Perhaps the strength of Mark's team is really not as good as the real elite of the Holy Knights or the Dark Church.
The four members of the team were injured almost at the same time, and instantly fell into a disadvantage. They looked miserable under the increasingly fierce counterattack of the Dark Church.
They could only shrink their defenses and try their best to protect themselves. They even needed the help of other elite members of the Eighth Knights nearby to avoid being completely divided and surrounded, and buried here.
Compared to Mark and his three companions who were beaten back by the people in the ice cave stronghold in the first encounter, the advancement of the entire scout team was also completely blocked.
Perhaps because Mark and his three companions were members of the Thirteenth Knight Order, they received special care.
After they were injured, Gerrard sent them to the back of the team to provide support.
As for the other high-ranking knights of the third scout team, they will attack the current passage head-on to form an important passage for the Knights to capture the stronghold here.
After all, the one guarding the passage was considered a top figure in the Dark Church. Excluding Mark and his three companions, several other knights of the third scout team were severely injured and dragged to the end of the team.
Obviously, they couldn't just rely on the scout team to clear out the stronghold this time.
Of course, the Eighth Sacred Knights is the Eighth Sacred Knights after all.
When the third scout team failed to seize the passage within half an hour, the Knights quickly sent two teams to crush them with absolute advantage.
It only took the Knights half a day to capture this ice cave.
After the battle, the wounded were carried away from the line of fire.
Members of Mark's team were "seriously injured" and were placed in a temporary medical tent.
Mark's face was still pale, and when the priest treated him, he said weakly that his magic power seemed to have been lost, and it was difficult for him to support high-intensity purification in a short period of time.
Monica's arm was bandaged and her movements were slow.
Anna looked exhausted, and the elf's agility seemed to have been frozen by the spell of the Dark Church.
Enzo's blue-black frostbitten arms were even more shocking, and the dwarf's strong physique seemed to be severely weakened.
As the representative of the team, Mark found Lieutenant Gerard, and then met with Captain Theodore "sincerely" through him.
"Lord Theodore." Mark's voice was filled with fatigue and apology. "Thank you for the Knights' protection and treatment. But... we are a burden to everyone. My holy power is recovering slowly, and my teammates are also seriously injured.
"Anna's damaged essence is affecting her perception, Monica's arm is injured, and Enzo's old injuries have been severely exacerbated by the cold and dark magic... Given our team's current state, continuing on this scouting mission would likely become a burden on the team, and even... bring harm to our brothers once again."
He lowered his head, his tone heavy, "We request to temporarily retire to the logistics unit, responsible for guarding the camp, transporting supplies, or assisting with medical treatment. Once our injuries stabilize and we have recovered some of our combat power, we will serve the Knights again. Please grant us permission, Master."
Mark was very humble, with good reasons and a sincere expression, which was completely consistent with the condition shown by their "injuries".
Theodore's sharp eagle eyes swept over Mark and the "dejected" team members behind him.
He was silent for a moment, and his wrinkled face showed little emotion.
"Yes," Theodore finally spoke in a low voice. "The intelligence you provided was crucial, and you did your best to assist in the defense. Since your injuries have indeed affected the battle, forcing a single line of defense would be futile.
"Approved. Assigned to the Logistics and Supply Battalion for rest and standby, assisting in the camp's defense."
He waved his hand, appearing reasonable and accepting Mark's reasonable request.
"Thank you, Captain!" Mark saluted as if relieved.
However, when Mark's team left the command tent, the scrutiny in Theodore's eyes did not disappear, but became even deeper.
He walked to the edge of the tent, his eyes penetrating the wind and snow, as if locking onto the direction of the logistics camp.
His adjutant approached: "Captain, they do look badly injured, especially the dwarf and the elf..."
Theodore snorted coldly and interrupted, "Injured? Whether it's true or not is still unknown. These little guys are quite good at acting. I think they can't stay in my camp anymore."
The adjutant was stunned.
Theodore's eyes gleamed with shrewdness. "Remember the report from Frostwhisper chasm? That mysterious and powerful person... She appeared strangely and disappeared abruptly.
"What is her goal? She didn't take the 'Heart of the Star Relic' away, but just jumped out and slapped the Oracle? Or... to save people?"
He turned around and pointed his finger firmly at the last location of Mark's team before they were transferred on the rough ice map, then moved towards the core of the collapse:
"If she was only interested in sabotaging the Oracle's plans or stealing the 'Heart of the Star Remains', she could have simply fled immediately after obtaining or destroying it. Why would she have gone to the trouble of performing such a sophisticated transfer technique to take away these 'insignificant' wounded members of Mark's team? This doesn't make sense."
"Excluding all impossible speculations..." Theodore's voice was cold and firm, "The only explanation is that she has a deep connection with this team, especially that Mark!
"Her primary goal is to save lives! The so-called 'Oracle' and 'Heart of the Star Remains' are merely incidental obstacles or targets."
The corners of his mouth curled up in a cold arc, as if a hunter saw his long-awaited prey step into a trap:
"Letting them go to the logistics department may seem like relaxing supervision, but in reality it makes them think they are safe, making it easier for them to reveal their true intentions.
"That mysterious and powerful person saved them once. If she's still keeping an eye on the ice field, and if she thinks this team is in 'crisis' again... will she appear again?"
The adjutant suddenly understood. "You intend to... use this small team as bait to catch the bigger fish? Including the Oracle?"
Theodore nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as a knife. "Keep a close eye on the logistics camp, especially Mark and his slime. Report any unusual mental fluctuations, spatial disturbances, or...any suspicious individuals attempting to approach them immediately! The wind and snow on the ice field will soon usher in an even more turbulent undercurrent."
Not only does he have to capture the "Oracle" of the Enlightenment Society, he also has to find the "big fish" who can call upon the laws of space and whose identity remains a mystery!
"Yes, Master Commander!"
…
The hustle and bustle of the logistics camp was completely different from the solemnity of the main camp.
The dull thud of wheels rolling over frozen soil, the neighing of pack animals, and the collision sounds of materials being transported intertwined together to form a restless background sound.
The four members of Mark's team mingled among them, carrying heavy food bags, repairing damaged tents, or standing guard at the outer ice wall posts.
Captain Theodore seemed to have relaxed his supervision, but Mark and Monica knew everything.
Every time a patrol knight deliberately passed by, the temporary Holy Light Mage spire in the distance would occasionally sweep over the logistics camp's faint detection fluctuations.
It was clear that they were still under close surveillance.
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