𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 ♥︎

Chapter 75: Assassination Quota

Ever since the day Counters and Eden found themselves against the common foe of Nihilister, an alliance of sorts had been discovered. Both groups were determined to take down the Heretic no matter the price.

Though, Counters had to be stopped short. Three arduous weeks of testing, simulations, and preparations were set in their way. And no matter how annoying it may have seemed to them, it had to be done in order to prove themselves worthy for the operation.

All tests were led by Cecil under Dorothy's supervision. The pink-haired Pilgrim had managed to observe their behaviors, tells, and strengths. She came to a verdict at the end of the three-week period.

They were...

"It is by far the weirdest squad I have come across. Both Y/n, Rapi, and Abel are capable of dominating in their own fields, but the rest lack behind in both strength and reserve."

Dorothy tapped her fingers on the metallic table in the briefing room, leaning her head down on her fist as she waited for Cecil to finish her report. It was late into the night, and she wished to be asleep.

"Rapi acts more like a commander than Y/n does, which is inefficient at times." The white-haired researcher continued, picking up and slamming down folders of data on the table. "Anis and Neon are able to assist when it comes to dealing with large amounts of Raptures, but don't end up contributing as much when a colossal threat emerges - such as a Tyrant."

"Interesting." Johan commented, his arms folded beneath his chest as he sat on the side of the table. "So it's opposite day, but in squad form?"

"To an extent, you're not wrong."

Cecil picked up a dossier and opened it up, revealing the contents inside. Lines upon lines of data, pictures, and self-made reports. "We decided to humor the idea of Y/n and put them against a Blacksmith to see how they would fare."

"And the result? Both impressive and disappointing at the same time." She sighed and sorted through everything. "Rapi gave off great leadership whilst also remaining detrimental to the operation. Y/n and Abel were brutish in their ways of defeating it melee, but it would seem that is their specialty."

"Neon and Anis could only deal with Raptures rushing in to help, however. The team has a dwindling power dynamic which only serves to weaken them if the situation calls for it."

"..." Johan remained silent as he listened to her explanation. He had his eyes closed, silently mumbling to himself so nobody could hear. "Pathetic."

"Remind you of something, Johan?" Cecil leaned forward over the table and cupped her cheeks with her hands as she stared into the elder commander's face. "If my memory serves me correct, then..."

"Anis and Neon are similar to Noah when she first joined Inherit." Johan finished the sentence for her, unfolding his arms and leaning forward. "That being said, it was only when she was incorporating herself into the squad. Those two have been together for who knows how long, and they still lack so mu-"

"Johan."

Cecil brought up her hand and quickly used her index finger to hush him. While taken by slight surprise, Johan chose to cease talking and hear out whatever she had to say.

"Noah has her gimmick." She reminded him. "She's a shield. A defender. She protects the squad from incoming attacks and absorbs them using her shields."

"..."

"Don't you think she's similar to them?" She tilted her head. "Anis and Neon assist their squad by dealing with the lesser threats with greater numbers, leaving their strongest to take care of the boss."