The SSS class adventurer is a divine cleric-Chapter 88: Preparation

After the announcement the Awakeners were given separate rooms and time to prepare for the upcoming battle.

And the Juggernauts led by Derek found their own spot to rest and strategiest.

The heavy doors shut behind them with a thud, shutting out the buzz of the fortress square. They stood inside a sparsely furnished war room, dimly lit by mana-lamps. A long table sat in the middle, unrolled maps still trembling slightly from the earlier commotion.

Kaelen flopped into the nearest chair with a dramatic groan. "Mutant tyrants? Two of them? Great. Just what I needed. I was this close to a week of naps and steak."

Alira leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Her face was calm, but Kaelen noticed her knuckles were white. "Can we really defeat a Tyrant? I don’t mean to demoralised you guys but I don’t have any confidents."

The trauma from fighting the imitation of Ashmane still lives rent free in her mind. She couldn’t defeat an imitation so how was she suppose to defeat a real Tyrant.

Neal didn’t sit. He stood near the window, watching the distant hills beyond the fortress walls. "You’re right. We don’t have the necessary power to defeat a Tyrant by ourselves but we are not alone. So more or less we may have a chance given that the reports were true and that it is a peak gold rank Tyrant instead of an epic."

Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, believe me I’ve got tremendous luck, the Tyrants are not Epic ranks and we’re not just anyone, right?"

Kaelen was spouting nonsense again not even making any point.

Derek ignored his son’s usual nonsensical bravado, arms folded as he paced around the room. "The problem isn’t just the tyrants. It’s that they’re mutants. If they evolve mid-fight like the records say, the entire battle could turn in seconds."

Then he continued to share his thoughts.

"Mutants are unstable and unpredictable. The last one that appeared fought head to head with the grand duke, a peak epic rank Awakener and the appearance of a second one killed the grand duke. So in conclusion mutants are stronger than their peers of the same rank."

"Why?" Kaelen asked, confused.

Neal hammered his palm with his other hands. "I get it. If it was that easy killing an epic rank awakeners then there will be fewers kingdoms right now maybe just the empires because a peak epic rank awakener when ganged up by another two of the same rank will never die it’s just impossible."

That quieted the room. Each lost in their own thoughts.

Then a voice cut in from the doorway. "That’s quite the theory."

Everyone turned.

It was the Celsters.

Sairi Celster stood there with her usual corset-laced half-dress and a smirk that could melt coins. "I’ve fought tyrants before. And from my pass experience it is possible to defeat both the Tyrants. Derek will hold one while I kill the other and joined you for backup."

Kaelen blinked. "You’re fighting?"

Sairi smiled. "What do you think?"

Kaelen shrugged his shoulders.

She walked in and rested a gloved hand on the table, tapping the map. . "Yes. I’ll be joining the subjugation and if what you guys are saying is true then we might better run for our lives. There is no way we can kill both the Tyrants."

Derek in a friendly tease said. "Yeah you better run, the further the better."

But she smiled. "My niece is fighting. I’m not letting her go in alone." Her expression softened for a moment. "Besides... It’s been a while since I owed you one."

Derek looked at her with a mix of surprise and gratitude. "Are you sure about this? Do you even know how to fight?"

She smiled again, "You will see when the time comes, my class has evolved thanks to you."

Kaelen grinned, already back to his usual self. "Wow, an epic rank babysitter. I feel safer already."

Alira rolled her eyes. "The one who should be worrying would be us, not you. You’re always safe"

"Come on I fight like any warrior."

Neal finally sat, quiet but resolved. "How strong are the Loose Leash members compared to us?"

Derek smirked, "Strong enough to not make any mistakes in real life battle."

Neal nodded. "I see."

The room settled into a calm silence. Outside, the city prepared for war. Recharging magical cannons, artillery and evacuating the citizens.

Inside, they were preparing for something worse.

The planning room was quiet again.

Everyone had taken their place around the map table. The map now showed the territory where the two mutant tyrants had been sighted, one near the border forest, and the other near a ruined town, long abandoned. And judging by their speed they should reach the city fortress within 10 hours.

Derek pointed to the map. "We’ll need two teams. We can’t let them move any deeper into the kingdom."

Sairi nodded. "We split up. One team for each monster. I’ll lead one group."

"Then I’ll lead the second," Derek said simply.

Kaelen leaned back. "Oh my hands are itching."

"No," Derek replied without raising his voice. "You’re a Cleric and not suitable for a direct clash with a mutant tyrant. If something goes wrong, we need someone who can move fast and support either side."

"But you know very well I can fight like any warrior."

Derek was adamant on Kaelen staying behind, "Still no, your berserk skill might be strong but it’s not meant for a drawn out fight. And if you were to keep on using it in every fight, you would be levelless by next year."

Kaelen didn’t argue. He just nodded once. "Fine. I’ll stay flexible. Emergency support."

Derek pointing at his fingers at the map and continued. "I’ll be leading the forested area while you lead the ruins area."

Sairi glanced at Derek surprised. "Did you already guess about my class?"

Derek coolly replied. "I won’t be the Stalwart if I can’t."

She smiled. "Fair enough."

Neal looked at Sairi. "I’ll go with you."

Kaitlin, standing beside her aunt, spoke for the first time. "So will I."

Sairi didn’t protest. "Good. Both of you, stick close to me. We’ll handle the one near the ruins."

Alira looked at the others. "Then I’ll go with Derek."

"Alright," Derek agreed. "We move in three hours. No heroics. If things go bad, we pull out."

Kaelen glanced between them. "What if both goes bad at the same time?"

"It wouldn’t," Derek answered. "And if it does, it’s on you. So prepare well and be alert."

Kaelen didn’t talk back and just gritted his teeth. Which was very rare.

Everyone nodded.

Sairi sighed. "I’ll handle the supply list. Kaitlin, come with me. We’ll check what’s missing."

As the two Celsters walked out, Kaelen muttered, "Is she weak or our teachers too strong because I don’t feel that threatened by her presence."

Alira didn’t even look at him. "Weak just like you."

Kaelen smiled anyway.

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