Chapter 441: The Reason

"Have the array runes on the third floor, fourth corridor been reinforced?"

"Richard, go check gun emplacement three again and see how their preparations are coming along."

Unlike Li Mochen's relaxed demeanor aboard the armed merchant ship 'Troia', in the war room of the Atlanta Sunrise Storage Center, Brigadier General Noah Badru was busily arranging various details before the battle, sweat beading on his forehead.

Not far from him, Jeremy Burt, the Chief Information Officer of Sunrise Electric Retail Company, was reporting the situation to Major General Michael Wood and the others.

"Reliable intelligence indicates that the Benedict family has mobilized at least a full-strength heavy armored brigade of 7,200 men from the Dark World. Combined with their forces in the Light World, their total combat strength reaches 12,000."

"In terms of mid-to-high-level战力, we are not far behind them. The Benedict family has many enemies. After being severely wounded by us once, they can currently only spare five to seven legends and about twenty high-level magic professionals. However, the Dragon Witch Cult may join forces with them. It is estimated that their overall strength is three to five times ours."

"But the greatest threat to us is still the demigod 'Roland Benedict'. Once he appears on the battlefield, our level-19 defensive array probably won't hold for long."

Jeremy Burt's face was pale. As he spoke, he forced a bitter smile.

"They have now submitted an application to the Magic Tower Council to partition the demiplane. I estimate that the council is likely to approve it, and the battle will occur within the next hour or two."

He felt as if he were standing on a sinking ship, soon to drown. But there was no choice; he had to stay on this ship and live or die with everyone here.

Benedict had already issued a kill order on him. They were clearly confident that someone as insignificant as him had no value even as an informant or mole, giving him no chance at all.

"Roland Benedict?"

Michael Wood curled his lips, then looked at Lind Ames.

The latter shook his head decisively: "If I had an eight-story magic tower, I could try to fight this demigod, but I don't. I can only rely on this fortress to fight him. The best-case scenario is to hold out for an hour; pessimistically, only twenty minutes."

Yet his face showed little worry, and he also sensed the tense atmosphere: "Everyone need not be too anxious. The boss foresaw the current situation half a month ago and has a countermeasure."

Jeremy's lips twitched slightly, thinking that this sounded like nothing more than a comforting statement.

Although Michael's feat of ambushing and killing six legends in the city yesterday had shocked him deeply, their enemy now was Benedict—a family with a demigod and three heavy armored divisions!

However, the few commanders present, though somewhat nervous, showed no fear in their eyes.

Major General Michael Wood, in particular, remained composed: "I trust the boss. In any case, let's fight with all our might. This war indeed seems to offer little chance of victory, but that is no reason for us to give up the struggle."

"Then I'll head back now, sir."

Sampson Brute also stood up: "I guarantee that as long as I'm here, the Second Provisional Battalion will faithfully execute orders."

"Me too!"

Thompson Adams smiled and placed his cap on his head: "The Third Provisional Battalion will fulfill its duty!"

But at that moment, Jeremy Burt suddenly received a satellite call. After answering, he looked up in astonishment.

"The Magic Tower Council has rejected—"

"Refuse? Refuse what?"

At first, everyone was baffled, but then they came to their senses, and one by one, expressions of incredulity appeared on their faces.

"They rejected Benedict's application."

Jeremy frowned as he hung up the phone, his voice tinged with bewilderment: "I don't know what's going on, but it seems we've turned a corner?"

He wondered what had happened at the storage center to cause the Magic Tower Committee's stance to undergo such a fundamental shift in such a short time.

...

At that moment, in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, numerous battle units of the Benedict family were gathering. Not only did the total number reach three thousand, but among the ranks were also heavy tanks and artillery concealed by illusions.

However, in midair, Yvonne Benedict was in a foul mood, staring with a shocked, predatory gaze at the figure formed from countless leaves in the sky.

"Refused? Can you tell me why? Chairman Witt, the Benedict family's request is perfectly reasonable."

"Why?"

The 'Leaf Man' had no facial features, but at that moment, everyone could sense his reluctance.

"How to put it? According to the assessment of the Atlanta Magic Tower Committee, allowing you to enter the city would trigger a massive disaster. The magic tower array inside the city cannot guarantee the safety of ordinary citizens, nor can it carve out a stable demiplane battlefield for you."

"Disaster?"

Yvonne's eyes darkened: "Think carefully, Chairman Witt. War between the Benedict family and that mongrel is inevitable. If you refuse, the Benedict family will have no choice but to force their way in, which would cause even greater casualties, wouldn't it?"

"You may do so, but you must also be prepared to pay the price."

The 'Leaf Man' spoke calmly: "I advise you all to wait a few minutes. Andre Lee Wiltonshire should not shy away from battle. I believe you will be satisfied soon."

"Not shy away from battle?"

Yvonne couldn't help but sneer: "Hiding in Atlanta, inside that fortress. Is the Magic Tower Committee preparing to shelter him? I don't understand."

Indeed, she couldn't understand. Just an hour ago, over seventy percent of the Magic Tower Committee members had promised to open the magic tower array for the Benedict family. Many had even enthusiastically pledged to help facilitate the matter.

But after internal consultations within the Atlanta Magic Tower Committee, they had decided to prohibit the Benedict family from entering and refused to partition a demiplane battlefield for both sides.

This left her baffled and furious, feeling betrayed.

Roland Benedict, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected: "Witt, something must have changed, right? Can you tell me the specifics? I'll owe you one."

"Before the meeting began, Conshuri Wiltonshire presented evidence that convinced the majority of the standing committee members. Additionally, public opinion would not allow it; your actions would put us in a very passive position."

The 'Leaf Man' named Witt spoke frankly, but then, under the gaze of the two opposite him, he continued with a helpless tone: "Roland, you're asking me to offend Conshuri. That's not good."

Yvonne Benedict's brow furrowed; she could hear a hint of wariness toward that man in the legendary mage's tone.

But before this, she had never sensed such an emotion in her exchanges with Witt.

Then, 'Witt' changed his tone: "However, since we are both wood-element mages and have cooperated well in the Magic Association before, I'll let you in on a piece of news. 'Blood-Eyed Angel' Robertte Yvonne is on her way back to this city."