"One more thing: Zoe may run into danger on this trip to Blood Port. Quite a few cultists are causing trouble over there. Ash, personally lead a team to receive her in the waters near the port."
"Understood. To what extent should we intervene?"
"In an emergency, you're authorized to open fire. If it's especially urgent, you may charge into the docks to rescue them," Theus said without hesitation.
That was basically permission for the banshees to do anything they deemed necessary. Theus trusted Ash's judgment; she was the best when it came to commanding battles.
As for the prince, although the newly appointed Duke of Tis had a fine reputation and was praised by many, to Theus—
Zoe's, Connor's, and the Faithguard Army's lives were more important.
After all, cultists ran rampant in Blood Port, and the danger there was no small matter.
Ash accepted the order and left. Banshees could move swiftly through the sea; it would take only half a day to reach Rift City.
However, bringing the Black Pearl back would take several days. It was merely a wooden sailing ship, and even reaching five knots was difficult.
The banshees would continuously lose vitality outside the range of the Symbiotic Pact, but a few days would not be much of a problem. Ash quickly settled on a roster and set off.
Meanwhile, Zoe encountered a minor problem on her end.
A group of people came looking for her. Their leader was a huge man, built like a bear.
Upon seeing Zoe, he hurriedly removed the crumpled hat from his head, pressed it to his chest, bowed slightly, and spoke in a fawning tone:
"Miss Zoe, hello, hello..."
Not long after, the door to Theus's office was knocked on again.
"Come in."
Theus was selecting the Transcendents