"So, the Serpent used to protect this city before, and the moment it's absent – or rather, right when they wanted to execute it – an attack happens? How suspiciously timely." Luo Mian broke the silence, resorting to his smear tactics again. Had he forgotten I'd already pointed out his guilt?
"Hangzhou is a rare million-strong city without a city defense barrier. How else could it have held out in your view, especially with the Warlord living right next door, except for the Serpent's constant protection?" I shot him a contemptuous look.
Even the soldier Zhu Men now realized who was to blame for this whole tragedy, and he's only holding back to preserve our forces intact before the attack. Losing one High-level mage and the energy spent detaining him would be a huge blow.
Unable to retort, Luo Mian snorted and turned away. It was clear he was uncomfortable realizing part of the blame for the attack lay on him. Ha! Part? To prod whatever conscience this scum might have, I'd spent more precious time explaining to the others how poisoning masses of people brought this threat.
After that, only a blind man wouldn't look at Luo Mian with condemnation. Luckily, the info stayed in this room, or they'd have strung the senator up on pitchforks. True, no one knows for sure if he's involved, but when has that stopped people? Conspiracy theories are popular.
"Anyway, to business. I have a way to get out of this alive: I've called reliable reinforcements. But as you understand, the White Eagles will attack within five hours, and reinforcements need about six to arrive. We need to hold that extra hour together against the Silver Sky Sovereign. With you five and me, we can definitely restrain it for some time – the question is how long?" I broke the new silence and roped Luo Mian into the defense. In canon, he somehow dodged. Now, with all the bigwigs nearly 100% sure of his guilt, no one planned to let him slip away anywhere while shedding blood for his mistakes. No way – he brewed this mess, so he'll lead the vanguard!
"With all due respect to your poisoning skills, how can you help on the battlefield, Mu Bai? Don't take it wrong; I don't mean to belittle you – just no need to risk yourself needlessly. You have a brilliant future; let old-timers like us handle this. You'll face unavoidable challenges in your time." Zhu Men showed unexpected concern for me, and Tan Zhun's eyes lit up at his words. Seems he wouldn't mind keeping me, his "son-in-law," safe. And I'd gladly accept, but these guys have proven their utter incompetence – I won't leave such a crucial battle to them.
"Don't jump to conclusions, senator. Right now, I'm at the Second Step of High level in the ice element. Its stars are enhanced by souls of Servants and Pack Leaders, boosting it another two steps. Shame I didn't have three hundred forty-three Commander-level souls to enhance it further with them, but the heavens were kind: on breaking to High level, I got the 'Enhanced Stars' talent, which passively raises my stars' rank by one, putting my ice at the Fifth Step of High level. Factoring in my Soul Seed for nearly sevenfold magic amplification, my damage output isn't much below a First Step High-level mage with a weak Soul Seed. In battlefield utility, I'm not far from Li Tian." I briefly outlined my public capabilities, making everyone's eyes bulge.
Especially when they heard I'd have spent that many Commander souls on stars if available – they nearly spat blood, since in monetary terms, that's nearly thirty-five billion yuan at minimum prices per Commander soul. That's enough to raise over ten High-level mages, and here I am talking such extravagance. In their eyes, I spouted heresy!
"Ahem, in that case, no issue with you joining. We need every capable hand now. As for holding an hour against that Warlord... I don't know. But we must try! No one will send reinforcements in this situation – who in their right mind weakens their defense? By the way, who did you call?" Zhu Men encouraged us and tried to pry about the arrivals.
"With all due respect, senator, I'll keep that info secret from everyone. Recently, I slipped up and let word of the imminent antidote reach you. No need to remind how that ended. I'll just say the backup is strong enough, with our help, to drive off the Silver Sky Sovereign. Murder? I won't claim that." I modestly described my "reinforcements'" capabilities.
"... Your right. We'll all trust you, and I'll personally ensure none of us five slips away now or during the fight." Zhu Men shot a glance at Luo Mian, who pretended not to notice.
"Good, senator – rest assured, reinforcements will arrive on time. You can prepare city defenses for the imminent fight with the flying monster tribe." I sighed, since such a massive battle meant casualties for sure, and I'd so wanted to avoid them. Now I could only try to minimize them as much as possible.
"That's what we'll do. Everyone, to the city wall – wait for Li Tian." Zhu Men swept his gaze over all the High-level mages. As he said, he wouldn't take his eyes off them before or during the fight. They complied – why not? Only someone with hidden motives would refuse, and no one wanted that label. I'm almost sure Luo Mian is frantically covering his crimes via subordinates right now to emerge with minimal losses. But whatever – not the time.
"Tang Yue, stay please." I stopped the girl hoping to blend behind her uncle. She flinched and guiltily lowered her head but obeyed. Good, workable.
"Mu Bai, I know I'm to blame for everything; I'll fix..." She started mumbling once we were alone, but I gestured her silent and raised a Spatial Barrier. Now we could talk.
"Listen carefully. Yes, you're guilty. I'm guilty, Luo Mian is guilty, even Zhu Men is guilty. Everyone to some degree. Don't fixate now. Want to atone? Execute the mission I assigned you." I grabbed her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes. I was about to do something stupid and trust this girl again. Did I have another choice? Maybe. But I deemed this optimal.
"What mission?" Tang Yue asked, eyes burning with resolve. Good mindset.
"Your task: emergently finish collecting Plague Rats, secretly transport them to the Serpent, and feed him all the carcasses. Once he eats enough, shedding won't take long – max an hour. So, do it all within five hours, or everyone in the city, including me and your uncle, dies. Can you?" I exaggerated a bit, but not much. I'd survive anyway; the rest really could die under beaks and claws.
"Yes! Count on me! Even if it costs my life, I'll complete it!" With resolve blazing on her face and in her emotions, the girl bullet out of the hospital and raced to the warehouse district on the city outskirts, where our hired mages caught the rodents. Well, time will tell if I blundered again.
Once Tang Yue was out of sight, I leaped in a few bounds to the city's tallest building and surveyed the defense buildup. Even if the Silver Sky Sovereign arrives in five hours, its subordinates will come hours earlier to test the waters and drain our forces.
Since my only public damage-dealing element against that beast was ice, I didn't mind spending summon and poison reserves to aid city defenders. At least that way, I could partially atone for failing to prevent their sacrifices.
And so, three hours later, the first black dots appeared on the horizon. No, a whole swarm of black dots. A slaughter was about to begin in this city.