The person didn't suspect anything and went back to their own business. People often came and went within the Reunion Movement; it wasn't anything unexpected.
Meanwhile, Flandre Scarlet arrived at the agreed-upon departure point to the south. At this moment, Frostnova was chatting with a group from the Yeti Squad. Seeing that Yelena could walk around, everyone seemed very happy. After Flandre Scarlet arrived, Frostnova also flashed a smile.
"Thank you so much this time, little Flandre."
She already knew that the reason she survived safely was that Flandre Scarlet had arrived in time with medical supplies. She had wanted to thank her last night, but Flandre's drowsy appearance made her give up on the idea. Learning that she was going hunting in the southern forest with the Yeti Squad this morning, she had made a special trip here.
"You're welcome. It's enough that Sister Yelena is safe," Flandre Scarlet responded politely.
"Then you all should head out! Remember to stay safe, and come back early!" Frostnova watched as the group walked down the small path leading south.
On the way, Flandre Scarlet asked about the hunting methods and direction.
"Miss Flandre Scarlet, you can just call me Big Bear. The specific plan is that we've set some traps on the animal trails in the forest earlier. We'll check along the way for any catches, and then head to several large ponds in the forest for another round of hunting." The man named Big Bear took out a very crude hand-drawn map and pointed to it as he spoke.
After looking at it, Flandre Scarlet thought for a moment and shared her opinion. "Then you all proceed as planned. I'll fly to those ponds first to see if there's any prey. If there is, I'll help control them and bring them back, so everyone can be faster."
Big Bear thought about it and realized it seemed like a good idea. "Indeed, Miss Flandre Scarlet, since you can fly, you can reach the furthest spots most quickly to scout the situation. Let's do as you suggested then!"
Seeing her suggestion accepted, Flandre Scarlet flew off into the distance with a cheerful laugh. "Miss Flandre Scarlet is so happy every day. Hearing her laugh makes me feel less tired." Watching Flandre Scarlet fly away, Big Bear's exclamation drew agreement from the others.
After leaving the hunting party, Flandre Scarlet quickly found the ponds marked on the map thanks to her high-altitude advantage. However, after looking around, she felt there weren't many wild animals near these ponds, so she prepared to look a bit further away.
Sure enough, after flying south for another stretch, she discovered a herd of nearly a hundred Camel-like Beasts by a new pond, along with various other animals. She descended from the sky onto the leading Camel-like Beast, a flash of crimson appearing in her eyes.
"Let's go, let's go! Head north!"
In the next second, the same red appeared in the eyes of all the wild animals by the pond. Then the herd began to move, heading north all the way.
Two hours later, Big Bear, who had already reached the second pond, looked south with a worried expression. "Something's not right. We've walked so far, why haven't we seen Miss Flandre Scarlet?"
"But since she can fly, logically there shouldn't be any problems!" someone said.
"But based on the time, she should have met up with us here. Regardless, let's keep going. With Flandre Scarlet's strength, if she wanted to run, no one could probably stop her."
By the time they reached the third pond and still hadn't seen Flandre Scarlet, everyone started to get a bit restless. Just then, Big Bear looked at the water's surface and suddenly asked, "Do you hear any sound?"
"Huh? What sound?" Everyone was puzzled.
Big Bear looked at the ripples spreading across the water. "It's a stampede. A huge herd of beasts is heading this way from the south."
In the next second, everyone found a large tree and jumped up, looking south alertly. As the herd drew closer, the others heard the noise as well. Everyone instinctively hid themselves higher and more covertly to avoid being trampled.
"Eh? Big Bear, what are you all doing hiding in the trees? Do you want to play hide-and-seek with Flandre?"
Hearing Flandre Scarlet's voice, Big Bear poked his head out and found Flandre Scarlet sitting cross-legged on a massive Camel-like Beast. "This... what is this?"
"Oh, I checked all the spots you marked and felt there were too few animals. So I flew a bit further south and happened to find them, then I brought them all back," Flandre Scarlet answered as if it were only natural.
"There must be at least a hundred of them!" Someone looked at the beasts and couldn't help but gulp.
"It's an entire herd of Camel-like Beasts; Miss Flandre took them all in one go. This is great! With so many Camel-like Beasts and quite a few calves, we won't have to work so hard carrying things in the future."
The others were also beaming with joy. Camel-like Beasts were precious; their load capacity was roughly equal to ten young adults. Following Flandre Scarlet's example, the Yeti Squad members each found a beast to ride and continued their journey north toward the settlement.
At the same time, to the west of the settlement, Talulah, Alina, and Red were on a small hill discussing defensive fortifications. Suddenly, everyone felt an indescribable coldness and fear. Emerging from the forest along with the black shadows was a person dressed in extremely closed-off attire.
"The Guard!" Talulah's gaze became incredibly solemn. She had discussed these "Emperor's Blades" with Buldrokkas'tee and knew their secrets.
Talulah reached out to stop Alina, who was baring her fangs in nervousness, and Red, who had already drawn his long sword. "Let me handle this." She placed her hand on her Invisible Sword. "The Guard, why have you come?"
"I have come for you, Lady Talulah. Don't be nervous. I bring you two pieces of news by order of His Majesty."
"The first: Count Miles has learned that the Vampire named Flandre Scarlet is with you. To avenge his eldest son who died at the headquarters last winter, he is gathering a large army to attack. They will arrive in about half a month. The second: His Majesty knows you have connections with Great Yan. If you survive this crisis, His Majesty says he can choose not to pursue you, nor will he attack the Reunion Movement. However, Great Yan is required to pin down the forces of the Fourth Legion in the east. Well, the message has been delivered. I wish you luck."
After saying this, The Guard turned and walked back into the darkness. It wasn't until several minutes later that the hair-raising chill dissipated.
"So that was The Guard, the strongest trump card in the hands of the Emperor." Talulah's expression was grim. "But now is not the time for this. Fortifications here must be paused. If he wasn't lying, we face a regular Ursus army, not a Reconnaissance Squad."
They immediately led everyone back to the settlement and called a meeting with Buldrokkas'tee and the three Shadow Guards.
"An overt plot, then! But I have to admit, this Emperor still has some tricks," one Shadow Guard sighed.
Setting aside whether they could defeat a regular army, for the Emperor, this was a win-win. If Talulah died, he could use the news to pressure Great Yan. If she won, she would remain a "nail" in the side of the Old Nobility he wished to suppress. Telling Talulah in advance was a calculated favor.
"So what do we do next?" Red asked.
"It will be hard to escape; Count Miles will likely have the Reconnaissance Squad block the exits. So we'll do this: first, move the elderly, children, and women to the south. The rest of us will stay here. Once the battle is lost, we will head north." Talulah said, pointing toward the canyon.
"North? Isn't that canyon blocked?" Red asked in confusion.
"It is indeed blocked, but that doesn't mean it's impassable. Flandre Scarlet told me that while observing from above, she discovered an animal trail on the left side of the mountain forest. By taking advantage of the mist, we can evacuate north through that trail."