My dear witch, please turn evil according to the script!

Chapter 191 Who do you think I am? Move the boat closer to me!

Roland's sudden increase in strength did not attract much attention.

Firstly, given the current situation, Roland's rapid increase in strength is not something worth discussing too much.

Second.

Based on Roland's current combat abilities, almost everyone considers him to be someone whose combat power is at least above the seventh-ring transcendent level.

After all, Roland has already proven himself with his actual combat record.

His achievement of working with Cellina to kill Cassius, and the complete disappearance of the Old City from Riskan, are enough to prove his combat prowess.

Roland simply made up some excuse, something like an "epiphany," to cover up the fact that he had advanced a rank overnight.

He then looked at Götze and asked, "I agree with Chairman Götze's opinion."

"The next steps are indeed not suitable for the majority of people to continue participating in the action."

"But...we still need a way to get closer to the Iris."

"If we exclude those crew members, the current manpower shouldn't be enough to operate this Pomegranate Flower, right?"

Roland stroked the equipment in the captain's cabin. This equipment, which Götze and Max had risked their lives to protect, was the key to operating this giant ship.

But these things aren't enough to get the ship moving properly.

Engine, power supply system, propeller blades...

Although the ship's need for crew has been greatly reduced thanks to the enhancement of magical technology.

However, a large number of people are still needed to complete the operating system.

Götze nodded: "That's right. The Pomegranate is not capable of proceeding further in the operation."

"But manpower... if you are all willing to help, the ship can still be moved."

"However, that's only limited to moving."

"The Pomegranate Flower will still arrive near the scheduled location, but I'm sorry I can't do anything more refined, such as boarding the ship at close range."

"My limit is to ensure that the ship stays on the pre-set general route."

"As for getting closer to the Iris... we can only do so using the ship's lifeboats."

After Götze finished explaining his plan, Frum, who was relatively knowledgeable and had experienced the Great Exploration Era, raised a question: "This kind of ship... if I remember correctly, requires at least forty people to operate, right?"

"Even if you and Max are included, all of us combined are not enough to form the basic operating team."

Götze gave a wry smile: "So... I'll make an announcement, a recruitment drive for the suicide squad."

"...We've come this far. We can't stop now, but we can't just abandon everyone's lives either."

"At the very least, those crew members should be given a choice."

As he spoke, Götze pointed to the dock walls outside the captain's cabin, which were now illuminated with gentle lights, and said, "This base was designed with all aspects of protection in mind when it was built."

"It's not just about physical defense... As long as the base's energy supply remains intact, the anti-cognitive interference system here can function normally."

"What I mean is that all the wounded, as well as those who do not wish to participate in the next operation, can stay here and recuperate temporarily."

"Looking at the worst-case scenario, if we lose contact and our whereabouts in the next operation, the people here can still contact headquarters through communication devices."

"The supplies in the base are enough for them to live on for a year. Even if communication is not possible, the Society will find these people during the annual maintenance."

"They can also help us submit a missing persons report."

Götze then started telling his unique jokes that only sailors could understand.

In the entire captain's cabin, only Max smiled knowingly, but after realizing that the others didn't seem inclined to smile, he promptly withdrew his smile.

Roland and Fram exchanged a glance, then looked at Suren.

It was quite unusual for Suren to look so serious at this moment; the smile on his face was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

She whispered her opinion: "No matter what, the Vatican, no, I must get to that ship."

"As long as the initial action plan and objectives remain unchanged, I have no objections."

Roland nodded, then looked at Götze: "Then, Mr. Chairman, you can go and recruit the suicide squad."

……

Four o'clock in the morning, on the deck of the Pomegranate Flower.

The deck, which was once bustling with people, was now completely deserted.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of those who disembarked were people who left the ship.

Of course, it was not out of cowardice or timidity.

The minimum requirement for scholars to join the society is a curiosity about the unknown and the courage to venture into uncharted territories.

The courage that the scholars of the society can display when facing the unknown is no less than that of any brave warrior.

The same applies to the city defense troops on the ship.

They are professional soldiers, and at this point, they cannot simply stand still.

Otherwise, the sacrifice of our comrades would become a joke.

However, there are simply too many injured people, and a considerable number of people are needed to care for them.

After registration and selection, only a handful of people were chosen.

Fortunately... we managed to gather at least the minimum number of people.

Götze sat in the captain's cabin, solemnly stuffing his newly written will into a manila envelope, and then stamping it with sealing wax engraved with the family crest.

After doing all this, he leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.

Home……

It seems like it's been many years since I joined the association. No, I haven't been home since. We haven't even exchanged many letters.

Götze sighed softly as he began to recall why he had chosen to join the association.

Although his family was not particularly famous, it was still a prominent family in the council of kings in the federation of nations.

Money, honor... and other worldly things—his family could provide them to him whatever he wanted.

But he still chose to join the society and even volunteered to go to the Riskan chapter.

All because... he loved the sea, longed for the waves, and looked forward to the thrill of battling storms.

The filter of dreams we have in our youth will eventually be shattered by reality.

Even after he realized the ruthlessness of the waves and the capriciousness of the storms, and that things were not as romantic as the legends portrayed, he still loved the ocean.

But at this moment, Götze still wants to call himself an idiot for making that choice.

They're just rich kids with nothing better to do!

Even Götze himself couldn't guarantee he'd come back alive from the environment he was about to face.

The fear and anxiety of facing death made his body tremble uncontrollably.

But... perhaps there's also excitement in it?
Götze's lips curved into a smile, and then he chuckled softly.

They... were without a doubt the first fleet to arrive at the open sea after decades!

This achievement allowed him to face death with a sense of joy.

People always leave something behind.

At least for now, Götze believed that he would have his place in the magazines and textbooks published by the Academy.

"enough."

Götze got up from his chair, put the suicide note on the table into his pocket, and then prepared to leave the captain's cabin.

The storm is still ongoing, and he has plenty of time to rest.

This letter also needs to be handed over to a reliable person.

Once the storm subsides, it will be time for them to truly set foot in this familiar yet unfamiliar sea.

He had just opened the door and taken a few steps when he bumped into an angry-looking young man.

He clutched a piece of paper tightly in his hand, his eyes bulging out of their sockets: "President! Why was my application rejected!?"

"I'm neither wounded nor do I need to stay and care for the wounded! I'm volunteering! Why won't you let me participate in the next operation!?"

Götze looked at the newcomer and sighed: "Allen. This is a little bit of my own selfish reason."

"You're too young; it would be a shame to die here."

"You have plenty of time; there are many things in the world waiting for you to explore and study."

"There's no need to get involved in an operation where there's almost no chance of survival."

"You don't need to die with us old folks."

"Think of your family, think of your parents, they are still waiting for you to come home."

Allen retorted, "But Chairman, you're only in your early forties! Are you considered old?"

"And don't you have any family, President?"

"I'm young, and I'm not very strong... I'm also timid!"

"But at this moment, now that I am already out at sea, I cannot abandon the next phase of the operation!"

Götze was somewhat persuaded by Allen's words, but he still didn't want this young man, who had only recently joined the academy, to die.

His expression turned serious, making him seem somewhat unapproachable.

"This is an order. At sea, the captain's orders are absolute! Do you remember!?"

"Now, go back and rest, and don't mention this again."

Allen clenched his fists: "I won't go back unless you knock me out!"

Götze sighed: "Don't blame me, Allen..."

With that, Götze's figure vanished from Allen's sight in an instant.

A seventh-circle extraordinary warrior facing a third-circle mage... in most cases, there will be no surprises.

Allen was knocked unconscious without any resistance and then carried down the gangway by Götze.

But after stepping down the gangway, Götze saw someone he hadn't expected.

Roland, who was leaning against a pile of wooden crates filled with supplies, waved to Götze, then glanced at Allen on Götze's shoulder and sighed: "I knew it would end up like this."

"Although he is a few years older than me, he is still too reckless and impulsive, and he is seriously lacking in persuasion skills."

"Failure was within my expectations."

Götze was somewhat embarrassed: "I'm sorry you had to see this."

“You laugh? I don’t think so.” Roland laughed. “Human courage, even irrational and impulsive behavior, should not be ridiculed.”

"Even naive impulses are worthy of praise as long as they can give humanity the courage to face difficulties and crises."

"Why don't you think about it carefully, Chairman Götze... Although it's just a guess, if you really exclude this young man from the operation, he will hate you to death."

"Besides, he's an adult. He should be responsible for his choices."

"You are only his superior, and you shouldn't interfere too much in his decisions."

"He really had a hard time...it took him so much to muster up his courage. Don't let his passion die down."

(End of this chapter)