Free Web NovelChapter 2677: Chapter 1809: Emergency Meeting
"...So, you all just came back like this?"
Looking at Alicia, Ann’s expression was quite complex, and Alicia also opened her arms helplessly.
"I don’t know what to do, the Great Judge’s situation is really abnormal, he completely ignored our calls. Moreover, I feel he’s actually doing quite well among those Orcs now."
Alicia said this not on a whim, but as a fact. Because as more and more Orcs gathered, Duanmu Huai stopped the killings, and those Orcs also tacitly refrained from attacking. Then Duanmu Huai suddenly raised his War Hammer and shouted "WAAAAAAAGH," and the other Orcs also raised their hands to cheer, the atmosphere was as heated as if a new Emperor had been chosen.
Alicia completely couldn’t understand what was happening, but she remembered the Tribunal’s teachings and missions given to her, so afterward, the three quickly chose to retreat.
In fact, now Duanmu Huai is indeed doing quite well on that planet, at least from the situation observed by the Reconnaissance Fleet, Duanmu Huai is commanding those Orcs to build Orc Warships, clearly intending to launch an attack somewhere.
"Uh...was Mr. Duanmu brainwashed? Or controlled?"
"I don’t think the Orcs have that kind of capability, but I can’t say for sure..."
Ann reached out to press her temples, frowning in frustration.
"By the way, what are the characteristics of the Orcs again?"
"Let me see...here it is."
Greiya took out a Tribunal Handbook she carried with her—mainly used to help everyone distinguish various Aliens.
"Orcs are a belligerent, rude, and highly aggressive Green Skin Alien Species, they are strong and combative, muscular, and simple-minded..."
"Alright, now I understand why Mr. Knight gets along so well with them."
Ann sighed silently.
"If it weren’t for Mr. Knight’s skin not being green, I’d have suspected he was an Orc too."
"What should we do now?"
Hei Chuan Chi Yin was somewhat restless, after all, in her view, Duanmu Huai was the highest authority of the Tribunal, if something happened to him, what should they do...Hei Chuan Chi Yin really couldn’t imagine.
At this moment, Mary, who had been silently thinking, raised her head and looked at Alicia.
"Miss Alicia, did Mr. Duanmu ever mention what he wants you to do with this Beastman Crown?"
"I don’t know, he just said he would find it useful."
Alicia shook her head, while Mary stared at her notebook and read it from beginning to end.
"Mary, do you have any insights?"
Ann looked at Mary; as Duanmu Huai’s "Secretary," if anyone could figure out Duanmu Huai’s actions, it would only be Mary.
"Based on my records, Mr. Duanmu previously went to a world via the Unified Divine Realm, and then he returned to instruct Miss Alicia to search for the Beastman Crown...Hmm, I think Mr. Duanmu’s search for the Beastman Crown is likely for that world."
As Mary said this, she looked at Ogis who was sitting next to her.
"Miss Ogis, can you contact Mr. Duanmu?"
Ogis shook her head expressionlessly.
"The master has not responded; his emotions are high and chaotic."
Duanmu Huai can communicate through Mind Connection with his Soul Card creations; even if Duanmu Huai can’t directly explain in words at the time, he can contact Ogis or Ann through Mind Connection.
But now it seems, Duanmu Huai hasn’t done so, the reasons are unknown.
"Can we dispatch a fleet to that planet to rescue Sir Knight?"
Lorena spoke uneasily.
"I don’t very much recommend doing that."
Ann shook her head.
"If this is Mr. Knight’s plan, then dispatching a fleet there will only make things worse. And if Mr. Knight has somehow mingled with those Green Skins, then...dispatching a fleet will only cause unnecessary loss."
The strength of Duanmu Huai, apart from Hei Chuan Chi Yin, is well known to everyone present.
Incidentally, even Hei Chuan Chi Yin can’t understand why Duanmu Huai has become this way.
"Can Satori go and join the teacher in killing Aliens?"
At this moment, Mianmu Zuoniao jokingly raised her hand to ask, soon being pressed down by Ann.
"Of course not."
"Oh...stingy!"
This isn’t a matter of stinginess...
Looking at Mianmu Zuoniao, who puffed out her cheeks and was full of dissatisfaction, everyone exchanged helpless glances—truth be told; her thinking pattern was quite similar to the Orcs. It’s likely she would shout "WAAAAAGH" and wield a Japanese sword to start hacking violently, Mianmu Zuoniao could really do such a thing.
"I’ll take care of this investigation."
Mary closed her notebook.
"I will go to that world to investigate what exactly Mr. Duanmu encountered there. With the total Attack on the Eye of Fear imminent, I don’t think Mr. Duanmu would interfere at this critical juncture. His actions must be related to this plan; I’ve heard there are quite a few Night Guards stationed in the Unified Divine Realm, and we should be able to glean some intelligence from them."
"Then I’ll leave it to you, Miss Mary."
Although anxious inside, Ann knew that Mary was the best candidate for handling the task. After all, she needed to oversee the Tribunal’s entirety and couldn’t leave. Hei Chuan Chi Yin, despite knowing Duanmu Huai’s personality and behavior patterns well, had been with the Tribunal for too short a time, insufficient for acting independently.
"However, I don’t want you to act alone, you’re different from Mr. Knight, I believe you need a team. You can choose anyone to join this mission and quickly figure out how things are developing... Aikute."
"Yes?"
"Please have the reconnaissance fleet continue surveillance, at the very least we need to know where Mr. Knight plans to take this group of ’compatriots’."
"Understood... I’ll keep an eye on it."
"Then, Miss Mary, who do you plan to choose to join you in the investigation?"
"....."
Mary stood up, turned around, and slowly looked at everyone sitting at the table; some were nervous, some expectant, others indifferent.
"Miss Hei Chuan Chi Yin, please come with me."
"Me too? Is it really okay?"
"You are familiar with Mr. Duanmu’s thought process, there are things I hope to find answers to through your perspective."
Mary never concealed this fact; she indeed was one of those who "understood" Duanmu Huai the most, but even she couldn’t consider problems from his viewpoint. Duanmu Huai’s thought trajectory was not something ordinary people could compare to, hence Mary felt it was more convenient to bring Hei Chuan Chi Yin to solve the issues together rather than think hard on her own.
Watson could only remain Watson, responsible for recording Sherlock Holmes’ actions was fine, but aiming to solve cases like Sherlock Holmes was another matter.
"Next is Miss Lorena, I need your strength."
Lorena was the second strongest force in the Tribunal after Duanmu Huai; although most of the time this petite nun, who enjoyed exercising in the satellite ring, didn’t appear very formidable, only veterans like Ann and Mary, who had followed Duanmu Huai through numerous battles, knew her true capabilities.
The heavy Holy Canon was not merely for show; it could truly smash the head of a Demon Lord.
"Of course, I will help."
Lorena nodded vigorously.
"And Miss Alicia, I want you to come with me."
"Me?"
"Yes, since Mr. Duanmu chose you to execute this task, it means he definitely believes you occupy a very crucial position in the upcoming plan... Although I’m not too sure what plan Mr. Duanmu has devised, having you by my side would be convenient."
"Alright then."
Alicia smiled slightly and nodded.
"If it’s a beautiful lady extending the invitation, I naturally wouldn’t spoil the scene."
"And then there’s......"
Mary hesitated for a bit and looked toward Mianmu Zuoniao, who was lounging around bored.
"Miss Zuo Niao."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this choice, many were taken aback, instinctively looking at Mary. Although they said nothing, the meaning in their eyes was clear.
Do they really want to bring this person who would draw her sword and kill without warning?
Previously, Duanmu Huai was here, he could restrain Mianmu Zuoniao, but now with Duanmu Huai absent... is it really okay?
Mary understood this naturally, but had no other recourse. Mary was clear, Duanmu Huai’s action style was always ruthless and brutal. Ruthless might be manageable, but brutal was beyond them - none of them could learn. However, investigative tasks required performing such actions, so if none could achieve this, it was better to find someone capable.
From this perspective, Mianmu Zuoniao, who loved drawing her sword and listening to wails, indeed was the best choice.
Sure enough, upon hearing Mary’s words, Mianmu Zuoniao, who had been lounging indifferently, suddenly widened her eyes, jumped up.
"Can Zuo Niao go find the teacher?"
"No, but we will investigate what happened to Mr. Duanmu... also considered executing his plan."
"That’s fine, Zuo Niao wants to go."
Mary actually wanted to also call upon Frieren; however, she was currently in her own world, assisting Hero Ximiel, and wouldn’t be back anytime soon — truth be told, the Elf Great Mage’s experience was very much needed by them, but without her aid, there was no choice.
Hence, Mary turned to Naruse Mio... as Frieren’s disciple, her strength was at least passable.
Naruse Mio was quite surprised about investigating the New World; most of her time since joining the Tribunal was spent practicing magic and obsessively honing her skills, thanks to Frieren’s Demon-style training, Naruse Mio’s progress was commendable.
Yet, she certainly wouldn’t refuse such a request, thus nodded in agreement to Mary’s invitation.
As for the Night Guard, Mary would naturally mobilize them; as the Judge’s deputy, she had that authority. Moreover, Mary knew her capabilities were neither as strong as Duanmu Huai’s, impossible to orchestrate a solo infiltration.
"So, how do we proceed with the plan?"
After Mary finalized the lineup, the next to speak was Maria. As the head of the engineering department, at the moment she looked like someone who hadn’t slept for a millennium.
"Do we still continue pushing the plan?"
"The plan remains unchanged."
Ann’s statement unequivocally dispelled Maria’s idea of slacking, simultaneously concluded the discussion.
"Whatever Mr. Knight does, it’s what the Tribunal does, it’s also what we do."
