The Intelligence War Begins / Ascalon and Rosmontis

After arranging Amiya and Ace, Suika turned her attention to Scout, the master assassin.

Chapter 396 The Start of the Intelligence War

Upon hearing Suika's words, Scout straightened his back, even though he had indeed been at a disadvantage in past matches, winning more often than he lost.

But that was just a competition. When it came to the real battlefield where it was a matter of life and death, Scout declared that he was no less than anyone else in his life.

"Remember, my request is simple... stall her, don't give her the chance to target others."

Then she glanced at the three veteran operators who weren't particularly skilled in direct combat and fixed her gaze on Nearl.

"Radiant Knight, your mission is very important."

Once the competition begins, I will lead the main force to attract the opponent's attention from the front.

And you... I need you to flank them from behind and launch a surprise attack on their flag location from the opposite side and rear.

Your mission is crucial; it directly determines the success or failure of the battle, so I'm counting on you."

Finally, she turned her gaze to the remaining three Elite Operator.

"None of you are experts in direct combat, but as Elite Operator, you each have your own strengths, so I'm giving you the freedom to use your skills."

After hearing what Suika said, everyone seemed to agree.

As she herself said, her forte is not commanding but fighting, so she puts herself on the front lines.

The incredibly fast and maneuverable Nearl attacks from the flanks.

She didn't give Mantra and his team, who were skilled in special operations, any special instructions, but instead let them do as they pleased.

Although her command style appeared quite rough, she was still better than those who pretended to know everything and tried to maximize their power.

After assigning tasks, everyone was preparing to leave Suika called out to Ace and Amiya.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" Amiya asked after everyone had left.

After looking around the room, Suika said with a strange expression.

"In fact, our contest began the moment Kal'tsit agreed."

To be honest, that person paid much more attention to us than I had imagined...

You agree, right, the girl in the corner.

Upon hearing Suika's words, Amiya and Ace both turned their gazes toward the corner Suika was staring at.

Although there seemed to be nothing in the corner, after she finished speaking, they felt that there really was something there.

Aren't you coming out?

Suika asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry..." a soft, sweet female voice rang out, and along with her voice, a person appeared in front of the three of them.

"Miss Manticore!" Amiya recognized her at a glance.

As a member of PRTS, the Manticore is also skilled in stealth, appears even more like an Akali under her Originium Arts.

It's not that no one noticed her; for example, Mantra and Scout, but they saw Suika's gesture before they could even speak, so they didn't point it out.

Most of the others were so engrossed in Suika's presence that they didn't notice the unexpected guest in the room.

Manticore was indeed sent to gather intelligence. She had been thankful that she hadn't been discovered, but the outcome turned out to be quite the opposite.

But since she had been called out, she didn't bother to hide it anymore.

"Kal'tsit is too ruthless. Even though we're already at such a disadvantage, she still sent people to gather intelligence."

Suika looked at Amiya, and although she complained, she also admired her.

After all, even a hawk uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. If Kal'tsit, as a thousand-year-old cat, didn't have some skills, she probably wouldn't have gotten to the point where she has "friends" everywhere, and even be able to sit in the position of the commander-in-chief of the "Demon Extermination" alliance.

"Well then, Miss Manticore, according to the exercise regulations, I have to declare you dead!"

After finishing her rant, Suika looked at Manticore Manticore, who nodded with teary eyes.

Although she is not bad in terms of combat ability, her strength is not in direct combat.

Especially in such a narrow space, it wouldn't be difficult for ACE to subdue her.

So she unfortunately became the first "victim" in this competition.

After watching the Manticore leave pitifully with the sign that read "[Dead in action]", Suika looked at Amiya.

"Although the formal battle will begin tomorrow, the intelligence war has already begun."

So, ACE, Amiya's life is in your hands.

Amiya nodded and left the house with Ace.

After letting out a burp, Suika swayed toward the Rhodes Island bar.

Meanwhile, in Kal'tsit's office, Ascalon sat on a sofa not far away, looking at the information about Suika in her hand.

The latest update to this intelligence comes from oral accounts given by people who returned from the Reunion Movement a month ago.

The information inside reveals that, in addition to Suika's ability to create clones and her strange toasting gesture, she also possesses extraordinary strength.

Furthermore, it possesses the ability to fly and conjure food out of thin air.

Although she seems to be very versatile, Ascalon said that if Suika's level is like this, then this match will be a foregone conclusion.

Just then, the door was seen to open, but no one entered.

"Manticore, how's the intelligence gathering going?"

Ascalon wasn't surprised; instead, he asked the air.

But the next second she saw the Manticore wave the sign at her, then walk out looking aggrieved.

"I told you, don't underestimate that Suika."

The fact that she was treated as an honored guest by the Reunion Movement, and that she helped the Reunion Movement out of difficulties several times, proves that she is not as simple as she usually appears.

Kal'tsit didn't even look up, as if she had already guessed this outcome.

"Then do you think she's trustworthy?" Ascalon, looking at Kal'tsit.

"Since you don't see any problem, then I trust her judgment," Kal'tsit replied, looking up.

"I'm sorry, please forgive my rudeness."

After all, if she really wins, I can't accept Amiya going to such a dangerous place as Chernobog.

Ascalon then remembered that Suika was also an operator from Rhodes Island.

"Then let's go and win."

"But Amiya's resolve this time is too strong... I..."

Ascalon also had some doubts about what happened back then.

But no operator was willing to reveal this.

If it were true, it would be a blow comparable to the death of Theresa for the elders of Rhodes Island and even the Babel.

So almost all the operators bury their heads in the sand when it comes to this.

Those who couldn't accept it chose to leave, while the remaining people transferred their loyalty to Theresa to Amiya, the heir she had chosen.

But now that Amiya is going to bring Doctor back, it has brought back memories and doubts for these old folks.

This explains why, despite Rhodes Island having a large number of highly Elite Operator, only a few actually participated in the rescue of the Doctor, and almost all of them perished in the battle.

Chapter 397 Ascalon and Rosmontis

Rhodes Island isn't small, but it's not big either.

News of the competition and the agreement between the two sides quickly spread among the operators.

The first reaction of everyone who heard the news was, "Is that operator Ibuki Suika, really that powerful?"

Not only did they dare to negotiate with Kal'tsit, but they also relinquished the initiative. Such a disregard for Elite Operator would be unthinkable for anyone else.

However, her explanation was also agreed upon by the operators—compared to this competition where no one would die, Chernobog was a major military stronghold of Ursus. Even if the quality of the enemies there was slightly inferior, their sheer number and ample weaponry far surpassed those of the enemy.

If the opponent was indeed prepared, then Chernobog is ten or even a hundred times more dangerous than tomorrow's match.

If they don't even have the confidence to win tomorrow's match, then there's no need to go to Chernobog, since the danger is far greater than the match itself.

When these words reached Logos and the others, Logos reached out and touched Rosmontis's hair.

"Rosmontis, in tomorrow's competition, try not to hold back as much as possible without hurting anyone. Can you do that?"

Rosmontis looked at Logos somewhat blankly, not quite understanding what he meant.

"Amiya and the others definitely don't want to see you hold back like last time."

"But Amiya is a friend... my Originium Arts will hurt them," Rosmontis replied earnestly.

"Don't worry, I'm right here. If anything goes wrong, I'll help," Logos whispered softly.

Rosmontis tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Alright then... but you have to be careful!"

Time flew by and the next day arrived.

Many of the operators with free time came up to the deck to gaze at the distant hills.

Just now, Amiya and her group marched towards the hill in a marching formation.

They were facing Kal'tsit's side, led by Logos. Of course, Kal'tsit was not involved because she had to perform surgery on a patient.

After Suika and her group left in a grand procession, Scout raised his hand to stop them before they had gone halfway.

As a scout, he surveyed the surroundings and then pointed to several areas, ordering the sorcerers to clear them.

Sure enough, after several large fireballs were fired, several mechanisms were triggered.

"I told you there was no need to set up traps. Scout's skill level is more than enough to detect those things," Misery complained, standing next to Logos.

"No, we need to let them find out, otherwise this competition won't be fun." Logos looked at the large group of people below the mountain, then picked up his communicator.

"Let's get started!"

There was no sound from the communicator, but Suika, who was scouting ahead, felt a chill on his neck. He instinctively dodged like a vicious dog lunging at him, barely avoiding two short daggers thrown from the flank.

Looking up, I saw Ascalon brandish the dagger in his hand, point to the woods not far away, and then disappear from the spot.

Scout touched his neck. Although he had just narrowly dodged the attack, the feeling of the blade slicing across his neck still sent shivers down his spine.

After giving a hand signal to his team, he shouldered his weapon, crouched down, and quickly disappeared into the bushes.

All of this was observed by the "spectators" on the distant deck, who became excited.

Ascalon rarely appears within Rhodes Island, but as the head of Rhodes Island's SWEEP, she remains a mysterious figure among the operators.

Scout is well-known for his role as Elite Operator who also serves as a sniper and reconnaissance instructor.

As Sarkaz veterans, the operators who survived the civil war were almost all capable, and those who became Elite Operator were the best of the best.

Scout has quite a few fans within Rhodes Island.

Many people turned their attention to him after seeing him fight the mysterious SWEEP members.

Compared to the spectators, Scout was completely on edge. Even in a friendly spar, Ascalon put just as much pressure on him as his opponent during the Civil War.

The forest wasn't large, but as soon as he entered, he realized he had lost all trace of Ascalon.

Cold sweat broke out on my back immediately.

As a professional assassin, he naturally understood that he had lost track of his target.

Although he knew his opponent was far more skilled than him, being at a disadvantage from the start still made him feel uneasy.

But it also ignited his belligerent nature.

Knowing full well that his opponent was Ascalon, he didn't bring his oversized sniper rifle, but instead opted for a crossbow and dagger more suited for close combat.

After scanning his surroundings, he vanished from the spot in a flash.

Those watching from the deck in the distance saw the two enter the woods one after the other and then disappear without a trace, leaving them looking at each other in bewilderment.

They originally wanted to learn some skills from it, but there were no people to be seen at all, so what could they possibly learn?

Fortunately, at this moment Suika and her group arrived at the foot of the mountain, and a direct confrontation between the two sides was about to break out.

"Rosmontis!" Logos gently placed a hand on Rosmontis's shoulder. Rosmontis nodded and raised her hand, and four enormous tactical devices rose from the ground, transforming into four terrifying giant swords that whistled as they charged towards Amiya's lines.