Unbeknownst to Lévi and the others, on the day Okade's "Contract Chains" were activated, one of Palamedes' subordinates also responded to Nicholas's call.

But...... Nicholas did not respond to her "kindness" at all.

There was a tentative contact with Xavier and Victor, Nicholas of the Empire.

And for the "Black Apostle", Nicholas didn't even have contact.

Even the most important Warrior of the Honor of the Empire, in Nicholas's opinion, loyalty to the Empire is not absolutely unshakable.

But the "apostles" of Palamedes are different.

Palamedes has lost its combat power, and its tentacles in the clouds are still unmatched. Nicholas knew how much effort Palamedes put into the "apostle".

Over time, they too will become a threat to themselves...... It's a pity that they won't have "time".

In Nicholas's view, how could Palamedes not leave a last resort in his students? If you are not careful, you will be countered by this only strong man at the same level as himself on the cloud.

Therefore, when the "Empress of Change" among the seven "Black Apostles" responded to Nicholas, Nicholas immediately severed the "chain of loyalty" with her.

"The Emperor of the Night", "Pale Moon", and "Nightmare Chariot" have chosen to cooperate with them for the time being. For Nicholas, it was the norm for mages to use each other for the common good. As for the second apostle "Empress of Change" Beverle, who ostensibly sided with the French power, but actually responded to the "Pact of Loyalty", Nicholas chose not to trust, and at the same time asked Ionia to investigate.

…… What Viel provided to Ionia was inconsequential information, so trivial that Ionia didn't want to tell Nicholas at all. But at least, combined with the information he received from Lévy and Alice, Palamedes was too busy with trivial matters to immediately launch a large-scale plan.

You know, actions like "Invasion of the Sea of Clouds" require full dedication, and if Palamedes is nowhere to be seen, that's something to worry about.

The actions of the "apostles" are under control.

The First Apostle, the two "Cliffs" of Darkness and Light, and the "Emperor of the Eternal Night" are working for Okad, and the "End Day" is in the Emperor**, often appearing in place of his wife Bina to boost the morale of the Emperor**.

The second apostle, the "Empress of Change", the fourth apostle, Levi, the pale moon, and the fifth apostle, Alice the Nightmare Chariot, often exchange information with the Hand of the Sea of Clouds, whether they are sincere or not.

The Fifth Apostle, "Butterfly of Hades" Fran, is said to have appeared in the Donoz Sea. But the illusionist is elusive, and it is difficult to find a trace.

The Sixth Apostle, Goth, the Star of the Stars, came into contact with the Wild Roses in the Northlands.

Only the Seventh Apostle, "Devil's Nails" Simon, is missing.

And the most crucial Palamedes himself, who continued to remain silent, only occasionally taught his disciples.

"I can't relax yet."

If it's any other legendary mage, that's enough. It was Palamedes at his peak that he was able to stop Nicholas head-on, and Ionia was so attentive to him.

……

Ionia was relieved after confirming that Palamedes' instructions to Alice did not involve any secrecy.

Alice's personality on the surface is the same as Lorenz's back then.

In fact, Lorenz is thick and fine, and the straight Alice is much more cunning.

…… It's hard to count on Alice to find out the inform. It's hard to believe that Levi always has her with him......

"Then, it's your turn," Levi said, "I'll give the Hand of the Sea of Clouds more manpower, and in exchange you'll have to tell us about the Wild Rose." I've heard that the 'Stars of the Stars' are also involved......"

---------------------------------

In the prisoner of war camp in Erios.

"Two more people ran away." A guard gritted his teeth and crossed out two names from the roster.

To the escapees...... The Okadians have always been a shooter! Recently, however, there have been more and more escapees, and with the exception of a few who were killed on the spot, many of them seemed to have disappeared from the world.

"The Errios must have an internal response," another guard complained, "the speaker shouldn't have accepted ......"

"Shh His companion made a silencing gesture.

President Wendy, who had short hair, walked over. Among the submitters of Elrios, her position is extremely revered.

"You've worked hard." A gentle smile bloomed on President Wendy's face, and a hazy mist flashed in his eyes.

"Yes!" The two guards stood straight.

……

When the security in the POW camp began to deteriorate, President Wendy showed a completely different and unusual iron fist.

Now, just by killing her own hands, her former classmates are not counted. Even her father's old friend, after being caught secretly supporting the "Wild Rose" in the nearby mountains, was executed by her own hands!

Within Okad, no one has questioned her loyalty for a long time. And among the captives, she also got the nickname "Demon".

She was always smiling and groaning, urging everyone to obey Okade. Even when everyone was silent, she didn't seem angry.

But as long as it touches the laws of the prisoner of war camps...... Her cruel sanctions will follow, as if the embodiment of ruthlessness.

It's just that...... Her efforts did not alleviate the dire security situation in the camps.

Even some of the secret ritual weapons that were captured from the Imperial Envoys after the Battle of Pure White and were originally scheduled to be displayed in White City were also missing.

……

Nearby in a small cave.

"They didn't chase after them." Captain Tomman breathed a sigh of relief.

He's been tortured a lot these days. Fortunately, it's all flesh wounds. In the past few days, his "honest cooperation" has also made the Okadians relax their surveillance of him.

When Commander Tomman saw two Okadian guards attempting to insult Alison, he rushed straight ahead. After relieving himself, one of them was out of breath and out of breath - and Ettoman and Allison had no choice but to risk escaping.

It's just that the process went too smoothly...... It didn't take much effort for the two to get rid of their pursuers, and the Okadians were completely misguided.

"Someone must be on our side." Commander Tomman was now quite convinced that some of the top management of the POW camp was secretly supporting the POWs.

By the gift of the man...... I live again.

"Let's get here." Allison said. She had been to the cave before and knew that there was more than one exit. If you're lucky, you'll be able to get rid of the enemy's ...... completely?

"Someone!" Tomman whispered, taking Alison's hand and hiding in the cavern.

"Yingjia!" Allison cried out in surprise. Yingjia, a classmate who was captured at the same time as her, suddenly disappeared in a prisoner of war camp a week ago, and her fate is unknown.

The two girls hugged each other excitedly.

Tomman watched helplessly. He has experienced a lot more big and small battles than two girls. Now it's more important to leave as soon as possible than to reminisce about old love......

"Maybe they've built up organized resistance." Tommen thought optimistically.

……

The decisive battle on the bright side is yet to come.

The storm beneath the surface is already brewing. 8)