Don't confiscate my identity as a human race

It also perfectly aligns with the doubts he uncovered.

"That's right. The Corrosion Branch is likely to join the battle this time. On the day of action, we need to be prepared to face Archbishop of Decay, Fa Mo."

A rare trace of pressure appeared in Tolyado's eyes.

Although Archbishop Fa Mo isn't an especially difficult adversary to deal with, as long as one's endurance is strong enough to withstand his continuous corrosive attacks, he ranks somewhere in the mid-tier. However, he is still of Archbishop level and can easily overpower three ordinary Eighth-tier combatants.

In the siege of Blood Moon City, an elite Cardinal Bishop-level Eighth-tier combat unit is enough to completely disrupt the balance of power between both sides.

Moreover, if Archbishop Fa Mo engages allies who lack recovery abilities, it would be easy for him to slaughter them with little effort.

"If Blood Moon City's reinforcements only consist of Fa Mo, our combat strength should be sufficient for now."

From their current intelligence, Lanci observed that only traces of the Corrosion Branch had been detected in Bulida, and the exact number of Eighth-tier combatants Blood Moon City had assembled remained unknown, giving them a slight advantage for now.

The issue was that during their descent into Blood Moon City, the opposition's choice of match-ups would fall into the hands of Seventh Ancestor Marquess Helitier.

Lanci was well aware of how deadly the counter relationships in Eighth-tier life-and-death confrontations could be.

Even a seemingly balanced situation could devolve into full-scale disadvantage if mismatched, and being targeted by powerful enemies within Blood Moon City would make it incredibly difficult to rebalance the lines.

"When fighting on unfamiliar grounds, choosing one's opponent is impossible. Seventh Ancestor Marquess Helitier will undoubtedly assign us the worst possible adversaries. The only thing I can guarantee is forcing you close to Rashar, the Third Ancestor, ensuring your matchup is correct."

Tolyado also couldn't predict which formidable enemies might emerge in Blood Moon City on that day, nor could he foresee whom he might face.

But Rashar, the Third Ancestor, could only be contended with by Lanci.

As for the secondary objective of rescuing Duke Migaya, if he had any remaining strength, Tolyado would leverage his expertise in stealth and evasion to save Duke Migaya. However, if he got tied up himself, this task would have to be handed to Hyperion, whose abilities were similar.

While they spoke, the massive doors of the Silver Palace swung open once again, and the Mafia boss cloaked in heavy robes entered.

Mr. Barton, who had just endured a battle, looked none the worse for wear—not even his clothes showed a single tear.

"Mr. Barton, how did things go on your end?"

Lanci asked with concern.

"Maquiel was executed on the spot by me. As for the Chief Priests of the Corrosion Branch, I have directed the agents to apprehend or eliminate them all," Barton replied.

Barton sat at the long table across from Lanci and Tolyado, answering their inquiries.

Both Lanci and Tolyado nodded, acknowledging the situation.

Barton was originally an Imperial Army officer, so it wasn't surprising that he could command Nikola's subordinates. With someone as powerful as Barton leading, not a single Chief Priest could escape.

Keeping someone like Maquiel alive, with their strong vitality and rapid recovery, posed significant risks. There was also a chance Maquiel could escape again at night. Furthermore, convicting Maquiel and sentencing him to death would be overly complicated, as there was a high likelihood the Blood Clan would covertly pull strings to get him released.

Killing him outright during the capture was the most efficient way to eliminate this lingering threat.

"What are the casualties among my subordinates?"

Red Falcon Nikola asked in a tone of self-reproach.

"Aside from those who fell during the initial assault, only a few sustained severe injuries later. Most suffered minor wounds. I've already ensured their safe evacuation from the port, and they should now be receiving medical treatment," Barton explained.

Barton understood Nikola's feelings well.

They were both Imperial soldiers, unwavering in their loyalty to the empire.

The corpses of Maquiel and the Chief Priests of the Corrosion Branch had also been handed over to Nikola's subordinates to send to the Empire's Special Operations Department for reporting.

"Nikola, on the day of the National Celebration, the situation above ground will rely on you. At the early stages of the siege, try to keep your agents away from Bulida City Hall to facilitate our infiltration into the underground Blood Moon City. Toward the end of the siege, if any Blood Clan members flee to the surface, help us intercept and capture them immediately."

Lanci entrusted the responsibility to Nikola.

Not just their team of combat operatives infiltrating Blood Moon City, but a reliable rear line was equally necessary.

With the suppression of the city's defense barriers and fighting on the Imperial Capital's home ground, paired with pre-arranged defenses, even Seventh-tier Counts of the Blood Clan should be manageable for the Empire's Special Operations Department elites.

Someone as strong as Barton, the empire's most formidable Seventh-tier warrior, could probably fight two Counts effortlessly, and likely even manage three. With the addition of Seventh-tier Spatial Enchanter Abigail, they should be able to hold off several Counts simultaneously, while Nikola led his forces on the surface.

The odds were heavily in their favor for maintaining balance.

The key rested on which side boasted stronger Eighth-tier combatants that day.

"In the turmoil caused by the Blood Clan, countless young warriors from both the Allied Forces and the Empire lost their lives. Some had only just come of age, some had only just been wed, and others had only just become fathers. As an officer of the Empire's Special Operations Department, I should have been able to monitor the Blood Clan's movements, yet all I could do was watch helplessly as my compatriots fell and the nation slowly fell into the hands of those monsters. This guilt is one I'd deserve to die a thousand—no, ten thousand—times for. But no matter what, I will drag the Blood Clan into Hell."

Red Falcon Nikola clenched his fists, the fury in his eyes unmistakable.

"Maquiel's escape was initially the fault of the Capital Prison and the Constitutional Army, but capturing him yet again has earned me enough credits to secure a promotion. I'm set to succeed as chief of the Special Operations Department and continue advancing to Major General. I'll also do everything in my power to help you take the helm of the Imperial New Energy Committee. Focus on the battle ahead without worry."