CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 283- WARM

The crackle of the fire seemed to amplify in the silence that followed Beatrix’s revelation.

"Karma’s Retribution," Celestia repeated, the words tasting like ash. "A perfect defense against a direct assault. It neutralizes Julian’s most effective opening moves." Her gaze was distant, already running through tactical simulations and finding each one ending in their own power being turned against them.

"Then we don’t fight him with malicious intent!" Emma proclaimed, though her fiery confidence was tinged with uncertainty. "We... we fight for justice! Our justice!"

Veronica scoffed, but it was a thoughtful sound. "Intent isn’t a switch you can flip, you dolt. In a life-or-death struggle, ’malice’ is a given. It’s survival." She turned to Julian, her brow furrowed. "My enchantments can bolster will and focus, perhaps even purify intent to a degree, but against a skill of that magnitude... it would be a fragile shield at best."

Julian had been silent, his eyes fixed on the flames. The news hadn’t surprised him; the world always created counters. It was the natural order.

"Then we don’t give him aggression to reflect," Julian stated, his voice cutting through the debate. All eyes turned to him. "We don’t attack to kill. We contain. We suppress."

He looked at Beatrix. "This ’Gab.’ His earth manipulation. Can it be used to create a prison?"

Beatrix considered it. "Yes. He’s capable of raising walls and sinking fortifications deep into the earth. A prison would be simple for him."

"Then our primary objective shifts," Julian declared, laying out the new plan with cold precision. "We bypass a direct confrontation with Heikal. Our target becomes Gab. We subdue him, and we use his power to entomb Heikal and his fortress. We don’t fight his Karma; we bury it."

It was a ruthless, pragmatic solution. It avoided the impossible fight by changing the battlefield itself.

"A strategy of containment is sound, targeting Gab is logical," Celestia began, her voice cool. "However, our intelligence is critically incomplete. Beatrix mentioned five other high-ranking members with significant but unknown abilities. Basing our entire strategy on an external reconnaissance is a significant gamble. We could be walking into a threat for which we are entirely unprepared."

Clarissa, who had been listening quietly, leaned forward, her voice gentle but earnest. "Celestia is right. If we need to know more, perhaps we should consider a deeper infiltration. Sending someone inside their ranks could uncover the nature of those five members and their skills. It might be the only way to prepare properly."

Veronica’s eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, her tone laced with pragmatic concern. "Infiltration is a razor’s edge. If they have even one person with a specialized detection skill—something to sense deception, read aura, or discern falsehood—we would be exposed instantly. The consequences would be catastrophic. We’d trigger Heikal’s Karma’s Retribution without ever landing a blow. It’s a suicide mission without perfect intelligence."

Julian listened, his gaze moving from one speaker to the next. He processed their points with lightning speed. They were right. The risk of the unknown was too great.

"The scouting mission is no longer just external," Julian declared, his voice cutting through the debate. He stood up, the firelight casting long shadows behind him. "I will lead it. My Shadow skills are better suited for close-quarters infiltration than pure observation. Celestia and Zoe will accompany me. We will get the internal data we need."

He turned to Clarissa, his expression leaving no room for doubt. "Clarissa, you will have command until I return. Your judgment is sound, and your Telekinesis is our best defensive tool if you are discovered. Keep the camp secure and mobile. Be ready to move on my signal."

Clarissa’s eyes widened slightly, but she met his gaze and gave a firm, confident nod. "Understood. We will be ready."

Celestia offered a slight, approving nod. "A higher-risk, higher-reward approach. The synergy of my Phantom Step, Zoe’s Beast instincts, and your Shadow abilities gives us a credible chance of success."

"But not tonight," he added, quelling any immediate movement. "The New Order is still days away. We will continue our journey tomorrow and execute the infiltration once we are in position. Rushing in fatigued is as foolish as rushing in blind."

A general murmur of agreement went around the fire. The plan was set, and it was a good one.

It was then that Aya, who had been quietly listening while checking over her gear, stood up and approached Julian. She held out two meticulously crafted items: a set of three matte-black spherical bombs and a compact, heavily engineered grapple gun.

"J-Julian," she said, her voice soft but clear. "For the mission. These are smoke bombs of my own design. The smoke is thick and carries a mineral compound that might interfere with some energy-based detection skills. And this," she said, offering the grapple gun, "is for emergencies. In case you need a quick vertical escape and can’t use your Gravity skill. The cable is reinforced with spider-silk alloy. It will hold."

Julian looked from the items to Aya’s hopeful, earnest face. A flicker of genuine appreciation crossed his features. He accepted them, his hands closing over hers for a brief moment.

"Thank you, Aya," he said, his tone carrying a warmth reserved for his inner circle. "This is prudent. A good craftsman always prepares for contingencies." With a soft glow, he stored the items in his Inventory.

"See? Our little blacksmith is the best!" Emma chirped, beaming with pride for her friend.

"Even a supreme being like you needs insurance, it seems," Veronica remarked with a wry, but not unkind, smile.

"Alright, everyone," Clarissa said, her voice gently steering the group towards rest. "We have a long journey ahead tomorrow. Let’s get some sleep."

As the others began to settle into their bedrolls, Beatrix approached Julian, her usual weary expression etched with a deeper, more serious concern.

"Julian," she began, her voice low. "I need you to understand. The New Order... they are not like the raiders or the Iron Fortress. They are the most powerful, the most disciplined, and by far the most cautious faction I have ever encountered. Do not underestimate them."

Julian met her gaze, the firelight reflecting in his calm, unblinking eyes. "Then it’s a good thing," he replied, his voice a low, steady murmur, "that I am better at being cautious than they are."

A flicker of something akin to relief passed over Beatrix’s features. She then turned her head, addressing the whole group as they prepared to sleep. "And... thank you. All of you. For taking on this burden for my sake."

Clarissa offered a warm, gentle smile. "You were our teacher, Miss Beatrix. It’s only natural we would help you."

Aya nodded shyly from her bedroll. "You’ve helped me many times with my studies. It’s our turn."

Emma pumped her fist enthusiastically. "Yeah! We’ve got your back, Sensei!"

Even Veronica, who was meticulously smoothing out her own sleeping space, gave a slight, haughty toss of her hair, though her words were sincere. "Honestly, it’s just practical. Leaving a debt unpaid is poor form. So don’t mention it."

Beatrix took in their faces—the warmth, the enthusiasm, and the quiet support. For a moment, the perpetual gloom that clung to her seemed to lighten. She gave a single, grateful nod, words failing her for once.