attention to the sand table and the map.
Three legions formed the core of this operation: the vanguard would lead the advance, the central forces would provide steady support, and the flanking troops would be responsible for ambushes and cutting off retreat.
The rearguard's duty was to defend the camp and ensure the base was not breached.
The logistics teams were following the plan, continuously supplying the frontlines with the necessary resources.
"The number and distribution of the magic beasts are more complex than we thought.
"If we attack head-on, we could easily be surrounded by the beast hordes.
We need to find the right breakthrough point," said Father Weiss, his brow furrowed in concern.
Father Thomas stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The northeast path is risky, but it's also our best chance.
If we can find the right ambush point in that forest, the flanking troops could deal a fatal blow to the enemy."
His suggestion left the other priests in silent contemplation.
"Send more scouts to the northeast.
We need more detailed information about the paths and where the magic beasts are lying in wait," Father Raphael finally decided.
With his orders given, scouts from all three legions swiftly began their tasks.
Borne, a seasoned scout, was assigned to the northern region.
His mission wasn't just to gather intelligence but to map out water sources, assess the condition of major roads, and identify the locations of the magic beasts' habitats.
The northern region was teeming with magic beasts, and its complex terrain meant that the success of the scouting mission would directly affect the frontlines.
Borne's teammates for this mission were Lucius and Harley, both seasoned veterans with whom he shared a strong bond of camaraderie.
Each of them carried two small flags, one red and one white—these would be their only means of communication during the mission.
Flag signals were crucial because they would be deep in enemy territory, where they had to maintain stealth and couldn't risk speaking.
The three scouts split up to cover different areas but stayed in constant contact with each other.
If they encountered danger or needed to convey important information, flag signals were their only option.
Before setting out, they rolled in the dirt, covering themselves in mud and dust to mask their scent.
This was a necessary precaution since magic beasts had an extremely keen sense of smell, and even the faintest human scent could alert them.
Rolling in the dirt and using the natural smells of the environment was the only way to reduce the risk of detection.
It was a carefully considered decision, knowing that most magic beasts became active at sunset, while they were less aggressive during the day, giving the scouts more time for safe reconnaissance.
Though all three were seasoned, this mission's unique challenges forced them to go in light.
For stealth, they carried only the essentials—daggers and small spades.
No bulky weapons, no extra gear; they had to move fast and stay hidden.
Soon, the three split up and began scouting their respective areas.
Each scout had a clear task. Together, their findings would provide a complete picture of the region.
To avoid getting lost on the way back, Borne marked a tall, distinctive tree by carving a simple symbol into its trunk.
He silently recited his route in his mind, fully aware that the intricate terrain of the Celestoria Mountain Range could easily disorient anyone, especially in this cold, where even thoughts seemed to slow.
With the mark made, Borne took a deep breath, steadying himself as he continued along his designated path.
Ever-vigilant, he listened intently to the sounds around him. Occasionally, the distant rustle of wind through the trees reached his ears, and sometimes, there were faint, low growls—the sounds of magic beasts moving in the distance.
Whenever Borne heard these sounds, he would immediately freeze, holding his breath to carefully judge the direction and distance of the noise.
With his extensive experience guiding him, Borne pressed on, feeling the air around him gradually become more humid.
He realized he must be approaching a water source.
Before long, he arrived at a mountain stream.
The water was crystal clear, the cold stream evidently flowing down from the higher, snow-covered parts of the mountain.
The surroundings were unusually serene.
Just then, Borne spotted a spotted deer drinking from the stream.
Its spotted coat made it appear especially graceful.
Every few seconds, the deer would lift its head, alertly scanning its surroundings with its ears perked, ready to flee at the slightest disturbance.
Borne crouched silently in the undergrowth, careful not to make any noise.
He knelt down and quickly pulled out his map, marking the water source and its surroundings with precise detail.
This water source would be crucial for the army, especially if they needed to camp for extended periods.
After completing his notes, Borne paused for a moment, his gaze once more falling on the majestic spotted deer.
With dusk approaching, Borne finished his simple dinner, chewing on three hard biscuits from his pack.
Though tasteless, he didn't mind.
After washing them down with a few sips of water, he began searching for a safe, hidden spot to spend the night.
Before long, he found an ideal location atop a small hill.
The view was expansive, allowing him to observe his surroundings clearly.
The rocky terrain also provided natural cover.
Borne settled behind a large boulder, positioning himself for concealment while leaning against the hard stone, trying to relax his tense body.
Closing his eyes, he could still hear the distant rustling of leaves and the faint chirping of night insects.
Though exhausted, his nerves remained on edge.