"Although your vampire charms are indeed high, I hate to break it to you, your brokenness cancels out whatever useful charm you might have left," Anthonyâs tone came with a smirk, his expression both amused and dry.
"Why is everyone suddenly talking about my pockets today? I get it," Dale muttered, clicking his tongue in mock frustration.
"Do you know what new military rank weâll be assigned?" Kingsley asked, breaking the subtle tension and steering the conversation in a different direction.
Anthony simply shook his head as he replied, "I donât know. But Iâm sure the Warlords will take care of it. We should be getting news in a few days at most."
Kingsley nodded silently, accepting the response with his usual calm.
Anthony continued speaking as he brought up the sparring match he had with Warlord Raelith, something still fresh in his memory.
"You really expect us to believe you won against a Warlord? Thereâs a better chance of seeing a pig capable of speech," Dale scoffed from the side, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"You donât have to believe it if you donât want to," Anthony replied, not even bothering to defend himself or offer proof. His tone was indifferent, whether they believed him or not had nothing to do with him.
"I have to say," Reynold began thoughtfully, "I donât take you for a liar, but this is indeed hard to believe, you know?" He then turned to Kingsley and asked, "What do you think?"
Kingsleyâs gaze shifted to Reynold before he answered, "If he said he did, then he did. Besides, he mentioned the Supreme Monarch suppressed both of them to equal physical strength and speed."
Reynold didnât say anything further, simply digesting Kingsleyâs words in silence. As for Seraphim, Spectre, and Clement, they didnât need convincing. They believed Anthonyâs words.
"Also, due to the fall of Military Base Alpha-6, the Supreme Monarchs have decided to retaliate against the Demon Monarchs," Anthony added casually, as if it were just another piece of minor news.
The air in the room seemed to freeze as everyone processed Anthonyâs words.
"You mean all the Supreme Monarchs are going to personally fight against the demons?"
Seraphim asked, her brows furrowing instantly.
Anthony nodded his head expressionlessly.
"Why are you frowning all of a sudden? Isnât this a good thing? They can take revenge for our fallen base and all the comrades we lost," Dale said, confused as he observed the change in expression on Seraphim and Reynoldâs faces.
"You donât get it, Dale," Kingsley said calmly.
"Although the Supreme Monarchs are going to fight the Demon Monarchs, whoâs to say the demons wonât launch counterattacks across every single base?"
His voice remained composed, and his face betrayed no emotion, as if he already accepted that even if another war broke out, he would walk out unscathed, just like he did during the last one.
"No rest, huh..." Dale muttered, squinting his eyes slightly.
"Do you know when the Supreme Monarchs are planning to attack?" Seraphim asked, her voice low but serious.
Anthony paused for a moment, as if contemplating whether or not to release such vital information.
"Theyâre currently holding a meeting. So by tomorrow, their coordinated attacks should begin," Anthony finally said with a light sigh, the weight of his words sinking heavily into the room.
Then suddenly, his tone turned cold, chilling even. "Although, I advise you... nothing I said should leave this room. If it does, I might have to deal with whoever leaks it myself," Anthony warned, his voice low but firm.
Everyone understood what he meant.
The Supreme Monarchs were planning to catch the Demon Monarchs off guard. If word about their movements leaked, the surprise advantage would be lost, and instead, the Supreme Monarchs could walk right into a trap.
And in a battle between god-like beings, a single mistake could determine everything, victory or total annihilation.
With three of Anthonyâs family members being Supreme Monarchs, a leak would mean potential death for someone he cared deeply about. The risk was too high.
But none of the people in the room looked particularly concerned.
Kingsley practically had no friends and spent most of his time in silence. Seraphim was always either training or buried in books. Reynold, on the other hand, spent his days sleeping with every phoenix man and woman he could find. As for Dale, although he talked too much and often said ridiculous things, he knew when to keep quiet.
Daleâs voice broke the brief silence, seemingly unaware of the subtle tension that had just risen. "Doesnât this mean weâll have to spend military points again to prepare?" he asked with a deepening frown.
"And we havenât been awarded any points since our arrival at Military Base Alpha-9," Reynold added. The mood seemed to dip even further between Dale, Reynold, and Seraphim.
Seeing Anthony, Kingsley, Spectre, and Clementâs unbothered postures, Seraphim couldnât help but speak up. "You four must have immense faith in your abilities. Iâm starting to wonder if the four of you are even human," she said flatly.
Anthony smiled faintly. Kingsley and the rest didnât even react. They maintained their usual calm, expressionless faces.
"No need to panic. I donât think the demons will be coming," Anthony finally said after a pause.
Daleâs blood-red eyes shifted toward Anthony.
"Why do you think so?" he asked.
"Letâs just say the Demon Monarchs wonât have the time or luxury for that. Besides, measures have already been put in place," Anthony replied calmly, his voice carrying a strange sense of assurance.
"What if youâre wrong?" Reynold asked, clearly thinking ahead.
"Whether Iâm wrong or right changes nothing,"
Anthony stated simply, his tone as calm as before.
"Anthony, canât you talk to the Warlords? Ask them to process our military ranks and points faster? With the incoming wave of demons, we donât have time to wait," Seraphim said, trying to keep her voice level.
"I canât," Anthony responded. "Everything follows a strict procedure. Besides, if a demon attack does happen, Iâll provide the resources you might need. You can just pay me back later with the military points youâll earn after the war." He spoke with a smile, his tone light.
His mother had provided him with a large amount of resources. And although he couldâve easily handed them out for free to his teammates, Anthony didnât want to spoil them.
He believed that giving things away freely might make them lazy and complacent.
Only his girlfriend had the right to be lazy around him.