The World Greatest Magician Is A Fraud

By the afternoon, the announcement had concluded and the citizens of Purewood had returned to their daily routines, albeit with a renewed sense of vigilance and hope. Inside the barracks office, Sir Carrick, Gareth, Luke, and a handful of knights assembled around a makeshift table. The chairs had been rearranged to accommodate everyone, creating a space for what would be a critical discussion about the plan to exterminate the monster threats.

Gareth stood at the head of the table, directing the knights to bring in all current reports and sightings. Stacks of parchment were quickly laid out, detailing the recent activities of various monsters and the locations where they had been seen. Luke, feeling the weight of his new role, observed intently, knowing he needed to familiarize himself with the creatures that posed the greatest threat to Purewood.

"We need to go over each type of monster we've encountered so far," Gareth began, addressing the room. "Luke needs to know their weaknesses and behaviours if we're to formulate an effective strategy."

The knights nodded in agreement, and Gareth gestured for the first report.

"Let's start with the Aerdeich. While we haven't had any sightings of this legendary creature recently, we know from past encounters that it resembles a sleek four-leg animal and has no known weakness. However, there had been suggestions of how light can work with them."

Luke nodded, recalling the intense moment when the Aerdeich had been momentarily disoriented by his phone's flashlight. It was a small hope, but it was something to keep in mind.

Gareth continued.

"Next, we have the Plyburg. These creatures that stood on two legs with claws and beaks were more in appearance and were completely deaf. They rely heavily on their sight, making them sensitive to light. We've had some success using this to our advantage."

The knights murmured their agreement, sharing brief anecdotes of their encounters with the Plyburg and how they had managed to use bright torches to fend them off.

"The Ewwga," Gareth said, moving to the next report. "Areus-like creatures, highly intelligent, and known for their ability to coordinate and retreat. Their known weakness is sound; they can't stand it. We discovered they are particularly afraid of certain hisses, which is our best tool to suppress them."

"That hiss must belong to something they recognize as a threat," Luke interjected. "We need to replicate that sound if we can."

Gareth nodded, making a note.

"Next, we have the Katorok, which is a monster that has powerful hind legs, small forelimbs, big feet and a long tail. These monsters are afraid of numbers, so surrounding one with a group of knights makes them easier to kill."

"We've seen that firsthand. They become visibly distressed when outnumbered," a knight chimed in.

"The Batonikie," Gareth continued. "Our only flight-capable monster, unlike the Plyburg. We need to use trees or tall structures to force them to land and then attack."

"We've already started identifying potential vantage points," another knight added.

"The Jirmour," Gareth said, holding up a parchment depicting a turtle-like creature. "Is slow to turn and has soft flesh underneath. Attacking in units and targeting its belly should be effective."

"And finally, the Zlaha," Gareth concluded. "A bit smaller than most monsters, furry with long ears that made them easily recognisable. They're quick and attack by pouncing. Their weakness is that they can't see above them, so using trees and tall structures as vantage points and dropping onto them to strike should work."

As Gareth finished the overview, Luke felt a surge of determination. Each monster had its unique vulnerability, and knowing these would be crucial in their fight.

"We need to organize patrols and assign knights to specific areas based on the sightings," Sir Carrick said, his voice filled with authority. And then, he lowered his voice so only Luke could hear him. "And Luke, with your abilities, you will play a key role in coordinating these efforts."

"I'll do everything I can to help," Luke nodded, fully aware of the responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.

The room was filled with a sense of urgency but also hope. They had a plan, and with Luke's unique abilities, they had a chance to reclaim their city from the monsters that threatened it.

As they dispersed to carry out their tasks, Luke lingered for a moment, looking at the reports spread out before him. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but for the first time since his arrival in this world, he felt a clear sense of purpose.

Leaving the barracks office, Luke stepped into the sunlight, ready to face whatever came next.

As the afternoon stretched on, the knights of Purewood set out on their scouting missions, leaving Luke behind in the barracks office. The room, now locked, became his secret sanctuary where he could use his phone without anyone discovering his true methods. He knew the importance of keeping this device hidden, as its capabilities far exceeded the understanding of this world.

Luke began by searching for the weaknesses of animals that resembled the monsters he had been introduced to. He couldn't search the monsters by name directly; instead, he used his knowledge of Earthly creatures to find analogous vulnerabilities.

Starting with the Katorok, which resembled a kangaroo, Luke discovered that kangaroos were often disoriented by bright lights and loud noises. He noted these down, thinking of ways to replicate these effects in battle.

Next, for the Batonikie, which was like a vulture, Luke found that birds of prey could be lured and trapped using bait. He also learned about their poor vision in low light, which could be used to their advantage during night missions.

The Jirmour, resembling a turtle, had a known vulnerability in its soft underbelly, which matched Luke's findings. However, he also learned that turtles could be immobilized if flipped onto their backs, a tactic that could be useful in combat.

Lastly, the Zlaha, similar to a rabbit, had poor vision above them and could be easily startled by sudden movements or loud noises. Rabbits also had delicate spines, suggesting that a strong impact could incapacitate them.

Luke took careful notes on his findings, writing down each detail and thinking of ways to implement these weaknesses in their strategy. He also considered how his phone could be used in various scenarios, such as playing sounds that could scare or confuse the monsters, using the flashlight to disorient them, or even leveraging its GPS to coordinate knight movements more effectively.

As the noon sun turned to the warm hues of the evening, the knights began to return from their scouting missions. They reported back with detailed observations of the monsters' locations and movements. Luke, eager to consolidate this information, called Gareth into the office.

Gareth listened intently as Luke explained his findings. With the help of Gareth, Luke translated his notes into the Iatspich language, ensuring that the knights would understand the new strategies they were to employ.

"These are incredible insights, Luke," Gareth said, his pen moving swiftly across the parchment. "The knights will be grateful for this information."

"We have to be ready," Luke replied, a determined look in his eyes. "Tomorrow, at dawn, we'll launch an all-out purge. The monsters won't know what hit them."

By the time the translations were complete, the barracks office was filled with a sense of purpose and readiness. The knights, now equipped with detailed maps and new strategies, felt a renewed sense of hope.

Sir Carrick, having reviewed the plans, addressed the group.

"Tomorrow, we take the fight to them. Remember, our goal is to protect Purewood and bring peace back to our city. Stay vigilant and trust in the plan."

As the knights dispersed to rest and prepare for the coming battle, Luke felt a calm resolve wash over him. He knew that the true test was yet to come, but with the knowledge and tools he had gathered, they stood a real chance of succeeding.

That night, as Luke lay in his makeshift bed within the barracks, he reflected on the day's events. He had taken a significant step in fulfilling his promise and was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Tomorrow, they would reclaim Purewood's innocence.

Luke's thoughts drifted to the knights who had gone out scouting. They had risked their lives to gather the information needed for their mission. His determination grew stronger, knowing that he couldn't let their efforts go in vain. He had to ensure their plan was flawless and that every knight returned safely. The quicker they end this, the sooner peace can be restored.

He thought of Mrs. Williams and the promise he had made to her and himself. The memory of her kind eyes and encouraging words filled him with a renewed sense of purpose. He had been given a second chance, and he intended to make the most of it. As he drifted off to sleep, Luke knew that, for the first time in a long while, he was on the right path.