But before making a decision, he still needs to think.
The entire area near Black Water Town has completely fallen, and the town area of Black Water Town has become a monster’s nest.
To delve deeper in and rescue the children does indeed pose considerable risks.
Both Gauss and Gron are very aware of this.
Yet Gron remains intent on risking everything to venture into this extremely dangerous area for the sake of a friend’s children, even willing to give up his cherished peaceful life. Personally, Gauss admires Gron’s actions.
This shows that the other party is loyal and committed. Today, he is willing to risk his life for a friend’s children. Being on good terms with him means that one day if Gauss were to fall into hardship or encounter unexpected events, the other might extend a helping hand to him or those around him.
Both good people and bad people like to make friends with those who value loyalty.
"Manager Gron, you have been kind to me, so naturally I hope to help you. However, I have many people under me, and I might need to discuss with them before giving you a reply."
If he were alone, he could act entirely based on his preferences and thoughts, but now he has many people under his wing, so he must consider them.
The three areas he took on commission are closer to the town area but haven’t reached the central point yet.
Whether he goes alone with Gron or acts with several teammates requires prior discussion.
"Alright."
Gron nodded.
He used to be in an Adventurer Squad, so he naturally understands Gauss’s concerns.
Gauss needs to be responsible for more people.
Overall, however, he doesn’t feel the danger is too significant, as he now has Spatial Magic portals at his disposal, allowing him to relocate away from threats swiftly.
"How about this, Manager Gron. Tomorrow we must prepare to depart. Tonight, there will likely be an internal meeting. Regardless, I’ll give you a reply tomorrow morning."
...
Approaching dusk.
Core members of the Red Dragon Adventurer Group began to gather at his house.
His teammates, including several such as Toga and Ivan, along with a few leaders of the action groups.
Gauss, looking at Ying who came back after receiving a message from the crow, spoke softly.
"You’re back?"
"Mm."
Ying nodded.
During this period, many outsider adventurers have flocked to Gray Rock Town.
Though there are patrolling soldiers in the town maintaining order, manpower is limited and cannot patrol every corner.
Naturally, the order in the town has become considerably more chaotic.
The adventurers are a mixed group, among them are individuals like Gauss and Ying who have justice at heart, but there are also those of poor character.
Moreover, being constantly shrouded under the mental pressure of killing for years, the proportion of the latter is not insignificant.
"Did you encounter any special situations?"
"Just dealt with a few little thieves." Ying shook his head.
Actually, sometimes in his spare time, Gauss also goes out with Ying, playing the role of a good neighbor for the residents.
"If you encounter anything, contact me anytime." Though he trusts Ying’s abilities greatly, Gauss adds a reminder.
He never hesitates to show goodwill to ordinary people, but in his heart, teammates are more important.
"Don’t worry."
Soon, everyone gathered.
In the living room.
Gauss had already prepared dinner in advance.
After enjoying a meal with his companions, he began to address the day’s main topic.
The action pre-meeting of the Red Dragon Adventurer Group.
This time, apart from some personnel who lack combat capabilities that will remain in Gray Rock Town, ready to handle loot at any time, everyone else will join him and delve into the land of Black Water Town that has been occupied by demons.
This includes people Gauss is familiar with at the scene, as well as five leaders and deputy leaders of action groups with profession ranks between 1 to 3.
The structure of Gauss’s Red Dragon Group combat department is organized as follows.
At the very top, naturally, is himself as the leader of the group.
Below that is the main force team, Unit One, which is the absolute core decision-making layer of the Red Dragon Group, including Aaliyah, Ying, Albena, Serdur, and Hephaestus.
When he’s not present, any member of Unit One in the Red Dragon Group has the authority to command other members.
Of course, the occurrence of this is relatively rare; generally speaking, he usually acts together with his teammates.
Following that is the support team, Unit Two, consisting of members like level 6 Toga, level 5 Bruno, level 4 Teben, level 3 Sean, and Rick.
And after that is the action team with relatively weaker capabilities, which also counts as Unit Three, led by Ivan and comprising two subgroups with two level 3 leaders, Jeremy and Phoebe, and three level 1 or 2 deputy leaders, leading nearly twenty veteran adventurers.
A lot of these people have slowly started being expanded recently.
Gauss wasn’t blindly expanding; he focused on maintaining an overall streamlined structure while prioritizing mobility.
Jeremy, Phoebe, and the deputy leaders have had little contact with Gauss and primarily listened during meetings without expressing opinions, yet always curiously observed their leader.
Hosted by Ivan, Gauss reiterated the key points to remember for tomorrow’s departure.
Though Black Water Town likely doesn’t present excessively fatal danger to Gauss personally, for others—especially those 1-3 ranked leaders and the average adventurers they lead—it is indeed a perilous place, and emphasizing caution is not an exaggeration.
"Finished the regular meeting."
"There’s one thing I want to discuss with you all."
"Legion leader, go ahead." Ivan, though a hint of confusion flickered in his mind considering the content discussed with Gauss earlier should have concluded the meeting agenda, responded promptly due to his absolute loyalty to Gauss.
In brief terms, Gauss explained Gron’s identity and his private request’s details.
"If he has been kind to the leader, then that equates to being kind to us... our Red Dragon Team."
"We ought to lend you a helping hand."
Ivan sensed and promptly captured Gauss’s inner thoughts.
"No need."
"I’ll take two people with me. Having too many increases the risk of exposure."
Actually, this was Gauss’s way of accommodating their dignity. The real reason was that bringing so many from the Red Dragon Team would not help but instead hold him back, obliging him to protect them.
Moreover, with fewer people, the teleport portals are conveniently placed, enabling immediate withdrawal.
Ivan clearly gathered this reasoning after calming down.
"I plan to venture deep with Ying, Aaliyah, and myself."
"Meanwhile, Albena, Serdur, and Toga, you guys will lead others to operate on the outer periphery."
"Alright."
After a round of discussion, Gauss allocated the tasks.
Ying’s mobility is excellent, aiding in finding safe houses.
Aaliyah is now also a battle figure in the team; bringing her adds further security, and she can transform into animals anytime, providing various escape methods in emergencies.
Others led by level 7 Albena should ensure enough safety.
Once finalized.
The crowd left Gauss’s house, preparing to return to their residential estates and manors for final checks and motivational work.
...
In the blink of an eye, a night had passed.
As the sun barely rose above the horizon, an anxious Gron arrived outside Gauss’s house.
Actually, after he returned to the blacksmith shop yesterday afternoon, he regretted it.
He felt he shouldn’t have asked Gauss to take risks, especially since this matter was unrelated to him. He believed he might be exploiting favors for return after reflection.
However, as it was previously agreed upon, he still came now.
"Good morning."
"Have you had breakfast, Manager Gron?"
Gauss also rose early today. After spotting Gron outside, he brought him inside.
"I... I’ve eaten."
"Gauss, upon much reflection, I still feel I shouldn’t drag you down. Let’s pretend yesterday’s request was never made."
"So, are you planning to enter the Black Water Town district on your own?" Gauss asked with a smile. "Though you are strong, Manager Gron, you likely can’t safely bring two children out of there, can you?"
Gron fell silent.
Gauss’s words, although straightforward, were indeed accurate.
He truly lacked that capacity.