Chapter 230: War Preparations

"Sister!" The Champion shouted in fear.

Ever since Faye got a hold of the book, she couldn't put it down. Her eyes were glowing with excitement.

Her brother and sisters were confused. In their view, Faye was holding on to a blank book, and so they believed that she fell into some form of trance or possession due to the book.

The Steele family began to make preparations and sent all the slaves who couldn't fight inside.

Luckily, all the weapons that were lying around the Temple were brought inside.

Mezal and Branze took control and gave orders.

"The Temple is floating in an empty land. We will be fighting creatures that can fly. Since our enemies will be the Shadows that Kyros can summon, the best way to attack them would be to add elemental elements to our attacks. This means fire arrows and swords brandished in flames!" Branze explained, and the nearby knights knew what to do.

The Steele Family had survived various calamities that sought to kill them. Branze had brought special oil, which they developed to add the flames to their weapons.

"Too bad that most of our other equipment were left in that cave." Mezal sighed. Kyros was only to save the carriage that had the herbs and complete all the requirements of the Temple.

"Erm... Lord Mezal. The carriage and everything are in here." One of the Knights reported as he took a look at the Storage space.

"What?!" Mezal, Branze, and Aron bolted towards the place.

"Kyros! Look!" Branze immediately called out as the carriage that Mezal brought in, which consisted of all of what the Steele family valued, was in the Temple!

"Oh. So it looked like Fate was rather kind. So I didn't have to run and send the carriage."

"But the herbs are missing. The carriage is here, but the lizards that carried it and the herbs are gone!"

"It isn't gone. It became this." Kyros answered as he brought out a certain book.

"Basic Force Theory?" Branze moved with haste and grabbed the book before anyone else could.

"Relax, father. The Temple has changed. At the back portion, a library has been created. It will contain knowledge about cultivation and other things. I haven't checked it out yet, and now is not the time to check it. But it seems Fate is quite generous that it sent everything here. Although it's a shame, those lizards weren't sent in. I'm guessing Fate didn't see them as part of the Coven or the Steele family." Kyros answered. 

"What?! You're in love with her?!" Scarlet shouted out loud.

Avary and Gregory suddenly rushed to cover her mouth and shut her up.

Martha frowned but continued to lead the slaves with Mechiel into the Temple.

"Lady Martha...? Who is that boy? How did he know my name?" Mechiel asked.

"An acquaintance of your father. Your father is one that likes to brag. He has seen your pictures that your father likes to carry and even offered to have you married to him to the Steele family." Martha made an explanation.

"Oh..." Mechiel was stunned.

"Scarlet, be quiet!" Gregory urged.

Scarlet realized what had happened and quieted down.

"The Blood Calamity is in that girl. And her power greatly affects me. It may be because I met the real Blood Calamity and received her full power. I have resisted it them, but the issues of lust grow day by day." Kyros explained. He could not explain how Mechiel was his love from a lifelong past and risk that secret leaking. As the Blood Calamity already knew that Kyros had feelings for Mechiel, it was dangerous if this information would be forced out from the Coven by the Blood Calamity.

Scarlet was incensed.

Martha could not help but sigh.

"You guys will have to protect me. We don't know what the Blood Calamity can do."

"What if we chain her up?" Gojirrah asked.

"We can't do that. If we do, the Blood Calamity will know that we know she is inside Mechiel. She could then disperse her soul and escape. I managed to deal severe damage to the Blood Calamity and her soul. This small soul that took possession of Mechiel is probably the last of the soul that she has apart from the one controlling her main body. This makes her main body much weaker. Dividing a soul is not an easy thing."

"Right. It's like when that snake-man divided his soul using horror crosses and ended up placing a soul at his rival by accident. Then, his rival used that link against the snake man! That's what Kyros is trying to do!" Martha realized.

"What...?" Kyros was shocked.

"???" The rest of the Coven was also confused at Martha's statements.

"Is... Martha making a reference to that series?" Calaminus was shocked.

"Damn you, Calaminus! Look at what you did to Martha!"

"Hey. Don't blame me. She asked for it. Asked, and you shall receive." Calaminus defended.

"An-Anyway... Martha understands... I think. The Blood Calamity's soul is better kept inside Mechiel, and I plan to use her power against her. I have acquired the power of Charm as well. And the Blood Calamity's soul is bound to Mechiel. If I use Charm to Mechiel..."

"It will affect the Blood Calamity, herself!" Martha guessed.

"So... I will be seducing Mechiel." Kyros revealed.

Scarlet was now angry.

"Why didn't the Blood Calamity choose me instead?!" Scarlet was secretly cursing.

But her anger caused her to mutter softly, causing Gregory and Avary to hear it.

"Myas. Keep watch of the slaves. And don't forget about Mechiel." Martha asked as she directed the slaves and Myas in the Temple.

She was observing the majesty of the Temple and could feel the Holiness of the Temple.

Myas was stunned. Martha often used the phrase 'and don't forget about' as a means to highlight an enemy of great importance in their battles. It was these secret codes that allowed them to work effectively together. 

She glanced at Martha, and Martha gave an affirmative nod to confirm that it was what Myas thought it meant.

"Don't worry, sister." Myas answered.

"Mechiel. You don't have an arm. Stick close to me." Myas instructed.

As the Steele family and the Coven began to plan their position, Kyros finally met with the Champion mages.

"I am not possessed! This book is a marvelous treasure trove!" Faye argued with her brother and sisters.

"The book is in my control. It will only show the text to the people I deem to show it. Faye. Have you considered my offer? If you fight alongside us, I will grant you access to these books. There are more of them. So much more." 

Suddenly several books floated around Kyros.

Faye's eyes turned red in greed.

"My... Precious!" She cried.

"Our sister is possessed!"

"Kill that boy!" 

"Stop! You idiots! Stop!" Faye was so angry she shot out several magic attacks on her siblings.