"So? You still think this is what we should be betting on?" Jack asked.
John didn't answer. It was Jeanny who said, "Maybe if these twenty-four players can become stronger, we can sneak them in to face Master before he becomes a God."
"Even if we can sneak through the underworld forces, Master is not alone," Paytowin said. "He has the members of several guilds protecting him, not to mention his guild army. He himself is a monster. I don't see a small team succeeding even if backed by twenty-four of the strongest players."
"I know. That's why I say our chance is slim," John said. "Anyway, we have to try every option at this point. There is a good chance we will meet Chris at that place, right? Or his memory. He probably has one or two secrets that we can use to get us out of our current situation. That is what I'm counting on."
"You will be among the twenty-four players going then?" Jack asked.
"That's right," John said. "Plus, no summoner is more reliable or capable than me."
Everyone rolled their eyes at his remark.
"If you go, who will make plans for our armies?" Jack asked.
"I doubt we will be gone for long. With our steeds, we should be able to arrive at Chris' secret location in less than one week," John said. "But of course, I prepare a contingency just in case."
John clapped and the door to the throne room opened again. John's father, Saint Jonathan, entered the room with a woman.
"You…?" Jack asked after seeing the woman.
The woman was Linda, Master's chief strategist.
"She will be making plans for our army during my absence," John said.
"Are you sure? John boy? Isn't she an enemy?" Jet asked.
"She was, but she decided to help us now," John answered.
"Do you trust her?" Jack asked.
"Not completely, but I used the same trick as with Speedrun. She had been bound by Corporate United's shackle of vows. Under the effect of that artifact, she took a vow to make plans for the best interest of our army. If she hides any malignant purpose in her plans, she will die."
"I will watch her," Saint Jonathan said. "If she dies, we will ignore the plan she had just made. This way, we don't need to worry about her sending us into a trap."
"We have also forced her to register her rebirth point in this capital, so she will rebirth here when she dies. We will capture her and bring her back to make another plan. The cycle continues until we got a plan where she doesn't drop dead."
"That's vicious," Jet remarked.
"Why, thank you," John said.
"I didn't mean it as a compliment…," Jet said.
Jack wondered if having the husband watch the wife was a good idea. But if John believed his father was up to the job, he trusted that judgment.
He said, "I see. Okay, we have a plan to deal with the other countries' underworld portals and we have someone to plan our defenses against the main underworld forces. Let's speak about our trip to Chris' secret location. Have we already decided on the ones who will go with Wilted?"
John gestured for her mother to leave the room.
"I know you don't trust me, but letting me know your full plan will help me devise mine better," Linda said.
"Thank you for your opinion, but as you said, I don't trust you," John returned.
John made another gesture, and Saint Jonathan took Linda away.
After the two exited the room, John said, "I've already discussed with Wilted about this. She will bring some of her people while some will be from our recommendation. We had also talked with the people we chose, except for you, of course. Here is the list, you are in it as well."
Jack looked at the paper.
*
Sentinel = Giant Steve
Paladin = Nameless
Avenger = Arthur Bagrat
Dragoon = Jeanny
Berserker = Four Winds
Blade Dancer = Jack
Weapon Master = Spring Crown
Mage Knight = Handsome Joe
Assassin = Red Death
Battle Monk = Leavemealone
Bard = Will Corner
Technocraft = Paytowin
Elite Marksman = Fierce Flame
Gunner = David
Hidden Weapon Specialist = Anotherday
Beastmaster = Jet
Archmage = Scarface
Elementalist = Blackhole
Summoner = John
Warlock = Badass
Priest = Purple Mist
Druid = Freddie
Reaver = Wilted Tree
Inquisitor = Grace
*
He didn't recognize some names on the list, like Nameless and Badass. He assumed they were Wilted's people.
"Four Winds' name is here. Can he join us? Isn't he having the grand election tourney today?" Jack asked.
"The grand election tourney will be completed in one day. Whether he wins or loses, he will settle his affairs in two days and join us. Several people on that list also have something to attend to for now. We have agreed to gather here in Thereath three days from now. We will depart then."
"I see," Jack said. "But you know, if our guess is correct, Scarface will be sorely disappointed for following us."
"We could be wrong," John said. "If we are right, I don't mind seeing his disappointed face. Do you?"
Jack chuckled. "Okay, then."
Spring Crown turned to Domon. He asked, "Are you sure you don't want to go? From what they said, there is a high chance the ones who go will become stronger. You are a better combatant compared to me."
"If we are talking about martial arts, I agree," Domon said. "But you are better at utilizing this world's game-thingy. I will just be confused by it. Furthermore, this is the world of the young. We old-timers will watch you youngsters from the sideline."
"Hehe, my boss said similar words. He left this chance for the young to shine," David remarked after hearing Domon's words.
Paytowin turned to Jet and asked, "Do you hear that?".
"What? I'm still young in my heart!" Jet declared.
Leavemealone turned to Wong. His eyes asked the same question as Spring Crown. Wong replied by folding his arms and looking away.
"Better not let Arthur hear what they said," Jeanny said. "He will decide not to come with us if he learns of it."
"Okay, it's settled then. Let us depart three days from now!" Jack announced.
