Chapter 79 - Last Meeting

For the very next day, the chosen primary and secondary squad were called in for a very important meeting.

They were all propped on the dining hall.

Ignis Silva sat on the chair beside the Emperor.

Drinks were served for the members there.

"So, first thing's first. I want you to work as a team. We do not need any more heroes whatsoever for this mission."

He said firmly.

Luken raised his hands, but everyone knew that the Commander did not have any serious suggestions, so they did the most efficient way of dealing with a jokester such as Luken Regalia – to simply ignore him.

Someone from the secondary squadron now had a question for him.

"Regarding what you said, what did you mean by not needing any heroes, sir?"

A young boy around the age of Suna and Yin asked now.

"What did you not understand in my statement, young boy? I do not think there were any lapses in what I have said."

The young boy did not respond, instead, remaining standing, adamant on getting a response from the Operation's assigned Captain.

"You should answer him, Ignis, these youthful S Rank Slayers are the future of the Slayer Corps, after all. Before you know it, they are to surpass even you and the Commander!"

The Emperor said jokingly with a laugh accompanying it.

Ignis Silva sighed.

"Very well. As I have said earlier, I meant it. This mission does not need any heroes. I know your type. I know all of your types. You people are actively seeking glory. Even if it means to sacrifice yourselves for those who are weaker than you. Believe me, I have been to countless missions in my time as a Slayer. Do not ever try to assume the role of a hero in an ingenuine manner. If it only means to sacrifice yourselves."

Ignis Silva stomped his foot as he said that with such intensity.

"You are S Rank Slayers, whether it be by chance or by your own capabilities and skills, hell, it can even be said that there are certain elements of luck in it. But do not offer your own selves to save several weaker ranked Slayers."

Gavin stood up from his seat.

"What exactly is your point here? Do you mind telling us? Clearly there are none other but S Rank Slayers in this dining hall. Keep this meeting short and simple, so we can have concise flow of information without all the unnecessary egos."

The Serpent Summoner said.

Ignis Silva scoffed.

Luken knew that this was now his optimal time to make Ignis mad.

"Well, take a look at yourself, Ignis, are you not the one who brought an A Rank Slayer here? Hector Incendium is present despite not qualifying for this meeting's much needed S Rank."

The Commander said mockingly.

Gavin shot him an annoyed glance, which made Luken sit on his ass immediately.

"I am going to pretend I did not hear that, Luken. Are there any more interruptions, or should I continue on with the plan?"

Every single one of them was silent.

"Good. First, we shall use the Specter – Vale Ashford's keen senses and astute stealth abilities to scout on ahead. I would like to assign two of you to accompany her, the three of you are the main scouting unit. Send us signals and notes with your carrier pigeons about the status of the hives."

Ignis said as he pointed at two experienced S Rank Wind Slayers to accompany her.

Vale Ashford and the two members who were a part of the primary squad simply nodded.

Ignis Silva walked up from his seat at beside the Emperor's and pranced around the room.

"For the next plan, it would be safe to assume that the hives are no longer there, and that the Angels have already hatched. Once that happens, we will assume combative positions and place the primary spellcasters who can use long range bombardment and projectile skills from the back behind our formations. And have the brawlers like Faust, Luken, and Hector in the front."

He wiped his glasses and put it back on.

This was also a way for him to catch his breathe.

"To add to that, the Summoners will be in the middle. I forgot to mention, but, I will be the 'brawler' team's leader at the front. Gavin Khalil, who is the strongest Summoner present, will lead the Summoners, while Sasha, the renowned Sapphire Sorcerer, a strong Water Slayer in her own right, will be leading the backlines. Keep in mind that this will only be happening if the Angels have gone from their hives to the world of the living, assuming there will be dozens of them, we will maintain the formation and slowly back off."

Ignis Silva took a glass of water prepared to him by the Castle's servants.

He thanked the servant and drank the glass.

"This is one of two outcomes. If, they have not hatched from their hives, then we will close in on the location, have the Specter and her group take out the Angels guarding the hives, if they have successfully done that, the Fire Slayers will form a line circling the hives and burn it down."

Ignis Silva bared his fangs and grinned.

"Are there any questions?"

He asked.

Nobody raised their hands, this was a squad of Slayers who are experienced in the hardships and battles of the outside world.

"Let us do this, for humanity. Even if it means to let go of our own. To fight these winged harbingers, we are to assume the role of monsters ourselves. One cannot retain their humanity and succeed in eliminating these threats. We have survived long enough for this very moment. I will not promise that there will be no casualties for this mission. But I can assure you that I see our members as the cream of the crop, the very best of the Slayer Corps. We shall come back to Nifhleim victorious! Our flags of triumph will wave and show that humans are able to win versus Angels. For Humanity!"

The Slayers saluted Ignis, even Luken.

"For Humanity!"

They all chanted loudly.

"I will see you in the Outer Gates specifically three whole days from now. Until then, you shall remain in the Grand Castle and prepare for the Operation Phoenix. You got that?"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

They responded in unison.

After their last meeting for the Operation Phoenix, they all went to their quarters.

Gavin Khalil and Luken Regalia were in their room.

Luken took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with a match.

Gavin was reading a book.

A knock came through their door.

Luken got up from his seat located near the window, and opened the door.

He panned his gaze at the person who was there.

"Yo, Faust, what is up? How are your injuries, by the way? I noticed you were missing from the meeting today. I kind of feel bad for it, to be honest."

Luken said.

"Do not worry, sir. I would have been very much more upset if you actually held back during our fight. I trained so hard all these months for that, and I still got my ass handed to me. I guess you really are that strong."

Faust Keisuke scratched the head of his back nervously.

"Did you want something? You can come inside."

Gavin said politely.

Faust made himself comfortable and sat on Luken's bed.

"What is it, Faust, spill it out, my cigarette's burning and it is burning fast!"

Luken said comically.

"It is about our mission. The Operation Phoenix."

Gavin's brows lifted up.

"What about our mission, is there something bothering you?"

He asked the S Rank Earth Slayer.

"I am here as the representative of the Primal Hounds, so there is no way I am ever backing out from this opportunity."

Faust Keisuke said that, with his head turned towards the ground.

"But there is something seriously bothering me. Call it intuition or just me being scared, you may call it what you wish, but there is a certain thing that will go wrong during our mission, that much I know."

He said.

"No disrespect to you, Faust, I have known you ever since your Rookie days, but I have never seen you this shaken up about a mission, you were always happy about being deployed for conquests and missions, so what the hell is happening to you now?"

Faust Keisuke gulped.

"Do you remember that Seraphim, Sarathiel? The one that the Basilisk Slayer eviscerated?"

He asked while shooting a glance at Gavin.

"Yeah, I do remember it. I was there, you know?"

Luken responded.

"That Seraphim, Luken. That thing's presence is out of this world. It is a step above normal Angels, that is obvious. But deep down, I could sense the sinister aura emanating from it from far away. I told you back then didn't I? I could have warned the others, but I was too late."

Luken was waiting for what he really was leaning towards in saying.

"I am feeling that right now. I hope it will not happen all the same three days from now."

Faust was shaking.