Hinata and her troops took a rest at a location that was a day's journey from Eterna. There, they made their final arrangements. Considering the circumstances, the opponent should be awaiting their reply and not have made any battle preparations. However, they could not let their guard down, even against a group of monsters.
Most of all, Hinata's battle style was to fight in conditions where they could have a complete victory with as few casualties as possible. This was in no way cowardly, but a matter of course when confronting monsters.
"No mercy for monsters," that single phrase, rooted in their doctrine, affirmed everything they did.
The paladins were satisfied with that. They fully understood that victory was the only acceptable outcome; defeat would endanger human society. They had the mindset that any means could be employed to win because failure was unacceptable.
For this battle, setting up a barrier that covered the entire country would be far too ambitious. Instead, they devised a tactic using a decoy troop to lure the opponent's main forces onto the battlefield. Even so, the maneuver had to be executed carefully to avoid suspicion. Initially, Hinata had proposed going as an envoy, but the paladins opposed it, and the suggestion was rejected.
Although only a hundred paladins were present, each one was equal to a thousand soldiers. Among them, the top five captains and their two adjutants formed the strongest fifteen members of the order, with a clear line drawn between their strength and that of the others.
This time, the five captains would lead their two adjutants and five guards to set up the barrier at four positions. The enemy might attempt to interfere, so at worst, a three-angled barrier established by three squads should still function. They headed out in five directions instead of four to activate the barrier.
Even if the enemy tried to obstruct the activation, the captains could switch positions immediately. This would temporarily remove forty members from the main force, but luring the enemy into the barrier to neutralize them was the top priority. A simple tactic: the remaining sixty paladins acted as a decoy to draw the enemy's main forces to the correct location.
The paladins were confident. After all, their enemies were mostly evolved goblins and orcs—creatures they had defeated countless times, with no extraordinary abilities. There were reportedly some evolved lizardmen and ogres among them, but these, apart from the main forces, were unlikely to pose a real threat.
The real danger was the presence of the Archdaemon. While Hinata, whom they all admired, confronted the enemy demon lord, the rest had to ensure other monsters did not interfere. The Archdaemon would be the greatest challenge.
Still, they encouraged each other: there was nothing to fear this time. They were equipped with "spiritual armaments." The Holy Mail they wore had been adjusted so that each contracted spirit could manifest more easily. Though not as advanced as Hinata's true Holy Mail, it was vastly superior to ordinary armor, light on the body, and did not hinder movement.
Their weapons were imbued to destroy evil, bypass resistances, and deal decisive damage. Battles requiring this much coordinated strength were rare. Even for an Archdaemon, ten paladins would usually suffice. Compared to a country's army, this force equaled ten thousand elite knights, though it was incomparable when facing monsters.
Paladins were also scattered across the lands, but Hinata had gathered all available forces. For them, this subjugation battle was one they could not afford to lose.
As Hinata gazed at her paladins, thoughts swirled in her head. Did this battle truly have to be fought? She should have been certain back at the sacred city, but now self‑doubt crept in—an unfamiliar, unwelcome feeling.
First there was the predicted battlefield. On paper it looked almost too favorable. With fewer numbers, an open plain would be a disadvantage. They needed tangled terrain that stopped an enemy from spreading out yet made escape difficult. To think such convenient ground would exist felt wrong — like they were being moved on someone's palm. Still, that might be paranoia.
The enemy should believe Hinata and her forces were still inside the Holy Empire of Luberios. The transfer gates were secret, and they'd practiced movements near the border to conceal their real route. There was no reason the opponent should know their location. She trusted that they'd been cautious. And yet the feeling of danger would not leave her.
She stopped thinking and spoke.
"Hear me!" Hinata called.
Conversation died. Every paladin turned to her; she looked each of them in the face.
"I give you an order. Become decoys. That predicted battlefield is likely a trap. Dispersing there to set up the barrier could put us at a disadvantage. Still—we will willingly step into their trick. The adjutants will set up the barrier, not the captains."
A murmur ran through the captains. Hinata continued.
"The captains and guards will defend the adjutants with their lives. But do not cling to the barrier at all costs. Those assigned to the barrier may fight; they are not immovable. If you are attacked before you reach position, retreat with everything you have. I say again: do not persist in holding a barrier if it costs you your life. Survival is the priority. Depending on the attackers, you are permitted to abandon the barrier and engage."
She let them absorb that, then drove on.
"Think of the barrier teams as bait that disperses the enemy. The decoy troops in the center—do not loiter or try to support the barrier teams from behind. Face the enemy head‑on instead of using surprise attacks. Force them into our ring and fight them fairly. Rely on your own strength to annihilate the enemy."
Hinata's voice hardened.
"And while you act as decoys, I will go for the enemy's leader. Do not ever let your guard down. Act as if there are no reinforcements coming."
Captain Arlen stepped forward. "We will hold, Lady Hinata. We will lure them in and fight where we choose."
Lyra tightened her gauntlets. "We will stand and fight, fair and true."
Hinata looked over the hundred faces once more. The plan demanded much: for some to march into danger deliberately, for others to hold their ground under pressure. It demanded trust—trust in training, in one another, and in the leader who would strike the decisive blow.
"Trust your training," Hinata said softly. "Trust each other. Trust that I will not waste what you give me."
A single, resolute shout rose from the ranks. The barrier teams moved out; the decoys took their positions. Hinata turned away at last, alone with the weight of command. Doubt remained, but the decision stood: they would walk into the trap if that was what it took, and she would face whatever came to protect those she'd sworn to defend.
She trusted her own instincts and gave her orders. Whatever came, these were the only forces at her disposal. Any additional troops would have only gotten in the way, slowed them down, or caused confusion. The burden of victory rested entirely on those present.
The paladins gathered once more, this time to discuss the finer details of the strategy and confirm each of their individual roles. Maps were spread, positions marked, contingencies debated. Every angle was considered, every risk measured.
When the meeting ended, there was no trace of doubt in their eyes. No flicker of underestimation toward their enemies remained. Every one of them understood the danger, and every one of them accepted it. They would not falter, and they would not retreat—not unless ordered to survive and regroup.
In that silence, Hinata's resolve solidified. The die was cast, the battlefield set, and the moment of reckoning awaited them all.