Lord Barbatos awaits in the scorching sands

"…It’s hot." (Under his breath) "Lord Barbatos, wouldn't you like to rest here for a while? There is no guarantee the 'Giant Sandworm' will appear immediately." "No, please don't trouble yourself. I am fine." "You say that, but remaining in such heavy gear under this scorching sun… there is a risk of dehydration. In a worst-case scenario, you could even die of heatstroke." "Rest assured. I am a soldier, after all. My body is thoroughly conditioned, and as a sniper, I have trained to endure harsh environments for extended periods. There is no need for concern." "But the temperature is set to rise even further. This is the 'Desert of Death'… a place of extreme heat where temperatures have reached as high as 70 degrees in the past. …Couldn't you at least wait in the tent for a while…?" "No, by keeping my body pressed against the ground like this, I can sense even the slightest changes underground. That monster usually lurks in the deep strata, beyond the reach of the surface heat. The only way to know when it will appear is to detect the faint vibration caused at the moment of its emergence. I must act the instant I catch that sign, so I cannot afford to break this posture." "I see… I understand the logic, but still…" "So, please don't worry about me. You will have to wait a little longer, Your Excellency, but I will most certainly take it down with a single strike!" (――Just to be safe, keep the medical team on standby. At this rate, he might end up turning into a piece of dried fish.) (Understood. Still, he certainly is as stubborn as ever.) (Well, don't be too hard on him. That’s part of what makes him who he is, after all.) ――About three hours later, Barbatos took down the giant sand-worm with a single magical bullet just as it finally emerged to the surface and began to breathe. Needless to say, however, he collapsed from severe heatstroke immediately afterward and had to be rushed to the hospital. Everyone, please make sure to take appropriate precautions and actions suited to your environment. Even with training, you must never push yourself too hard or become overconfident! (A lesson to remember.)