System's POV

Just as Thirteen expected, indignation spread like wildfire among the members of the Cygni Coalition after watching his broadcast.

Unfortunately, they couldn't do anything about it.

In the end, they were a mere rag-tag group of Wanderers, who had no idea how to fight against hordes of monsters.

Some were just mercenary groups Douglas Griffin hired to protect the cities along the first line of defense.

Sherry's parents led one of the mercenary groups also hired for this mission.

That said, they had seen the broadcast and couldn't help but feel a bit worried about their future son-in-law, who had just provoked the big shots all over the world.

"Dear, do you think Zion will be fine?" Sherry's mother, Jacqueline, asked her husband.

"He will be fine," Luke answered. "She's the person our daughter chose, so let's have more faith in him."

Their mercenary group, Legionnaires, was a very reputable mercenary group with high success rate when taking up missions.

"I just hope the other teams defending this city will not vent out their frustration on us." Jacqueline pursed her lips. "After all, they know our daughter is engaged to Zion."

"They will probably say a thing or two, but I don't think they will really dare to do anything more than that," Luke assured his wife that everything was going to be fine. "No matter what, Zion is still backed by the Central Government and the Leventis Family."

Jacqueline nodded. "You're right. Our son-in-law is also a big shot."

Luke smirked, thinking his daughter had been very lucky to land a big fish. Even his son, who had returned from his many years of wandering in Solterra, only had praises for Zion.

The wail of the city's siren spread through the air, cutting their conversation. Their eyes met with each other, exchanging a solemn glance.

"Let's go," Luke said. "It's time to fight our own battles."

Jacqueline followed behind her husband and headed to their designated position.

It was going to be a long night, and they hoped that when morning came, both of them would be able to see the sunrise by each other's side.

****

Runestone City…

"Can't you stop yourself from throwing mud into our family's name, especially when you're in a live broadcast?!" Arthur growled, barely restraining his anger and frustration as he stared at his no-good grandson, who was currently munching on potato chips.

"Gramps, I didn't do you dirty earlier, I swear," Thirteen replied in an innocent tone. "I just want you to look more human in the eyes of others. Why don't you check your popularity rating in the Aldebaran Continent right now?

"See, you have surpassed the Monarch of the Remington Family for being the most wholesome man in the continent."

Arthur briefly glanced at the nonsensical poll Thirteen had started an hour ago.

He was really tempted to smack the bum of his grandson, but his wife, Lady Callista, sent him a message earlier, telling him to forgive Zion for his prank.

Left with no choice, Arthur could only bottle up his frustration and glare at Zion, who didn't seem fazed at all.

Hans, who was standing guard on the door, could hear the talk between the two inside the room.

Sometimes, he wondered where Zion inherited his courage.

He was the only one in the Leventis Family who treated Arthur like an old man who was just throwing a tantrum without being bothered by it.

"Gramps, if I didn't do that, you wouldn't have come here in Runestone City," Thirteen said after eating all the potato chips. "Right now, we need to promote how amazing the Leventis Family is.

"I know I'm already amazing, but I intend to make you amazing as well. Don't you want to be praised by Grandma for making sure I'm safe and sound behind your back?"

"You little…" Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing in frustration. "Tell me your plan. Tell me everything. I want to know what is going on inside that genius head of yours. What kind of diabolical plot are you up to this time?"

"That's what I like about you, gramps." Thirteen gave the old man a thumbs up. "You're quick on the uptake."

Without even bothering to wait for Arthur's reply, the teenage boy tapped onto his communicator.

A projection of the Cygni Continent appeared in front of them.

Thirteen then reached out to zoom in on Runestone City, as well as the cities around it.

Arthur frowned upon seeing countless red dots of varying sizes, which were just a few miles away from the defensive lines of the Cygni Coalition.

"As you can see, the Jinns are congregated on this spot," Thirteen stated as he pointed at the east of the continent.

"The weaker groups are pushed out to the west, while the big shots remain in the East. The monsters the Wanderers in the front lines are facing are mere rejects with nothing but numbers going for them.

"What I want to do is eliminate those big shots, so when the higher-tiered gates open, they would not become the bodyguards of the Rank 8 and Rank 9 monsters."

Arthur frowned. "Then why don't you just ask the Central Government to make you the highest commanding officer in the field? That way, you can call out all the battalions stationed here in the continent and have them do what you want."

Thirteen shook his head. "I can do that, but I won't. The Central Government will not hesitate to obey my orders if I ask them to, but that is not my goal. I want the Cygni Coalition."

"You really have a big appetite." Arthur snorted. "So you plan to get a bunch of mercenaries, Militias, and independent Wanderers to come under your banner?"

"Exactly." Thirteen nodded.

Arthur rubbed his chin. "So, you don't plan to convince them with words but with action. By clearing the threats in the immediate vicinity of these cities, you would be able to entice a few groups to join your own rag-tag team of Wanderers."

"Gramps, I'm glad you're smart." Thirteen smirked. "You're right. That's the plan. However, even though I'm popular, they would feel more at ease if there's a Throne with us. And that is where you enter the picture, Gramps.

"As long as Arthur Leventis is part of the group actively killing the Jinns in the continent, people will not hesitate to rally under your banner. You can then take your pick from the talented individuals of the Cygni Continent and make them your retainer.

"Since you have shown them your mettle and made them feel that you're really fighting on the side of humanity, their resistance to being recruited by you would be lower."

"So you plan to poach the talented people of this land." Arthur sighed. "Zion, oh Zion. I'm really glad you're my grandson. If you were my enemy, I'd probably die from frustration."

Thirteen chuckled as he proceeded to discuss more things with his grandfather, who left the room with the expression of a freshly enlightened monk.

His earlier anger and frustration could no longer be seen, looking like a changed man who had achieved nirvana.

"You did well, Young Master," Hans said after entering the room.

"This is just the beginning, Hans," Thirteen replied. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

*****

Roland glanced at the hordes of monsters outside the city gate with a calm expression on his face.

When he was interviewed, he made sure to tell Zion he was waiting for him here in the Cygni Continent.

However, when the teenage boy had been interviewed, he didn't mention Roland even once.

After finishing his Templar training in Solterra, Roland now had better control over his emotions.

He also understood the hidden message that Zion had said through the interview.

The ones whom the teenage boy was referring to as the turtle weren't really the Monarch Clans, the Prestigious Families, or the Cygni Coalition.

Zion was referring to him.

He was the turtle.

"Don't worry. I understand that you're too scared, so I'll clean up the monsters in your continent for you. You're welcome in advance. I'm doing this for free, you know?"

This was a blatant challenge meant for him.

No, Roland believed that it wasn't just for him, but for the entire Hero Party as well.

Of course, he also knew that Zion was also taking a jab at the other powerful factions in the world.

In short, they were just added to the message to make it look more convincing.

"Let's go," Roland ordered. "I'm tired of waiting for them to attack. Let's wipe them out now."

Joshua, Derek, Erica, Shana, Mildred, and Diana, all smirked at the same time.

Just like Roland, they no longer planned to be the scared turtles who only hid inside their shells.

They would bring the fight to their enemies, and just like what Zion did, they would make sure that none of their enemies would be left alive.