Chapter 86 The Willow Eradication 2



"Everything is settled. Wrath has been declared innocent, and I've got what we need. I will send the details to Maria shortly. I might not be able to make it there in time, so please help her leave as soon as possible. Cyrus, the Grand Councilor from the same faction as the Willow Clan, and Lucien, the one who bombed you, might try to assist them. You have just one month to eliminate all of them without facing any consequences from the Hightower," Greed explained to Daniel over the phone.

"Thank you, Miss Greed. I appreciate your help. I owe you one..." Daniel expressed his gratitude before ending the call.

Having received the awaited information, it was time for Daniel to commence his plan. He strode purposefully towards the command tower of the battleship, with Michaela and Penthesilea in tow.

After a brief journey, the trio entered the command tower. The atmosphere inside was filled with an air of anticipation and focused energy. The room itself was a marvel of Atlantean craftsmanship, blending advanced magical technology with modern engineering. Luminescent crystals embedded in the walls emitted a soft, ethereal glow, casting a mysterious ambiance throughout the chamber.

The command room hummed with activity as Atlantean sailors and commanders moved with purpose, their movements precise and coordinated. Holographic displays flickered to life, projecting intricate tactical maps and vital mission data. Advanced control panels adorned with arcane symbols and intricate runes lined the walls, operated by skilled personnel who seemed to dance across them effortlessly.

On the expansive main screen of the command center, a live feed displayed a panoramic view of a grand estate nestled within the suburban region of the Alpha Sector city.

The estate, characterized by its vibrant red rooftops, spanned an impressive area of 5 square kilometers. A complex network of buildings dotted the landscape, each serving a distinct purpose. Some structures exuded an aura of advanced research facilities, while others appeared as elegant guest houses or robust barracks. The architectural ensemble stood as a testament to the grandeur and significance of the Willow family's main headquarters.

As the camera panned across the scene, mundane individuals dressed in sleek suits could be seen diligently patrolling the perimeter of the estate. Their presence emphasized the importance of security and the need to safeguard the secrets and operations housed within. Meanwhile, inside the sprawling grounds, mages moved about, engrossed in discussions, their actions a reflection of the daily routines and responsibilities that governed their lives within this prestigious domain.

The red-roofed estate, with its intricate layout and bustling atmosphere, served as the epicenter of the Willow family's power and influence. It was within these hallowed grounds that decisions were made, alliances were forged, and strategies were devised. The estate stood as a symbol of the family's prominence in the magical realm, a stronghold of knowledge and authority.

"Indeed, Maria's capabilities are truly exceptional. I'm astounded by her ability to acquire such detailed information," Penthesilea commended Maria for her impressive prowess as the Chief of the Intelligence Division within Daniel's forces.

Meanwhile, Maria and her team were deployed at the site, clad in camouflage suits that blended seamlessly with their surroundings. These suits were not ordinary garments, but rather artifact armor meticulously crafted by Daniel specifically for Maria and her elite team for their infiltration missions. Maria's suit possessed an additional enchantment, allowing it to adapt and morph along with her physical transformations. Whether she turned into mist or transformed into a flock of bats, the suit seamlessly adjusted itself, ensuring it remained firmly affixed to her body when she resumed her human form.

The cutting-edge armor served not only as a protective layer but also as an extension of Maria's abilities, enabling her to carry out her duties with unparalleled efficiency. It was a testament to Daniel's commitment to equipping his operatives with the finest tools and resources available, amplifying their skills and augmenting their effectiveness in the field.

Daniel, seated in the highest commander's seat within the room, ordered the start of the operation.

"Penthesilea, I'll entrust you with the command of this operation. Your objective is to extract Wrath from that estate and eliminate anyone who resists," Daniel stated firmly, then stood up from the commander's chair.

Penthesilea asked, "Where are you going, my lord?"

"I will join in the field as well. According to the information from Miss Greed, powerful individuals from the Hightower may attempt to aid the Willow family and send reinforcements. I need to be present in case any unexpected events occur. I will also follow your command in the field," Daniel explained, determined to be there in case of unforeseen circumstances. He trusted Penthesilea's military expertise and knew that she was better suited for commanding battles.

Initially wanting to dissuade him from entering the battlefield, Penthesilea noticed the determination in Daniel's eyes and saw that Michaela was accompanying him. Realizing that Michaela would protect her lord, she decided not to stop him.

Daniel departed from the command center and made his way towards the bow of the battleship, where he had modified a mini pod launcher for potential deployment of assault groups in the midst of the battlefield.

_______

At the Willow family estate, in the grand and opulent family conference room, Edmon Willow, the current patriarch of the Willow family, was engaged in a meeting with Magnus Alchemont, who had urgently contacted him from Britain.

"I personally grant you and your family authorization to relocate to France. I have connections there. Just be cautious of the Dupont family. They belong to the 'Magic Harmony' faction, which has gained significant influence from this incident. I have done my best to minimize the impact, but you must swiftly transfer your resources to France," Alchemont's voice echoed through the conference room.

"Yes, Lord Alchemont. I will immediately arrange the relocation of our people and all our assets according to your instructions. However, what about our real estate and businesses in this location?" Edmon Willow inquired, expressing his reluctance to leave.

"As long as you are alive, you can rebuild. Leave now! Bring the 'Sylvan Tree Seeds' with you! And bring Wrath as well!" commanded the Alchemont patriarch.

"But, Lord Alchemont, didn't the court declare Wrath innocent? Shouldn't we release her?" Edmon Willow questioned, concerned about the consequences of defying the court's decision.

"Humph! Our 'Path of Knowledge' faction controls the enforcer division. If Grand Councilor Envy herself didn't intervene, there is nothing to fear!" Magnus reprimanded the patriarch of his branch family for his cowardice.

"Yes, Lord Alchemont. I will comply with your orders," Edmon bowed respectfully to his main family patriarch.

However, deep inside Edmon's mind, he struggled with the decision to leave behind his mundane world real estate business and substantial wealth and investments that couldn't be easily relocated. If only his son hadn't been so foolish as to be unable to discern Daniel's true identity and hand over the ID card. Their family wouldn't have fallen into this predicament.

But, Edmon acknowledged that being unprotected by the Hightower's law was far better than the alternative of having their magic veins extracted from their bodies. That would be a death sentence for him and his family.

Edmon swiftly made his way to the basement prison, understanding the importance of ensuring the security measures were up to standard. He knew that Wrath would not be cooperative, especially since she had already awakened. 

The only thing keeping her relatively calm was the continuous playback of stand-up comedy recordings and soothing white noise, which served as a constant source of distraction. However, he was well aware that if her anger were to fuel her strength, nothing in his arsenal could prevent her from breaking free with her overwhelming power.

Edmon utilized his iris scan to gain access to the basement, only to be confronted with a gruesome scene of carnage. Every guard, whether mundane or mage, lay lifeless with their throats slit or bullet holes in their heads. Their deaths had been swift, silent, and utterly unexpected.

His instincts immediately kicked in, but before he could react, a searing pain shot through his throat. He attempted to struggle, his vision blurring, until finally, darkness enveloped him as he lost consciousness.

"Lucky! We've finally obtained a key!" A melodic voice resounded as Maria, dressed in her camouflage suit, stood upside down on the ceiling. She swiftly severed Edmon's head and carried it to the deepest cell, secured by the strongest lock.

Gradually, the operatives accompanying Maria revealed themselves, deactivating the stealth function on their suits. These were the Atlantean warriors, soldiers actualized by Daniel. They had joined Maria to assist in the operation, armed with artifact rifles crafted by Daniel himself. Their bullets had the power to effortlessly penetrate mage mana shields.

Maria pressed Edmon's severed head against the iris scan panel beside the prison cell, and the heavily fortified door swiftly swung open.

Inside the cell, Maria witnessed Wrath's laughter echoing as she listened to the stand-up comedy record. The heavily reinforced concrete walls bore numerous cracks, evidence of Wrath's attempts to break free, and there were bloodstains that seemed to have originated from her fists.

"Lady Wrath!" Maria called out, kneeling on the ground to display her unwavering loyalty to her lord and lover. She continued with excitement, "I have excellent news to share with you!"

"Danny alive, Right? I already received that information from Greed through our telepathic connection. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoying my time here," Wrath replied with a smile.