Chapter : 601

"I want to do pyrotechnics!" Laxmi cheered loudly from the floor. She sat up fast. "I can shoot fireworks behind us while we dance! It would look incredibly cool!"

Olivia stared at Ken. Her jaw dropped open just a tiny fraction. She looked absolutely appalled. She could not believe the sheer, unfiltered stupidity of his suggestion.

"We are an elite military vanguard!" Olivia shouted strictly. She slammed the butt of her spear onto the floor. Clack. "We are not a traveling circus! We are not putting on a dance routine for aristocrats! This is a matter of life and death, you absolute fool!"

Ken slouched his shoulders. He pouted playfully. "You are just worried because you do not have rhythm, Olivia. Dancing is very hard. It requires a lot of cardio. I understand your fear. I hate cardio too."

Naomi burst into a bright, musical laugh. She walked over to Ken. She playfully smacked the back of his head. Her touch was completely gentle. "Stop making up silly anime plans, Ken. We are not starting an idol group."

Ken rubbed his head and grinned. "Fine. But we are missing out on a massive merchandise opportunity. T-shirts sell very well."

Princess Iris smiled a warm, graceful smile. She loved the chaotic, funny energy of her team. It kept her grounded. But she knew Olivia was right. They needed a serious plan.

"We will not sing," Princess Iris decided softly. Her violet eyes shone with firm resolve. "But we will play the political game. Sayma, I want a complete list of every neutral noble house in the capital. Find out what they value. Find out what they need."

"Right away, Princess," Sayma agreed. She started writing furiously in her notebook.

"We will attend their social galas," Princess Iris continued. "We will go to their charity events. We will speak with them directly. We will prove that the 13th Unit is not just a group of fighters. We are capable leaders. We will earn their trust through diplomacy and action."

Zinia cracked her knuckles. She offered a tough smile. "I guess I need to find a suit that actually fits my shoulders. I am going to rip my sleeves if I have to drink tea."

Ken let out a long, dramatic groan. He threw his head back and stared at the ceiling. He looked entirely miserable.

"This is the worst possible outcome," Ken whined lazily. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "Attending social galas means standing up for hours. It means making small talk about the weather. It means wearing uncomfortable shoes. I demand a massive plate of free desserts at every single party we attend. If there is no chocolate cake, I am walking home."

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"You will get your cake, slacker," Naomi smiled warmly. "Just try to keep your shirt tucked in for five minutes. We need to look like a top-tier faction."

"I am a top-tier snacker," Ken mumbled. He took another bite of his powdered donut.

The strategy room filled with a new, focused energy. The 13th Unit had a brand new mission. They were not fighting monsters today. They were stepping into the bright, dangerous world of high society. The political war had officially begun, and Ken was totally ready to eat his way through it.

l.

---

A bright green vine shot across the living room. It moved with incredible speed. It wrapped tightly around a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips. The vine yanked the bag backward. The bag flew through the air.

Ken Eliot sat on the sofa. He stared at his empty hands. He blinked his sleepy dark eyes.

"That is completely unacceptable," Ken stated loudly. He slouched his shoulders. "I was eating those chips. A plant just stole my snack. That is a massive crime. I demand my potato chips back right now."

Ken looked across the room. Risa sat on the large rug. The sweet pink-haired healer hugged her knees tightly to her chest. She looked incredibly scared. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks. She shook violently.

Something was entirely wrong with her magic.

Risa possessed very volatile nature magic. Usually, she could control it. She used it to grow beautiful flowers in the indoor garden. But right now, her emotions were completely out of control. She had a terrible nightmare last night. She felt incredibly anxious all morning. Her magic reacted to her deep panic.

Wild plants erupted from the wooden floorboards. Thick green vines crawled up the walls. Massive, strange flowers bloomed instantly. The flowers released a thick, yellowish mist into the air. Sharp thorns sprouted from the vines.

The entire living room was turning into a wild, toxic jungle.

Naomi rushed into the room. She wore simple dark pants and a gray shirt. Her bright red hair swished in a neat ponytail. She saw the creeping vines. She saw Risa crying on the floor. She immediately drew her twin silver daggers. The metal blades clicked sharply.

"Risa!" Naomi called out gently. She did not yell. She sounded very warm and caring. "It is okay! We are right here! Just take a deep breath!"

Naomi dashed forward. A thick vine whipped toward her. Naomi swung her dagger. She sliced the green vine perfectly in half.

The cut vine did not fall. It instantly grew two more vines in its place. The new vines lashed out like angry snakes.

"Slicing them does not work!" Naomi warned. She jumped backward to avoid the sharp thorns. She kept a protective stance. She wanted to keep her friends safe. She glanced back at Ken. She offered him a quick, reassuring smile. She wanted to make sure he was safe from the aggressive plants.

Laxmi ran into the living room. The fire user grinned a wild, excited grin. She punched her open palm. Bright orange flames popped around her fingers.

"I can fix this!" Laxmi cheered loudly. "Fire beats plants! It is a basic rule! I will roast these ugly weeds!"

Laxmi pulled her arm back. She prepared to throw a massive fireball at the creeping vines.

"Do not use fire!" Sayma ordered sharply.

Sayma walked quickly into the room. The intelligent Vice-Captain pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose. She held a glowing blue crystal. She analyzed the situation with pure logic.

"Laxmi, extinguish your flames immediately," Sayma instructed. She sounded very polite but extremely urgent. "Look at the large yellow flowers. They are releasing a concentrated pollen. If you introduce fire to that pollen, it will trigger a localized ecological explosion. You will blow up the entire estate."

Laxmi gasped. She quickly closed her hands. The orange flames vanished instantly. "An explosion? I like explosions, but I do not want to blow up our house."