Chapter 6530 Saint Linda Cross

Chapter 6530 Saint Linda Cross

Ketis experienced an unexpected setback in her plan to guard against any hostile intent from the Heavensword.

She did not expect that the RA was so desperate to reinforce the contested star systems in the Upper Zones that it had compelled many second-class ace pilots to leave the second-class mech forces that they fought alongside with for many years.

If second-class ace pilots of this caliber possessed the power and the resources to pilot first-class ace mechs, yet refused to do so, it was usually because they were committed to defending their comrades.

This was an expression of true loyalty.

It was normally difficult for the mechers or other groups to persuade these stubborn and emotionally committed saints to leave their comrades and fight for a different cause.

Yet this time the RA succeeded.

The Red War had taken such a dire turn that the survival of red humanity came under increasing doubt.

Even if the saints were able to protect their comrades and loved ones on an individual battlefield, their victories became meaningless if the rest of human civilization was falling apart around them! The importance of defending the race and civilization that sheltered every red human surpassed the importance of more selfish goals!

As such, the RA's call to arms successfully persuaded a lot of second-class ace pilots to finally make the jump even if it meant that they could no longer fight alongside their familiar comrades.

The good news was that enough ace pilots, most of whom had managed to break through relatively recently, had decided to stay behind and watch over the second-class mech forces.

It was still sad to see so many other dependable champions depart.

While Ketis ultimately believed that the Red Association's desperation measure would ultimately benefit everyone, it did not help her case at the moment.

How could she protect against the Heavensword or at least deter it from making any shady moves?

Should she think about turning to the regional branch of the Red Association for help? That did not appeal to her. If the mechers were able to suppress the Heavensword, then they would feel tempted to capture the priceless grand work and claim it for themselves!

That was not what Ketis wanted!

She did not regard the Heavensword as an actual enemy. She merely worried about whether it would force changes upon herself.

Conflict should be avoided at all costs.

Although she would like to think the best of this ancient and revered sword relic, she could not help the feeling that her modern sensibilities may clash against the Heavensword's ancient values.

Ketis turned to another ace pilot.

"Patriarch Reginald? Now that the 77th Warborn Mech Division has been assigned to defend the Viola Magnifica System, you can lend a hand to us as well. Are you willing to cooperate?"

It initially came as a surprise to both the expeditionary fleet and the 77th Warborn that the two would converge in the same star system.

Ever since he founded the Warborn, General Ark Larkinson always tried his best to maintain a separation between his troops and the troops of the expeditionary fleet.

It would be much harder for him to establish his authority if the members of the Warborn repeatedly looked up to the notable individuals of the legendary expeditionary fleet.

A few years had gone by since then. Ark had already cemented his control over the Warborn. The strategists also forced him to take his mech division to Viola Magnifica due to being the single most important port system of the 4th defensive band in the Torald Middle Zone.

Although the arrival of the Warborn in Viola Magnifica initially led to a little friction between the two forces, they soon managed to get along fine, though not to the extent. that the two could seamlessly cooperate with each other.

The female ace pilot directed a friendly smile towards Ketis. "You shall have my protection when the time has come. I can make no guarantees as I do not understand the mysterious powers of this weapon, so make sure that you do not solely rely on my

defenses."

"Thank you, Saint Linda. I still remain hopeful that I am being overly paranoid. If the Heavensword agrees to respect my right to choose my own decisions, then it should not pose any threat. Your help will ultimately not be necessary. I merely want to guard against the possibility that it will force me to become its next Heavensword Saint." The more Ketis thought about the relic weapon's habit of transforming any swordmaster into an ace pilot that had become completely dependent on the extraordinary weapon,

the more frightened she became.

Would it employ the same method to establish a foothold in human society?

It was questionable whether Ketis could resist this transformation. Prior swordmasters had all volunteered to become the next Heavensword Saint. They

put up no resistance at all and willingly abandoned their old swordsmanship for the one imposed by the most powerful sword they knew. They also gained the right and responsibility to rule over an entire second-rate state.

Ketis had no desire to become a similar figurehead, so it became necessary for her to

plan for the worst.

Saint Linda's assistance combined with the help of other available Larkinson expert

pilots may barely be sufficient to put up a strong united front against the Heavensword. Now that Ketis and the ace pilots of the expeditionary fleet gained an understanding, they began to chat about other topics during this virtual meeting.

"It will ultimately be good for ace pilots such as us to separate from the expeditionary

fleet." Patriarch Reginald said. "The native aliens don't value the battlefields of the middle and lower zones all that much, so they always assign the more shameless and cowardly phase lords to these war theaters. They are not necessarily weak, but... it is becoming increasingly more difficult to force them into an honest fight. It is not without reason that the mechers want to move us. There are too many ace pilots in this star

system that we aren't giving the rank and file enough of a challenge anymore to feel

desperate and break through. Maybe that is why the rate of breakthroughs have

stagnated during the ongoing offensive."

That may very well be true!

There was a point in which the continued protection of an ace pilot ultimately did more

harm than good.

The members of the Golden Skull Alliance looked up to their established champions and protectors, so much so that they became too dependent.

As long as the enemy was unlikely to divert a lot of troops or strong phase lords to the

current battleground, it was fine for the regular troops to fight without so many of their powerful saints watching over their heads.

Only mech pilots who were willing to brave dangers without the expectation that they would be saved by others possessed the qualifications to break through.

Ketis knew that this may be one of the reasons why her husband Joshua continued to remain stuck at his current bottleneck.

It would ultimately be better for his development if he had to shoulder greater burdens.

Other Larkinson expert pilots were in the same position. When Ketis thought of the dramatic events that took place during the fight against the Emperor Tree, she knew that Joshua and his peers had not yet exhausted their potential. They just needed a powerful enough opportunity to trigger their second apotheosis.