Four days had passed since the announcement was made. Even though my Aegis specialty wasn't able to reach to where Ava was at, I knew that she had seen it. Kian mentioned that her strength almost surpassed him when they fought, which surprised me a bit.
"Hmm."
I was at my office in the military HQ, waiting for my three Pillars to arrive. As for Ivar, he was in no condition to do anything right then, so he stayed back.
"Ah. You guys finally come."
Mara and Yvonne burst into the office and quickly bowed. "We are so sorry!"
"It's fine. Mom understands anyway," said Kian who was the last one to step inside. "Am I right, Your Most Gracious?"
"Hahaha. Stop calling me that, Kian. You are my son after all, so it sounds weird."
"Is it? Oh, well. If you say so."
"Ugh," grumbled Yvonne. She straightened her posture and pointed at Kian. "I prefer the True Pillar than you. Big Sis Ava is more adorable."
Kian's eyes widened. "Of course my little sweet daughter is adorable. If I am in your place, I will choose Ava as well. Isn't that right, honey?"
Felicia's crystallized upper body sprouted out from his back and then smiled at him.
"She's not real. Get over it," said Yvonne.
"I know." Kian looked at her and chuckled. "If you have someone you love dearly, this kind of feeling often pokes at you time to time."
"I love Big Sis Ava," said Yvonne.
Mara nodded in agreement. Those red eyes of hers burned with passion, signifying the emotions she was feeling at that moment. Every time Ava got mentioned, those two would praise her to no end.
"Anyway, before we get into what action Neo Africa would take . . ." Kian moved over to my side and stared at Yvonne and Mara. "There's something on my mind lately."
"Oh." Yvonne's blue eyes flickered, seemingly curious about it.
"It has been a year now since Mongolia has been abandoned. I am thinking of just letting that region go. After all, the amount of money it would take to repair everything is just off the charts."
I nodded. "Losing Mongolia doesn't really affect our economy or anything. Let it be that way."
"Also . . . This A.V.A plan . . . It has been a year, and we are still maintaining it on three regions only," said Kian, somehow worried.
"Ah. I will expand the A.V.A plan to other regions as well, but only after we take over Neo Africa. After all, this first stage of the plan is only an experiment, to see whether it is actually applicable in reality, or not."
"That's why you have Alicia build 'that' weapon, huh?"
"Yes, my son. It took a year for her to complete it. I could launch an all-out attack at Neo Africa during the past year, but by having that weapon, our chances of overcoming Gheele's Aegis skyrockets."
"Indeed . . ." Kian caressed his forehead as he pondered about something.
"Kazakhstan and China," said Yvonne. "Those two regions who are at the border of Neo Africa will be crucial."
"Yes. Neo Africa will not approve of this alliance, so a military retaliation is to be expected. Kazakhstan and China would be the eastern front, where we could continuously pressure them from that side. Of course, Gheele is not foolish enough to march his troops all the way across to Russia if he wants to get to Sweden. It's illogical. I am sure he will be on the defensive for the entirety of the war," I said.
"Um . . . There is a possibility for him and his troops to march over to Europe through Bulgaria," said Mara. "Um! I'm sorry! I don't know what I'm saying."
Yvonne giggled. "Mar Mar! It's fine. I can see how the northern front will be in Bulgaria for a long while. Though, the main battlefield would be at the Atlantic Ocean."
"The western front of this war," said Kian. "Mom, I propose that Alexander is deployed there. His Aegis's specialty can do some remarkable things if he's at the sea."
"Hmm . . . Aside from those three war fronts, I'm sure Finland, with all its worth, will be a warzone. Kian, can you hold the frontline at the border of Sweden by yourself? Those Lutalo members might be gearing up to lead those despicable coups," I said.
"I might need some of Yvonne's clones. Oh, throw in Relly too. His plasma can be of use," proposed Kian.
"Alright."
"Um . . . How about the girl, Julia?" said Mara. "She is the only one remaining of Melker's Aegis squad that we have in possession."
"She will help in the northern front. Oh, I also have a task for you, Mara."
"Hm?" She looked at me with wide eyes. "Please tell me it's about Big Sis Ava."
I smiled. "It is. Your task is to kill everyone around Ava."
Mara gasped. "I can do that?! Alright! Big Sis Ava. Wait for me!"
"Not now of course . . ." I sighed. "It's strange, really. I was foolish to think that Ava will just sit tight and do nothing, even when everything I have done is for my family's sake."
"Will I have to . . . Hurt her as well?" said Mara with a worried expression.
"No. But if she retaliates, you have my permission to paralyze her."
"Ah . . . Alright. I will save you from those people, Big Sis Ava."
Kian chuckled. "Stop calling her that. Because of you two, I called her Big Sis a few times back then."
"Hmm." Yvonne narrowed her eyes at him. "She is also directly related to Amathelia, the same as you. We call her that because it fits her."
"Oh? Then, call me Big Bro."
"No. Ava is more adorable."
"How did it turned out to be this kind of contest anyway?" Kian sighed.
"Kian," I called. "This time, please go all-out."
He caressed his forehead at my request. "I want to. I will. But, Ava's safety is more important. She is my daughter. If there's a chance that Mara can get Ava out of the way, sure, I can do that."
"It pains me to see Ava with such deranged people. By getting rid of them, she will become free. I notice that she has a very strong connection with that User who has the Banishing specialty. Killing him alone would probably suffice."
"After that, she will have no one to turn to but us," said Yvonne. "This method is significantly better than forcing her to come with us. After all, if we do the latter, she can let loose on anyone that she doesn't like."
"Indeed," I said. "Then, we shall bear witness to this war. When everything is over, Ava will certainly come to us with her own volition."