-1493- Recruit a new member?

The heavy atmosphere in the Sky Wizards Head's office had unknowingly spread throughout the room.

Freon, Rozen, Chloe, and Yuri were all shocked by the truth that Rozen had revealed, forcing them to take it seriously.

"Are you serious?"

Freon spoke with an extremely grim expression.

"Elis Wiegert and the Academy Chief Executive are both humanoid Armored Beetles, and even the current Chairman of the Council is a humanoid Armored Beetle. There are numerous other humanoid Armored Beetles infiltrating human society. This isn't a joke."

Can this be a joke?

This is absolutely a matter that could overturn human society, concerning the future, and even the very survival of humanity.

Humans are not only being attacked by external Armored Beetles, but there are also humanoid Armored Beetles disguised as humans, gaining status and power among them. This is an internal and external crisis, like a nightmare.

Unfortunately, it's all true.

"You all saw Real Nua's situation; he indeed transformed into a humanoid Armored Beetle. In that case, is it strange for there to be others in the Armored Beetle race who have mutated into humanoid forms with high intelligence?"

Rozen pointed out calmly.

"Moreover, this round of the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival is full of suspicious points. The so-called 'truth of the world's creation' is still unknown. The Pope's personal audience with the winning team is also strange. Adding the fact that Zeth contacted me at this time and caused such a big commotion, each situation is telling us that something unknown to us is unfolding in the shadows, and it's something extraordinary, concerning the life and death of humanity."

When you think about it all together, maybe there's truly some terrifying secret hidden here that the world is yet unaware of.

The existence of humanoid Armored Beetles is one such secret.

"This is really..."

"This is big trouble..."

Kanata and Chloe had no doubts and believed Rozen, showing unprecedentedly serious expressions.

"Humanoid Armored Beetles..."

Yuri had also lost her excitement and was now filled with worry.

"..."

Freon was completely silent.

Knowing such a truth would be unsettling for anyone.

After all, this is truly a major matter and quite a dire situation.

Not to mention...

"Zeth has already sent me an invitation. I've accepted it and responded in kind. Considering all the issues, I must visit Vebel."

Rozen methodically explained.

"That's why I decided to return to the S128 Special Task Force, to participate in this suspicious competition, and personally experience this unexpected vortex."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded heavily in agreement.

"If that's the case, we can't just sit back and do nothing."

Chloe seriously agreed.

"You're a hero, after all. How could you not go?"

Kanata deliberately spoke in a light tone.

"Yes, if all this is true, it would definitely be a major crisis for humanity. With your abilities, Senpai, you must go in person to expose the enemy's schemes."

Yuri was even more admiring.

The members of the S128 Special Task Force unanimously chose to follow Rozen.

After all, this is a responsibility they cannot shirk, right?

"In conclusion, I hope you can make the S128 Special Task Force the representative team of Mistgun and send them to compete in Vebel."

Rozen looked at Freon, making this request.

Freon naturally had no reason to refuse.

"Although if I directly make you the representative team, other teams that also want to participate in the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival might not accept it. But if you're willing to return, they won't have any objections, will they?"

Joking aside, even if people don't know about Rozen's past achievements, after witnessing his ability to shoot down a Variant of Shinjuku [2] with a single arrow, and his command skills on the battlefield, no one would oppose the S128 Special Task Force becoming Mistgun's representative team once Rozen decides to return.

No one would have any objections.

"But, are you sure you're okay with this?"

Freon met Rozen's gaze and asked.

"What about your research?"

Even though the situation in Vebel is serious, Rozen's research is also crucial to humanity, and Freon had to ask.

"It's fine. As I mentioned earlier, the research has entered its final phase. Now it's just about observation and adjustment. Even if I'm not there, I can still manage through communication crystals and other arrangements."

Rozen indicated that he had everything planned out.

"Do you need me to send someone over to guard the place? Just in case the previous attack happens again?"

Freon suggested.

"No, it's not necessary. I've put security measures in place. No one can touch that place."

Rozen shook his head.

He planned to leave Artoria behind to guard the mana reactor and even protect Mistgun's safety.

With Artoria there, there was no need to worry about any unexpected situations.

"Understood." Freon complied with Rozen's arrangements, but she then asked, "Are you planning to compete with your current lineup?"

Freon had to ask this question.

"The regular number for a team is 3 to 5 members. While three people can form a team, the full capacity is five. This time, the Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival allows one substitute member. Considering how turbulent this situation is, if you want to wade into these waters, wouldn't it be insufficient to compete with only four members?"

Freon spoke in this manner.

Even though the S128 Special Task Force is already strong with just four members, this Sky Wizards Martial Arts Festival is a particularly dangerous situation. If Rozen and the others want to get involved, it's necessary to make the best possible preparations.

For example...

"Why not recruit one more team member?"

Freon suggested.

This wasn't the first time Freon brought up this issue.

Because the S128 Special Task Force had already reached the peak of Mistgun but was still not fully staffed, many people had tried to join the team.

Considering that adding more members to the S128 Special Task Force could make it stronger and better complete tasks, Freon had previously suggested recruiting new members for the team, even introducing several outstanding candidates.

But in the end, all these people were turned away.

The reason was simple.

"Anyone who joins becomes a member of the Special Task Force right away. It's not so easy to let a newcomer reach the top," Rozen said without hesitation. "Back when we were still an A-rank team, Yuri put in a lot of effort to get in. Those who just want to hop on a big ship, no matter how good you introduce them, I won't let them join."

That's the way it was.

"Well, this is what they call 'better few than many.'"

"In this regard, I share the same opinion as Rozen, so I haven't recruited any new members either."

Kanata and Chloe nodded in agreement.

Even Yuri recalled the many challenges she had faced to join the S128 Task Force and couldn't help but show a nostalgic expression.

But this time, it's a significant matter, and preparing the best possible combat power is essential.

As the Sky Wizards Chief, Freon wanted to support the S128 Special Task Force in her own way.

So...

"Now isn't the time for a newcomer to join, but you can recruit someone from the powerful teams."

Freon pulled out a piece of information from a pile beside her.

"For example, you could take her with you."

Hearing Freon's words, Rozen and the others instinctively looked at the information.

"Her?"

The next moment, Kanata, Chloe, and Yuri were all stunned.

Even Rozen raised an eyebrow before smiling with interest.