{The author was holding back a big twist for the final battle—the scene of the battle against Phantylia.}
Theresa's methods made the Stellaron Hunters nod as well. This way, they truly would not need to worry about any danger in the Artificer Department spreading to these craftsmen.
"Master Awei, why aren't you leaving with them? Or do you also want to wear this mask and leave under my control?"
Theresa smiled at the frightened Awei with her rose-red eyes, idly turning the highly intelligent Dr. Ratio mask over in her small hand.
"No, no, no! We can talk this out! The reason I don't want to leave is because my master is still inside!"
"Master Gongshu is the oldest-qualified craftsman in the Artificer Department's Molten Gold Workshop, and he's also the master leading our project team."
"When the incident happened, he dragged Ziming, Yun Che, and several of us outside. But halfway through, he told us to run first, then turned around and ran back in himself. No matter how important the data is, it can't be more important than his life!"
"So I can't leave. I have to wait here for the Cloud Knights and ask them to go inside and save him."
Awei looked worriedly at the Artificer Department, where faint movements could still be seen inside, and explained the situation to the Stellaron Hunters.
"That really is strange. He could clearly have escaped, so why did he run back in?"
Stelle rubbed her smooth chin and looked at Awei in confusion. Theresa put away the mask, and Awei visibly relaxed. Theresa's little stunt had genuinely terrified him—countless people putting on highly intelligent masks, then leaving one after another while listening to her sweet, alluring words. His former admiration for Theresa had turned into fear.
"Probably to salvage