"It's said to be 'considering,' but actually not even asking about the reward, it's really just a polite refusal," Peggy mused, causing some embarrassment on the face of the bishop on stage.

Nevertheless, the Pope, being a seasoned elder, simply smiled and waved his hand, saying that the list of participants for the war was not yet determined and that there was no rush to respond, which skillfully eased the atmosphere.

The conference then briefly discussed the situation in the Iberian Peninsula: the Undead Army seemed to have employed a kind of extraordinary technique called the "Dark Sky," which could massively block satellite surveillance and communication electromagnetic waves.

This meant that the Church Court had completely lost its surveillance over the Iberian Peninsula, left only with snippets of information from those who had escaped the dark canopy.

In any case, the internal situation of the Iberian Peninsula was completely unclear, but judging from the very few messages sent out from the Aragon-Castilla Kingdom, one could guess that the situation was exceedingly perilous.

Thus, the meeting ended hastily in a somber and solemn atmosphere, and the mood was not great as everyone left.

Although the Church Court and the Italian elite had long predicted the Undead Kingdom's ambition to move northward, the actual occurrence still put enormous pressure on them.

On the other hand, Aske, the Squad Leader of The Azure Longsword's polite refusal, also inevitably deepened everyone's pessimistic expectations.

Soon, Nora was caught in a pincer attack by her older brother and sister. Valian, representing the Church Court, and Kapaxilin, representing Lysine, furiously persuaded Nora—hoping the vice squad leader of The Azure Longsword would influence Aske to reconsider his decision.

Nora was utterly speechless. Since the Six Large Mercenary Groups from the continent were participating in the war, what significance was there for us, The Azure Longsword, to join or not? We are not some large mercenary group with thousands of members...

She didn't want to bother the Squad Leader with this matter, so she could only emulate Aske's tone and politely refuse, "I also need to consider further." This greatly displeased Valian and Kapaxilin.

Wait a minute, Nora! You aren't even married yet! How come you're already speaking on behalf of your future husband? Where's the obedient and well-behaved little sister we used to know?

Harassed relentlessly by the two, Nora could only agree to find Aske.

Returning to Fire Island, she hesitated in the small forest at the base of the mountain, wondering how to broach the subject with Aske.

After all, Nora didn't want to give the Squad Leader the impression of "speaking for the family," and besides, her brother and sister were really being too much. To think that our small mercenary group is appointed to go to Iberia to exterminate the Undead—it's just too much.

As she was hesitating, Nora saw a figure emerge from behind the trees, seemingly having waited for her there.

Medea.

If someone asked Nora about her relationship with Medea, she would probably say, "Although we occasionally bicker, our relationship is actually quite good."

Indeed, aside from competing for the leader's attention, Nora harbored no ill feelings towards Medea.

Although the Enchanting Demon was full of cunning, Nora felt it was merely a matter of personality, possibly influenced in part by her Bloodline Sequence... Just like Peggy, it's a small issue that "can be corrected with some patient guidance."

Medea was well aware of how Nora viewed her. Even though she couldn't read Nora's mind, she could feel it from her character and speech.

If one had to describe it, it was like a traditional "motherly" personality.

Of course, Medea didn't find the "Nora mom" aspect displeasing; rather, it was perfect—after all, a sweet and naive person is easier to predict, manipulate, and handle.

"Nora." Medea greeted her with a smile, "Are you here to see Aske?"

"Um," Nora showed a troubled expression, while Medea pretended not to see it and continued,

"Actually, I came looking for him too..."

"Is that so?" Nora smiled gently.

She certainly understood Medea's personality. Back then, in order to level up quickly, she could leave home without hesitation and join the mercenary group to follow Aske.

After learning about Aske's "Acceleration Plan" this time, she must have pushed everything aside, intent only on leveling up as quickly as possible, right? Not wanting the team to be dragged into the messy war far away was also a "self-interested" decision that Medea would naturally make.

"Ah, I actually understand your point," Nora said softly, twirling a lock of hair by her face with her finger, "The war on the Iberian Peninsula has indeed exceeded what we can handle. If Aske ultimately decides not to participate in the war, I can understand that."

"No, no, no," Medea hurriedly shook her head, "My opinion is, we should help the Church Court."

Nora: ???

She opened her mouth slightly, shocked as she listened to Medea speak righteously:

"If it were any other war, it would merely be a change of regime, and our small mercenary group has neither the position nor the need to intervene. But the Undead Spirit is different, Nora."

"The Undead Spirit army needs corpses to replenish their forces, so they will definitely target the residents of the Aragon-Castilla Kingdom. The fewer mercenaries who participate in the war, the more innocent civilians will be sacrificed in the war and slaughter. Can you bear to see these people's happy lives completely destroyed, wives losing husbands, children losing parents, elderly losing their offspring, countless families falling apart?"

Nora: ......

Such righteous words were spoken so passionately by Medea, it even touched her heart a bit.

But shouldn't this be Eleanor's line? It was so odd hearing it from the lips of the Enchanting Demon! Hey, could she be plotting something nefarious again?

This suspicion flickered through Nora's mind but was immediately dismissed by her, shrouded in shame.

Nora, Nora, how can you harbor such ugly prejudices and discrimination, suspecting your companion for no reason? Can't Medea have kind motives and thoughts? Why always subconsciously associate her with negative aspects?

Thinking this, Nora felt a mix of self-reproach and guilt, and sheepishly said to Medea,

"Yes, you're right; we indeed should have a good talk with Aske."

Medea: ???

Wait, what does that mean? Have I already convinced her?

Suddenly transforming into a persona of sympathy and mercy, Medea knew this change was noticeably flawed and awkward, and she even prepared seven different excuses to counter any possible doubt and probing from Nora.

However, she had never expected that Nora would believe her words and intentions without any doubt, and this...

For a moment, from Nora, emanated a radiant noble quality named "selfless trust", which made the usually dark-minded Medea feel a rare sense of disgrace.

But she quickly restrained the unusual emotions and said with a beaming smile,

"That's wonderful, I knew you felt the same way. Let's go bring Eleanor along, shall we?"

"Getting Eleanor too?" Nora paused for a moment, then showed a gentle smile, "Sure."

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