My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 905 - 906: Through A Place Of Hardship

The main goal was straightforward: select the individuals who would accompany Damon on this mission.

No one could hold a superior rank to Damon, and he had permission to select one hundred troops to form his personal unit.

After careful consideration, Damon assembled a well-rounded team from fourteen groups, totaling ninety-eight members, plus two additional healers to round it out.

Damon ensured every group maintained balance. Tanks, archers, mages, healers, scouts—all included, with each squad averaging two healers or two mages.

This formed Damon's complete squad.

Once selected, all members were at the third class level, except for the group leaders, who had advanced to the fourth class.

Even with the peril involved, his grandfather assigned him fourteen officers who had reached the fourth class advancement.

Yet that failed to ease Damon's sense of security in the slightest.

He said goodbye to his grandfather and sister, teased Evangeline about gaining favoritism through family ties upon learning she would join their grandfather's forces, and then stepped through a teleportation gate toward the academy.

He hadn't realized such access was permitted. He was aware the academy possessed its own private teleportation gate, but never imagined it would open for general use.

Upon reflection, he understood this stemmed from the wartime emergency, though the true puzzle lingered:

"Why am I supposed to encounter Seras Blade at the academy."

Shouldn't their journey involve a grueling trek across the continent before boarding a ship bound for the demon lands?

Upon reaching the academy, they ventured along a wooded trail that appeared to lead straight into the Evil Forest.

There, he discovered an entire military encampment positioned right beside the barrier enclosing the Evil Forest.

An adjutant stood ready to greet him and swiftly guided him toward a nearby tent.

Inside, Seras donned a light green tunic that accentuated her figure. Her hair was tied in a neat bun, with a few stray strands framing her face, as she gestured toward a map spread across the table.

Beside her stood the elderly headmaster, accompanied by Damon's instructor, Kael.

And that was the extent of the gathering.

His arrival certainly drew attention.

"You're late," Seras remarked, her eyes fixed downward without glancing his way.

"I'm not late; you're simply early," Damon responded with steady composure.

Seras lifted her gaze, then let out a soft chuckle.

"We're operating under military hierarchy, and by imperial decree, you're my vice commander—which puts me firmly in charge over you."

Damon let out a sigh, giving his head a gentle shake.

"Yeah, I understand."

She furrowed her brow at his casual disregard for protocol.

"That's 'commander' to you."

Damon inclined his head in acknowledgment and approached the table.

He offered nods of greeting to the headmaster and Kael.

"So, what's the plan? How do we sneak a thousand troops into the demon continent without detection?"

Damon indicated the map with a gesture from his hand.

"For instance, departing via the capital means traversing the Golden Road to the coast. Countless kingdoms would catch wind of our movements and objectives."

He shifted his hand to the riskier areas marked on the map.

"Venturing through unmapped territories might preserve our secrecy, but we'd likely encounter wandering adventurers across various zones. It could drag on for months to weave through without touching the Golden Roads. And if we opt for shortcuts, exposure remains inevitable—especially as we breach multiple nations' borders with an unauthorized force."

Damon laid out multiple breakdowns showing why their operation was doomed from the outset.

Beyond the overland challenges lay the trials of seafaring passage.

Seras smirked and allowed him to continue his points.

Even if they overcame these obstacles, they'd be vulnerable targets once inside demon lands.

Seras folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm pleased you've pieced this together, but nobody mentioned using any of those routes. We anticipated these issues ages ago, and after thorough deliberation, we devised a safer—well, not entirely safe, but superior—alternative."

A foreboding chill suddenly gripped Damon regarding their location and the reason for this academy visit.

His face turned ashen, and his hand trembled slightly.

"Damn it all, you plan to drag us through the Evil Forest."

Seras kept her arms crossed over her chest.

It stood as the sole practical choice for maintaining discretion, yet it ranked among the deadliest perils. The Evil Forest stretched across the entire continent, weaving through nations and extending clear to the ocean's edge.

The strategy involved pushing through this infamous deathtrap, beyond its core, until emerging on the far side.

This forsaken realm rivaled the horrors of the Whispering Forest in dread. The mere notion sent shivers racing up Damon's spine.

Yet again, a harrowing ordeal awaited him prior to the mission's true commencement.

"Can I head home now?"

"No, you cannot," Seras interrupted sharply.

Where had that reckless bravado of his vanished? This version didn't match the Damon she remembered.

Damon pivoted toward the headmaster.

"I have a feeling you won't be joining our expedition."

The headmaster shook his head.

"Correct, I'll remain here. That said, Kael will accompany you as your overseer, along with one additional student."

Damon grimaced in revulsion.

"One more student? You're permitting another academy kid on this venture?"

The headmaster ran a hand over his beard.

"Truth be told, she stepped forward after reviewing the documents we shared with you—so it's essentially on your head."

The headmaster glanced upward.

"Ah, she's arrived already."

Damon didn't bother turning; he sensed her unmistakable presence through his shadow sense.

He peered at the violet-haired girl via his shadow perception and rolled his eyes.

Renata. Naturally, she'd jump at the chance to reach the demon continent. After all, she was a demon herself.

"Hold on, what about Lilith? She's not tagging along, right?" he inquired.

Renata shook her head.

"Nope. This time, it's only you and me. But rest easy—I'll make sure to watch over you properly."

Damon exhaled heavily, surveying the assembled group.

"When do we depart?"

Seras shot him a look.

"Immediately. We set out now."