In a timely manner Michael approached the Lord's room.

Aside from the abyssal darkness that hid the features of the city's ruler, inside were the seven Grandmasters of the city. They had arrived earlier than Michael's squad and were giving their report.

Since he had managed to warn them that something wasn't right before the Overlord began its rampage, all of them had survived and managed to retreat to Azure.

"I have come to report." Michael spoke out loud once he entered the room, catching the attention of everybody inside.

"Expert Michael?" Alice was the only one that reacted to his presence.

"Come closer." The Lord's commanding voice addressed Michael.

With a nod of acknowledgment, he stepped forward.

Despite the threatening aura of the Lord that would have frozen most Masters, Michael didn't stop until he was standing shoulder to shoulder with the Grandmasters.

Since the last time he was pressured by the Lord's presence, he had progressed from the Early stage to the Middle stage of the Expert realm, allowing him to walk farther.

'It appears that the skill points I have gained since then are coming in handy.' He thought.

Amused, the Lord's gaze lingered on Michael's figure for a few seconds.

'Most would cower before me, yet he seemed unconcerned. Is it because he is traumatized by the Overlord, or is there another reason?' The Lord mused.

"According to the Grandmasters, the only reason they are alive is because you managed to warn them."

The aura intensified in an attempt to crack Michael under pressure.

"Tell me, how did you know that Celestia's Lord was going to perish?"

"Intuition." Michael shrugged nonchalantly, showing no reaction to the amplified burden.

"Hahaha." The Lord's cold chuckle resonated in the room.

"Regardless, good job. Now speak."

Since Michael hadn't been at the very front, he hadn't managed to witness much. There wasn't really any valuable intel in his report. He had come here simply due to formalities.

"You have taken control of a mecha tiger?"

One detail piqued the city ruler's interest.

"It's the reason I, as well as my crew, was able to get out of there alive." Michael answered.

"You may keep it. Think of it as your reward. If you wish to upgrade it further, you may speak with Grandmaster Riley. She is talented in cybernetic implants and mechas."

The woman in question was on the shorter side with brown hair and big glasses.

'Usually I wouldn't want an AI to join my faction. However, with Bypasser, its obedience is guaranteed, so I am not going to complain.'

Instantly several gazes bore on his figure. While Celestia had many mechanical tigers, Azure was another matter. The few they had were property of the city itself; even the Grandmasters didn't have any.

In a way an Expert had gained something that even the mighty Grandmasters couldn't.

Yet they didn't dare complain. All of them were alive due to his insight.

"If that is all, you may leave."

With a nod, Michael turned his back before stopping a few seconds later.

"If I may ask, with the most prestigious city fallen, a General tier portal open, and an Overlord leading them, what are we going to do from now on?"

A large smile spread on the Lord's face.

"It's not for you to know."

"..."

With no more questions to ask, he left the room.

"I dare say his question had some merit." Alice spoke up.

While the regular troops wouldn't be informed about the inner orders, the Grandmasters should be.

"There is nothing to do. We did everything we could to aid Celestia, even losing many talented personnel in the process. Nobody could say that we didn't try everything we could have."

With gritted teeth, Noah retorted.

"But if you had gone there yourself, then the Overlord would have died and the city would still stand, right?"

A chill ran down the spines of the Grandmasters. While they had all been thinking the same thing, no one had been mental enough to say it out loud.

"Perhaps… But we can't turn back time. You are all dismissed; await further orders."

Bowing in respect, they exited one by one.

"Now that I think about it. Michael didn't bow even once, did he?" Alice mumbled.

The first thing Michael did after his report was to rest the remainder of the day.

The next morning the crew gathered.

Leo, Amelia, and Enzo had reached the Early Expert realm thanks to his use of the Generals' corpses. Ava, meanwhile, had reached the Middle Expert realm, matching his cultivation, and Victoria had gotten one step closer to enlightenment, becoming Late Master.

"Now that you have slept upon your thoughts, I want you to train with one another, getting used to your new powers." Michael commanded.

It was clear to them that he didn't want to share or elaborate on his feelings, so they didn't pry.

"In the meantime… Amelia, can you come with me? I think I know a way to make you much stronger."

With an arched eyebrow, she nodded.

'I reached the Early Expert realm. How could I possibly become stronger?' She wondered, following him.

[Awaiting your orders.]

The mecha tiger bowed its head once it saw Michael approach.

"Even if you are powerful, I want to get you a few upgrades." He said boarding the creature.

[As you wish.]

Since the Lord had been nice enough to give him the option to upgrade his tiger, Michael intended to make full use of it.

"You came here as soon as you could, huh?" Grandmaster Riley fixed her glasses.

Usually such tasks were beneath her, but with it being the Lord's order, she had to comply.

"Yes, for the things I want to change—"

Not beating around the bush, he instantly began to name all of the things that needed to be replaced and improved.

"Wait."

At some point Riley stopped him.

"Making so many changes would be pointless. For these upgrades to function, they would need an influx of energy that the tiger's core can't generate. The only solution is to overcharge it, but you don't have the necessary battery for that."

With a faint smile, Michael pointed to Amelia, who seemed to have grasped why he wanted her to come.

"What are you talking about? We have a perfectly fine battery right here."

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