"What do you mean you can't send more reinforcements?" Irene Nial slapped the desk and glared at the seven holograms in front of her.
"And to even call those tiny help as reinforcements, are you treating me as a fool?"
The Sovereigns looked at her in silence. They could understand her anger, but the situation wasn't in their favor either.
Sovereign Vianne sighed lightly. "If our deployments are weaker, then we risk losing our planetoids to Abyssals.
We sent the best help we can. Neptune is already taking off most of our reinforcements, we can't do the same for Uranus."
"Don't play dumb. They're just trying to hold the army down. They won't start an all our war." Irene gnashed her teeth.
"Maybe." Sovereign Vianne muttered softly and raised her voice. "But what if they do? Will you be responsible?"
Irene Nial clenched her fist. "Don't you understand? If Uranus' planetoids fall, then cluster cities are next. If cluster cities are gone, then Neptune will be cut—"
"Hold it there." Sovereign Kreo said, rubbing his beard. "While the chances of planetoids losing out are high, they won't be able to win the cluster cities.
For one, the cluster cities are incredibly defensive and two…"
Kreo's voice turned lower. "The losses they face to conquer the planetoids will render them useless for any significant war. Perhaps they'll be useless for a decade. During that time, we can surely get—"
"Y-You!" Sovereign Irene glared at Kreo. "Even if you send me reinforcements, you will lose a few planetoids at most.
Can't you see the situation? Uranus will lose ALL planetoids!"
"…"
"What if we send you reinforcements and they use Sequoias on our planets instead?
You do realize we aren't the only ones with teleportation capability, right?" Sovereign Julius asked lightly.
His words caused everyone to freeze. Indeed, Abyssals could also teleport from one abyss to another.
So, what if their target wasn't Uranus at all? What if it was Earth or Mercury? If they send the reinforcements and weaken their defense, then they'd be utterly helpless against the Sequoias.
"I agree with Sovereign Kreo's words." Sovereign Vianne nodded. "We still don't know for sure if the Abyssals will win.
But even if they do, their army would be so damaged that it's practically useless for any other mission."
She paused for a while and continued. "And I have a suggestion. If things really go south, we can always blow up the planetoids."
"…Are you out of your mind? How many lives will be lost that way?" Irene was practically yelling at this point.
"No. Rather than letting them use the planetoids, it's better to destroy them all. Besides, if they win, the planetoid soldiers are destined to die anyway. This way, their death will have meaning."
"M…Meaning?!" Irene understood the rationale behind her thinking, but she couldn't help but get angry.
"Yes. We can't be too emotional. Our decisions must be towards safeguarding the human race. Sacrificing some for many is justified since ancient times." Sovereign Julius nodded.
The meeting fell silent once again.
Finally, Sovereign Albert looked at everyone and sighed. "Please understand one thing. We cannot rule out a full scale war by Abyssals. They might do it."
The Sovereigns' pupils froze and their breath halted for a moment. Realizing that the Uranus war could possibly lead into a full scale war, they couldn't help but frown in anxiety.
If it's really a full scale war, then there was a chance that their planet might fall. Sure, their defenses were far higher than the first war.
But who could say for certain that Abyssals weren't hiding any trump cards?
Sequoias were something no one expected. What if they came up with something else and dealt a fatal blow?
"No one saw Pluto War coming." Sovereign Julius rubbed his forehead. "I honestly can't guess their actions. It's best to be as defensive as possible."
Irene saw her request was going nowhere and slumped into her seat.
Ares looked at her and lowered his head. He thought of the Neptune status quo for a few minutes and raised his head.
"I'll send a few army groups. But…in case the planetoids fall, let them retreat."
His words caused an utter silence in the room as everyone stared at Ares in astonishment.
"T-Thank you." Irene looked at him with a complicated gaze and muttered softly.
A few years ago, Ares was still a new Sovereign and now…he was helping her out.
"Ares, did you really think this through?" Kreo frowned. "Neptune is too important. We don't want another Plut—"
Ares cut him off. "I understand everyone's risks. By sending and not sending, we're risking either way. The ball is not in our court.
Logically, if Uranus has a problem, Neptune would be the most effected.
And…morally, it's because of her actions that Neptune hadn't fallen. Neptune owes her and people of Uranus this much."
His words caused everyone's expressions to change. Indeed, the only reason Neptune didn't fall was her support back then. The reason Uranus army had weakened was also because of their previous sacrifices.
And like Ares said, they were risking either way. What if Abyssals didn't send Sequoias to them? What if they didn't start a full scale war?
The loss of Uranus planetoids would also mean they'd face endless attacks from the Uranus Abyss.
The overall situation would worsen.
In the end, the Sovereigns looked at each other and finally relented.
"….fine. I guess I'll send a few level 8s. But not too many."
"Me too. Have them kill the level 8 Sequoias."
"I can't send from army. I'll send my family servants. They're peak level 7s, but sorry."
"I'll send Richard and his colleagues. Though we'll be in a pinch, I'll try to manage."
"…Yeah. But ensure their safety. I honestly think we're gonna lose. I don't want them to die. If they do, it's on you."
Irene Nial sighed deeply. "Thank you, everyone."
Looking at their faces filled with reluctance, Irene thought back to the asteroid location. That was the only location with level 8 Sequoias found so far. And given that were only few level 8 Sequoias so far, the location must be one of the few.
'If I enter it and destroy the Sequoias there, then maybe I can save the planetoids.'