A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 2684: Chapter 1814: The Invasion

What we need to do next is wait---this is the most trying time. Most people feel anxious and uneasy, only Miss Zuo Niao seems bored and is practicing swordplay on the side. Honestly, watching her in this state does help people relax. Everything is ready; now we just wait for what we have been anticipating to arrive.

If there are readers outraged by our abandonment of the city, I think that’s understandable. But strictly speaking, according to Miss Zuo Niao’s feelings and my own observations, there are only a few thousand people in the city who haven’t been corrupted. Most are nobles from the upper class and their servants. Tens of thousands in the city have already been transformed into Aliens, and if we go back now, we’d only be diving into a sea of Aliens. On the contrary, when the Orcs attack, they are actually the safest ones---after all, Orcs don’t differentiate between Aliens and Humans, so whether out of self-preservation or not, the Aliens will automatically form a defensive line against the Orcs.

This might give those Humans a sliver of hope, though only maybe.

Actually, I can’t quite say why we continue with this dangerous mission. It seems like, for all of us, something "goes without saying". It’s not just about emotions or benefits; it’s as if this is what we should be doing, like how people eat and sleep every day, an instinct that needs no reason. Even Miss Chi Yin, who just joined us, hasn’t shown the slightest doubt about this matter, being more concerned with the feasibility of the plan and the instability on the battlefield.

But I think this should be the least of our worries.

Because Mr. Duanmu’s battlefields have never been stable.

---Interlude of "Fearful Battlefield"

Duanmu Huai’s arrival was later than the girls expected, not because of traffic, but it wasn’t far off. One can imagine, when a massive fleet of Orc warships bursts into the Eye of Fear, the Chaos Battle Team residing there will surely want to see who dares to intrude without knocking.

And so both sides commenced a massive battle. Duanmu Huai led the Orcs in smashing the Traitor fleet to pieces as if cutting through melons, and then continued towards their destination. The Orcs’ WAAAAAAGH shouts echoed in the Subspace, making even Demons tremble.

After the remaining Chaos Fleet retreated, crying home, the Orc fleet pressed onward. In fact, these Chaos Fleets didn’t realize that their "fearless" resistance gave the Tribunal enough time to prepare the battlefield; otherwise, with the Orcs’ speed, the girls might still be digging when those Green Great Spirits descended like Santa Claus’s gifts.

But considering that most of them belong to warbands that believe in Brutal Wrath, it’s hardly surprising.

After all, in a way, they have always been loyal.

Indescribably loyal.

When the Green Orcs roared as they descended from the sky, they quickly discovered they faced a huge problem---Mary had chosen a heavy, enormous mountain range as a fortress. Naruse Mio expertly used her "Civil Engineering" magic to dig tunnels within, creating a labyrinth-like underground base. Of course, the girls took a risk doing this, knowing that Duanmu Huai usually responds to mazes with thermite bombs.

No one can guarantee he won’t use them this time.

Only Alicia felt he probably wouldn’t---after all, this time Duanmu Huai’s goal was to recover the Beastman Crown. Considering whether to dig through buried rocks or storm the battlefield to snatch it, most girls leaned towards the latter for Duanmu Huai.

After all, he despised troublesome matters the most.

The girls were proven right in their understanding of Duanmu Huai. The Orcs soon abandoned their transports and charged into the open tunnel entrances, their shouts so loud that even Mary deep underground could hear them.

However, for Mary, her main concern wasn’t about that.

"My god......."

Staring at the screen, Mary blinked, doubting her vision. She could "see" that each Green Orc had a green beam of light from their heads, converging from afar, forming a dark green area.

Even Duanmu Huai’s towering figure seemed indistinct and ethereal under the green glow.

Moreover, Mary seemed to see shadows of two Orcs behind Duanmu Huai, which looked more like shadows from the light---though she knew they probably weren’t.

"Looks like Miss Alice Phil’s assessment was correct."

Mary had to sigh.

"Every Orc has a line connected to Mr. Duanmu, and now Mr. Duanmu is glowing green all over, I can’t even tell if he’s green himself."

"So should we proceed with the plan as anticipated?"

Lorena asked, and Mary nodded, looking at Naruse Mio.

"This time, we’re counting on you, Miss Liao."

"I’ll... do my best."

Naruse Mio’s expression was very serious and tense, understandably, since this plan entirely relies on Alice Phil’s suppositions. In other words, if Duanmu Huai’s confusion stems from Orc influence, they must distance Duanmu Huai from them and eliminate as many Orcs as possible to reduce their influence on him, then.......

Then, leave it to fate.

What else can they do? The girls don’t believe a kiss would awaken Prince Charming like in fairy tales.

And in this plan, Naruse Mio’s role is critical. She’s the only one who can magically redirect the building’s layout at will. This means Naruse Mio can create pathways to guide the Orcs away and let the Night Guards handle them. She must also make a path for Duanmu Huai to reach the camp center alone, away from the Green Orcs.

Whether the plan succeeds hinges on Naruse Mio’s efforts.

Moreover, she must be meticulous to prevent Duanmu Huai from impulsively throwing a thermite bomb---something he absolutely would do.

Incidentally, Alicia’s small team is assembled here, with Eden’s gravity manipulation aiding some tasks. If needed, it could be used to restrain Duanmu Huai (hope it works), while Xixi deals with the Orcs. She didn’t fight before, but this time is different. Attacking their Souls is far easier than attacking Orcs’ bodies, though for Satori it hardly matters.

Pado Filis was idling, but truthfully had no major task, acting more as a scout to report outside conditions.

The reason for keeping Alicia here is simple: Mary remembers Duanmu Huai sending Alicia’s team to find the Beastman Crown. Considering its current importance, it’s clear Duanmu Huai didn’t send them on a whim.

Mary trusts Duanmu Huai had a reason to assign this task to Alicia’s team, so to be safe, she left Alicia here, ready for possible emergencies.

It’s like playing a card game, where the card effects are unknown, but playing it might yield great results......

Soon, Mary would realize that this decision was quite wise.