"Clan Leader, there's news of the Princess."
Within the Ogre Tribe's village, Souei quickly approached the Red-haired Uncle.
The Red-haired Uncle stood up hurriedly. "Really?"
"I heard it from the traveling merchants of the Kobold Tribe."
Souei then recounted the whole story.
Over these past few days, the Ogre Tribe had been making inquiries everywhere based on Draco's appearance, and they finally found a clue.
Draco had made quite a commotion when he entered the forest, but he just hadn't passed through the Ogre Tribe's territory.
However, the Kobold Tribe, known as the most well-informed in the forest, knew about it.
Furthermore, some tribesmen had witnessed the appearance of the leader.
It happened to match the description provided by the Ogre Tribe exactly.
"So, where is the specific location?" the Red-haired Uncle asked urgently.
"The person's trail was lost at the plains on the eastern side of the forest."
"The plains?"
The Red-haired Uncle's brow furrowed. "That distance is a bit far, and we'll have to pass through the territories of the Minotaur Tribe and the Centaur Tribe."
"Father, let's set out immediately. We can't hesitate anymore."
Benimaru had been incredibly anxious these past few days. Now that they finally had a clue, how could they delay?
"Yes, no matter what, we must bring the Princess back."
The Red-haired Uncle nodded, and then led a group of Ogres dashing toward the plains.
The Ogre Tribe had 300 members in total. This time, they directly mobilized the village's hundred strongest to search for the Princess's whereabouts.
But just as the group reached the village entrance, their path was blocked by a mysterious demon.
The Red-haired Uncle's brow was tightly knit. "Who are you?"
"Hehe, my name is Gelmud. I've come to help you."
A demon wearing a crow mask didn't look like a good person no matter how you sliced it.
However, this person was indeed a Named Demon; he was definitely not simple.
The Red-haired Uncle weighed his options and then asked, "What do you mean by helping us?"
"Hahaha, I can help you find people, and I can also help you become stronger. I can bestow names upon you."
Gelmud looked at the group of Ogres before him, his face full of smiles.
A named person must obey the namer's orders. Gelmud's purpose in coming here was to subjugate the Ogre Tribe.
But he was thinking too simply.
The Ogre Tribe was one of the strongest races in the forest; they looked down on him entirely.
"We appreciate the sentiment, but we don't need it."
As the Red-haired Uncle spoke, he ignored the man and led the warriors behind him toward the eastern side of the forest.
"Huh???"
"Hey, don't leave! Hey!"
The Ogres, anxious to save their princess, were in no mood to listen to his nonsense; no one paid him any mind.
Seeing this, Gelmud's face darkened, as if he had been insulted.
"Damn it!"
Refusing to give up, Gelmud gave a cold snort and quietly followed... By evening, the sun was setting in the west.
The sunset glow in the sky was as brilliant as fire.
But these sights were lost on Draco; he couldn't see them from underground.
At this moment, he was in an office, checking several virtual light screens.
Those were the effects brought by the True Sight Wards that Draco had given to Shalltear during the day.
Shalltear's efficiency was very high.
By summoning a large number of Vampire Kin, hundreds of True Eyes were quickly placed throughout the forest.
Although her kin were only Level 70, they were smart enough to make up for it.
Every one of them was an expert at getting things done.
The kin had two forms: one was a white-clad humanoid form, and the other was the legendary 'Lamprey' form.
I won't describe the details; if you know, you know.
The kin had gone out today and gathered intelligence from various parts of the forest according to their orders.
Finally, they reported back to Shalltear via sound transmission.
In the office, everyone heard Shalltear's narration.
They learned about the chain reaction that occurred after Shuna's disappearance.
Susu was a bit confused. "Master, why are these people still preparing for war even after learning the truth?"
Draco shook his head slightly. "It's the Chain of Suspicion!"
"Chain of Suspicion?"
Draco explained, "No one can guarantee the truth or falsehood of this news. They only see that other tribes are preparing for war."
"In this situation, all they can do is increase their own tribe's combat power to ensure nothing goes wrong."
"So that's how it is."
"Ah~ As expected of Master, to be able to analyze it so thoroughly."
Albedo looked at Draco from the side with admiration.
Susu also nodded in agreement.
On the contrary, Draco's brow furrowed.
He hadn't expected his small action to cause such a massive uproar.
"Lord Draco, is my father and the others okay?"
Shuna asked with some concern from the side.
"Don't worry, the Ogre Tribe's strength is such that they won't suffer in the forest."
Draco comforted her, but seeing her still-worried expression, he added.
"Shalltear, send someone to find the Ogre Tribe and take a True Sight Ward with them."
"Keep a constant eye on their every move."
"As you command, Master."
Draco then handed a Projection Crystal that could show the Ogre Tribe to Shuna.
"With this, you can monitor your clansmen's movements at all times."
Shuna took the crystal, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you, My Lord."
"It's nothing."
"Shalltear, is there any other intelligence?"
"Master, my subordinates also discovered the traces of many insects (humans), who seem to be adventurers of this world."
"Uh... don't worry about them."
"Understood."
As if suddenly remembering something, Shalltear continued.
"There's one more thing. Many people are trying to find our location."
"Furthermore... their targets seem to be focused near the plains."
"Hmm, that's normal. After all, the commotion I caused back then was huge."
"That was my oversight, but it's not a big problem."
"As long as the Storm Dragon is here, no one who poses a threat to us will appear."
"The Storm Dragon?"
Except for Shuna, the other three exchanged glances.
"Eh? Didn't I tell you guys?"
Everyone shook their heads.
Draco slapped his head. "I forgot."
Afterward, he informed everyone about the situation of this world.
"So that powerful aura was emanating from the Storm Dragon."
Albedo looked enlightened.
When she entered the forest, she sensed a powerful aura, but she didn't pay it any mind.
This was the confidence derived from having Absolute Defense.
"Speaking of which, who do you think is stronger, the Storm Dragon or yourselves?"
"Of course I am stronger. My Lord worries too much."
Shalltear answered without hesitation.
"I want to hear the truth."
Shalltear awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose.
"Alright, if judged purely by aura, I might not be his match."
"But in actual combat, I believe he wouldn't be able to defeat me."
Shalltear's confidence stemmed from the top-tier equipment she wore and her all-rounder combat characteristics.
But Draco knew that Shalltear was definitely no match for the Storm Dragon Veldora.
Furthermore, the Storm Dragon, sealed for 300 years, had limited Magical Essence remaining within its body.
The aura currently emitted was not that of his peak condition.
This was similar to what Draco had previously guessed.
Level 100 coupled with top-tier equipment meant her strength was roughly equivalent to an S-rank Awakened Demon Lord.
There was still a considerable gap until reaching the level of an S+-rank Calamity.
"What about you, Albedo?"
"With me here, I absolutely won't let him harm my Master in the slightest."
Albedo puffed out her chest and lifted her head, full of pride.
"I, I understand."