Chapter 197: Director of the Demon Research Division

Max took some time socializing and comprehending the five A-rankers in his Guild individually.

He could not instantly understand the five A-rankers just by their simultaneous greeting towards him when he finally arrived in the Guild Council Chambers.

"Greetings, Guild Master!"

Their tone was filled with politeness, but their respect appeared to have a limit.

They greeted without bowing, but they did so in their own way.

However, Max did not throw a tantrum because of their attitude towards him.

He knew he only had to prove himself anyway.

His response and conversation with them made the A-rankers feel relieved that their Guild Master was not an arrogant individual simply because of his position.

Max had shown deep respect towards them because of their status.

It was precisely why Angelo Ward could comfortably chat with Max, going as far as telling a story about his past and his family.

Through the conversation with the A-rankers, Max understood clearly the reason they joined the Demon Hunters Guild.

It was their ambition—to exterminate demons and drive them back to expand the Empire’s territory.

They were not satisfied with simply waiting for demons to attack.

They wanted to hunt them.

Although there were other A-rankers who wanted to join, astonishing Max, he instructed Danny to keep it to five for now, not wanting to create chaos in terms of power control within the Guild.

Five A-rankers were already enough to establish the upper combat structure of the Demon Hunters Guild.

Adding more A-rankers before the Guild had properly established its divisions and authority would only create unnecessary competition.

Max wanted the Guild to have a proper structure before it gained even more overwhelming combatants.

Eventually, the Guild Council Chambers hosted every member with a significant position.

In total, there were fourteen individuals present.

Gathering around the long table with Max at the furthest end, behind him was the large map of the Empire’s territory.

Lancelot was seated on Max’s right side, while Danny was seated beside him.

The five A-rankers were also present.

The heads of the different divisions had also gathered.

Rune Mage Cedric, the Head of the Demon Support Division.

Miriam Vale, the B-rank Archmage and Director of the Demon Research Division.

Louie, the B-rank Grand Artificer and Head of the Guild Artificer District.

The others responsible for the Guild’s logistics, alchemy, reconnaissance, and other important divisions were also present.

Max introduced himself first.

"I am Maximus Grant, Guild Master of the Demon Hunters Guild.

Due to personal reasons, I have just appeared in front of you.

I’m happy with the Demon Hunters Guild’s progress because of your presence, and I appreciate everyone’s efforts."

They couldn’t help but smile.

Although most of them were unfamiliar with the Guild Master and found it difficult not to feel displeased after not seeing him oversee the Demon Hunters Guild’s establishment, his compliment came from their Guild Master and ignited their sense of accomplishment.

Max had not participated in the construction of the headquarters.

He had not personally recruited most of them.

He had not established the Academy.

He had not created the divisions.

He had not overseen the development of the Guild Artificer District.

Yet, he acknowledged their efforts without trying to take credit for them.

Just as Max wore a smile and complimented them, his face suddenly turned solemn.

"The Demon Hunters Guild was established to fight against demons alone.

I believe that the demons will retaliate from our past actions, and we will not allow the Empire to bear this consequence alone.

We have to step up."

The atmosphere in the room immediately became serious.

Max turned towards Rose and asked,

"What did the Scout Division find?"

Rose stared at him, perplexed.

It took her a while to reply.

"Nothing."

Max nodded.

"Exactly."

The other members of the Guild Council became confused.

"Demons do not like humiliation the most.

Malveris, a Greater Demon, was forced to take refuge in the Kingdom of Endless War, and you believed that he would hide for another hundred years after countless failures?"

Max pointed towards the map of the Empire.

"How about the Lesser Demon Nests?

They are normally established by Greater Demons and above, and their subordinates reside within them."

Max looked towards Rose.

"Tell me, Rose. Have you gathered intelligence from the Lesser Demons that we have taken down?"

Rose was taken aback.

She quickly ruminated and shook her head.

"No, Guild Master."

Instead, it was a B-ranker Archmage who raised her hand.

Max glanced at her and said,

"Introduce yourself."

She nodded and stood up.

"I’m Miriam Vale, a retired professor from the Central Arcane Academy.

I’m currently the Director of the Demon Research Division."

She briefly looked at the documents in front of her.

"We have just discovered that the demons brought by the Demon Hunters possessed mana and traits similar to the demons in the Kingdom of Endless War.

We can also confirm from their belongings that they were indeed subordinates of a powerful demon."

Max nodded.

"Thank you, Miriam."

He turned his attention towards the map.

"I’m sure everyone knows why the Imperial Family is heavily investing in the frontline.

But those they sent, like B-rankers, couldn’t possibly make a move due to the presence of Greater Demons."

Max paused.

"And I was ambushed by a Greater Demon after killing their subordinate."

The A-rankers became slightly more serious.

"Now that we have annihilated many of them and Malveris was forced to take shelter in the Kingdom of Endless War, we should expect an intense retaliation."

Max’s finger touched the region where the Kingdom of Endless War was located.

"The Kingdom of Endless War did not inherit its current title without a reason."

Even the A-rankers’ faces turned grim when they heard Max’s words.

They knew exactly what the name represented.

The Empire could defend its territories.

But the Kingdom of Endless War was a kingdom that had survived through continuous warfare.

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