Chapter 348

Chapter 348: The Mistresses

Though Emil didn’t believe the Wind King Warship had been seized, tension gripped her as unannounced intruders breached the forward base—especially with Avril absent and her standing alone in defense.

Relief washed over the combat-averse Emil when a familiar figure descended from the warship just as she debated mobilizing guards.

Victoria had arrived.

Without questioning why the celestial woman abandoned her Guild duties in the Sea of Clouds, Emil rushed to her side. “Who are they?” she whispered, eyeing the newcomers.

“Truthfully, I’m uncertain,” Victoria admitted with a strained smile. “But their insignias mark them as Hawk Brigade higher-ups. Their authority… rivals Midi’s.”

“Midi’s equal?” Emil’s disbelief showed. Having joined the Hawk Brigade, she understood its nature—a disciplined military machine with razor-sharp hierarchy, blistering efficiency, and contribution points dictating rewards. Forged in endless battles, this war machine demanded elite skills from every member.

Both women now counted themselves as Brigade members, benefiting from its structure while pledging loyalty to Midi, its architect. Yet these strangers had barged into Midi’s hard-won forward base without notice, flashing tokens matching his authority.

The contradiction stung—how could Lower Realm humans from Arad, ignorant of the Sea of Clouds, wield such power? Though resentment simmered, they dared not obstruct the mysterious group, lest they undermine Midi’s plans.

But here, in Emil’s domain—the Hawk Brigade’s Sea of Clouds stronghold—answers were due.

“You demanded swift passage,” Victoria pressed in the command tent before tea could be served, her patience frayed from days watching these women outshine her in poise, beauty, and power. “Now explain yourselves.”

The room chilled into silence.

“No tracking signals detected,” the black-haired woman stated flatly.

“None would follow into the Star Ocean,” added the redhead, her noble bearing reminiscent of winter’s first plum blossom blooming through snow.

“Apologies for late introductions.” The red-haired woman’s smile bloomed. “I’m Fina Hamilton. This is Alice Otolopas. With us are Master Norton and Wells—top alchemy experts who’ll assist your sky warship projects.”

Fina Hamilton!

Alice Otolopas!

The moment those two names were spoken, Emil and Lady Victoria froze.

Even Victoria, usually quick-witted, found herself at a loss for words—let alone Emil, who already struggled with social interactions.

Though neither had visited Arad, they knew every detail of the Hawk Brigade’s founding like the back of their hands.

Fina and Alice—the legendary "Queen of Magic" and "Mist Sorceress"—had fought alongside Midi during his darkest hours. They’d built the undefeated Hawk Brigade with him at the peak of the war. One held the rank of vice commander equal to Midi himself; the other occupied the commander’s seat. Their possession of tokens matching his authority hardly surprised anyone.

Yet why would these two leaders abandon their posts to travel incognito to the Star Ocean? The question gnawed at Victoria and Emil.

Fina tossed her crimson hair, sensing their bewilderment. "As Belmar’s queen and Sky City’s guardian, our absence could spark chaos. Any departure requires careful planning and secrecy."

Her logic resonated with Victoria. Had duty not bound her to the Rothschild Guild, she too would’ve followed Midi to the Star Ocean. Her current actions mirrored Fina’s—yet their responsibilities differed vastly.

The forward base now sustained itself resource-wise, making Victoria’s temporary absence manageable. But Belmar Kingdom and Sky City anchored the Hawk Brigade’s existence: one served as Midi’s homeland and warriors’ haven; the other, the Awakening Ground where humans first accessed true power. Every adventurer, regardless of strength, began at level one and needed awakening. These twin pillars couldn’t falter.

Yet here stood both guardians in the Star Ocean—proof the crisis demanded their direct intervention. Realization dawned, shadowing the women’s faces with concern.

"Worry not," Fina declared firmly. "We’ll resolve this. Emil—Midi’s letters detailed the base’s situation. You’ll lead production efforts with Master Norton and Wells assisting. Can we increase sky warship output?"

Emil blinked. A master alchemist as her subordinate? Though skilled, she hadn’t reached true mastery. Yet the Queen of Magic just offered Norton—renowned weaponsmith—as her aide. Warship production would skyrocket.

After Emil’s hesitant agreement, Fina turned to Victoria. "Stay and streamline resource distribution. With the genius guildmaster here, efficiency will soar."

"What of you two?" Victoria pressed, already guessing.

"We join Midi." Alice’s voice cut through the silence like frost.

"Via the Wind King Warship." Fina’s tone brooked no argument. "He’s hiding it, but we’ve reached the tipping point. Every asset must be committed."

"But—" Emil’s courage surfaced—"Forgive me, but the frontlines…"

The room chilled instantly. Alice’s glacial stare choked Emil’s words.

Fina squeezed Alice’s hand, smile intact. "Mind-related abilities concern you?"

"Y-yes. You’re vital to Midi, but the Heart-Seizing Demons…" Emil trailed off, struck by sudden memory. Weeks prior, after Midi retrieved blueprints from the Mind Maze, a top-secret order demanded she craft supreme anti-psychic gear using rare materials. She’d questioned Midi, who reluctantly approved after long silence.

Now those earrings—costing six Wind Tooth warships—rested in the vault. Emil finally understood their purpose… and who they protected.