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Even The Army would not be enough to block every escape, judging by the terrain and the size of the bandits’ fortress.

“Then what if we try this?”

Esmeralda blurted out, as everyone was still deep in thought. She had thought of a way to secure enough forces to fully take down the bandits.

When asked to elaborate, she said they could request assistance from Atlantis.
As she explained, Atlantis owed them a favor, due to a different past event.
In exchange, they had promised that if the need arose, five of the Nameless 48 Generals would be available to them.

“And if there’s five Generals from Atlantis there, the neighboring countries will also feel motivated to help us solve their issues too.”

She was also confident that seeing a large country make a move would incite the others to act as well.
Especially those who were constantly under threat by the bandits, but were too small to defend themselves.

With all their forces together, even if they were on the smaller side, it would be enough to take down the bandits.
Currently Mira and Noin did not seem like such a strong force, not enough to incite the rest to act, but Atlantis’ Generals could be enough.
After all, those countries had been tormented by them for long enough to be on board now.

“Oh, that’s a good idea.”

Mira was instantly on board, that was likely the best choice possible, considering the circumstances.

“If they’re on board we’ll definitely manage somehow, ” Noin concurred.

Atlantis’ Generals were known to abstain from meddling with other countries’ issues, making their presence all the more valuable, so there was little doubt that other countries would choose to join in. And as soon as one joined in, others would have the confidence to join as well. Or rather, they would feel forced to join to protect their honor.

If everything went as planned, it was only a matter of time before the Hilvalenz Bandits were no more.

“Good, let’s do that then.”

That settled it, and Alma made up her mind. She would use Esmeralda’s suggestion to deal with Ignaz.
Then came the third target, He Who Commands the Dark Routes, and quite literally the biggest deviant of the group, August Gradin.

“And then there’s the last one…”

Alma had barely mentioned that when someone raised a hand.

“I’ll do it. I just have to beat him up myself, for Iris’ sake as well.”

It was Mira, determined to go herself.
She had seen the effect he had on Iris, especially after he tried to counter her abilities as oracle, leaving her mind scarred. That was something Mira would never forgive, and would do anything to avenge Iris.

“Yup yup, give him a few hits from me as well!”

Alma instantly felt the same way. Sadly there was something else that Mira needed to do.
She was still Iris’ bodyguard.

“But that would mean you’ll have to leave for a while, is Iris going to be okay?”

Despite being in essentially an iron fortress, they could not afford to lower their guard with Iris.
Just moments earlier they had seen Garroba and his men sneak all the way into the depths of the hidden jail under the palace.
And he had succeeded in assassinating Jorg down there.

He had explained how he did it during his interrogation.
It was all the work of a venomous wasp, released after becoming familiarized with Jorg’s scent, passing through all the iron bars, and stinging Jorg, fully unnoticed even by the hidden Armor Spirits.

More than likely, there were other assassins just like him, even if he did not know about them.
So Mira had to stay with Iris, as a last line of defense.

“Don’t worry about that. Even now she’s being carefully watched by my First Lieutenant and Knights. And I’m planning on leaving Shalwina too, once I head out to take down August. She loves books, and lately she’s gotten really into comics and manga, so I’m sure she’ll get along nicely with Iris.”

Alma was not too convinced, so Mira reaffirmed Iris’ safety, remaining fully confident.
Iris’ room was currently the safest place in the entire country, and most dangerous location for any intruder.

“You really aren’t pulling any punches, are you… Wait, she doesn’t mind being around your Knights? Those Armor Spirits? I really would’ve thought that their appearance would trigger her fear of men…”

Only Noin seemed concerned after hearing that, mixed with a bit of hope. If Iris could handle the Armor Spirits, maybe he could try wearing bulky armor and hide amongst them to protect Iris again.
But his hopes were quickly dashed.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. They’re all in stealth mode, just like the ones I left with Jorg. Iris doesn’t even realize that they’re there, even though the room is so locked down I could leave for a few days without issue.”

There were multiple Ashen Knights scattered all over Iris’ room, all of which had a very imposing and threatening appearance, enough to trigger her fear of men, just like Noin had pointed out.
That was why they were all in stealth, hidden from view, with only Mira and the First Lieutenant knowing of their presence.

“You always have a trick up your sleeve, Grandpa. And that’s also why I’ll trust you with him.”

That was just what Alma had expected from Mira, and that gave her even more confidence to trust her with getting rid of August.
And since Mira had also spent some time with Iris, she had plenty of hatred towards August too.
For now, they just needed to get ready to pick up the hidden devices they knew about.

Their lengthy conversation at an end, they looked outside and realized it was already night.