The next day, all six shell were busy preparing for war. Training grounds full, logistics preparing for supplies and the peoples preparing for evacuation after hearing Ava announcement.
Nein stay in the forest to keep watching on the enemies after sending his message to Elias with his crow that he'll staying longer here, it'll reach her in two days so he spend his time updating the situation while also visiting Sylva to simply to talk.
"Ugh...my head hurts..." Said Sinatra, the woman leading these people.
She's stressing out because Silos, the fifth seat of 'path finder' just done scolding her. She simply waits and keep sending her men to check whether the beast still there or not as she patiently waiting for the help to arrive.
Nein continue his search around every corner of that settlement. Checking if there's anything different. He keep his guard up despite their obliviousness since there's a time where his disguise almost discovered by Silos through the communication orb. And since then he keep his distance from the orb while taking notes of their conversation.
"Nothing changes huh?. Looks like they're really obedient to their master." Ava said with a smirks.
"Except for their supply reports, they're not doing anything beside waiting. So you can focused on preparation. Also...can you give me some space?. It's hard to drink my tea when you're clinging to me." He complain at her beside him.
She's starting to cling on him since last night. Locking her arm around his as she reads all the reports even when he made it clear to her that she's making him uneasy.
"Hm...but it's much more easier to listen to your voice like this." Her voice flirty as she squeeze his hand firmly between their lap.
He doesn't used to this. He also need to follow protocol to not offending his clients but still, this is too much even for him. And one day passed without problem.
The next day however, Fera state in her reports that her squad spot three hundreds of armies consist of armored monster and people marching through the desert. That news confirmed Nein intel and make them grateful for listening to his words.
"So tomorrow's the day huh?. Are we done with preparation yet?." Ava asked critically.
"Unfortunately no, three days is too short for us to prepare a full scale war. Not even both sand shark and sandworm can stop their march." Fera adds with grim on her face.
"Is there another news from Nein Capt?. Is he still going to check on the forest again?." She adds curiously.
"Sigh, let's not rely on him too much. It's our war and he's only here for help. He's been a huge help by providing us with information and it's our turn to deal with this as the people of Vastium." Ava's tone kind and reassuring.
"...then...if we happen to failed this... please leave at once captain, you're more important since you can-ow!." Fera's concerns were cut off from the sting sensation on her forehead.
Ava's throwing her pencil toward her forehead hard enough to put some sense into her head.
"Stop spouting nonsense. No one will die here. And if there is, I'll fight to the last of blood in my body before meeting you guys. What kind of captain am I who left my people behind?." She gives her a confidence smile.
Meanwhile, inside the rainforest. Nein's having a conversation with Sylva regarding the war while eating cookies and drinking tea that he snuck inside his coat.
"Regarding war, are you confidence that the people of Vastium can win against the opposing side?." She speak while munching.
"They won't, however with my help, I'm sure I can reduce the casualties but not with their victory." He's not even try to sugarcoat it.
Her expression hardens, feeling at fault because it's all happened because she refuse to give the altar. Seeing that, Nein pour her another cup of tea and speaks.
"No need to blame yourself lady Sylva. It's all happened because human function like that. Rather, you should think about yourself because if we failed defending the enemies, they'll went after you and take the altar." His eyes soften to assuring her.
Her tails coiling nervously on her lap at the thought of it. She want to help but she can't leave this forest due to her identity as the guardian. She knows it'll be difficult even for her to fight against multiple enemies and an idea struck her head.
"Then...how about you gather all people of Vastium to this forest so we can protect a single place together.?" She suggested.
"...it's a though choice especially for them, to think about abandoning their land is a bit...wrong." Nein explain carefully, understand the lack of knowledge she had about human.
"But why?. Doesn't their lives matter more?. They can just rebuild the same town again near the forest with more food and resource." She's confused from his statement.
"Then what if I said the same to you?. What if I told you that you can just leave this forest and moves to another place?. Leaving all Mundus left behind for a place better than this and away from conflict?. Can you do that?." His voice low and demanding.
She's stunned and speechless as she realizes the weight of leaving a place she called home. Her ears drooping as she apologize.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it." Her eyes narrows to the cup on her lap.
He simply smile and nods in understanding before sipping his tea. Until a voice breaking the silence and approaching in the distance. It was Sinatra and her men, finally went to take the altar after Silos permit her.
"Huh?. Who the hell are you?." Her voice curious toward both of strange figures.
Nein set his cup down before getting up and turn around to approach the group. He takes his spear from under his coat behind his back and straighten it to it's full length before looking at Sylva's beast form over his shoulder.
"But still, I'll try to convince them about it. Let's pray... That they'll agreed." He said with a smile before went to work mode.
"{Chain of restriction}"
Later that night in Vastium, the six shell and Ava's gather to discuss their strategy. Only for them to not saying anything and hopeless toward this war. That is until Nein barge in with a bloody bag behind him. He toss the bag to the floor and revealed the head of Sinatra and her men, twenty heads since that the only number that fits in the bag. The scene shocked them all and immediately raise their guns at him.
"What the meaning of this, Nein?." Ava ask with suspicion as she remain seated.
"I have a proposal. Mind hearing me?." He's unfazed like usual and take a step forward to the table.
They share a hesitant looks at each other before waiting for Ava words.
"I hope that'll explain this situation. All of you, lower your weapon." Her voice filled with authority.
They relent and do as she said but not seated yet. Not with twenty severed heads covering the floor beneath Nein's legs.
He then begin to talk about Sylva suggestions to using the forest as their line of defense instead the town. Hearing that, everyone fall silent. It's not a bad idea, but as he thought, they're conflicted about it, about leaving their homeland. Ava cackled and rose from her seat, her gun ready in her hand.
"Not only you've been hiding the fact having conversations with the beast, you also telling us to leave our sacred homeland and instead protecting that beast home?. Heh, the audacity of yours..." Her tone mocking him, but deep down, she's almost hesitating.
"We can ensure victory with that strategy. You all know already that we're against a losing battle. You're hopel-"
BANG!!
The room goes silent as she pulled the trigger of her revolver. Everyone in the room stunned and speechless. From her not even hesitating.