[Secret Technique: Professional Secret Technique—Thousand Blades Symphony, Infinite Armament Forge Domain, Comprehensive Secret Technique—Treasure Weapon Trial, War Goddess]

[Skills: Blade Master [Weapon Manipulation, Weapon Analysis, Armed Structure, Weapon Storage], Selected Treasure Weapons Armory [Eternal Reverse, Crimson Lotus Destruction, Power of Evil Spirit Destruction], Racial Bloodline [Demonized Blood, Metal Affinity]]

[Combat Power Amplification: 77%] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Although he was mentally prepared, upon observing her specific strength through the system, Li Ang couldn’t help but sigh to himself.

Elaphia asked, "The things you experienced, are they related to your plans to restart your journey?"

"Something like that."

Now, if the World’s Female Lead’s power is to be brought into the team, certain challenges must be faced.

"Hmm, as long as it’s just that, I feel relieved."

Li Ang smiled, "Do you, like Lanslow, worry that my motives for forming a team are impure?"

"No," the young girl said decisively, "From what I know about you, you’re not the type to play house, so the answer is basically that you’re planning to rise again, and it just happens to involve this matter."

She crossed her arms, "I’m mainly curious about your state after leaving The Soul Apex."

Li Ang didn’t respond to her words.

"After being kicked out, you showed no reaction, acting too much like a good-natured person."

"Am I a good-natured person? Hmm, some have said that about me."

Elaphia chuckled lightly, "During our past battles in the Ancient Battlefield, your decisiveness was like iron. When killing enemies and assigning tasks, there wasn’t a trace of softness.

"For someone like you to not seize control of the team and allow yourself to be kicked out is something most people can’t understand. Don’t pretend you can’t achieve it."

"Ah, well," Li Ang scratched his head, "There was a chance from the start if I had set it up, but I just didn’t want to."

"In others’ eyes, you may seem harmless. Lanslow has a childlike camaraderie, and that noble lady beside you is probably captivated, hoping to offer herself to you tonight, right? But I’m different."

"You are a member of the Knight Resolution Council, wielding world power, a revered Holy Knight, managing the safety of large Aerial Realms as the Order Commander, and you yourself are a powerhouse approaching the Legendary. How can it be the same?"

Elaphia’s cheeks flushed slightly at Li Ang’s praise: "Flattery won’t make me lose my head and forget the original topic.

"I find it strange that you accepted being kicked out so readily. In our past cooperative endeavors, your desire to achieve merits for The Soul Apex was no illusion."

"The goal was achieved," Li Ang shrugged.

"And just like that, you left? Isn’t that the time to choose and retire, so why form a team again? Even that delicate girl over there who doesn’t do any menial work you’ve brought along. Hmm, she indeed has a unique magic rhythm, but you’re not one to pick randomly. You know many in the Excellence Realm personally, and you could recruit those with solitary talents, so why choose her, and even a Little Swordsman elsewhere?"

"I do know some extraordinary people, but I prefer those who are highly efficient, cool-headed, and stable, uh..."

Li Ang talked himself into a corner.

"Even though those people are oddballs, the effort involved with them is less than raising a team from scratch. By doing this, you indicate you want the team fully under your control, right?"

Li Ang offered no reply.

Elaphia moved slightly closer, her doll-like face inching near.

"It’s that feeling—when you don’t talk, it’s as if you’re plotting in your mind how to take someone down."

"You’re making me sound like some kind of homicidal maniac."

"I’m guessing you might have had enough of The Soul Apex from the start, so by accepting being kicked out so cleanly, are you psychologically convincing yourself to eliminate them?"

Li Ang was dumbfounded and shook his head in silence.

The blonde girl’s lips moved, and she extended her small hand to place it on Li Ang’s head.

"Being forced out of the team wasn’t your fault."

She gently comforted, "Honing your Professional Skills to an unreachably high level for others, yet being subject to bias because of your unique Profession, isn’t your fault either.

"Like you, I know the efforts made to reach our current stages of practice, and we are proud of them. Simply gleaning from your gaze, I understand.

"I don’t want to stand opposed to you. Team personnel changes frequently in Nebis, and if you choose revenge with brutally excessive methods, I would have to confront you from my position.

"Just asked Lanslow, about the bank thing—are you heading to the Holy City soon?"

"Not for now."

"Then, whenever you go next, know that the bank will have lifted its restrictions and will offer compensation, as I’ve said."

"Thanks."

"If you’re feeling too gloomy, talk to me more often."

Elaphia extended a hand again, lightly hugging Li Ang, then pulled back.

Realizing what she’d done, she slightly turned her blushing cheeks away.

"R-revenge, I’m personally supportive of it, but don’t get too deep into it."

Li Ang smiled, "I understand."

The young girl turned her back: "My bloodline and Profession Power—many think they’re unrivaled across the expanse, but that’s just hype. The importance of team tactics vastly exceeds individual strength, yet in team battles, I can’t leverage synergy for greater impact, that’s inherent in my power’s nature."

"In all these years, I’ve only ever worked well with one person, and that’s you, this Tier Nine Curse Master whom others may disregard, but for me, you’re highly valued."

...

Off to the side, Lanslow, sneaking a peek, had his mouth gaping larger than a howling monkey’s.

Dorothy, biting her lip, clicked her tongue in discontent many times.