Chapter 651: Strike Force
Some Valyr were displeased with Michael's demand, but interestingly enough, nobody rejected the use of Mind Reader after he made a Soul Contract that stated that he wasn't going to spill any of their private -possibly dirty- secrets and that he wasn't going to use his Soultrait to manipulate them.
The result of utilizing Mind Reader on the Valyr was pretty one-sided. None of them were traitors. The Valyr didn't even think about betraying him, let alone the Valyr Lordess. The majority of their thoughts were filled with revenge and the desire to tear apart some idiots, aka the Council of Xylon.
It was a good thing that nobody was going to betray him or the Valyr Lordess. However, it was also surprising, and oddly boring compared to the things he had to go through in the past. It was unusual that he wasn't thrown from one hellhole into another. Luckily, he didn't say that out loud. There was no need to jinx it.
The Forest Elves hoped that Michael would deploy the Untamed Army soon. They desired revenge just like the Valyr. However, Michael told everyone to calm down and stay patient. He used the pieces of information gained through the Valyr Lordess and his subordinates to research a few things, forward the development of his territory, and seal some deals with the Valyr Lordess, her Clan, and therefore also the higher-ups of the Valyr race.
"Rest up until you're ready to fight again. By then, I will pick you up to join the fight," Michael said lightly to the Valyr Lordess and her injured subordinates, after he finished all preparations, "If you take too long, it will be over and my contribution to the Regional War will exceed yours by a lot. Our pact wi-..."
"I know...We will be ready to fight soon. Don't worry," The Valyr Lordess interrupted him, but Michael merely shrugged.
"Take your time. The higher my contribution in the Regional War the more I will benefit."
The Valyr Lordess frowned, which Michael took as a sign to turn around and leave the infirmary once again. A sly smile formed on his lips. He gained everything he could have hoped for. The only thing left for him to do was to stir trouble in the Savannah Region.
He walked over to the Pillar of Territorial Awareness and updated the Savannah region's map using the knowledge acquired from the Valyrs' minds. Thereafter, he called over the Untamed Awakened, Zeroa, and Stinger.
Everyone could tell that something was about to happen, but it was quite difficult to tell what was on Michael's mind. His actions were hard to predict even though they seemed simple and logical most of the time.
"We are going to head out in a few minutes. Immortal Knight will continue to train the Untamed Army, the newcomers included, alongside Master Tigris, Legion, and the other Instructors. That leaves the Untamed Awakened, and a dozen Valyr to create chaos all over the Savannah Region."
Michael glanced in the direction of a small house, where Zira and some Valyr were hiding. Zira stepped forward, her lips pressed together. She stared at Michael but didn't say a thing.
The others gossiped and asked each other how Michael noticed them, but nobody asked him aloud.
"Since you guys are already here, I might as well give you a mission as well," Michael declared.
"I will split the Untamed Awakened for the first mission. Since Zira and her colleagues know each other best, Zeroa will join them to act as their teleporter and support," He announced right before telling Zeroa via telepathy what she had to do.
["Survival is the most important, but I hope that you and the Valyr can move through the Savannah Region to execute small-scale terror acts. Never attack a large group of enemies with several Higher Lifeforms. Your mission is to attack the small and mid-scale groups led by Tier-3 Awakened. Once you eliminate the groups, you will use your space affinity to change your location right away."]
The mission was simple.
-Keep moving and attack the enemies where they don't expect you. Teleport, strike, kill, leave. Rest and repeat.
"Hiraku will lead the other group and Mekhaz alongside the Warlock Centaurs, who've been subordinate to him in the past, will follow him. Stinger will accompany you to adjust your location. However, since Stinger's racial trait is not a simple teleportation, you guys will have to move around a lot. That shouldn't be an issue since everyone in your group has great stamina but stay focused and rest whenever it's possible."
"The others will come with me. Our focus will be to hunt down the reinforcement deployed by the families, clans, and governments of the Council of Xylon's 106 Lords," Michael pointed out, his attention drifting to Tiara, the Forest Elves, Thaor, Lokai, and everyone else he hadn't mentioned yet, "The main goal of our strike force will be to kill a few Lords, while Hiraku's group and the Valyr make use of your prowess and traits to distract everyone all while obliterating as many enemies as possible."
Frederik's hand shot high up into the air, "I have a question!"
'We are not in school, you know?' Michael was about to ask but he gestured toward his friend in silence.
"Wouldn't it be better if I join Hiraku, or execute you think it will be necessary for me to join your strike force? I am a little bit too...weak...to deal any considerable damage to Higher Lifeforms. Even Tier-3 Awakened are very hard for me to deal with."
Michael nodded, "I know that you're still not strong enough to deal with the strongest enemies, but your Soultraits are perfect to deal with all Summons and Awakened below Tier-3 swiftly. Hiraku and the Warlock Centaurs are heavy hitters. Aeroan won't enhance their overall combat prowess drastically. On the other hand, your Soultraits can aid the Forest Elves."
Frederik looked like he had something else to say, but Michael raised his hand to stop him.
"I have a plan, don't worry."
It would be a lot easier if Michael had a few powerful Awakened with area of effect Soultraits. Unfortunately, it was not easy to find someone like Alice Zenovia or her brother. Frederik's Soultrait allowed him to move rapidly through the surroundings, granting him enough protection to survive the attacks of Tier-3 Awakened - all while continuing to attack those weaker than him. That was perfect for the plans Michael had come up with.
"So, we act as a distraction and assault smaller groups before moving along while your strike force will be the main attacking force?" Zira asked, her brows furrowed.
The other Valyr didn't seem to be pleased with their assignment, and Zira looked like her opinion didn't differ from her people either.
"Feel free to transform your unit into the main strike force if you can jump through space without getting noticed, kill several Higher Lifeforms in an instant, and escape within seconds if necessary," Michael responded calmly, not even allowing Zira to voice out her doubts.
The other Valyr scowled deeply, but Michael showed no mercy. He didn't restrain the Extraction Aura and allowed it to naturally fuse with his Legendary Ring Artifact's dragon might.
The Valyr sensed a prickling sensation sweep all over their bodies. Their eyes widened as they realized that their hair and snippets of their skin had gone missing.
Everyone could tell that Michael hadn't used his Soultraits yet. Not a single trace of energy left his body, yet his natural aura and presence were enough to affect them. Goosebumps covered their bodies as the Extraction Aura merged with dragon might, and shrouded them.
Michael stared coldly at the Valyr, who backed off in unison. The sensation of threat coming from Michael was too terrifying. Not even the two Valyr who'd already ascended to Higher Lifeforms could handle Michael's natural pressure. He was dangerous.
Zira, just like some of the Valyr, recalled Michael's fight against the Kitsun Lord. However, they clearly remembered him to be weaker. A lot weaker.
"I think..." Zira mumbled, "You're good to go. You will execute a better job than our strike force..."
"It's good if you know," Michael responded lightly, clasping his hands to disperse the tension that had enveloped everyone. The atmosphere eased, and some couldn't help but breathe out in relief.
"How about we stop wasting our precious time?" Michael asked, smiling brightly. He sensed pretty good right now.
His gut feeling told him that today was going to be a good day.
"We've got some Lords to slay!"