Auguste said, "Yeah. The Imperial Army captured the fake emperor, and the Conservative Nobility faction is all but finished... Forget becoming emperor. I can't even become the leader of the Conservative Nobility, so an unlimited stay is out of the question."
"The Intelligence Team bears responsibility for this setback."
Vice Class Leader Richard's face betrayed nothing as he said calmly, "We're Awakened, yet people from the Spirit Realm played us for fools... We didn't even know when the Imperial Army circled around to surround the Gold Mine. Andre, everyone needs an explanation."
"Agreed," Support Team leader Abota Greatley added, twisting the knife.
"The Intelligence Team does bear responsibility for this failure. When we get back, the Newcastle Family will pay an appropriate price. But now isn't the time to assign blame. Our priority is to stand together and find a way out."
Andre's face remained cold as he continued, "Besides, Lord Richard Cwell, shouldn't you be happier than anyone that the original plan failed?"
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't follow." Richard frowned.
"Our original plan was to make the Conservative Nobility the Grand Unification faction. That suited the class leader best, given the identity he entered with. Our placements in the other factions—Intelligence Team members in the Imperial Army, Camille with the Drow Elves, and the vice class leader in the Plague Territory—all served the Conservative Nobility's Grand Unification."
Andre paused, then continued, "Now that the Conservative Nobility has little hope left, we have to shift our strategic focus. Of the three factions still in play, the Plague Territory is the only suitable choice. And since you entered as the 'Calamity General,' you have a natural advantage, Vice Class Leader. If this Grand Unification succeeds, your war contribution might even exceed the class leader's, earning you a better