Chapter 416 - Reappearance

Torfinn couldn't understand why an Automaton with Artificial Intelligence would be the one leading their mission. He had to clarify some things to the Council right now…

"Wait… The other clans and organizations weren't included here… Do you know where they are assigned?"  ​​

Arnt Vermont asked after noticing that the participating organizations in the mission were only four not including the military force of Zairus.

The Grand Sage Maze's Tower, the Skywalker Clan, the Vermont Clan, and the Veritas Mage Organization. 

There were glad to have the Tower's magician by their side but he was quite unhappy that a small organization would be joining them. 

The Veritas Mage Organization is still a young organization that doesn't have that much power with them. As far as he knows, this organization made by the Veritas Company only has a few hundred magicians with them and most of them weren't even Adepts.

Their presence in such an important mission was quite questionable.

"Hmm… The others were probably assigned to deal with those in Stella Region… Would you rather go there?"

"Eh? N-no… But why do we have to be with this small organization?" Arnt replied with a question.

Torfinn was also a bit unhappy about them but he tried to find the reason. He quickly asked the council for clarification and found out that they will be using the new airsh.i.p.s made by the Veritas Company. 

Those airsh.i.p.s will be used to transport their army including their Steel Knights.

He also learned that Avalon, the A.I. that will lead them, was the best leader right now since they are lacking competent magicians after the first offensive against the aliens.

Nevertheless, he still complained about the Veritas Mage Organization that will only send a total of 100 magicians…

It was at this moment that the A.I. was the one who responded to him.

[ Their group will be using a Forbidden Mana Spell to deal with the Seiji's Forces. Your clan's task is to protect them at all costs. ] 

Avalon replied. He finally realized that the organization was actually more important than them in this mission.

Torfinn and Arnt can only hope that the total 2,000 mages for the entire mission will be enough to attack Seiji's headquarters.

If they haven't heard that the main force of the Seiji was obliterated in the sea by the Deep Sea Creatures, there was no way that they would agree to this almost impossible mission.

"Very well… We'll work on it."

After they accepted their fate, they immediately coordinated with their clans and have their forces ready. 

The council is only asking for them to send 400 magicians and some Steel Knights… It is up to them whether they will be sending Combat Magicians, Battle Mage, Adept Mage, or even Sages.

These many magicians are already a quarter of their clan's forces so they have to ensure that most of them will be able to return.

Considering their number, they would accept at least a 60% survival rate. If it's below that, it would not be ideal for them.

Anyway, they can only hope that Avalon is a better commander. Since the Council chose the Artificial Intelligence, it must've shown some skills during the previous battle.

Unlike the Cloud Hawk Manor's exemption to the current missions, the other camps were busy organizing their Magicians.

The Cloud Hawk's allies, the Sky Raven Manor and the Luxford Clan were tasked to participate in the Second Offensive…

This is much more dangerous since they will be facing the aliens… The aliens whom they barely know.

The Cleansing Mission, on the other hand, was much easier since Avalon and Veda's information about their current force was crucial.

The council is already aware of the places they have to be wary of, the formation of their army, their supply route, their current movement, and even their communications were completely seen through by the two A.I.

The magicians just have to exploit them and ensure to complete the mission.

But because they have to do it in such a limited time, Avalon has to lead them to avoid wasting time and keep most of the magicians alive.

Luckily, they can still communicate with Ace at this moment and he approved various tasked that they've asked for Avalon to do.

Grand Arcanist Hallgrim of the Sky Raven Manor arrived at the temporary headquarters where the other leaders are already waiting.

"You're here… We're now just waiting for one more person…" Charles greeted the Grand Arcanist.

"I see…" Hallgrim then sat on his chair as he looked at everyone.

There are already 8 people including him within the room and as far as he knows, this should be everyone. 

Aaron Schmidt from the Lucent Force…

Yumi Juria, the successor of the previous Saintess Thea…

Hayden Fraser, the Enneadic Magician from the Ministry….

Marvin C.u.m.m.i.n.gs from the Magician's Congress…

Troy Webb, the current General of the Mage Army…

Grand Sage Alice, of the Luxford Clan…

The eight of them should be enough to decide the second offensive so Hallgrim was a bit curious. However, he stayed silent and waited like the others. 

He doesn't want to appear clueless right now. Anyway, they were served tea and snack while waiting for the last person.

Finally, after waiting for about ten minutes, they heard many footsteps outside the room. 

"Hmm?"

Hallgrim used his senses and found something interesting… He couldn't properly sense one of them… It is like being blocked by some kind of barrier.

At his level, this wouldn't be something normal. 

Clank!

The door finally opened and found a group of magicians escorting someone wearing a space combat suit that he had seen in broadcasts.

'Ho~ So it can block my Mana Sense? That suit looks more interesting than I thought…' The old man mused as he waited for Charles to begin the meeting.

"I'm Karfu Malthu, a member of the Arian Race and now one of Wallace's subordinates…"