Chapter 458: Preparation Against The Hero
"Master, they have arrive at the capital. It's look like they did not understand the reason for you to destroy the capital." Luen reported, the rat familiar at the capital allowed her to see the Hero and her party.
"Not surprising. They might expect us to hold the capital, which is why the Holy Nation would send so many elites." there are no other reason for the almost 100 A-rankers and one S-rank, which is probably even stronger than the A-rankers group.
"Retreat for now. The Hero might possess the ability to sense foreign Mana. For now, she did not detect you, but likely she could do so when she focused on her surrounding." Hildegard said, nestled on his laps with her head on his chiseled chest.
No need to say what they were doing, as there are line of Elder Witches waiting their turn, not to mention the Witches.
"Understood." taking the advice of the older Elder Witch, Luen retreated her consciousness from the rat familiar while ordering it to hid back into the rubbles.
As she did so, Luen then turn towards Alros, who rubbed the naked back of Hildegard, who still have her underwear, for now.
"Master, are there any changes to the plan?" she asked.
"No. We will continue as we agreed on before."
-Flashback-
"Master, what is the plan to deal with the Hero?" Fiora asked. The other Elder Witches looked at him with worry as well, knowing the Hero would not be an easy opponent.
"It simple really. We will try to wear her down, before taking the right moment to deal a crippling blow. Unfortunately, despite the simplicity of the plan, completing it is a monster of a task."
None of the Elder Witches could disagree. Sure, the plan is simple, and against an A-ranker, would work like a charm with a number of B-rankers.
However , Heroes are not A-rankers. They are in the monstrous category that is S-rank, along with existence such as Legendary Monsters, which include True Dragon, as well as Demon Lords.
It is a good thing their opponents are not SS-rank, or Alros would just run to the Dread Swamp, where it would relatively safer.
"We need to send in a large number of A-rankers, and even larger number of B-rankers, but where can we get-" Zena's eyes widened as she realized what the Archdemon is planning.
"Master, you would send the clones to weaken the Hero?" she asked.
"Yes." Alros confirmed it, nodding as he did so.
"... I see," she nodded, "Are you planning on making more A-rank clones?" she asked.
"It is the best way to weaken them. We will need a lot, but we have gain many LP so it would be easy to create more of them. The only thing we need to worry about is time, but I have already make them for this moment."
"Whe-" Isel's eyes widened as she realized something, "Is that why you ordered us to not use the Growth Tubes, to create the clones?"
"Yes. And as for why I don't tell you, it's because I prefer you focus on the other tasks and let me focus more on the Hero." Alros said, at the glare and looks given by the Elder Witches.
"...Fine." Hildegard relented from giving him a Deathly stare, "but even if you are our Master, at least consult us or tell us the plans so we can help you." she said.
"Alright, I will do so in the future." the Archdemon surrendered this time.
"So, thats for A-rankers. For confirmation though, we will not be using other A-rank monsters, correct?" Zena asked.
"No. If it against other A-rankers, and they died to the A-rankers, I would not mind because it just mean they are not strong or experienced enough. However, against an S-rank, it's practically suicide, so I will not use them for dealing with the Hero." Alros exclaimed.
"Understood. Its one thing to fight in match and its another to fight in a match you cannot win." she said, understanding the reasoning of the Archdemon.
"But, what of the B-rankers? Who will we use for the Hero's party?" Fiora pointed out.
Alros looked at Isel, giving her a nod. Catching his glance, she replied with a nod as well.
"We will be using the Hybrids, specifically the humanoid Hybrids." Isel said.
"Humanoid Hybrids? The stronger of the two form of Hybrids?" the categorization of the Hybrids had been split into Humanoid, and Beastial. The former is harder to make but it is better in every way to the Beastial, especially intellect.
As for the Beastial, despite being way worse, it is easier to mass produce and it always became C-rank monsters at the current state of the project. Considering regular soldiers of many nations would be in D-ranks, his forces would have the upper hand if he fielded armies of Beastial Hybrids.
"Yes. Against A-rankers, using B-rankers is the best if we are lacking in A-rankers. Of course, we should send some A-rankers as well, to ensure we can capture them." Isel continued.
Though, the idea of capturing them surprised the Elder Witches, as well as him too.
"Capture them? Not kill the men and capture the women?" Zena asked, confused by the sudden change.
"Yes. Its because capturing them would allow to the creation of better Hybrids." she explained.
"We use genetic sample of male specimens, mostly human in order to create the Hybrids due to compatibility. During the experimentation, we discovered that using strong specimens will result in stronger Hybrids.
However, we need for the specimens to have the potential of being strong from the start, not going through experimentation as well as enhancement to become A-rankers.
That's the reason why sample from the former male slaves lacked the capability or the potential to create stronger Hybrids." the other Elder Witches nodded, not necessarily understanding, but still believing Isel in her field of study.
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Alros also decided to believe her, as she had been doing experiments while he was frolicking around.
"In that case, we shall focus on capturing the Hero's party. And we will be using clones and Hybrids as the main force in dealing with them."
-Flashback ended-
"Well then Hero, let's see how you handle our preparation."