Sullivan closed his eyes. The mission was dangerous, but as Selena explained, they had the ability to do it. Instead of two world class summoners, he would get one world class summoner and four arcane level summoners.
It wasnāt a bad trade, especially since it was Selena and the others.
Sullivan took another peek at Noelleās face before saying, "Fine. I will allow it."
"Thank you!" Selenaās eyes brightened.
"Thank you, Grandfather!" Noelle smiled, feeling relieved.
"Donāt thank me yet." Sullivan waved his hand before opening the map on his table. "Your Highness, Your Holiness, and young dragoness, come here as well."
Flora, Sera, and Alavenya came closer to see what was going on.
Sullivan pointed to two dangerous spots. "There are two concerning areas that have been building up their numbers. I want to investigate these two areas.
"From my current understanding, there are about eight thousand aliens on the one on the left and fifteen thousand on the spot on the right.
"I ask for two people because I suspect there is at least one elite class alien in this spot, while two more are in the other spot.
"As such, my original plan is to have me check this left one, while the Sage and Blood Meister handle the other one.
"However, since you are the one coming this time, I will entrust the right spot to you.
"But let me make myself clear. This spot is extremely dangerous. The number of aliens aside, Iām more concerned about the strong aliens residing in this place. As you already know, the chance of an elite class mutant appearing is higher on the right compared to the left since two is higher than one.
"As such, you have to retreat immediately the moment you find any mutants. Donāt try to risk it, not because I donāt believe in your ability, but because if you confront it, we might have an alien outbreak.
"Do you understand?"
Selena nodded. "Yes. We will definitely heed your warning. We are fully aware of the danger. Even if we can fight them somehow, we have to consider the possibility of an outbreak or immediate danger to this fortress or the country as a whole."
Noelle asked, "In the case, a mutant is confirmed. What will we do, Grandfather?"
Sullivan raised one finger. "As I previously mentioned, I want you to retreat right away. Then, I might request reinforcements and use everything we have to take it down.
"The mutant is too dangerous to be left alone, so we have to be fast."
"Understood." Noelle nodded. "What is the time limit?"
"You guys will be departing immediately. I will assign the people to be in charge while Iām gone before heading to the left spot."
"Yes, sir." Selena acknowledged the order.
Before they departed, Sullivan asked, "By the way, have you heard anything from Nathan?"
Selena shook her head. "Thereās no communication. Even with the communication ring we seized from Wood Eye, itās impossible to communicate due to the distance."
"But you donāt have to worry about him, Grandfather." Noelle smiled, reassuring him. "I have his power with me. Itās a way for him to show us that heās still alive. As long as Nathan is alive, he will definitely return. We are working hard to make sure that he wonāt be disappointed when he returns."
"Is that so?" Sullivan nodded, satisfied. It looked like Nathan was sincere enough to leave that kind of thing to his granddaughter. "Alright then. You may depart now."
"Yes." Selena walked away immediately, followed by the rest of the girls.
But when he thought they were gone, Noelle returned briefly. "Grandfather!"
"Y-Yes? Do you forget something?"
"I donāt know if Iām qualified enough to say this yet, but I think I have grown strong enough to utter these words to you." Noelle smiled. "May fortune be with you."
"!!!" Sullivan felt his heart being squeezed tightly.
He couldnāt help but remember his wife. When she was away, he found out about her diary.
"Month 4th, Day 12th. Sullivan was training as usual. As expected, he was handsome, but fortunately, no one was near him, or else I might have had a rival."
Sullivan chuckled. "I donāt think anyone has told me Iām handsome, so itās probably just her..."
But that statement just melted his heart.
"Month 4th, Day 13th. An envoy from the royal family arrived. He is planning to go to the front line again. I donāt really like this, but I know he has his duty as a marshal. I just hope he can return safely."
"Month 4th, Day 14th. As expected, I couldnāt sleep well again. No matter how hard I tried, I couldnāt sleep peacefully whenever he was about to go to a battlefield. I always wish he wouldnāt go, but I couldnāt be selfish."
It was the day he had to depart. After finding this diary coincidentally, his view had never been the same again.
When he was about to leave, his wife, Vanessa, would stand in front of the door.
"My dear. Do you forget anything?"
"No. Everything is perfect as usual. As expected of you."
"Thatās good." Vanessa smiled. "May fortune be with you, my dear."
When she said the same words again, he wanted to cry.
āI couldnāt show any sadness. I couldnāt make him worry. I shouldnāt say it so that my words wonāt distract him in battle. Still, I donāt want him to go. I donāt want him to be hurt. Please donāt go...ā
Sullivan could finally understand that behind her smile were worries. He had never noticed it until now.
Sullivan paused for a moment before hugging her tightly. "Iāll be back home before you know it."
Vanessa was startled, but she just closed her eyes.
As the door was closed, Vanessa thought she could hold back her tears, but that hug completely broke her.
Sullivan finally realized that he had made her cry all this time. He had just gone too far to hear it all this time.
That made him even more determined to go back home as quickly as possible.
Noelleās words made him remember that sad but sweet memory. He could finally understand what his wife had felt all this time.
A part of him didnāt want her to go, but he couldnāt be selfish and put her in a cage where she couldnāt grow anymore.
If he had just shown a single mistake, she would notice and worry when she was out there.
That was why there was only one thing he could do.
He offered his most sincere smile. "Yeah. May fortune be with you."