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"I know I should talk about this with everyone else, but I wanted to tell you first, because you're their leader, and the one they really follow and admire." Cattalina explained. "My daughter in specific, finds much more comfort on you than she could ever do so with me… Well, it makes sense, as we've only meet each other this year but…"

"I understand." I interrupted her. "It's natural, yes, but she still loves you a lot, you're her mother after all… But anyways, what did you needed to tell me so secretly?"

"One of the advantages of my Dream Magic is that it is unpredictable and comes with many spells and abilities nobody could see or predict." Cattalina answered. "One of such abilities, which nobody of you knew about, is called Clairvoyance Dream Eye. It allows me to watch through the dream realms that appear in other areas. By extending my Mana like tendrils and connecting with those Dream Realms, I can see through them, and therefore, spy on several different areas."

"T-That's a thing, huh?" I wondered.

Not even in the Dream Magic I knew about back in my previous life there was such a Spell. Cattalina is a true genius of this element, that's for sure…

"I know that you've sent some surveillance familiars but they haven't gotten past the huge barrier above, but I did. And what I saw was…" Cattalina's eyebrows furrowed. "The Demon Overlord is much, much stronger than just an evolved Demon Lord… The presence I felt from within that castle, the demonic aura that instantly detected my eyes and destroyed them with his mere bloodlust…"

"Wait, don't tell me…" I wondered.

"Indeed. I know you've fought one of them before but this… I am sure of it, that Demon Overlord is an Archdemon Vessel, most likely of the Archdemon that has been behind this the most, Satan, the Archdemon of Wrath!" Cattalina revealed the big thing.

Yet…

"Oh, I was already half-guessing it, but looks like I was right." I smiled.

"E-Eh? You're not… surprised? The one you fought might had been a very weakened version, but this is a Demon Overlord Vessel, it is completely different! I was thinking that… perhaps we should retreat. Not even with my full power could I take on a Demon Overlord. Maybe a fighter-type, or a strong tank and magic knight, but sadly my magic doesn't specialize much on dealing damage, and it is mostly of utility and support." She sighed. "We've done more than enough, Blake. I told you this secretly because I wanted you to take this decision, so your friends don't feel disappointed or… grow to hate me because I ordered them to retreat."

"Sorry, but even knowing that, we cannot go back." I said. "I've promised Monica, and I won't go back on my promises." 

"W-What? But Blake! It is not something none of us can truly take on!" Said Cattalina. "And that coupled with fifty thousand demons… As long as we go back and tell Hasan, he could probably assemble an army with more Elite Spirit master's and Church High Priests so we can realistically have a chance to win!"

"We have one right now." I answered. "Haven't you seen what we've been able to do? Those foes that would had taken years to defeat and track down, gone in two days. Three cities saved in three days, Cattalina, not even you could had done this, right? Are you still doubting what we're capable of? What your daughter is capable of?"

"But…" Cattalina sighed, still with doubts. "I just don't want all of you, with such bright futures, to die a meaningless death…"

"If things become so worse as if death is certain, I'll be the first one to tell everyone to retreat, and I'll use everything I can so everyone survives, even if I have to sacrifice my own life." I said, my eyes glowing brightly, staring right at her own. "I will never abandon my precious comrades, nor I will let them die as long as I am alive… I won't commit the same mistake I once did…"

"The same… mistake?" She wondered.

"No, never mind that." I laughed. "Cattalina, you're free to try to convince everyone else, but they have already resolved on fighting to the end. With your magic, their survivability will be most likely assured, and your spells are the pillars of my strategies. I'll need your strength; we need you with us."

"…" Cattalina sighed, blushing a bit as I asked for her help. "Boy, you're too good with words. I can tell why my daughter is head over heels for you. Maybe if we would had meet when I was much younger, I wouldn't had been so different from how Erika feels about you…"

"So?" I asked her again. "Let's defeat the Archdemon's Vessel together, mother-in-law."

"M-Mother-in-law?!" Cattalina suddenly blushed, laughing. "Hahaha! Oh my, saying something so bold… Honestly speaking, I was ready to force all of you to sleep and escape the moment you tried to argue against me but… I was somehow convinced, you've got something, a spark that makes you very similar to someone like Hero Dylan. Your words, although simple, can move people's hearts. Alright, fine! I feel like I simply can't change your mind. I'll help. But…"

"But?" I asked.

"If things become too dangerous, I won't hesitate to escape with all of you alive." She said with a rather threatening aura. "And then, you'll take responsibility for the failure of this mission, got it?"

"…Yes." I nodded. "I understand, that's a perfectly fine response if push comes to shove, mother-in-law. Now, let's go, we've got a whole strategy to plan. Let's tell everyone about what I have planned. We'll be using a lot of items I've prepared, and everyone's magic will take an important role. Especially tour magic."

"Your powers are rather unique, and are… much more than just summoning, you're filled with powers and surprises." She sighed. "I do wonder, does that power you have to "Fuse" and "Create" things has something to do with this strategy?"

"Indeed." I smiled. "Now, let's go…"

While having a feast to fill everyone's stomachs and give them all the energy they needed, I shared my strategy, and slowly modified it thanks to everyone's advice.

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