Chapter 626 Rash Decision (2)
[Have you lost your mind? You have said a lot of stupid shit, but this is by far the worst!]
'...I know it isn't the most rational decision but-' Aston tried to argue but was cut off almost immediately.
[How can there be a 'but' here? Do you think you can take them all just because you killed a few low-ranking Xyrans? Killing someone and taming someone are two completely different things!]
[Do you even know what possible mutation you might cause to the Xyran you want to turn into werewolves? Let's assume you manage to turn them into werewolves; how are you planning to turn them to your side? The last thing we want is a pack of uncontrollable werewolves wreaking havoc.]
Ashton went quiet as Astaroth kept reprimanding him for his rash decisions. Astaroth was glad Ashton spoke his mind before acting, or else they would have been in trouble. Blindly charging into a Xyran mine was nothing short of a suicide attempt.
"You're right... I need to think about this before rushing in mindlessly."
Astaroth sighed in relief after hearing those words. After all, knocking some sense in Ashton was nothing less than an achievement of a lifetime.
Thankfully, before Ashton could pitch any more of his rash ideas, the progenitors and his masters arrived to join him.
"These bastards... they even built an extractor?" Vulcan shrieked, wildly waving his warhammer. "I don't know if I should kill them for stealing the technology or for building it the wrong way!?"
"Try to relax, lord Vulcan," Flintmace mumbled while scratching his cheek.
Although it had been a while since the Xyrans had exiled Flintmace, he still had some attachment to them, and whenever Vulcan threw explicit at the Xyrans, Flintmace felt like one or two of them were directed his way as well.
[Grow up, they don't care about you, and you shouldn't care about them either.]
Astaroth reprimanded Flintmace, who awkwardly bowed towards Ashton, trying to ask for forgiveness from Astaroth. After all, nobody likes being reprimanded by their superiors for minor reasons.
"So what do we do now?" Frankenstein asked, his eyes darting between Ashton, Vulcan and Flintmace.
"We could try storming the mine and then torturing the Xyrans for information regarding Dracula," Lycaon suggested.
Everyone considered Lycaon's plan but ultimately decided against it. According to the reports, a Xyran Colonel inside the mine, who also happened to be the one leading the mining operation.
Since Ashton had fought against some Xyran soldier simulations, he knew first-hand how strong a colonel could be and didn't want to risk a confrontation if possible.
But if they were to capture and torture information out of the Xyrans, a confrontation with the colonel was inevitable.
"Since that colonel is deployed in this region, they could either be too weak and hence were sent to a distant sector like Ombra," Flintmace commented.
"Or they are so strong that the elder council wanted to eliminate him. I hope it's the former case, but who knows, it could be either."
Vulcan nodded in agreement. "You're right. We must proceed with caution. Storming the mine could lead to unnecessary bloodshed, and we need to prioritise finding Dracula and the others."
"But for that, we need more information," Ashton mumbled, but then an idea struck him. "I can do it."
"How?" all four of them asked him simultaneously.
Ashton smiled and brought out one of the Xyran's severed heads. He knew it would be helpful either for frightening the Xyrans or for fooling them, and he was correct.
"What are you planning-" Frankenstien began to say but was interrupted by Flintmace.
"You're planning to transform into a Xyran?" he said.
"That's exactly it," Ashton smiled, and suddenly his appearance changed.
Ashton's skin turned golden and black wings popped behind him, completing his transformation to appear an identical twin to the Xyran he had killed earlier.
The resemblance was uncanny, down to the smallest detail, leaving them in awe of Ashton's shapeshifting ability.
"Well, I must say, that's quite the talent," Frankenstein remarked, breaking the stunned silence.
"I must admit, it does have its advantages," Ashton chuckled, getting a feel for his new appearance. "I can slip past into the mine and gather information regarding Dracula, Irina and Verina."
"As good as you might look, it won't be enough to fool the Xyrans," Flintmace warned. "The Xyrans are cunning beings, and even the slightest inconsistency in your behaviour or appearance could raise suspicions; believe me, they don't take risks when that happens."
"I have already thought that much ahead," Ashton shrugged, pointing towards the severed head. "This will give me all the information I might need inside the mine or, better yet, get the Xyrans to rush out and allow us to look for Dracula ourselves."
Saying so, Ashton bit into the head and activated [Memory Reading]. The next moment, he found himself inside the Xyran's mind. His memories were now Ashton's to claim and use.
In an instant, Ashton found himself immersed in a whirlwind of images and thoughts. The Xyran's memories flooded his senses, revealing secrets, plans, and crucial information about the mine and its operations.
Ashton extracted valuable data from the Xyran's mind with each passing moment. He saw the layout of the mine, the security measures in place, and the roles of crucial Xyran figures within the operation. Every detail became crystal clear, as if he had lived it himself.
When he finally withdrew from the Xyran's mind, Ashton's eyes returned to their usual glow. He was still feeling a bit dizzy, but it was nowhere near the level he had felt before. It meant Ashton was slowly getting used to memory diving.
"Now there's only one thing left," Ashton softly mumbled, knowing he would regret saying what he was about to. "I need to look injured."
"Well, that can be arranged easily," Vulcan had an evil smile as he played with his warhammer. "Don't think I'm doing this out of malice, my dear apprentice~"
"At least try not to smile while saying that!"
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