The Sternritter suffered heavy losses after a series of battles.
In the first clash with Shinigami, n, s, f, i, p, and y were killed, a total of seven people.
In the second battle against the Arrancar (u, r, q, o, l, k), six more people perished.
The surviving Sternritter are a, b, c, d, e, g, h, j, m, t, v, w, x, z.
Aside from Uryū Ishida, the rest of them possess the strength of a mid-level captain, a senior captain, or even Captain-Commander.
Only Emperor Yhwach could achieve complete obedience to their orders.
Haschwalth hadn't reached that level of prestige yet, which is why the Sternritter voted on the matter.
When major disagreements arise, all members are convened for a democratic vote.
The vote initiated by Uryū Ishida and Haschwalth naturally signifies that something big is about to happen.
Except for the three Schutzstaffel who are not allowed to leave due to their special mission of protecting Yhwach.
The remaining S. C. Cross members rushed to the lobby on the third floor immediately.
The place looked quite empty, and the lighting was noticeably insufficient, making it rather dim.
A flag symbolizing the emblem of Wandenreich hangs on the wall directly in front of them.
W. Nianzol Huasso stepped into the hall, his tongue lolling out, and spoke in a somewhat indistinct voice, "What brings you here so late at night? I'd like to take a nice bath and enjoy a massage."
I don't know why, but I feel really tired today.
"Shut your incessant mouth."
Bambietta coldly retorted, turning to face forward, her eyes turning into hearts as she said, " Ishida must have something important to tell us."
"Has she finally lost her mind?"
Nianzol looked curious. He didn't usually pay much attention to the other members, always living in his own world and talking to himself, so he didn't know anything about the matter between Bambietta and Uryū Ishida.
I thought she had finally gone from not being smart to being an idiot.
Candice shrugged. "It's a long story."
"And then?" Askin Nakruvar chimed in, his face full of curiosity, eager to hear more gossip.
"Aren't you annoying? I've already been talking for so long, and you're still asking me questions."
Candice retorted angrily; she wasn't the kind of woman who enjoyed gossiping.
The conversation between the Sternritter.
The other members don't even bother to exchange the most basic words with each other.
For example, Gremmy.
He wore a white hood, his hands were in his pockets, long golden hair covered his forehead, and his face was round like an oval. He looked like a gentle young man, but in reality, he didn't look at anyone directly and completely ignored the Quincy next to him.
Gremmy rarely gave Sōya Azashiro, who was standing in the center of the arena, a proper look. It wasn't because he acknowledged Souya's strength, but because he keenly sensed that it wasn't a real physical body.
The same kind of body he imagined? No, not at all.
For the first time, Gremmy's gaze held curiosity, a desire to explore the man's body, and she asked, "Who is he?"
This statement drew the attention of everyone present.
No one expected that he, a man of few words and great arrogance, would actually take the initiative to strike up a conversation with someone.
Haschwalth was also somewhat surprised, and answered truthfully, "He is the former Shinigami, Sōya Azashiro."
" Shinigami?! Why is Shinigami here?"
Candice immediately flew into a rage. She had no liking for Shinigami, or rather, because she disliked Shiraishi, she developed a sense of disgust towards all Shinigami.
If he can't beat Shiraishi, can't he beat the other Shinigami?
She gritted her teeth, a fierce look appearing on her fair face, like a Tibetan mastiff encountering an enemy, eager to pounce and bite.
Bang.
Bambietta raised her hand and tapped the back of her head, saying irritably, "Listen to me carefully, the other party is a former Shinigami. Former means he's not the Shinigami anymore."
"Enough with the nonsense! Neither Shinigami nor the former Shinigami is a good person!"
Candice was still stubbornly refusing to speak, but the ferocity on her face slowly faded, like a husky suddenly realizing something and removing its paws from the tiger's neck, its eyes becoming clear.
"Why did you call this vote? Is he the one who wants to join us?" Bazz-B, sporting a mohawk, asked impatiently.
"No, he wants to use the Sun Gate to get to Hueco Mundo and eliminate the Arrancar. Uryū Ishida and I have different opinions; one opposes it while the other supports it."
Haschwalth calmly described the situation, saying, "I object to using the Sun Gate. Such an act violates His Majesty's orders. Before he awakens, there's no need for us to clash with Shinigami."
"Indeed." Askin rubbed a strand of long hair on his forehead. Without His Majesty's words, if they really fought Shinigami, who could stop that Shinigami named Shiraishi?
He still remembered the Reiatsu that day very clearly; it was terrifying, even more oppressive than His Majesty's.
Uryū Ishida pushed up his glasses and calmly said, "I don't think it will cause any conflict. At worst, we can just say that Sōya Azashiro stole the Sun Gate. The Shinigami have no evidence and wouldn't dare to start a war with us so easily."
"Next, let's vote by show of hands."
Haschwalth didn't expose Uryū Ishida's conspiracy; speaking based solely on his own guesses would only make him seem jealous of the future heir to the empire. "Raise your hand if you agree to borrow the Sun Gate."
Gremmy her hand, Liltotto, seeing this, naturally followed suit.
Bambietta and Candice raised their hands, trusting in Uryū Ishida.
One after another.
Seeing that more than seven people raised their hands, Haschwalth sighed inwardly; this result was within his expectations.
Bazz-B bewildered and asked, "Am I the only one who thinks this guy's motives are suspicious?"
Why did you all believe him when he said he was going to Hueco Mundo to destroy the Hollows?
Askin explained, "You can tell just by looking at him. This guy's face and demeanor don't seem like he's lying."
"Raise your hand if you oppose using the Sun Gate."
Haschwalth then went through the formalities, raising his hand.
Askin raised his hand.
The score was 8 to 2. One person abstained, and three members of the Schutzstaffel were not present, which was equivalent to abstaining.
"Looks like the results are in."
Sōya Azashiro spoke up.
Haschwalth's azure eyes darkened; he wanted to try and kill Sōya Azashiro to change the voting results.
The Sternritter is, in essence, a powerful group, where strength is the ultimate rule.
Gremmy said, "Don't waste your energy, this isn't the real thing."
"That's right, I suggest you don't do anything pointless."
Sōya Azashiro echoed this sentiment.
Haschwalth tacitly agreed, hesitated for a moment, then abandoned the idea and turned to leave.
Sōya Azashiro looked at Uryū Ishida and said, "Could you please give me a ride?"
Uryū Ishida nodded and said, "No problem."