Chapter 1660: Chapter 1109: Followers’ Decision
Since unlocking all the summoning slots, Duanmu Huai and Mary have been discussing together for several consecutive days before finally making a decision, determining the direction of follower selection.
Firstly, due to importance, those who need to follow Duanmu Huai. Duanmu Huai is mainly responsible for the military aspect, while others take care of areas outside of this, and many of these individuals have mediocre abilities and need enhancement.
Secondly, representatives of various worlds, as the Tribunal has now established bases in several worlds, its leaders naturally need strengthening.
Thus, the final list for the strengthened followers is as follows:
Queen: Mary — This goes without saying.
Castle: Lumiaire, Aikute — Both of these are paper defense, the kind that dies with a touch, yet these two are very important, with one being an expert in information and intelligence warfare and the other a bigwig in the military field. Duanmu Huai must level them up first, at least don’t die with a touch; at least let me save you even with low health.
Knight: Ling’Nu, Zhenjiling — Both of these are speed types, and becoming more formidable after leveling up, Ling’Nu’s stealth improving and Zhenjiling becoming capable of teleportation.
Archbishop: Lani, Naruse Mio — Ultimately, Duanmu Huai chose Lani and Naruse Mio as the followers for magical enhancement under the archbishop category. Lani is one of the most powerful mages of the Tribunal, so enhancing her is naturally necessary, even though Duanmu Huai rarely brings Lani out, as she prefers staying in her room watching stars, but as one of the Tribunal’s standard combat strengths, Lani’s enhancement aids in stabilizing rear security.
As for Naruse Mio, the reason is simpler; she needs to exist as a representative of this world and naturally must have strong power. Under Frieren’s guidance, Naruse Mio has no issues in combat, and next, just enhancing her combat power will suffice.
Finally, the Soldier... actually, the selection of soldiers is even trickier because there is a "promotion" rule among follower pieces, in international chess soldiers can transform into any of the other pieces upon reaching the opponent’s baseline; in reality, although there is no baseline, as long as Duanmu Huai permits, soldiers can transform into one of "Queen," "Knight," "Archbishop," "Castle" and gain their ability enhancement in a short time.
However, this is time-limited and unlike inherent permanent buffs; frankly speaking, they’re great for saving lives at crucial moments but usually strengthenment can be ignored.
Thus, eventually, Duanmu Huai selected Tutu, Maria, Axelle, Masou Shizuka, Kendou Kanami, Reines, Sakura Tohsaka, Fiore, and Sherry as the targets for soldier piece enhancement.
Tutu is simple, the luck buff is essential, Duanmu Huai brings her everywhere, as a lucky rabbit’s foot, naturally she needs some self-protection enhancement.
Maria was previously mentioned, as the core of the weapon research and development department, even though she doesn’t need to fight, her importance is undeniable; a wave of life-saving enhancement is necessary.
Masou Shizuka and Kendou Kanami are naturally representatives of the Tribunal in the Duel City World, while Reines, Sakura Tohsaka, and Fiore are responsible for the Type-Moon World—after all, that world has numerous troubles, difficult to handle without stronger prowess.
The reason for choosing Sherry is the same as Maria, Sherry is a biotech veteran, her personal combat capability is zero, even lower than Maria. The latter can at least carry a rocket launcher and blast around, the former truly lacks the strength to tie a chicken, if not enhanced she might not escape when trouble arises.
Axelle... merely a bonus, considered as a reward for Lumiaire.
Hmm? Why is the reward for Lumiaire placed on her partner?
Everyone understands this, no need to elaborate.
Although Mary keeps persuading Duanmu Huai to leave a position for Ann, after considering everything, Duanmu Huai decided against it.
Unlike followers, the enhancement plans for Soul Cards are numerous, not bothered by such minor upgrades, and more concerned about inequality; if Duanmu Huai enhances Ann, what about Greiya? And Ogis, Lorena, all these older companions who’ve fought alongside him; if enhancing one and not others, wouldn’t it be unfair?
However, you can’t make them soldiers, giving them soldier pieces would be worse than not at all. However, if given others, Duanmu Huai’s enhancement route would be entirely chaotic; originally, he aimed to compensate for the Tribunal’s weaknesses, how could he act contrary?
Moreover, Ann would rebel, and what if his dear child stabs him again?
Duanmu Huai has long been trembling with fear due to his dear child’s backstabbing.
Worst case, upon returning, he could find ruins to unlock Soul Shards, then enhance some Soul Cards for them to use, which would serve as appeasement. Since only Soul Cards can use Soul Card enhancements, by then, they likely won’t complain anymore.
Yes, the fact is just so.
"Since it’s this way, I won’t speak much..."
Ann stared at Duanmu Huai expressionlessly and then blinked.
"After all, Mr. Knight’s idea doesn’t seem wrong, compared to us, others need this strengthening more, I have no objections, but..."
"But?"
"... It turns out it’s the Queen..."
As she spoke, Ann glanced at Mary standing not far behind Duanmu Huai, while Mary awkwardly lowered her head and remained silent.
"Given Mary’s quality, the best approach is comprehensive enhancement, so I gave her the Queen piece, any problem?"
Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders, not finding anything strange about his choice.
"No, nothing, just saying."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, Ann giggled.
"As expected, Mr. Knight is still Mr. Knight, but I still have to complain a bit, we haven’t gone on adventures together with Mr. Knight several times now, and Greiya and I feel quite lonely. We also want to explore the New World together, and we can be a lot of help to Mr. Knight, can’t we?"
"This... we’ll have to see about that."
After all, Mary’s Golden Eyes are indeed necessary in many places. Of course, it’s not that Ann’s magic knowledge isn’t useful, but Golden Eyes are just more straightforward and brute force. Like with a puzzle, Ann might need to investigate and research before solving it to find the weakness, but Mary’s Golden Eyes could spot the weakness with just a glance.
For Duanmu Huai, the latter may lack technique, but it’s simple.
Of course, Duanmu Huai also knew that Ann was being petty; in fact, Ogis was being petty too, because the little one was sitting on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his head without saying a word, but Duanmu Huai could guess that Ogis was quite unhappy about not being brought along this time.
Fortunately, the mission time is different from real time, otherwise if he were away for two years, everyone would definitely be furious.
Of course, the current atmosphere was a bit tense as well. Mary didn’t know why she wasn’t speaking, while Naruse Mio and Banriya next to her didn’t dare to breathe loudly, quietly watching from the side. After all, for the Tribunal, they were the true newcomers, and witnessing such a tense scene right after arriving scared them quite a bit.
"Never mind, I’m not that petty either..."
Perhaps noticing the peculiar expressions of the others, Ann giggled again.
"Anyway, Mr. Knight, you weren’t away for too long this time, were you?"
"Yeah, nothing much happened at the Tribunal."
"Nothing major, just that Mr. Dadaniel sent a message for you."
"Dadaniel... what’s he up to now?"
Hearing this name, Duanmu Huai was surprised. This Merchant Voyager stirred trouble frequently, then turned to the Tribunal for help, which was quite routine. But Duanmu Huai didn’t expect to be dragged into something again just after a brief departure.
That being said, Duanmu Huai valued Dadaniel, as this Merchant Voyager was very honest, always voluntarily paying tithing to the Tribunal. It was due to the Tribunal’s protection that Dadaniel could acquire so many planets, and now he’s even integrated other planetary forces to engage in interstellar commercial alliance trade. As a qualified merchant, Dadaniel naturally understood gratitude.
Even if he did forget, it wouldn’t matter much; at most, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t pay him any heed, though he is genuinely quite diligent.
"No, this time Mr. Dadaniel isn’t asking for help but is inviting you to a banquet."
"A banquet?"
"Yes, with the help of our Tribunal, Mr. Dadaniel has achieved quite a bit. He’s now planning to return in glory and formally inherit the title and duties of a Merchant Voyager. Hence, he’s inviting Mr. Knight to attend his inauguration ceremony on his home planet..."
"He’s thoughtful indeed."
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai nodded.
"What’s the specific timing?"
"In our time, ten days from now."
"I see..."
Duanmu Huai still remembered that in the game, many Merchant Voyager families were quite wealthy and prosperous. Of course, Dadaniel’s initial poor sight of a broken ship and a handful of subordinates didn’t seem like that of a legitimate Merchant Voyager. However, Duanmu Huai didn’t mind such trivial matters; after all, the Human Empire had been down for so long, and even that old salted fish had gone silent, leaving the Tribunal to be solely reliant on him. The Star Warriors could all be dead by now; could you possibly expect much from a Merchant Voyager?
After so many millennia, having someone inherit the title of Merchant Voyager and pioneering in the Universe is already quite a commendable memory.
For other things, there’s no need to ask for much.
"Alright, let’s check it out when the time comes."
Duanmu Huai nodded, making up his mind.