Flying through the hazy air, Evelyn followed behind Lizlul and soon enough spotted a large structure that looked to be smoldering in many places.
As they got closer, she was able to make out the building better and noticed that it was shaped like a tortoise's shell.
"That's the fortress I am currently based at. It normally looks better than it does right now, but we just finished repelling a wave of fire elementals and it took some damage in the attack." Lizlul explained to Evelyn.
A minute later, the two of them landed outside of the giant fortress, and Lizlul confidently walked inside with Evelyn trailing behind her.
The entrance and hallway that they walked through was truly massive and was at least forty meters tall and sixty meters wide.
Even Evelyn, who was around two meters tall, felt tiny in this place and she soon found out why the place was as large as it was.
Under her feet she felt the ground shaking as a massive tortoise that was over twenty meters tall came bounding down the hall.
Like Lizlul, this tortoise was a tyrant rank beast, though either he did not want to take a humanoid form or was not capable of it.
"I was wondering what was taking you so long to return Lizlul, but I see that you brought along a guest. Is she a friend of yours?"
"No, she is the friend of a different Ranger, but she has some interesting alchemical items on her that she has offered to trade with me, so I brought her along. She's also the one that took out the fire elementals I was sent after. I can attest to her abilities despite being only a peak awakened beast. We won't have to worry about her getting into any trouble."
"Now if you would not mind standing aside Guzum, I want to report back to Yulbok." Lizlul said in a forceful tone.
For just a moment the other tortoise looked down at Evelyn with a disapproving look but did get out of their way as Lizlul asked.
After that, Lizlul took Evelyn further into the fortress.
Looking intrigued now, Yulbok glanced at Evelyn appraisingly before turning his attention back towards Lizlul.
"I see. These alchemical items must have been quite spectacular if you decided to bring her before me. But I must wonder what it is you agreed upon to trade her that required you to come before me? Especially when we are all so busy with the current situation."
Lizlul tensed up at this but continued. She was certain that the deal she had made with Evelyn was favorable for the Inferno Field Rangers.
Quickly she went over the details of her agreement with Evelyn.
Yulbok sat in his chair looking contemplative, before eventually turning his full attention to Evelyn.
"I assume that you are fine with these terms. Do note, other than a place to rest and provisions, that you will not be getting any other assistance from us. We do not have the resources to look after you on the battlefield. There is a very real chance you will die out there. Many of the creatures we have to deal with are beyond what awakened rank beasts can handle."
"I already came here prepared to fight through the entirety of the Inferno Field on my own. Whether you give me any assistance in battle is of no concern to me. The only reason I am here is because I determined it faster to rely on your intelligence than search for my target on my own.
If you prove to be more of a hinderance to me than a boon, I will simply leave and do what I must on my own." Evelyn said, her expression resolute.
Seeing her demeanor, Yulbok could not help but smile and let out a jovial chuckle.
"You certainly have plenty of guts, which I personally like. Now we will only need to see if you have the skills to match up that confidence."
"Lizlul, you will be in charge of keeping watch of her while she is here and finding her some quarters she can stay in. Be ready to fight at any time. There is no telling when those fire elementals will be back. For the time being, though, go see Bazo and give him those alchemical items and recipes.
If they are really as good as you say, I want them mass produced as soon as possible." Yulbok said, relaying his orders to Lizlul.
"As for you, Evelyn. Welcome to the frontlines against the fire elementals. I will make sure that you have plenty of opportunities to prove yourself and obtain what you came here for."