MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1134: Military Base
Previously on MIGHT AS WELL BE OP...
Responding to Mitchelle’s words, Michael nodded in agreement. "We will compensate them to the best of our ability," he stated, his voice calm and steady, imbued with a quiet confidence.
While he spoke of compensation, Michael knew the word barely scratched the surface of what he and his wife intended to bestow upon those who had served them faithfully for years. As Apexus Mana Rankers, their wealth was immeasurable, their resources far exceeding the dreams of ordinary individuals.
The maids and butlers residing at the Null Estate were categorized at the Mortal Rank (F to SSS). A single gift from Mitchelle to any one of them would be akin to a miracle, a blessing capable of fundamentally altering the course of their lives.
"What about our family's treasure vault?" Collins inquired, his tone thoughtful. "How many of its contents will hold value in the Upper Galaxies?"
He reasoned that offering these items as gifts to the current Planetary-level guards of the Null Estate would be far more sensible than ascending with them, only for the artifacts to be deemed 'trash' tier items from a Lower Galaxy, likely losing all significance in higher realms.
"That is a sensible approach," Mitchelle conceded. While not all items would be given away, the plan was to retain only the supreme-tier artifacts and distribute the rest judiciously, ensuring nothing of true value was squandered or mishandled.
Their plans were solidifying, answers aligning with every question, each concept building upon the last. However, a new question emerged, seemingly insurmountable, and it was Irene who articulated it.
"It appears you are all overlooking something," Irene remarked calmly, a slight smile gracing her lips as she observed Mitchelle, Collins, and Michael strategizing how to inform various individuals. They couldn't simply disappear without explanation or leave matters unresolved.
Irene’s words prompted everyone to pause and reflect, searching their minds for anything they might have missed amidst their meticulous planning.
Seeing their struggle to find an answer, Irene sighed before speaking again. "The three of you seem to forget your status as Supreme Monarchs. If you depart, who will oversee your Military Bases?" she asked, her voice firm and direct.
Her question struck Mitchelle, Michael, and Collins silent, their thoughts instantly returning to their respective Military Bases: Alpha-9, Alpha-8, and Alpha-7. A profound uncertainty washed over them as they considered the implications of their departure.
Anthony’s mind drifted to Warlord Raelith, Warlord Brontaga, and the Elf Warlord. He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head; he wasn't particularly close to any of them.
Mitchelle, Collins, and Michael exchanged troubled glances, unsure how to tackle this predicament. While suggesting the relocation of soldiers from one base to another, perhaps to Military Base Alpha-3, seemed simple on the surface, the reality was far more complex, involving intricate logistics, established hierarchies, resource allocation, and overall stability.
When Anthony had dealt with the Second Supreme Monarch, the situation had been straightforward, with the Soulpen Sovereign assuming command of Military Base Alpha-2. Now, however, there were no available Supreme Monarchs to take over, creating a significant void in authority, control, and power.
'It seems the connection I intended for Tiara and Bryan will no longer work,' Anthony mused internally. He had planned for them to join Military Base Alpha-9, where his mother served as the Supreme Monarch. This new development, however, effectively closed that path, forcing him to re-evaluate his intentions.
After a moment's consideration, Anthony decided to send them to the First Supreme Monarch. Though it appeared this individual had not yet emerged from seclusion, still engrossed in the immense knowledge Aaaninja had imparted on Time—knowledge so vast that only individuals like Anthony could comprehend it across the Acarnis Galaxy—the option remained.
'I will send them to Military Base Alpha-1 then,' Anthony resolved, planning to confer with the First Supreme Monarch regarding this matter.
"Sigh... I can't come up with anything this time," Mitchelle admitted, shaking her head with evident frustration.
"Me neither," Michael responded, feeling a growing headache from the effort of devising a workable solution.
"It seems we lack the necessary ruthlessness," Collins observed calmly, his words carrying a weightier implication.
At his pronouncement, a collective smile spread as the meaning behind his words became clear. A more selfish individual might have simply ascended, severing all ties with the Military Base and its associated establishment. Should the Demon Monarchs seize the opportunity presented by the Supreme Monarch's absence, such a person would not hesitate or even acknowledge the potential demise of their soldiers, as their focus would be entirely on reaching the Upper Galaxies, unburdened by the aftermath.
The Null family possessed the means to adopt such an approach. However, their very nature was defined by their unwavering loyalty to their soldiers – men who valiantly battled the galaxy's malevolent forces daily. This profound loyalty was not a commodity to be casually discarded without consideration or regret.
"It appears this ascension is far more demanding than initially anticipated; a considerable amount of work remains before our departure," Michael remarked, a weary sigh escaping him as he shook his head, the weight of their current predicament clearly evident.
Anthony and Irene, by contrast, exhibited the most relaxed demeanor, as they were entirely unburdened by any administrative duties. Having no dominion over any entity, they faced no need for farewell ceremonies, the distribution of final gifts, or the conclusion of outstanding responsibilities prior to their departure, leaving them free from such entanglements.
Suddenly recalling something, Anthony's sky-blue eyes shifted towards Irene as he spoke. "Grandma, if my memory serves me right, you used to heal people in exchange for favors rather than Mana Crystals or similar currency. Wouldn't this be the opportune moment to collect on all those accumulated favors? You could gather a multitude of items, such as Sap of Vitality, a Branch from the Elf World Tree, and various other valuable resources that would retain their utility in the Upper Galaxies, even if their impact is subtle," he articulated calmly, reminding Irene of her own set of obligations and potential gains.
Irene paused in her seated position, a distinct spark igniting within her eyes as the realization struck her – she was owed hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of favors spanning many years. This was indeed the perfect juncture to claim them all, precisely as her grandson had suggested, leveraging the foundations she had meticulously built.
"It seems I have my own workload lined up," Irene stated placidly, genuinely anticipating the act of cashing in all those favors. After all, her days usually consisted of little more than spending time with her husband. Now, however, while Collins was occupied with critical matters, she too would be actively engaged, her time and efforts finally channeled towards a goal of tangible significance.
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