Prufan of North Balarian was one of the few Tier Sixes still remaining in the camp once everyone else stormed off to battle. The others who remained with him were there to manage the things that were left behind.

  Things such as mounts for North Balarian and any other group that arrived at the camp through riding. Of course, there weren’t just mounts for battle or even travel in the camp either. They were joined by plenty of beasts of labor, whose jobs it had been to get the necessary supplies here.

  Basically, there were still a lot of remaining people in the camp. Though if they were to be observed from a distance it would be easy to forget that this was a camp of people who just went off to war.

  Of course, it wasn’t like the people here we’re already celebrating the victory against the Goblins, but there didn’t seem to be any doubt or worry in their faces or actions as they waited for the return of the forces that set off in pursuit of the Goblins.

  Yes, there’s a good chance that the group suffered some casualties, but they didn’t believe the casualties would be so much that their victory would be an empty one. The victory they expected should be a concise, deliberate, and without a shadow of a doubt, an overwhelming victory.

  And when this victory was achieved the group would march back into the camp with the head of the so-called King of Goblins. That was what everyone in the camp believed. The type of beliefs that weren’t necessarily discussed in the open but just something that was kind of understood.

  But those same understandings and beliefs didn’t take very long to melt away when the sight of the members they so happily watch march away to fight against the Goblins, return grim expressions, dead bodies of their comrades, and a long line of wounded that didn’t paint picture of the type of victory that was expected.

  Needless to say, those remaining in the camp were shocked.

  But although they were shocked, nobody in the camp was unaware about the reality of war. Things that went against the perceived natural order of things will happen regardless of how they felt or believed in the midst of war.

  So while they were initially caught off guard, no in camp was standing still or moving leisurely any longer. Everyone sprang into action quickly.

  Medical supplies were rounded up as makeshift hospitals were quickly set up, and plenty of actions were taken to ensure that the bodies that were brought back up would be preserved properly. Things like documenting who died, figuring out who hadn’t returned as a body or with their Order or group.

  All of this was to ensure that the right families would be properly notified about the loss of their loved one. Even if their bodies weren’t properly recovered.

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  Of course this was just part of everything that was going on and priority had been given to trying to save the lives of those who were least likely to make it and on from there.

  Now although everything continued to happen quickly as even though they didn’t necessarily foresee something like this happening, they were prepared for it nonetheless but that didn’t mean they could speed up time.

  Everything that was happening now would not require solutions beyond a single night. The entire group needed to be reorganized, and there would be plenty of recovery and rest that would need to happen.

  Which meant the leaders of the GES force would need to conduct a full assessment of the extent of the situation and just how much of a hit they took. Something the Spear of Touval took full charge of and after a string of orders were passed around, not even caring about the different chains of command that all the groups had, she promptly called for a meeting of all the leaders.

  Because while the Goblins lost one of their Tier Sevens, not a single one was lost on the side of the GES forces. It didn’t take long for all of them to gather in the same command tent that the initial plan was made in.

  Even Grafai showed up without needing any sort of prodding from his Uncle. He would still not necessarily be much of a talker in the meeting, but the seemingly permanent scowl that rooted itself on his face told his Uncle more than words could ever describe. Not when he knew the type of man his nephew was.

  The meeting began with everyone having a bunch of different opinions, some were upset, some were embarrassed, some were ready to shift blame to others, but before the meeting could get out of control, people like Prufan and the Spear of Touval eventually got everyone under control and pointed towards a solution.

  One they eventually reached a consensus one.

  “We made a mistake. While we expected them to fight a fierce battle, a being that sat on the Seven Tier of power was not someone we saw being willing to self-destruct. Especially not this soon in the battle.

  “That is the type of resolve and loyalty that is rarely seen among beings that have reached a certain level of power. But we know this now. Getting caught off guard once is excusable, twice is unforgivable.

  “So it is in our best interest to assume that the rest of them have the same level of conviction and resolve packed into their green bodies. We need to treat them, especially those of the Seventh Tier like ticking time bombs waiting to go off at the faintest sign of their impending doom.

  “That is our mistake and it will not happen again. Which brings me to the second thing we learned. They valued their fellow Goblins. It his highly unlikely that the Tier Seven Goblins would be willing to self-destruct without issuing something of a warning to the weaker Goblins around them.

  “We will use that to our advantage. In the next battle, we will surround them and squeeze them in as best as possible. No fights away from the group. They already want to be on the defensive so we will let them. Force them to fight in close quarters where they will be hesitant to do self-destruct once more.

  “This does not eliminate the possibility of them doing it, but now that we know to watch for it, we can properly react to it.

  “Put our hands around their throats and tighten the grip ever so slowly to not spook them but enough to whittle down their numbers. Are there any questions?”

  Not hearing any, Prufan continued on.

  “Good, then we will move on to the next topic. Finding their King.”