"You're of no use. That's a battlefield of blood and flesh, not a place where a coward who relies solely on high-tech to bully primitives can survive. Without your armor, you're incapable of any combat." Kaecilius didn't even look back, his tone dripping with contempt. He had reviewed Stark's past exploits—most of them were against the Taliban in Afghanistan, bullying extremist groups that didn't even have an air force. This kind of asymmetric warfare filled Kaecilius with scorn. Even though Stark repeatedly tried to explain that this was the shape of future wars, the arcane sorcerer simply refused to listen. In his view, an unwillingness to engage enemies at close quarters was nothing but a lack of courage. "Get ready. Someone will be bringing you your shield soon," Kaecilius said, glancing at the silent Steve Rogers. "While you're indulging in your childish superhero ideals, the truly innocent are still suffering. At least those girls are cleaner than the American soldiers who've been to the Afghan battlefield, wouldn't you agree?"
"Hey! I just need a shower!" Tony Stark grumbled in protest.
The sound of steel clashing began to overpower the hum of the reactor cooling pipes—and Stark's complaints. These heavy, synchronized footsteps belonged to the Sisterhood, their steel heels striking the grated floor as they marched silently onto the helipad, each equipped with her own weapons. The assault squads bore steel wings, chainsaw swords, and explosive pistols. Asgardian force field technology enabled certain sword-wielding Sisterhood members to wield even more dangerous power swords. The heavy weapons teams carried large explosive cannons and flamethrowers, with energy packs and necessary combat munitions and fuel strapped to their backs.
The offensive force didn't end there. In addition to the assault transports from this carrier, two tanks would be dropping in alongside them, and three airborne carriers would coordinate with the Sisterhood's battle plans, striking simultaneously at different locations to completely eradicate the newly formed human trafficking organization—currently the only stable source of new recruits for the Sisterhood and the City of Immortality. Though this method had grown increasingly unstable due to ongoing suppression, the Sisterhood's command believed their Monarch would lead them toward a new path. And indeed, he had decided to focus on collecting orphans from the battlefield to train, further raising the professional standards of the Sisterhood.
The organization of the Sisterhood had always been a key topic of discussion between Tita and Stephanie.
In both their envisioned future and the reality they now faced, the number of Sisterhood members was ever-increasing. Even now, there were members dedicated solely to clerical roles. Though these clerks could still wield explosive guns and chainsaw swords, they weren't professional fighters, and could only perform tasks like medical care and administration. These personnel needed to be separated in terms of roles and functions from the existing military structure and grouped into a dedicated clerical division to help the Monarch better control the administrative system.
Tita planned to first build a complete framework, and then gradually fill it with personnel.
Clerical staff would be categorized by their roles, while combat divisions would be organized according to tactical orientation and weapon preference. This would make both command and management more efficient, requiring only a few divisional commanders to handle operations. However, Tita encountered unprecedented difficulties when it came to naming and designing emblems for these divisions. The Sisterhood's emblem had always been derived from the Umbra Witches—specifically the family crests of Bayonetta and Jeanne, symbolized by the rose and the lily. Following that logic, Tita had spent all her rest time trying and failing to design branch emblems based on functions. She now regretted not having studied heraldry more seriously back then, and was considering whether to bring it up with Stephanie and find an expert designer to help. Tita was certain the Monarch had created her in an ideal image, and she didn't want him to know that she couldn't even come up with a proper emblem.
Thus, when she carried out this long-term mission, her armor's style and patterns remained unchanged from before.
"Sisters!" She stood on the helipad, her steel heels planted on the scorched remnants left by the burning wreckage of a Quinjet and the dark bloodstains that had seeped into the concrete, impossible to clean. Steve Rogers, holding his shield, stood in the shadows cast by the lights, watching her address the Sisterhood members of the Retribution. "I don't need to say much. You all know how important this mission is. Some of you were saved through missions just like this."
Tita drew the longsword from her waist, presenting the weapon forged personally by Solomon. Most of the girls had only seen this sword twice—once during their official oath ceremony, and once during their induction prayers as reserves. Many still vividly remembered those moments. They would never forget the smell of disinfectant and body wash on themselves after being pulled from hell, nor the overwhelming honor they felt donning power armor, nor the fury ready to be unleashed upon their enemies.
"We are the voice of the Monarch's will—his sword and hammer! Today, the weapons we wield will be filled with his wrath!"
Steve Rogers furrowed his brow.
"I thought we'd ended war forever. At least, that's what the soldiers I fought beside believed back then," he said. "We never fought so that girls not even twenty would be sent to the front lines."
"People said that during the First World War too. 'The war to end all wars,' 'the war to end the old age'—these ideas have been proposed more than once." Kaecilius shook his head in disdain. "Mortals always trample on humanity for a bit of petty gain. I remember Solomon told you more than once why this place became what it is—not that I'm blaming him. He simply didn't understand. Not everyone has the wisdom to comprehend the world, and not everyone is as rational as he is."
"You had him start killing when he was twelve!" Rogers finally seized the opportunity to point out what he saw as the most direct cause of Solomon's current state. In his eyes, Kaecilius bore significant responsibility.
"That was his mission and his duty. In both bloodline and legitimacy, Solomon is supremely noble. He is Earth's future sovereign. His status meant that his mentors could not use gentleness to educate him. When he acquired power, he had to shoulder responsibility. Rights and obligations. You can't imagine how heavy Solomon's childhood curriculum was—science, magic, art—he had to study them all. No toys, no playmates, only endless learning and training. Yet he never once complained. Those who wish to wear the crown must bear its weight. It was this education that gave Solomon the psychological strength to face the future. Can you really imagine some headphone-wearing, hoodie-sporting, weed-smoking street punk taking on this responsibility? Compared to someone like that, wouldn't you trust a wise man wielding a sword and a scroll more?"
"You treat people as tools."
"Yes. That's a fact. Even Solomon views himself as a tool," Kaecilius said softly. "Perhaps Stark still doesn't understand why we despise him so much, but I believe you can. You are tainting this sacrifice with your manipulated freedom and human rights. You're tainting the free will the Supreme Sorcerer fought so hard for. I'm merely showing you the truth of the world, and already you can hardly bear this sacrifice."
"Then why don't you just rule humanity directly? Why aren't the missions given to the demikind this brutal?" Rogers asked. "I never imagined the world would become like this..."
"Because that's not our task. Someone will do it, but that person will not belong to you." Kaecilius smiled. "The missions for the demikind are entirely different from this one. I won't explain the difference to you. I've already told you this will be your last chance. If this mission still can't change your mind, I will invite you—and those agents—to seek revenge against me. Right here."
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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