Chapter 191: Chapter 191 Action_1
About three-quarters of an hour had passed when Veronica spread out the map she had drawn from memory at the bottom of the tent, and Daili and Presia began to report their preliminary scouting results.
"There’s a railway that cuts through the village, leading directly to the abandoned mine pit. At this junction, there are two nuns on guard. Then, in these two areas of the village, and here," Daili said, marking on the map, "there are five grey-robed nuns patrolling, covering basically all the entrances and exits."
"I delved near the abandoned mine pit and saw a vast expanse of people inside the mine tunnel..." Presia added.
"A vast expanse?" Aiden paused at the description.
"They’re naked; I guess that’s their breeding ground," Presia explained.
"How many?" Aiden asked.
It sounded like a place that might fit the fantasies of men, but the thought that these rapidly breeding, puppet-like nuns were all their enemies was rather depressing.
"I counted briefly; there are thirty-two new ones in this batch. Then two other nuns came and brought grey robes and weapons to distribute among them."
Aiden’s expression became grave. A simple probe had revealed almost fifty people. Considering that each of these nuns was a fierce and fearless combatant, a direct assault would be quite difficult.
"What about those hired hunters?" Aiden asked again.
"Didn’t see them," Daili and Presia answered in unison.
The ragtag warriors that the sect had paid to gather were probably all sent off to Banquet Forest. If everything went as expected, these individuals would have likely perished at Abigail’s hands by the end of the night, and Aiden felt slightly relieved.
The sect’s fierce assault on Banquet Forest was still underway, so there was no need to hurry. The nuns would probably be sent out sooner or later, and at that time, the defenses at this stronghold would weaken.
"What about Father Bales and Sister Neve’s locations?" Aiden inquired about the most crucial targets.
"Still searching. If they are indoors or underground, our familiars will have a hard time locating them," Presia said, spreading her hands. "If they’re intent on hiding, then we’re out of options."
"Then, locating the primary target can only be done by Qiqimora," Aiden thought.
If Qiqimora’s ability to infiltrate was the only way to accurately locate the primary target, then the witches’ assembly held the strategic initiative against the sect.
Just then, Aiden suddenly felt the pendant around his neck react.
Communication from Abigail!
"Wait for me for a moment, Veronica. I’m transferring the authority over the shackles to you; watch them," Aiden instructed as he quickly sat up straight.
"Understood," said Veronica.
No sooner had Veronica responded than Aiden found his vision filled with a swirling grey mist; shortly after, he appeared at the site of the witches’ gathering, at the far end of the long table, where he immediately caught sight of Abigail, Lamia, Vila, and Habanis.
Everyone was here—this thought flashed through his mind. But quickly, he noticed an empty seat beside Abigail.
It was very "unnatural" and made him feel uncomfortable for a moment, as if an obsessive-compulsive disorder had been triggered by asymmetrical seating at the long table.
"Are we missing someone?" he blurted out.
"Your Excellency, I am delighted that you have me in mind," Qiqimora’s voice, tinged with laughter, suddenly rang out.
Aiden shivered, suddenly realizing that the person just missing was Qiqimora herself.
On the seat to Abigail’s left, which had been empty, Qiqimora had appeared at some point, holding a lit cigarette between her fingers.
Clearly, she had used her ability of "Void" to erase her presence from the others’ consciousness.
But Aiden was still somewhat surprised; before Qiqimora revealed herself voluntarily, he indeed felt an uncomfortable compulsion, as if looking at a puzzle missing a piece and yearning to fill it in.
"Qiqimora, you should be in the midst of the enemy ranks by now," Abigail said, obviously accustomed to Qiqimora’s abilities, and began to inquire as soon as she appeared.
"Yes, I’ve already located Father Bales and Sister Neve," Qiqimora replied calmly.
"Where are they?" Aiden asked.
"As for the priest, he is in the same room with me. In a two-story house with a red roof next to the bell tower of this abandoned village, the priest is lying in bed resting," Qiqimora reported with a smile, "As for Sister Neve, she is in the bell tower directing the other nuns in arranging the weapons."
"You’re in the same room as Father Bales?" Habanis said with interest, "So if you were to stab him while he’s sleeping, wouldn’t his head fall right off?"
"Then he’d immediately be able to invoke the authority of succession and turn around to slaughter me," Qiqimora added.
"I’ve finished cleaning up on my end; I’ve killed about two hundred people tonight," Abigail said slowly, "The priest is resting, so his ability of ’Reproduction’ must have reached its limit; now is the ideal time to strike."
"There are at least thirty new nuns in the mine shaft; after they leave the mining area, we should make our move," Aiden suggested.
"Does Your Excellency mean for me to withstand another wave of attack?" Abigail looked over.
Now that the Witches’ Gathering had lost the venue for their annual grand meeting, she naturally didn’t want the religious order to infiltrate any deeper into the forest.
"Since you, lady, have chosen to defend the breeding ground and preserve the hatching egg, you naturally have the responsibility to hold back the enemy forces," Aiden said with a smile, "That will make our assault go more smoothly."
"Then let’s do it this way, I’ll go and clear out the chaff in the mine shaft, since I am right above the mines. Afterwards, I’ll deal with Sister Neve, and then you guys can besiege the priest?" Lamia suddenly proposed.
"You’re picking the safest option for yourself," Aiden commented.
"I’m facing the most people," Lamia said slowly, "And if the plan goes well, the divine remains will likely fall into your hands first."
"If the heir dies too early, the priest might have the chance to select a new heir, so we must control the timing of taking them down," Abigail reminded, "But the authority of ’Succession’ that mortals can use should have its limits, so the two won’t be too far from each other."
"That’s simple, I’ll just break the nun’s limbs and take control of her," Lamia’s tone was quite pleased.
It seemed the tasks were set, and Aiden didn’t mind joining the larger group for the assault.
"So, when do we act?" he asked, "It will take us about fifteen minutes to reach the village by the railway entrance."
Everyone’s gaze focused on Qiqimora, for she was now in control of the situation on the enemy side.
After a moment of thought, Qiqimora spoke, "How about half an hour from now?"
