Leo's Remedial Measures

In the dimly lit underground space, Orichalcum Gate, the Loki Familia adventurers began to move in an orderly fashion under Finn's arrangement.

"The midfielders, center-backs, defenders, and the medical team each fulfill their roles and stand in their positions."

"The team is led by Gareth and me, the main combat force consists of Ais, Bete Loga, Tiona and Tione, the main firepower is provided by Lefiya Viridis, and Leo and Riveria Ljos Alf will stay here on standby, just in case."

"In addition, form another team of scouts with exceptional footwork to accompany the team, gather intelligence, and bring it back at any time to maintain contact with the outside world."

Finn's mind worked quickly, and in no time he had everything organized, getting the members who were about to enter the enemy's headquarters ready.

The grassroots members who were not selected began to transport the pre-prepared supplies, package after package, to the supporters who joined the team. These supplies included various essential medicines, provisions, tools, and spare weapons, and were quite well prepared.

Leo and Riveria Ljos Alf were left outside, as were Anakitty and Alicia, while Raul, like Lefiya Viridis, was selected for the infiltration team.

"Is Leo going to stay outside too?"

Tiona, holding two large blades in one hand, asked in confusion.

In her view, Leo is now basically confirmed to have the strongest fighting force in the entire Familia, and if he joins them, their operation should be able to proceed more smoothly.

But Finn had his own reasons for doing so.

"The enemy just brazenly opened the door and invited us in, which was practically an open invitation to tell us that there was a trap waiting inside."

Finn analyzed the situation with remarkable composure.

"Furthermore, we still don't know what the situation inside is like, so the first operation is mainly for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, not to the point where we need to fully commit our main combat forces."

Finn needs to keep a trump card for himself and the others.

With Leo present, even if something happens to them inside, the subsequent Familia can organize a corresponding rescue operation, and there is enough combat power available.

Leaving Leo outside is also to prevent the main card of the Familia from falling into a trap, which could ruin the entire operation.

Furthermore, he also had to guard against the possibility of the enemy using a feint attack.

What if what lies ahead is merely a decoy, and the enemy's true objective is to trap them, then attack their rear, or even directly deploy Spirit Clone throughout the city?

If that's the case, with Leo looking after them from the outside, they wouldn't be completely defenseless.

Leaving Riveria, the city's strongest Mage, outside was also based on similar considerations.

With these two people present, no matter what happens, those left outside will have the ability to react effectively.

"What about Lefiya?" Leo didn't object to Finn's arrangement, but when he saw Lefiya preparing to go with the group, he suddenly asked, "Does Lefiya have to go in?"

"What?" Finn was taken aback by Leo's question, then frowned and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"No." Leo paused for a moment before saying, "I just wanted to have a therapist available outside to handle any emergencies."

Upon hearing this, Finn aside, Loki, who had been examining the Orichalcum Gate door and seemingly considering whether he could remove it, glanced at Leo Loki.

Others might not realize it, but this Chief God did; he knew it was a lie.

It was indeed a lie.

Leo wanted to keep Lefiya around primarily to protect her.

He hadn't forgotten that in the original story, Lefiya sacrificed herself in this very operation.

He couldn't just stand by and watch Lefiya go to her death.

That's why he made that statement.

Of course, he also knew how dangerous this operation was for the Loki Familia. Even Finn almost died in the operation, and the entire team had a near-death experience, with many casualties.

Therefore, Leo has come up with some strategies to make amends, but before that, he wants to try to keep Lefiya here, just in case.

As for stopping Finn and the others from continuing their risky operation despite knowing it was a trap, Leo had considered it, but felt that even if he did, he probably wouldn't be able to stop them.

Because, in conclusion, they have no choice but to go in.

The enemy's goal is to summon Spirit Clone on the ground to destroy the entire Orario. However, they do not know when the enemy will start their operation. Therefore, in order to stop them as quickly as possible, they have no choice but to knowingly walk into danger.

Moreover, Leo knew very well that what lay below was actually an Artificial Labyrinth no less complex than Dungeon, containing not only numerous traps and mechanisms but also unknown terrain structures.

To eliminate the instigators of all this, they always have to step inside.

In other words, in order to successfully defeat the enemy, it was absolutely necessary to send an advance force in to scout ahead and gather intelligence.

Leo knows the original story, but it's impossible to know from the original story what the Artificial Labyrinth below looks like, how to navigate the paths inside, or whether there are any other traps.

In the original story, the Loki Familia was able to achieve a final victory because of the route they scouted, the intelligence they gathered, and their thorough understanding of the enemy's strengths and weaknesses during their first mission.

Based on this, Finn devised a truly decisive strategy, and finally, by gathering the core strength of Orario, he was able to completely defeat them.

Without this operation, the subsequent victories would have been absolutely impossible.

In light of this, after careful consideration, Leo decided not to stop the operation.

Of course, while he wouldn't stop them, he was also prepared to contribute his own efforts to ensure his companions' safe evacuation.

"Buzz"

Suddenly, a magic circle radiating dazzling Starlight unfolded beneath Leo.

"What?"

"Leo!"

Everyone present was immediately taken aback. Several people who were closer to Leo even involuntarily took several steps back, reflexively moving away from Leo and out of the area where the magic circle was located.

Under these circumstances, a massive surge of Demonic Power light erupted from the magic circle, transforming into a hurricane that caused the clothes of Leo and the people around him to flutter wildly.

Some raised their hands to shield themselves, others raised their weapons, and still others tried to shout but couldn't, feeling extremely uncomfortable from the oncoming Demonic Power storm.

Ais hadn't expected this to happen, and after realizing what was happening, her first instinct was to get closer to Leo.

But at this moment, Leo had already begun chanting magic.

"[Come from the Golden Palace!]"

"[The invincible beast of glory, the star spirit ravaging the battlefield, soars through the earth's core, roaring with unquenchable fury.]"

"[Thunder, flood, storm, ice, fire, and meteors—you are the embodiment of calamity, the warhammer of divine retribution, rushing from the ends of the world, descending upon boundless calamity.]"

This chant might be unfamiliar to others, but it is extremely familiar to those who have been to the 59th Floor with Leo and witnessed his confrontation with the Corrupted Fairy.

"This... this is Mr. Leo's Third Magic!?"

Lefiya Viridis was stunned.

Not to mention her, even Finn and the others couldn't help but change their expressions.

Why is Leo using this magic here?

This is a powerful spell capable of suppressing the Corrupted Fairy single-handedly!

To unleash such incredibly powerful magic in this cramped underground space filled with fellow travelers—what was he planning to do?

To perish together?

"No, he was holding back."

Riveria Ljos Alf, however, keenly noticed that Leo's incantation seemed considerably shorter than the one he used on the 59th Floor last time.

His complete Third Magic was undoubtedly an extremely long chant type, but at this moment, Leo only performed a long chant.

That is indeed the case.

This time, Leo did not unleash his Third Magic to its full potential, but only unleashed half of it.

"Sagittarius Star Come forth, Taurus Star, Cancer Star, Leo Star, Virgo Star, Capricorn Star, Capricorn!"

At Leo's summons, Star Beast appeared one by one within the golden star magic circle.

A Taurus suspended by rocks, a Cancer like a dreamlike bubble, a majestic Lion, and a girl holding a stalk of rice.

The Sagittarius Star, the shadowy, long-nosed, sharp-toothed fish-bodied beast— Leo summoned only these six Star Beasts, each appearing around him with astonishing Demonic Power fluctuations.

Upon closer inspection, these Star Beasts have shrunk considerably, from being several meters tall to about two meters.

Clearly, Leo controlled the output, allowing these Star Beasts to be summoned in an incomplete state.

Even though it was incomplete, everyone around could still feel a considerable sense of oppression, which even made first-level adventurers like Bete Loga, Tiona, and Tione feel the pressure.

Having completed the summoning, Leo spoke amidst the surrounding Star Beast.

"These six Star Beast can maintain their presence in the world for about three hours, and I can remotely output mental energy at any time to extend their summoning time."

Upon hearing this, Finn immediately understood.

"You plan to bring these Star Beasts in with us?"

Finn's words caused everyone to look at Leo in surprise.

"Right."

Leo nodded, agreeing with Finn.

This is the remedy Leo came up with.

"Although it's an incomplete form, I created it intentionally. In this form, they can move more easily and maintain their presence in the world for a longer time, unlike last time when they disappeared after only a few minutes of fighting."

"Star Beast summoned in this way will inevitably have lower power, but they won't be inferior to ordinary Lv.5 beasts. They are sufficient to serve as the main combat force in the team, so there's no need to worry about them being sacrificed."

"They can be used to scout ahead, or to block traps. As long as they don't disappear instantly, I can use my mental energy to restore them to their original state at any time."

Like his previous two Star-Attribute Magic, Leo's Third Magic remains very free and extremely easy to control, which allows for its flexible application.

If Leo were to unleash the magic with all his might like he did on the 59th Floor, even with his current upgrade, he could only maintain the summoning for a short time before collapsing due to the severe depletion of his mental energy.

If only half of the incantation is released, only half of the Star Beast are summoned, and these Star Beasts are incomplete forms, then the summoning time can be greatly increased.

Furthermore, since Leo, being in the outside world, can replenish the Demonic Power of these Star Beasts at any time, he can continuously use magical potions to restore his mental energy while simultaneously transferring that mental energy to the Star Beast to maintain their existence.

As long as he remains firmly in the rear, this operation is equivalent to providing the action team with six first-level adventurers as combat power at once. These adventurers are fearless, capable of scouting, taking hits, and fighting anytime, anywhere.

"Great idea!"

Finn's eyes lit up, and the others were also excited after understanding Leo's actions.

Leo's actions undoubtedly lightened the burden on the team about to invade the dangerous area, providing them with a tremendous sense of security.

With these six Star Beasts, they wouldn't have to step on traps themselves, even if there were any ahead.

With these Star Beast taking the lead in clearing the minefield, the risks of their trip will be reduced by a great deal, not to mention that this is the combined strength of six first-level adventurers.

Upon realizing this, many members of the group who were unaware of the existence of Leo's Third Magic looked at him differently.

If a single spell can provide multiple individuals with combat power equivalent to a first-level adventurer, doesn't that mean Leo always has a group of powerful helpers by his side?

Isn't that just too unfair?

Who could possibly defeat him? Even Brave would have to think twice before attacking.

This is still the situation before full liberation; if full liberation were to occur, what would happen?

It can only be said that after reaching Lv.6, Leo's magical power has become much stronger.

Previously, summoning six Star Beasts to assist in battle so casually would have been very difficult, even if one deliberately maintained an incomplete state to prolong the summoning time.

"In that case, Lefiya can stay outside."

After contemplating for a while, Finn, looking at the six powerful Star Beast, immediately made a decision.

"The team will maintain its current formation, but two of the six Star Beast can be deployed to the front line to scout ahead, two to the middle of the formation to provide support, and the remaining two to cover the rear."

Leo immediately manipulated the Star Beast, positioning it according to Finn's instructions.

He also transferred control of the Star Beast to Finn, so that the Star Beast could follow his instructions.

The Star Beast possess a weak sense of self and can understand Leo's commands, so Leo does not need to control them at all times.

And so, the six Star Beast became the unexpected main fighting force, standing alongside Finn and the others.

Be careful.

Leo gave Ais a final, whispered instruction.

"Um.

Ais nodded, responding seriously.

Accompanied by six Star Beasts, the invading team led by Finn officially stepped into the Artificial Labyrinth that slumbered underground.

Then—in the near future, a great upheaval ensued.