Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

Chapter 1398 - 70: Base Beneath the Dead Volcano

To resist the comprehensive sweep of the mechanical cluster, the Chasing Star Covenant, the Fede Alliance, and numerous tribes and settlement forces joined together to establish the ’Northwind Alliance’, implying the organization endures like the perpetual tundra wind, standing firm.

With a unified name, all parties began collecting statistics, such as personnel, resources, technology, reserves, etc., owned by each settlement.

To stabilize the military spirit and preserve hope in dire despair, the ’Northwind Alliance’ formulated a three-layer defense circle plan. With each layer’s fall, personnel would transfer inward. The final refuges are divided into three points: caves beneath the tundra, Molten Rock Underground, and the seabed of the West Pole Sea. Although these places make it impossible for mechanical bodies to organize numerous members for an attack, the harsh environments equally constrain existing species, making life there a last resort with no capacity for a large population.

In the following days, the Fede Alliance dispatched aircraft consecutively to various settlements to ascertain the local situation and conduct a material inventory. At this stage, the Fede Alliance also became the largest trade center within the ’Northwind Alliance,’ where many rare items, resources, and treasures, rarely seen before, began appearing in the public’s sight, even bringing small-scale prosperity to each settlement.

Unfortunately, this prosperity was destined to be short-lived, as intelligence from all forces converged on the Northwind Alliance. The overwhelming number of mechanical bodies instilled panic among many members, destroying their morale. Some couldn’t adhere to the newly set plans, began fleeing in panic, attempting to hide in extremely remote locations, believing that the mechanical bodies wouldn’t conduct a massive search for just them alone.

Failure and escapism permeated within the ’Northwind Alliance.’

The black fortress was built against the mountain, beneath a window decorated with hardwood, Tilan sat at a table reading the telegram in her hand.

She now spent most of her time in Fede City, but the Chasing Star Covenant side sent telegrams conveying information daily.

According to the report on the telegram, after recently acquiring equipment and personnel support from the Fede Alliance, an airport was also established over at Redstone City, where approximately ten aircraft were stationed, capable of transporting key figures to and from various locations.

"Autonomous units of machinery have started appearing sporadically in the southern jungles..." The young girl read aloud the intel on the telegram, a trace of concern in her eyes.

Although it’s troublesome to purge the jungle, with the current strength of the mechanical cluster, they could probably break through that area in about 20 days, starting to reach the southern settlements of the Chasing Star Covenant. Without the jungle as a barrier, there is just an endless grassland—the advancement speed of the mechanical cluster would significantly increase, making escape difficult by then.

It’s necessary to transfer personnel in advance, and the area once occupied by Shilin Mountain Castle would be an excellent choice. It’s located in a hilly mountain region, where narrow terrain passages are suitable for defense and convenient for further retreats northward.

Writing a reply to the telegram, Tilan recalled what areas might have been overlooked.

Half an hour later, she took the letter to the telegraph station in Fede City, sending this message to Redstone City in the south. After confirming receipt and reply, Tilan was slightly relieved.

However, such a relaxed mood lasted less than half a minute before she started worrying again, because with all the resisting measures prepared by the ’Northwind Alliance,’ hope was still difficult to see.

Walking along the city’s streets, during this period, the atmosphere in Fede City had also noticeably intensified; the gazes that used to secretly watch her from the sides of the streets had also noticeably reduced.

While Tilan was turning over thoughts, searching for possible solutions, a peculiar sound made her look up instinctively, and sensing something, she stood up and soared straight into the clouded sky.

A few minutes later, the girl landed on a mountain outside the city, seeing that familiar figure who had summoned her.

"Celestia?" Tilan was surprised by the sudden visit of her Silver Wing species friend.

Compared to a few months ago, Celestia’s expression now showed less leisure and more steadiness.

"Tilan." She called out the name of the black-haired girl in front of her.

"I have something to tell you." After contemplating, Celestia decided she should not continue to hide it.

"Actually, I come from the Sky Courtyard, also known as the Sky Garden City where the Silver Wings gather. Many of my kin are there, and that’s where I grew up..." She spoke slowly, recounting the origin and past of the Silver Wings species, as well as recent events.

"So, you mean this upheaval of the mechanical cluster is likely the consequence of your destruction of the Slami Association?" Tilan sighed, pressing her forehead.

"Yes." Celestia felt somewhat ashamed, unable to prevent the decisions made by the big figures.

"Well, it should be the upper echelons of the Silver Wings who bear that responsibility, not you alone." Tilan consoled Celestia, as she considered it already quite commendable for this young woman to speak out so bravely.

"I’m sorry, there are many things I can’t change." Celestia continued.

"But this time, I’ve learned some secrets that might change the destructive actions of the mechanical cluster." She began to narrate Olivia’s past and the possibility of the mechanical cluster being controlled by her.

"So, as long as we find Olivia’s mother wreckage, we can change the activity pattern of these mechanical clusters on the planet, right?"

"Yes." Celestia nodded.