CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 37 BRIEF MEETING

A long silence.

"Is the situation over there really bad?" Aske asked.

"The Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field has been activated, what do you think?" Albrecht sighed.

"If I remember correctly, the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field relies on giant coils and frequency converters for operation," Aske frowned, "The device itself is cumbersome in size, weight, and energy supply needs, so the Church Court can currently only bury it deep under the city, making it immovable by vehicle."

"So, it’s the activation of the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field in Verona City causing the dukes to take a pessimistic view of the war’s outcome?"

"Indeed, nothing can be hidden from you," Albrecht admitted with respect, "Yes, Verona City has activated the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field. Thankfully, the boundary of the magnetic field only reaches a short distance outside the city, and does not cover the minefield area. Otherwise, even if Venice were willing to cooperate with us at this stage, we would not be able to clear the mines."

"This is not coincidence, but a calculated outcome," Aske said, "Minefields are not suited to be placed too close to the outskirts of the city, as they can restrict the movement of the defending army. However, since the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field has been activated, even if we clear the minefields, it would likely still be difficult to take down Verona quickly. At such a time, the war effort needs more Transcendents from the Physical Department."

"To be frank, Your Majesty wishes for you to return," Albrecht said, "It was the Duke of Bavaria’s idea for you to stay in Venice City State. The final decision lies with you, I’m merely relaying the message."

"Let me discuss this matter with my team members," Aske finally said.

The next day, Venice’s councilor, the Demigod Saint Suovino, along with Knight Albrecht, hastened back first. Aske gathered the girls and conveyed the thoughts of the Duke of Bavaria.

"Everyone has witnessed the power of the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field. With our abilities neutralized, it’s hard to say how much combat power we can actually utilize. It’s clear that returning to the battlefield in Verona means facing an unprecedentedly perilous war."

"Wait, didn’t we already know this?" Sigrdrifa raised her hand.

"Shut up, no one asked you to speak," Aske reprimanded.

So, Sigrdrifa silently made a zipping motion across her lips and stopped talking.

"Eleanor, Sigrdrifa, Miel—the strength of you three mainly depends on physical condition, not so much on extraordinary abilities."

"Peggy, Mia—both of you will suffer a significant reduction in combat capability without your extraordinary abilities."

"As for Thira, Nora, and Medea, need I say more? Your combat effectiveness without abilities is pretty much zero."

"So now, it’s time for everyone to think about who wants to stay and who wants to return. The decision to stay or go is purely voluntary. Although I am the Squad Leader, I respect your opinions."

"Aske," Eleanor raised her hand and asked, "what about you?"

"Of course, I’m going back," Aske crossed his arms, "Not to mention that there’s still a mission to complete, does the existence of the Anti-Demonic Magnetic Field have any effect on me?"

The girls fell silent. While his words were arrogant, they had to admit that Aske was indeed one of those ’strength resides within oneself’ pure physical types. Half of his power was due to Extraordinary Swordsmanship, and the other half due to his own combat skills and tactical awareness. And what about the Weisbach Bloodline, those passive abilities like Sharp Weapons, Blunt Weapon, Evasion, Intuition? Did their Squad Leader need them?

Without those Bloodline Sequences, with his own strength, didn’t he simply outclass everyone else?

"Since you put it that way, then I’m definitely going back," Sigrdrifa said straightforwardly.

"I am too," Miel said.

"I will return as well," Eleanor paused, "But what if I choose not to?"

"Then stay in Venice City. Once the war ends, our team will come back to pick you up," Aske said.

"I will follow the Squad Leader," Peggy said without hesitation.

"Then I’m following the Squad Leader too," Mia added.

These two had obviously not thought it through much, simply making their choice instinctively.

Aske turned to the last three girls, the ’combat effectiveness close to zero’ weaklings.

"Well, although I can’t use my abilities, I know medical skills!" Nora tried to find a reliable reason for herself, "I can administer Healing Needles! Do emergency bandaging!"

She was right, so Aske nodded, "Alright, then you’ll come back with us."

Now Medea and Thira began to grow nervous. Wasn’t this supposed to be voluntary? Why did it suddenly feel like a job review where failing would get you fired?

"Um, my brain still works fine, I can devise Tactics for everyone!" Thira quickly raised her hand.

"Squad Leader, you need a tactical secretary," Medea also smiled sweetly, trying to please, "Is there anyone better at figuring out what people are thinking than me?"

"We’re going back this time, and the main risk lies in combat..." Aske began, but Thira interrupted him, "But you also need to investigate who is the mastermind behind all this, right?"

"After your investigation is complete, and when you report and claim the reward, my grandfather would come out and say, ’Oh, where has my granddaughter gone...’ How would you answer him, Squad Leader?"

"That’s right," Medea also realized, "My family has also given you a mission, Aske, how could you leave me behind?"

Aske: ...

Alright, it seemed nobody wanted to stay here—that was expected. After all, the team had been forming for almost a year now, and their cohesion and collective sense of responsibility had consolidated, which was quite gratifying for Aske.

Having confirmed that everyone was willing to return, they prepared to set off—of course, that was after the intake of Magic Potions.

Currently, five of them possessed follow-up Magic Potions, namely:

Eleanor with Will IV (provided by the Weisbach family),

Miel with Luck IV (a legacy trait left by the playwright Wilhelm),

Mia with Weakness IV (provided by the Enchanting Demon Queen, derived from the decomposed traits of a dead Demigod),

Peggy with Poison II (trace of the Lord of Filth),

Sigrdrifa with Giant III (provided by Albrecht, as a reward for a mission).

After consumption, Eleanor, Peggy, and Miel would reach Lv.10 and start the process of Bloodline Completion, which entailed a significant risk of losing control; hence, they needed to isolate themselves on Fire Island, with Angel’s Song and Nora fully in charge of their care.

Sigrdrifa and Mia would also advance to Lv.9, just one step away from Bloodline Completion.

Therefore, the most prudent course of action was to first complete the progression of the two to Lv.9, followed by the other three advancing to Lv.10 one by one.