Yrellea, Tiana, and Laura continued to talk more.
The talkative Laura babbled how she befriended Yrellea and everything that she did in the forest.
Tiana also informed them a little about her past. It was her past before she met with Jonas.
Laura and Yrellea listened to her stories keenly. They were surprised that humans had so many cultures and so many things to do. Especially this college thing.
There was no such educational institute in the Elf Kingdom. And the same was the case with Yrellea. They had a family system where the parents would teach their children.
To them, studying in a college was a foreign concept. So, they were quite excited when hearing Tiana speak about her life in school and college.
Tiana was also somewhat happy that these two women were interested in hearing her out. When the other party is interested in listening, the storyteller would feel great joy.
Azaroth had already sealed his ears and had begun cultivating. He wasn't going to waste his time gossiping with them.
Nearly half a day later, Azaroth's group halted to take a break.
During this time, Azaroth introduced the women to Sargan, Ralph, and Noah.
Laura, Tiana, and even Yrellea were surprised to see Ralph and Noah. The two were just kids.
Were they also going to be part of this organization?
Moreover, Yrellea noticed that there was a sparkling and worshipping look in Noah's eyes when he talked to Azaroth.
It seemed even more exaggerated than Laura's excitement.
Azaroth also informed them of their tasks just like he did with Tiana, Laura, and Yrellea.
Sargan and Yrellea began talking to each other. They could be considered in the same department so they had to break the ice.
"Master did inform me that a succubus was going to join us. To think he planned on having you form an intelligence network with me." Even though it was unintentional this time, Sargan still couldn't conceal the arrogance in his tone.
Yrellea was used to talking to humans like him. But she found a rather familiar feeling from him and asked him, "You are a demon?"
"Yes. I am a member of Bach Clan!" Sargan proudly declared to Yrellea in an attempt to awe her.
"Yet you are working under a human?" Yrellea questioned, blankly staring back at him.
Her words were provocative and were meant to anger Sargan. But unexpectedly, Sargan dryly laughed and replied, "That status means nothing now."
Sargan then extended his hand and spoke, "Let's start anew. My name is Sargan Bach."
"I am Yrellea." Yrellea shook his hand.
Laura, Tiana, Ralph, and Noah were also conversing amongst themselves. Well, it was mostly Noah asking the questions.
"Who are you? Why did master recruit you? Was he unsatisfied with me? Did he say anything about me? He doesn't plan on throwing me out, right?" Noah began with his list of questions.
These questions overwhelmed Ralph and Tiana so greatly that they were speechless. Only Laura seemed to be able to match Noah's frequency.
"I am Laura, an Elf. Boss saved me from the prison of the Silent Death Organization. He did say that you were going to train the new recruits and then command them." Laura replied to all of Noah's questions.
"Woah! What techniques do you have? Sargan knows some really cool lightning skills and Ralph knows some cool fire techniques. I don't know any technique like this though." Noah whispered the last words with a distressed tone.
Laura noticed how Noah seemed disappointed. She first proudly replied to Noah's first question, "Hehe… I know wood techniques! It's definitely the coolest and strongest out there. Also, don't worry, you will unlock your element when you reach the 2 Star Rank."
Laura's last words were an attempt to cheer up Noah. Her words worked like a charm. The bright smile on Noah's face was back again.
She didn't know why but when she looked at Noah, she was reminded of her younger brother and it made her want to protect him.
"Right, I didn't mention myself. I use sword techniques. Master taught me a bunch of them and I have nearly mastered them all! Hehe…" Noah spoke pulled out his sword from his sheathe.
To someone of Laura's age, this sword seemed like half the length of a normal sword but she didn't look down on Noah.
She sincerely said, "I am sure you are really good. How about you show me your sword techniques?"
"Really?! Come, I will show you my coolest techniques!" Noah cheerfully said to Laura.
Ralph and Tiana were left behind to face each other.
The two were quite shy and couldn't talk in the presence of those two easily excitable fellows.
Tiana was the first one to speak, "I am Tiana. It's nice to meet you…"
"…I am Ralph. It's also nice to meet you." Ralph spoke after some time.
After their introduction, they remained silent.
Tiana didn't know why but she felt inclined to continue. She asked him, "Umm… Do you have any idea how Edwin is going to train us?"
Ralph gave a single-line response, "It's going to be hard."
Although it was a short answer, it was accurate. He had already witnessed Azaroth's training. And even with his great physique granted by his bloodline, he could barely complete the drills.
He doubted Tiana would be able to survive that training.
The two continued on to have some small talk.
Meanwhile, Azaroth was talking to the guard captain.
The man was quite curious about all these retainers under Azaroth and finally couldn't hold himself and asked him, "Who are these people, young master?"
Azaroth knew it was a big problem that this guard captain had seen Tiana. He remained composed and answered, "One of them is Tiana Rhodes, my father's newlywed wife. My retainers, which I purchased from the Silent Death Organization, are the others."
"However, why were two of them within the Wrihull Forest?" The captain of the guard inquired casually.
Azaroth spoke in a bone-chilling voice, "I don't suppose I need to answer that. Right?"
Fearfully nodding, the guard commander walked away. He realized he was in over his head with his curiosity.
There was actually another question in the guard captain's mind. Why did Tiana come here and join them mid-way and not right from the start?
On another side of this camp.
"Woah! You are really good with the sword. Especially that Heaven Rending Stance! It was so powerful and you even cut apart all my vines!" Laura excitedly spoke to Noah.
Noah was slightly embarrassed as he heard Laura's praise and replied, "Master taught me that technique. He said that if I continue to train hard with that skill, I can defeat anyone in the same rank. You also just used 1 Star Rank Ardor in your wood so it was really weak. If you use your full power, I won't be able to cut them right now."
Laura still praised Noah, "But still, it's very amazing that you have mastered this skill to such an extent."
"Thank you. You are really skilled at controlling the wood element as well." Noah politely replied to Laura.
The two then talked some more before showing off more of their skills to the other person.
Laura opened up to Noah since he reminded her so much of her younger brother.
The two were soon called back as the group was about to begin moving.
Azaroth, Tiana, Laura, and Yrellea took their seats in the carriage before they began to move.
~~
The next three weeks were quite long…
But these three weeks were enough for Azaroth's retainers to familiarize themselves with each other.
After arriving, the entire group seemed stunned at the destruction of the buildings in Kloras Town.
The beast attack had nearly destroyed all of the houses and shops. The hamlet was littered with corpses, some of whom were dressed casually. Some wore armor, and their bodies were laced with many holes. It was as if they had been struck with multiple needles.
Azaroth, Sargan, and Yrellea were the only ones who remained calm after seeing this scene.
"Martin." Azaroth called out for the guard captain and ordered him, "Get the guards to clear the bodies from this town and burn them."
Martin was slightly unhappy with that order. He was in charge of protecting Azaroth, not clear the bodies.
But he further gave this order to his subordinates and soon got to work.
Azaroth stared at Laura, "Use your wood techniques to build a large house. I will give you one day for that. If you need anything, talk to Ralph and Noah."
He then looked at Tiana, Sargan, and Yrellea, "You three, come with me."
Laura pouted as she was given a task to build a house. She didn't think he would ask her to use her wood techniques for this. But she was happy that Noah would join her for this task.
She could show him another cool trick and amaze him!