Chapter 189: Chapter 189 All Tactics Switch Master_1
"Kid, can’t you see we’re busy putting out fires here?" Habanis snapped back irritably.
"Isn’t it just our base that is under siege? Fight back!" Aiden spread his hands, "Ever heard of home swapping? The Cult has thrown so much manpower into the Banquet Forest, leaving few hands at Northwind Town. Now is when their defense is at its weakest. If we’re going to make a move, now’s the time."
When the opponent is attacking fiercely outside, it is also the moment when their home base’s defense is at its weakest—a case of tactical home swapping.
Of course, home swapping is definitely risky, but that doesn’t matter to Aiden since it isn’t his home that’s being swapped.
For the Witches’ Gathering, this indeed is home swapping, but for him, it could only be considered stealing home, which is the best scenario for him to gain benefits.
"Hmph, it’s not your base that’s being attacked, so you make it sound so easy," Lamia saw through Aiden’s intentions and snorted with a hoarse laugh.
"When you have weathered their assault long enough to catch your breath, they too will get a chance to rest. Are you giving them time to call in reinforcements?" Aiden persuaded soothingly, "Moreover, their rush to produce soldiers now will inevitably push them to near exhaustion in using the ’Breeding’ ability. Better to strike early than to attack when they’re fully prepared, right?"
Compared to fighting solo upfront, the ability of "Breeding" holds higher value on the strategic level, as it allows mass production of fearless soldiers with decent material, quickly forming a hive-like collective combat force. Its only drawback is that it requires time.
Therefore, giving the Cult too much time is clearly unwise, and decisive action is necessary when it’s time to strike.
"I don’t see why not. The venue’s location has been leaked, and we can’t do anything about it," Qiqimora joined the conversation, "What’s important now is to stop them from finding Abigail’s location. They’ve caught us by surprise, but we can turn it back on them."
After a moment of consideration, Abigail finally nodded, "Alright, let’s do it."
"That’s more like it," Aiden smiled.
"I’m currently staying in Northwind Town, Habanis can fly over directly," Qiqimora said slowly, "Lamia, how long will you need?"
"I can turn into a winged serpent and make it there in two hours," Lamia replied.
"And the Warden, sir...?" Qiqimora looked toward Aiden.
"I can’t fly, but we can take the earliest train to the mine district at dawn. If we can’t make it, I can also rent a few fast horses," Aiden answered calmly, "Shall we arrange a place to meet?"
"Who wants to meet up with a smelly man like you? Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl," Habanis pointed at him in protest, "When the time comes, Abigail can summon us again for the pre-attack setup."
"Your Excellency had better bring the Mercury Alloy Golem," Abigail suddenly reminded Aiden.
"Hm?"
"The ’Breeding’ ability is effective on all living creatures, so getting close to the ’Breeding’ Saints recklessly is dangerous," Abigail explained, "But the golem, endowed with life by me, should be fine. It can serve as a secret weapon to kill the priest."
"If it’s so useful, why don’t you make more of them?" Aiden asked, puzzled, "Wouldn’t that guarantee our victory?"
"Vila and I can make them, but we’re short on materials right now," Abigail explained, "We need to blend together mercury, the bone powder of Cataclysmic Beasts, Mithril, and other legendary metals through several processes to create a material that can conduct Magic Power, change shape, and harden at will."
"Turns out I picked up such a good thing for nothing," Aiden felt once again that he had scored a bargain—the original materials for the Mercury Alloy Golem seemed pretty valuable.
But bringing it out was going to be somewhat troublesome; after all, the mass of mercury was definitely over half a ton. Even though it could move on its own, it was important to keep it out of sight as much as possible.
"So, let’s leave matters at that for now; I need to deal with the invaders," Abigail said and then cut off the communication.
In an instant, everyone present, including Aiden, was shrouded in grey fog.
...
Meanwhile, in the Northern Wind Town, at the abandoned mine pit.
In the vast pit, over twenty young nuns stood, naked, their bodies smeared with thick, blood-colored liquid, their eyes vacant.
A tall chimera stood before them, uttering phrases that were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
The power of "reproduction" continued to activate, and the nuns split one by one amid agonized screams, growing into nearly fifty individuals.
The priest watched quietly as his "daughters" before him multiplied; this was already the fifth generation. These individuals wouldn’t live more than three days; they were born to be expendable.
If the splitting continued, the number would double again, and efficiency would increase, but the combat quality of each individual would greatly diminish.
"How many have we produced tonight?" he asked, his voice murky as he addressed the black-robed nun standing beside him.
"Besides this batch, about fifty more," Sister Neve replied calmly. "That should be enough to organize the next attack, even though the combat level of each individual has significantly dropped."
"After all, they are rushed products meant for sacrifice. It can’t be helped."
"Let’s compensate with that method," Sister Neve suggested, handing him a large scythe.
The priest glanced at her with his goat-like eyes, square pupils and all, and wordlessly took the scythe. What would be considered a handheld weapon for most people appeared like a mere shaving blade in his hand.
Without hesitation, he slashed his own wrist, and blood immediately flowed from the wound. Sister Neve held up a metal basin, catching the blood that poured out as if from a tap.
Seconds later, the priest clenched his fist, and the wound on his wrist closed, stopping the bleeding.
With one hand, the priest grabbed the metal basin and flung it with force. The blood that splashed out fell like raindrops over the nuns standing with blank eyes in place, who regarded it indifferently.
The priest uttered divine words once more, but this time the nuns did not split any further.
Instead, the blood that splattered on them seeped quickly into their white flesh and was entirely absorbed by their bodies.
Then, all the nuns, as if sensing something, subconsciously touched their abdomens.
They were impregnated.
"Go, my children, find Abigail’s hiding place and bring her head to me, along with the eggs awaiting hatching," the priest commanded.
"Understood, Father," all the newly born nuns answered in unison.
