NOVPUBSeventy belonged to the radical faction.
Four, five, eight, nine, and ninety-two belonged to the Conservative.
"Reasonable."
Lanci agreed.
On a strategic level, they placed three unmanipulated War Gods in the Eastern region for combat.
In the Western Hub Zone, they grouped the manipulated War Gods together for action, minimizing the slight risk of them discovering anything amiss among themselves.
"Why are there still radicals besides the Third and Seventh War Gods?"
Isatia counted and discovered it wasn’t just Gaiat and Philip who were main battle members.
"The Tenth War God is Julius of the Red Tourmaline Seat. He’s always itching to seize power and pitch ideas, almost hoping that if Hesintos falls, he could immediately take over the General’s authority and lead the Imperial Army to victory."
Barton’s gaze became complex, as if he truly understood Julius’s poor leadership.
In the military, Barton had been among the most elite, nearly reaching the War God status, and had interactions with most War Gods.
"..."
Lanci and Talia had indeed heard about it.
Tenth War God, Julius of the Red Tourmaline, had recently been overly zealous on the battlefield and too reckless.
It was said he was the only man who could raise the blood pressure of First War God, Hesintos.
"First War God, what do you think about his situation?"
Lanci was most concerned about the First War God, Hesintos, who presided over the Bulida Empire military headquarters.
If the First War God was controlled by the Blood Clan, it could be significantly more serious than the other War Gods being compromised.
"In my impression, he’s a gentle yet powerful man, deeply trusted and beloved by the Kretians."
Barton spoke wearily,
"But his stance is complex and contradictory. As a commoner, he is committed to maintaining imperial authority while balancing the conflict between nobles and citizens. If the internal conflict within the empire becomes inevitable, for the Empire, he might agree to this war."
He believed Hesintos might have been manipulated to wage war, but he was not certain.
"..."
Lanci now roughly understood the situation of several War Gods and the imperial insider affairs.
In the future, he would still need to gather more about War Gods from accessible Empire People, which might provide better insights into whether War Gods were being manipulated.
For instance, Ninth War God, Ryan of the Purple Crystal Seat, head of Marquis Roland’s family, is Ursula’s brother. Lanci and Talia could almost confirm from Ursula’s intelligence that Marquis Ryan was being controlled by Rashal, the Ancestor of the Blood Clan.
"Next week, Talia and I will be going to Shadow World, so you might not be able to contact us for a while. But once we return to this world, we’ll immediately get in touch with you."
Lanci looked at the clock, stood up, and addressed the group.
Time flew, and it was nearly clock-turning time.
They should leave Brielda Opera House and go to their respective homes.
"No problem, let’s meet at Abigail’s place again. Just buying a ticket will justify joining up at the opera house."
Tolyado raised his hand in farewell and said.
It must be said, the interior of the opera house was an excellent secret meeting place; coming here to watch a play every two weeks couldn’t be suspicious.
"I need you to attend to something else, Tolyado."
Lanci turned back to instruct Tolyado.
In Lanci’s team experience, Xido was extremely reliable.
"I promise to find you a perfect fiancée worthy of Principal Rocky McCarthy. You won’t help but be moved by her."
Tolyado assured Lanci.
"..."
Talia didn’t understand why Tolyado was so excited.
But Yabo was like that; back in Demon World, facing complex situations, Pranay would hide far away, but Yabo would rush to spectate.
"It doesn’t matter if you can’t; I can still manage."
She said carelessly but raised her voice a notch.
"Do you think my Mana is inexhaustible? Tata, you truly are an unbearable burden."
Lanci was very tired now, just pushing through.
Talia had helped a lot tonight.
She even performed an entire opera to aid him when his Mana was nearly depleted.
He’d definitely need to sleep till noon tomorrow to recover.
"I’m not a burden at all!"
Talia’s cheeks flushed as she argued with Lanci.
It appeared that Talia and Lanci were about to start bickering again.
"It’s fine, sis. It’s necessary for the undercover work—a fake fiancée. What are you worried about? She stands no chance against you!"
Isatia quickly grabbed Talia’s arm, winked at Lanci secretly, and diverted Talia for him.
She knew what Tolyado liked to see.
She liked it too!
"Alright."
Talia gradually and reluctantly accepted.
"Isatia, you got hurt, so go to sleep early and rest well."
She released Isatia’s arm.
"Okay, sis, see you! If my wound heals, I’ll definitely come to your place to try your cooking!"
Isatia cheerfully bounced back to the other side of the Spatial Gate.
Talia watched her sister and Barton until the spatial light arc completely closed before she turned her gaze.
She didn’t want to be Lanci’s fiancée anyway.
Only if both the Allied Forces and the Rebirth Church rejected him simultaneously would she agree to help him out of a tight spot.
"So, Miss Abigail, see you."
"Next time, just come find me at the opera house when there is a performance. I’ll usually be downstairs."
Lanci and Talia said goodbye to Abigail and left the mansion, following Tolyado up to the second floor corridor of Brielda Opera House.
"Just go to the Shadow World without worries. When you come back, I might even use Teleportation Magic to bring your fiancée over."
Tolyado confidently patted Lanci.
"Tsk, tsk, what kind of fiancée could make his heart stir?"
Talia asked, not a hint of jealousy in her tone,
"Can she compare to this princess?"
