Chapter 349

Chapter 349: Going to His Side

It was clear that Fina, the "Queen of Magic" overseeing Belmar Kingdom, and Alice, the "Mist Sorceress" governing Sky City, had been quietly monitoring the Sea of Clouds. With their authority and connection to Midi, they likely knew every detail of the situation.

The creation of the mind-blocking earrings proved their decision to reinforce Midi in Star Ocean wasn’t impulsive or random. It was the result of meticulous analysis and planning—a carefully prepared move laid out long beforehand. Most importantly, Midi himself had approved this choice.

By asking Emil to craft the earrings, Fina and Alice sought permission. By allowing it, Midi gave his answer. Both sides had reached tacit cooperation, making everything proceed naturally without outside interference. Every step followed Hawk Brigade protocols, suited the battle situation, and made perfect sense.

Yet Victoria and Emil still felt bitter.

In the Sea of Clouds, they’d always considered themselves Midi’s closest aides. They communicated with him freely, managed critical logistics through Rothschild Guild and the forward base, and received all intelligence first—fueling their belief that they stood nearest to him. But when the legendary pair finally arrived in Star Ocean, they suddenly felt left behind and unprepared.

This helplessness frustrated the two cloud-sea women.

But what could they do? Some things defied logic—especially the unspoken "competition" between women.

“Since you’ve made your decision, we won’t argue,” Victoria said acidly, then abruptly added, “But at least—”

“You want to come with us?” Alice’s frosty voice cut through Victoria’s words like a piano’s sharp note. “Impossible. There’s only one pair of mind-blocking earrings—Fina and I need them both. Besides, you’re not combat material.”

The blunt remark made Victoria and Emil’s tempers flare. Yet they couldn’t refute it.

It was true. Neither belonged on the front lines. Even Avril—level 60—struggled now. Not because she was weak, but because Midi, Reinhardt, and Wiseman grew too fast. These humans from Arad had surpassed her in battle strength and magic power within months, achieving what took People of the Heavens or dark elves years.

The "Queen of Magic" and "Mist Sorceress" likely matched this terrifying growth. Against such overwhelming power, Victoria and Emil had no rebuttal.

Under Alice’s icy atmosphere, Fina wasted no time. After brief orders to Master Norton and Wells, she took the prepared earrings. Both boarded the Wind King Warship and sped to the frontlines, leaving the two cloud-sea women sighing at the forward base.

“So those are the ones Midi likes… How do they keep from tearing each other apart with personalities like that?” Victoria grumbled resentfully.

"Who knows, maybe they already fought," Emil shrugged beside the window, watching the Wind King Warship sail away as she sighed deeply. "But I must admit, we really can’t compare."

"Where exactly can’t we compare?" Victoria snapped, turning to glare at the dark elf alchemist beside her.

"Few women could abandon everything to rush straight to Midi’s side like that," Emil murmured.

Silence fell over the room again.

Though Victoria and Emil had contributed greatly to the Hawk Brigade’s war efforts, these actions ultimately depended on their own willingness.

Initially, Victoria and Midi’s relationship had been transactional – mutual use and bargaining. Emil joined his faction purely to advance her alchemy through his wealth and personal power.

But as they grew to understand each other better – through Midi’s protection and Emil’s sisterly bond – their relationships quietly transformed.

From transactional partners to allies.

From tightly aligned allies to battlefield comrades.

Eventually, their shared battles kindled vague, indescribable feelings.

Yet if asked directly, Victoria and Emil would still define their worth through the Rothschild Guild and their Skyship alchemy techniques. These were foundations they’d never abandon.

Meanwhile, Fina the "Queen of Magic" and Alice the "Mist Sorceress" had simply cast everything aside to charge recklessly into the Star Ocean’s depths.

All to stand beside that man against his greatest foes.

The Hawk Brigade’s "Iron Triangle" finally made sense to the two women from the Sea of Clouds – not just an unbreakable combat trio, but a closed circle leaving no space for outsiders.

"So… it’s still impossible?" Victoria sighed, melancholy clouding her features.

The glittering Star Ocean had long swallowed the Wind King Warship.

As if the vessel itself raced to rejoin its master.

"So… it’s still impossible?" Deep in the warzone’s heart, even ice-calm Midi struggled to contain his frustration.

The Blood Purification-Hawk Brigade alliance was losing.

With the Blue Truth Sect Leader’s arrival, the enemy’s psychic suppression peaked. Midi’s sole focus became battling this six-tentacled Super Heart-Seizing Demon through mind-related abilities.

Thankfully, Midi had spent days mastering Thought Capturer defenses. The Spirit Dragon Sword within him now glowed blue across 95% of its length – light elements and pure psychic energy merging completely. This marked his progression beyond level 59’s midpoint, psychic energy fully synchronized with magic.

Guided by the Sea Emperor’s Inheritance, he’d learned advanced deflection and redirection techniques, surpassing even Sandur to become a top-tier Thought Capturer.

Yet against the Sect Leader’s psychic onslaught, Midi barely held firm. The demon’s mind attacks felt physical – not through actual force, but via overwhelming mental presence. Even deflecting them required Midi’s full concentration.

Catching the Leader’s speeding skyship for close combat? Impossible.

While Midi dueled the Leader, commanders Reinhardt and Marcel fared worse. Accustomed to executing Midi’s precise strategies, they now struggled to coordinate alone.

Worse still, the sect’s fleet held other experts – the Third and Fourth Temple heads flanking their forces. These masters alternated between aiding the Leader’s psychic sniping and unleashing battlefield-crippling Mind Storms. Alliance Thought Capturers could only defend narrowly, leaving common practitioners exposed.

The war tilted further against them.

Midi was losing. Helpless to reverse the tide. His only chance: kill the Leader.

Killing intent flashed through Midi as his hand closed on the dagger Golden Forgiveness’ hilt.

As he prepared to gamble everything, blazing light split the heavens.

The Star Ocean itself seemed cleft by this radiance, stars dimming before its intensity.

Every eye witnessed this world-rending light spear through two Magic Griffin warships, detonating them instantly.