"Alatus?"
Bonanus stared at Xiao, who had suddenly appeared in the middle of the battlefield, utterly confused. What was this short adeptus doing here? Had he come looking for her?
Usually, Xiao avoided getting involved in operations like this. His sudden appearance caught her off guard.
"Why are you here?" Bonanus ran over, looking bewildered. As she spoke, she continued using Hydro to help shield the Millelith from attacks.
Sensing her confusion, Xiao responded calmly.
"I don't typically involve myself in Millelith operations. But I won't stand by and watch Liyue's people die before my eyes."
There was nothing wrong with his words. Xiao might be cold and distant, uncomfortable around humans, and uninvolved in Millelith affairs—even if their operation failed, he wouldn't interfere.
But since he was here, witnessing it, he couldn't let Liyue Harbor's citizens perish before him.
"I'm here to assist." Xiao closed his eyes quietly. He swept his hand across his face, and a demonic mask appeared.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao charged forward with his Primordial Jade Winged Spear. His speed was incredible—Bonanus could only see afterimages. Though Xiao was short, he could certainly run fast.
Wherever the afterimage passed, Hilichurl corpses were left behind. Xiao only killed those posing an immediate threat to the Millelith's lives. The rest were beyond his concern.
His approach mirrored Bonanus's—intervene only when lives were at stake. Injuries? That was up to fate.
Watching Xiao work so efficiently, Bonanus's face fell. I was hoping to defeat some Hilichurls and earn some karmic debt...
With Xiao involved, I might as well forget it. He's so fast, I won't get a chance.
Leaving nothing for me...
With this thought, Bonanus returned to the stone slope and sat down to watch. Xiao was powerful—he'd soon restore the Millelith's advantage.
Why is he here? That's a question for after the battle.
...
A while later...
With the Conqueror of Demons joining the fray, the momentum quickly swung back to the Millelith. Morale soared, and the battle soon ended.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Though the operation hadn't ended cleanly, at least there were no deaths.
Most casualties were injuries of varying degrees—fractures, cuts, and the like. Arrow wounds were relatively few, less than half.
The Millelith crossbowmen had eliminated many of the Hilichurls' archers earlier. Otherwise, things would have been much worse.
Fortunately, the Hilichurls' aim was poor. If every shot had been a headshot, they'd have been done for.
After the battle, Yan Ning led his men to rendezvous with the eastern force. They needed to quickly tally the wounded before returning.
At the rendezvous point, Bonanus led Xiao to Yanfei. She looked surprised to see the Conqueror of Demons but didn't pry.
Yan Ning ordered support personnel to tend to the wounded. After a brief rest, he asked quietly:
"Report all casualties." Yan Ning crossed his arms, watching soldiers carried on stretchers, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Yes, sir!" A support soldier replied, producing a small notebook. His expression was pained as he reported.
"Forty-three severe injuries. Seventy-eight minor injuries. Over twenty suffering psychological trauma. The rest are fine but exhausted."
"The eastern detachment fared much better than we did. We took the heaviest losses."
Hearing this painful report, Yan Ning rubbed his forehead vigorously. Unbelievable. This was the third most difficult moment in his military career.
Half his force was wounded. He'd be chewed out upon return. He'd underestimated this operation.
"Wait—psychological trauma? How did that happen? Did the enemy have mental attacks?" Yan Ning focused on the unusual detail.
The support soldier swallowed nervously before answering.
"The psychological trauma cases... were too frightened to move during combat..."
He pointed to another group on stretchers. These soldiers weren't wounded—they huddled trembling in fear.
Yan Ning: ...
He rubbed his forehead harder. Damn it. He really shouldn't have expected much from these cowards. Now, he'd lost face completely. Any rewards from this mission were gone.
"Get things organized. Prepare to return..." Yan Ning covered his eyes. These cowards curled up there—utterly shameful.
He'd considered severe punishment after the battle. Now, they'd likely escape discipline entirely. Instead, his own competence would be questioned.
This whole situation was his fault. As operation leader, he bore full responsibility.
"Yes, sir!" The support soldier nodded and hurried back to relay the return orders.
After he left, Yan Ning stood with one hand on his hip, the other rubbing his forehead, lost in thought. Was he truly incompetent?
Bringing rookies on this mission impulsively, driven by ambition—that was his misjudgment. He'd thought a simple suppression operation was no big deal.
With a Vision holder handling the Abyss Mages, the remaining enemies shouldn't be a problem. But he'd underestimated the numbers the Abyss Mages could gather.
Yan Ning stood there sighing.
Just as he was questioning his abilities, Yanfei appeared before him.
"Squad Leader Yan Ning. Since the operation's over, I need to have a serious word with you." She planted her hands on her hips, her expression severe.
Looking at the young woman before him, Yan Ning nodded. He needed some harsh words to soothe his troubled conscience.
"Please speak, Consultant Yanfei..."
Seeing his receptive attitude, Yanfei nodded slightly. She crossed her arms and launched into a lecture about life's principles—much of which probably went over his head.
A few minutes later...
After Yanfei's barrage of wisdom, Yan Ning felt much clearer-headed. So this was why Consultant Yanfei had such a reputation.
He was just a soldier; much of what she said went over his head. But it was undeniably effective.
"Thank you for your guidance, Consultant Yanfei. I've learned my lesson. And thank you for helping keep these young men alive."
"We'll send three shares of the commission payment to you shortly."
Yanfei accepted his thanks with a nod. They exchanged a few more words before she walked away.
With the commission complete, there was no reason to stay. She returned to Bonanus, planted her hands on her hips, and exhaled deeply.
"This commission was more troublesome than previous suppression operations." Yanfei remarked drily.
"Can't be helped. That squad leader had inexperienced soldiers. At least you're safe." Bonanus comforted her gently.
For her, Yanfei's safety was what mattered most.
"Sister, where's the Conqueror of Demons? He was here just now." Yanfei looked around puzzled.
"Him? Probably off to find Bosacius."