Within a week's time, the remaining Judgement Order members in the shadow army appeared in the hidden safe house.
Their number had been reduced to half of what they started with. Every team suffered losses without fail.
Luckily, the leaders all survived. They were the main fighting force, therefore, their survival was imperative.
A week was a decent amount of time. Rose used it to strategize an exit, understanding that the enemy would know their position by the time the week ended.
It was a risk assuming they wouldn't find it earlier, but she didn't let this stop her.
She refused to leave her people behind.
Of the group who visited Commander Huo, all except Ximen Wuhen were team leaders. Since she had a support power, she was put into Su Ren's squad to provide aid from the back line.
The leader of the tenth squadron was a man without a name. He wore a demon mask and never revealed his identity, insisting that others merely called him "Beast."
His entrance into the Judgement Order was definitely the strangest since he had no connection to its members or cause, but he approached them on his own and even willingly signed a variety of Mana Oaths that kept him loyal, so Rose and the rest didn't mind trusting him.
He was the last to arrive, and the only one who returned alone.
"They killed everyone," he said solemnly, sitting down heavily and removing his shirt.
The others instantly saw the terrifying gash lining the entirety of his torso. It was so deep one could glimpse his rib cage through the bloody folds.
"They've gotten stronger, or they've been hiding their strength. It's impossible for us to leave this cave."
"What do you mean impossible?" Aishia asked.
She joined this group to meet Damien again after so long, but she realized later that such a thing would be impossible for a long time.
That was impossible because the man she wanted to see was trapped in a place surrounded by billions or even more enemies.
Was this situation the same?
"They're done sending grunts after us. The enemies outside are all powerful enough to wipe us out alone, but there are hundreds of them prowling the area. The second we leave, we're done."
"No, even if we do not leave, we will not be safe," Su Ren added, his eyes piercing the cave protections.
"Have they already come?" Rose asked, entering the conversation.
"Mm, they should be arriving in five minutes or less."
"Strength level?"
"It is as Beast said. At least High Commanders. I cannot sense signs of a Supreme, but I do see at least three Executioners."
6th, 7th, and 8th revolution masters. This kind of force was hunting down a group of young geniuses whose strongest member was still in the 4th revolution.
"Su Ren, can you handle it?"
"No. I can fight against High Commanders, but if the Executioners come, I will not be able to save anyone."
"Any word from Hera?"
"…"
"Dead. Her life crystal shattered," Long Chen sighed.
"All communications to the outside world have been cut completely. I can't contact my Holy Land for support either. We're on our own," Atticus added.
It was an extremely dire situation.
However—
"—are you afraid of death?"
Rose had been preparing for this situation for a week, and she never expected help from others.
"If we were afraid of death, would we have joined you in this madness?"
Xue Fang grinned as he spoke, and the rest joined him happily.
They might've been insane, but they were insane for a cause.
They wouldn't return to sanity at this point. They were way too far.
"Then…let's do something insane."
The path of escape was cut off. Clinging to it was just lunacy.
"I have a plan…"
As Rose continued to speak, everyone realized one thing.
They weren't nearly crazy enough.
Because this plan was probably the craziest possible thing they could do in this situation.
Yet…wasn't it also the most probable?
No, even thinking like that was madness.
It was utterly improbable and downright stupid, but it was so enticing none of them could say no.
"Even if we make it, we can only call one person. Are you confident in your choice?" Aishia asked for the group.
Rose's eyes twinkled with a strange light.
"What about you? Are all of you confident in my choice?"
They were a team. Rose never planned to decide things unilaterally.
But her leadership skills were really something.
In the past few months, the reason the Judgement Order was able to achieve so much acclaim was mainly due to her presence.
It was an organization created by the younger generation, but it couldn't exist with them alone.
Naturally, they had a variety of sponsors.
Elena roped in Commanded Huo, Atticus roped in the Fallen Star Holy Master, and even Su Ren convinced his master to help them one time.
But Rose didn't have these kinds of connections. She used her power and political ability to convince several tens of Demigods to sponsor their cause, including those friendly with Damien like Luciel.
Without her interference, they wouldn't have had many options if they needed help.
Now that the situation arose, Demigods weren't an option, so where could they find the person who could save them?
Or rather, they needed to find the perfect assistance for the current situation, not some savior.
Rose, Ruyue, and Elena jointly made a decision, and while others wouldn't understand it, they were confident beyond measure that their plan would work.
If they were confident, was there a reason for anyone else to hesitate?
"I think I can speak for everyone when I say this," Xue Yue said, standing up firmly.
She'd lost the immaturity she held in the Cloud Plane, including her inferiority complex and doubt.
Standing here as a respectable woman and warrior in her own right, she only had one thing to say.
"If we're going to die anyway, make sure we can go out in a blaze of glory."
Rose's eyes widened.
A smile formed on her face.
"I don't want us to go into this expecting death, but I can't guarantee our collective survival. However, none of us will die pointlessly. This much was guaranteed by the Heavens the second we stepped onto this path."
Blazing determination filled the room as the 50 survivors prepared themselves for what came next.
The Judgement Order.
To those on the outside, it was a group of youths rebelling against the cruelty of society.
However, how could their intention be so naive?
Rose had something else in mind upon the creation of this group, a promise those outside their order took as a joke.
They were going to eradicate the enemy.
At a time like this, when escape was no longer possible, there was only one option remaining.
It was time to kill!
"Our first target is the Jackal, otherwise known as the Hound Lord."
The Demigod who managed this section of the shadow army, a member of the Inhuman Faction.
He was the first target.
The Judgement Order, a faction that did not discriminate by status when punishing evil.
It was time for them to kill their first Divinity.
