Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 55: Great, we’re doomed.

Ethan stayed in the study sorting documents until the afternoon because coordinating with the Expeditionary Army wasn’t just a matter of talking. He had to meticulously organize documentation on Ximu Town’s geography, the incidents of Evil God worship, and any intelligence that might be relevant, and then hand it over to the commander of the Expeditionary Army.

Playing is one thing, but this was a matter of life and death.

How to set traps, how to allocate troops, where to fight the decisive battle?

Every decision would determine the fate of the Expeditionary Army and even the entire Ximu Town. If the Expeditionary Army’s ambush failed, no one could guarantee whether the Dream Eaters would take out their wrath on Ximu Town. From what he gathered from the Horned Owl Beast Daily, if they had their sights set on Ximu Town, Riverside Town would become their previous example.

The more Ethan wrote, the more tightly his brow furrowed.

They knew nothing about those two Dream Eater members—not their identity, rank, path, or even which Evil God they believed in. The only information was that an informant reported that two Dream Eater members had come to the Empire’s border.

This was not a good sign.

If Ethan were a high-ranking imperial officer, he definitely wouldn’t be rushing to mobilize such a large-scale Expeditionary Army with such incomplete intelligence. The noise created all along the way would make it unrealistic not to alert the enemy.

But in reality, he was nothing, just an E-class investigator at the Ximu Town Reception Bureau’s base. The imperial high-ups didn’t even know such a person existed, so Ethan could only express his concerns at the end of the document, hoping that the Expeditionary Army commander would be a wise decision-maker who would think things over carefully.

The cat saw that Ethan was busy in the study and didn’t disturb him. With graceful steps, it walked into the kitchen, jumped onto the cupboard, and observed the small hen in the kitchen building a cauldron, laying out herbs she had scavenged from who knows where. She even knew how to pick up a bucket with her mouth to pour water into the cauldron and would use a twig to light the cauldron.

Amid Ethan’s documentation process, the clinking of bottles and jars occasionally came from next door. Only after handling his official duties did he have time to check the source of the noise.

When he opened the kitchen door, he immediately doubted if his young eyes were already failing.

What’s going on here?

A ragdoll cat was instructing a wolf chicken to brew a magic potion. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Several jars of brewed magic potions were already placed on the kitchen counter, and the liquid in the glass jars was emitting a marvelous glow.

The cat glanced at him, as if with a look that said, "If it’s not urgent, don’t disturb us," her aura becoming chilly, bringing about an inexplicable sense of oppression, much like the one from his former class teacher.

"I’m going out to work first. I’ll make dinner for you when I get back tonight."

Ethan pointed to the door.

Miss Keroy tried to nod in response but got a paw tap on her forehead from the cat.

"Meow!"

With a stern cry, Miss Keroy immediately bit down on a metal rod found from who knows where, ran around the cauldron, and swiftly stirred the murky liquid inside.

Following this, the cat nodded towards Ethan, giving him a reassuring look.

What a reliable cat.

But still, he felt something was a bit odd.

Suddenly, there was a feeling as if the mother was tutoring the child at home while the father went out to work with a briefcase.

But since he was tied up with official duties, he didn’t have time to think too much. He packed up the documents and rushed to the agreed location.

The location was at the southwest corner of the town, which was the only way to Gear City. Ethan specially pointed out in the document that if the ultimate goal of the two Dream Eater members was to head to a big city in the Empire, the Expeditionary Army should ambush in the mountain pass between Ximu Town and Gear City. The terrain was treacherous, and with the camp equipped with firearms, arrows, and other weapons, they could easily gain the high ground advantage.

The dense forest could be utilized as well, serving as an ideal location for fire attacks.

Ave was already waiting at the roadside. Seeing Ethan approaching, she waved from afar.

Seeing the document tucked in Ethan’s arms, she nodded with satisfaction—that was why she wanted Ethan as her assistant. This thought had never changed; alas, he had a particular liking for working at the Reception Bureau, so she had to resort to a roundabout tactic.

She still had enough time to form a bond with Ethan, making him gradually inseparable from such a good superior like her.

It wasn’t until night had completely fallen that the sound of urgent hooves came from outside the town. Almost in the blink of an eye, two silhouettes flashing through the darkness appeared in Ethan’s sight. The foremost woman had striking red hair, a single ponytail fluttering in the wind, closely followed by a young man about fourteen or fifteen years old, whose armor was much heavier than the woman’s.

The woman tightened the reins, leaping into the air as the white horse reared up. Under the intertwining of moonlight and streetlamp shadows, she landed gracefully with a front flip right in front of the two.

Only then did Ethan see the woman’s waist, strapping not the Empire Knights’ special thin sword, but a weapon that looked much like a fire gun.

Was all this flashiness just for a meeting?

Ethan silently ridiculed in his heart while watching Ave step forward and embrace the red-haired woman warmly.

"This is Lady Bi’an, a High-tier Knight of Neseriel Sanctuary, personally appointed by His Majesty Henry as the Imperial Knight Commander."

Clearly, Bi’an wasn’t her real name; it was a title granted by the Empire.

Bi’an waved casually at Ethan and said proactively, "Are you Little Ave’s subordinate? I watched her grow up. Back then, I wanted her to join the Kingdom Army, but unfortunately, she wasn’t interested in wielding swords and guns at all."

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Bi’an."

Ethan greeted her while the young boy who had arrived with Bi’an tied his horse up and then stood obediently behind her.

The arrival of the Imperial Knight Commander greatly boosted Ethan’s confidence.

Because, simply put, this title meant that the red-haired woman in front of them was one of the Empire’s best fighters, showing the Empire’s high level of concern for this matter.

Bi’an then placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder, pushing him in front of the two and introducing, "His name is Lance. He’s a very brave young man and volunteered to join this expedition. I have high hopes for him. If I were to fall in battle one day, maybe he’ll take my place in the future."

"Don’t say such ominous things."

From Ave’s resigned tone, it wasn’t hard to tell that Bi’an wasn’t speaking straightforwardly like this for the first time. She noticed the skirt armor on the boy, and aside from the standard longsword, he also had three rolls of what appeared to be magic scrolls bound at his waist.

"He’s learned magic too?"

"Oh, you mean those—his sweetheart gave them to him before the journey."

Bi’an teased with a smile, while Lance immediately flushed red, stammering, "That’s just Miss Anna, she’s just worried..."

Hmm?

Ethan’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

Miss Anna, sweetheart, three magic scrolls, and a grand expedition...

All the clues connected in an instant, reminding him almost immediately of what the old butler had said.

—"They received a one-way mission; that kid is destined not to come back."

The newly built confidence immediately crumbled.

Great, it’s the sacrificial boy chosen by the old butler—it looks like we’re doomed!