Ruby’s ears immediately perked up when she heard Nyla’s request and saw the felines kneeling.

Her eyes gained a newfound spark, gazing at Michael with anticipation.

"Can we?!" Ruby asked, her pupils enlarging like innocent stars.

Despite the increasing number of members the Indomitable Alliance possessed, she had been the one and only feline the whole time.

Of course, spending most of her time with Michael and the crew meant she didn’t feel isolated, yet it would be a lie to say she wasn’t excited at the idea of more of her brethren inside the faction.

Seeing Ruby’s sparkling eyes, Michael heaved a sigh, gently patting her on the head.

He had been worried about how Cyberfang’s loss would impact her long-term. Honestly, Michael was proud of her.

"Given that this is what they desire, I don’t see anything wrong with it." He decided.

A faint smile tugged at Ruby’s face, urging the felines to rise.

The aura of a Late Grandmaster she radiated solidified her status as a queen of the felines, second only to Michael’s influence.

The three hundred felines rose to their feet, eyes burning with unwavering determination.

Ruby was struck by a revelation.

"We can form a special task force within the faction!" She declared.

Although they were slower than Ruby, they all possessed masterful concealment capabilities.

Blessed with their naturally heightened senses and remarkable flexibility, they held the potential to become the Indomitable Alliance’s hidden blade. Striking silently from the shadows, they would be capable of performing both scouting and assassination missions with lethal efficiency.

Ruby, being the most powerful and the first feline to ever join Michael’s group, was naturally going to lead the entire operation.

"As for the second in command..." Ruby’s eyes narrowed, settling on Nyla.

"I choose you!"

"Eh?" Nyla blinked slowly, her grief making it take longer for her to comprehend Ruby’s words.

"Why me?"

Ruby lifted her head high, exuding pride in her own genius.

"You are the one who found us in the hollow valley. A spiritual beast has chosen to bond with you. Your ability to merge with shadows makes you perfect for staying hidden. And, on top of that, you already have the necessary leadership qualifications. You are the best choice!"

Nyla was conflicted. Until now, she had always relied on the Elders to make decisions, accepting their guidance... never shouldering the full responsibility of true leadership.

However, refusing wasn’t an option. She had been entrusted with this role by none other than Ruby... The strongest feline in existence.

"I am honored, Queen Ruby!" Nyla declared, straightening her back in salute. "If you regard me worthy, then I gladly accept!"

Michael hadn’t anticipated the development, yet he was glad nonetheless.

Every one of the gathered felines had proven themselves capable of holding their ground, refusing to flee even against impossible odds.

The only thing they lacked was proper training. A problem that could be remedied given enough time.

There was another upside as well.

Michael had worried that the crew would be troubled when he followed Nicole toward the Titan tier portal, leaving them with no work. But with the addition of the felines, along with the faction members waiting at their headquarters, they now had more than enough personnel to train, keeping them busy.

Even though the rest of the funeral remained mournful, the eyes of everyone had gained a new, more dangerous edge.

The time for departure neared.

"Are you certain you would rather have us train the new recruits?" Victoria asked, voicing what the crew had all been thinking.

Of course, they wanted to stay by his side, yet they were intelligent enough to recognize not only when their abilities were needed, but also where their current limits lay.

Michael nodded. "You will not just be training them, but preserving the faction as a whole. Besides, Isabella and Gabriel are there, and Scarlett is still busy exploring the underground cities below... If a danger were to threaten them, I would be too far away to arrive in time."

He paused briefly.

"My family’s safety is and will always be my utmost priority. You are the only ones I can rely on to keep them safe. The only reason I agreed to Nicole’s request is because I have all of you."

Michael was being truthful. For him to entrust the protection of his family to someone else was his ultimate way of showing trust.

Having observed him for a long time, the crew recognized it immediately. Which was why there were no complaints among them.

After saying their farewells, Michael went to meet with Robert and Livia.

"Once again, forgive me for the sudden call for aid." Livia apologized.

"There is no need to feel remorseful. It’s only natural to help your friends." Michael flashed her a warm smile.

He shook hands with Robert.

"Thank you for the push. We are currently in the middle of organizing the wedding." The Lord whispered. "But Livia is quite furious about how much I risked my life, so from now on wherever I go she plans to follow... Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t follow you."

"I understand." Michael chuckled.

"Before we leave, we are to meet with another Supreme Lord. I hope you don’t mind." Nicole said, leading the way.

"The more the merrier." Michael replied, summoning Devil.

Thanks to Devil’s new shapeshifting ability, Michael kept him in the form of a mascot settled on his shoulder.

"Left alone with such beauty, your heart must be racing right about now." Devil whispered in Michael’s ear.

Summoning Heaven’s Judgment in her shotgun form, Michael rested her over his shoulder, letting the soul weapons bicker it out.

Eventually, a familiar silhouette descended from the sky, nearing Michael and Nicole.

It was a man with silver eyes and abnormally long hair that trailed across the ground. He smiled in pleasant surprise when he noticed Michael.

"To think we would be reunited so soon. The world is truly small."

It was the Supreme Lord belonging to the Immortal Legion. The one who had lost to Michael in the finals of the faction wars... Noctis.