Chapter 36:They are not ready yet.

“Rise. Report the situation.”

Mars’s weathered face darkened; voice hoarse.

“Abyss rift at limit—no more demons. But Sander Fortress fully fallen. Survivors… less than one in ten.”

“WHAT?!”

Nora stepped forward, incredulous.

“God’s Sight Eye, mighty empire forces, knight orders—even if unkillable, containment easy. How lose the fortress?”

Abyss demons: cunning, bodies of magic—mortals can’t slay.

But cripple: destroy head, heart—revival delayed.

Empire could imprison. Nora imagined Novich military—impossible fall.

Question stumped Mars. Embarrassed stutter.

“Well… some overeager glory-seekers…”

Before finish—pot-bellied noble squeezed forward.

Twirled thin mustache, shrill sneer.

“Hmph! Novich affairs—since when your say?”

“We trapped demons in fortress. You? Doubtful.”

Eyes on girls behind Isabelle.

“Unweaned brats—world-saviors? Rose Knights… underwhelming.”

“CASSIUS! Shut it!”

Mars whirled, furious. Cassius scoffed—Mars bristled.

Knights irked—Isabelle present, no retort.

Bitten by dog—bite back?

Isabelle unfazed. Hand to mouth.

“Commander Mars—internal strife lively. Nobles prejudiced against Rose Knights.”

“Apologies. Nobles face-conscious. Forgive.”

Mars bowed.

White hair—Isabelle understood: disunity doomed mighty Novich.

Cassius mocking Knights: understandable. Their troops LV20+.

LV15 girls clearing unbeatable demons—makes them fools?

Face lost.

Plus pig-emperor schemed—bet stakes.

“This way. Details inside.”

Mars led to command tent. Isabelle entered with eight Knight captains.

Yes—forty girls, five-team ops.

Unlike dungeon: teams aid fully.

Mars detailed.

Sander: demon HQ. God’s Sight monitors, contains.

Demons use rift overflow—magic shroud. Over LV25 beings barred.

Noble privates, Third Army tried—below LV25 entered, lost contact. Demon fodder.

Sight count: 132 demons. No discipline—roam, hunt hidden survivors.

West, south gates unguarded. Knights enter, purge.

Blessed girls: kills permanent—no revival.

“Right, saintess—His Majesty’s bet holds? Knights fail—training rights yours.”

Cassius interrupted.

Isabelle nodded.

“Holds—with premise: low-tier demons. Agreed then.”

Month ago, mage tower lord claimed low-tier—she bet.

Reality differs—voidable.

“No issue. Bet fair—no aid, no rescue.”

“Escape fortress, die ten meters before us—no help. Understand.”

Cassius chuckled. Tent nobles, aides exchanged glances, murmured. Mars frowned—near curse.

Leanna glared, rage burning. Girls same. Nora unrestrained—stood sharp.

“Excessive! Bet’s bet, demons enemy—abyss common foe. Chilling!”

“Duke Nora—bet fairness. Saintess concedes now—aided.”

Cassius eyed girls, sneered.

“All know unspoken: Knights unready. No match for abyss demons.”