With new information on the rankers along with the artefacts that they're trying to get, s.h.i.+ro started to formulate a few plans in her mind since they couldn't run into things blindly.

Now that they had the advantage of information, not doing anything with it would be rather stupid.

'Right now, they have an artefact that allows them to isolate us from one another and it can be controlled at will. According to Asphil, they were planning to split us and face us in a one on one situation. If we can control who we face, we'll be able to set up the most advantageous matchups but since we can't do that, we can only a.s.sume that we'll be facing the hardest matchups.' s.h.i.+ro thought with a frown while driving.

{Plus, with the information that they have additional artefacts that can be used for battle, there could be a chance that they'll use it on the party the moment it seems like they're about to lose. Should that happen, there's a high likelihood that one of the party members could die. And looking at their expressions, they understand that too. Right now, Silvia's resurrection while powerful, has a drawback of needing to revive them rather soon so if the fight drags on, the chances of being revived aren't high.} Nimue added as she too had a serious expression.

{Perhaps if we joined the battle, we can turn things in our favour even if they have artefacts.} Estrella suggested as Iziuel agreed with her.

Both of them were quite powerful as Iziuel commands the nature element and Estrella is a master of utilising s.p.a.ce. While they may not be queens or candidates, they could keep up with relative ease.

'Are you sure? Neither of you have fought a battle in a while so I'm not sure if you can still keep up.' s.h.i.+ro asked with worry.

After her upgrade, she was able to fight her battles herself so Estrella's help wasn't necessary. Therefore, she had been spending her time meditating in the mana realm waiting for the moment that she was needed. Unfortunately, while she was in the mana realm, she rarely spoke unless needed since she still believes that she should be punished.

However, s.h.i.+ro had long forgiven her and would like to treat her the same as Iziuel and Nimue. In fact, it would be better if Estrella could be more open but it seems like their relations.h.i.+p would be stuck at a formal stage and never anything more.

Thinking about this, s.h.i.+ro couldn't help but sigh.

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{Don't worry your highness, I am confident in my combat prowess. Even if I haven't fought in a long time, I won't lose to some candidates that haven't become queens yet.} Estrella bowed as s.h.i.+ro ma.s.saged her eyes.

'Mn. True. Speaking of which, since you've been stuck at level 500 for a while, have you tried reaching tier 6 yet?' s.h.i.+ro asked curiously as Estrella nodded her head.

{During the time that I have been meditating, I have been following what you told to Nan Tian and tried to improve my connection to my attunement. However, it has proven to be rather difficult to advance to the next level. Hopefully, I'll be able to receive enlightenment soon and become a tier 6 so that I can better a.s.sist you in your endeavours.} Estrella said as s.h.i.+ro nodded her head.

'Thank you, but we need to talk about something first. You know, I have long forgiven you right? You don't need to take things so seriously.' s.h.i.+ro smiled softly as Estrella stayed silent.

{. . .I'm sorry, the sin of harming your life is too big for me to just set aside. Until I can repay my sin, I cannot allow myself to forget and act as though it had never happened.} Estrella looked down and bit her lip.

Seeing that Estrella was adamant on her choice s.h.i.+ro sighed. She was both disappointed and understanding in a way.

However, Nimue only shrugged her shoulders before walking up to Estrella. Ma.s.saging her wrist for a moment, she twisted her body and slapped Estrella across the face.

Blinking her eyes in surprise, Estrella looked at Nimue in shock.

{Can't you see that you're making it hard on s.h.i.+ro? I know that you can't forgive yourself for what you have done but can't you see that s.h.i.+ro had already moved past it. With the things coming in the future, there's no point dwelling in the past.} Nimue crossed her hand as Estrella didn't know what to say.

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{All that you're doing now is finding an excuse so that you can give yourself peace in a way. You're blocked by the thought that you should have died to pay for your sin. However, rather than taking the easy way out, why don't you try the hard way. Drop that thought process, allow yourself to be forgiven and work towards a better future. There's not much else I can do other than maintain s.h.i.+ro's body since I'm a water spirit. Sure I can go out, bring out water from the air, control people since they're made of water but compared to s.p.a.ce, it's much weaker. Think about it, the only reason I could leave occasionally and go out to help s.h.i.+ro is because I'm actively seeking out chances to help rather than when things become dire. It is also during those moments that we become closer since I talk to her often. Iziuel can't do that since she's busy looking after Attie in here since we know that s.h.i.+ro is too busy but she still talks to s.h.i.+ro every so often. So why don't you stop acting like a child and actually move on. Because it's better to see you being more lively compared to sulking in the corner.} Nimue huffed as s.h.i.+ro couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Hearing this, Estrella gritted her teeth.

{I'm not sulking in the corner! Do you know how it feels to have almost single handedly end your own race! I almost killed s.h.i.+ro d.a.m.n it! I sent a powerful monster at her, weakened or not and if not for all the healers that Nan tian had brought along with the efforts of the party, she would have died then and there! She was forced to use so many berserk skills at once and destroyed her body! You of all people should know since you had to try and repair it too! After seeing the last queen die, I vowed to find a proper queen but I almost ended her myself!} Estrella replied as she was frustrated by her own actions.

{So you can't forgive yourself in the end because you almost killed s.h.i.+ro? You do realise that while you almost killed her once, this idiot here almost killed herself multiple times. If anything, she's the record holder here.} Nimue pointed at s.h.i.+ro.

'Oi, I'm still here.' s.h.i.+ro forced a smile.

{I know hence why I said it. Regardless, there are so many things that you can be doing but you decide to be a child and actually sulk about it. Are you sure you used to be on the council? Because you're not acting like it.} Nimue smirked as Estrella was about to lash out when Attie tugged at her dress.

Looking pat, Attie tiptoed and patted her head.

{Estrella don't be sad. Mommy doesn't like seeing friends sad.} Attie said as s.h.i.+ro smiled.

{You can focus on your next step and talk to the party. I'll talk to Estrella. I'll make sure she forgives herself. Plus, I got Attie helping me.} Nimue whispered over as s.h.i.+ro nodded her head gratefully.

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'Thanks, I owe you one.'

{Pft you already owe me quite a bit, never mind one. The times that I've had to maintain your body is more than enough and that wasn't counting the times that you've made me want to flip a table or flip this entire mana realm into oblivion.} Nimue rolled her eyes as s.h.i.+ro chuckled softly.

{Now go, I'll deal with this now.}

Nodding her head, she left the mana realm and glanced back at the party using the rear view mirror.

"Nimue, Iziuel and Estrella will be helping us in the fight, Including Asphil, we'll have a total of 13 fighters while they only 8 fighter since rank 9 is dead and Asphil is on our side now. Even if they use the artefact to separate us, we can expect that some of us will be fighting two on one. h.e.l.l, there's even a chance for three on one if they're confident. We can't plan around this so just memorise what I've said and make sure you keep your guard up. If you play your cards correctly, I know that each of you can defeat them with ease." s.h.i.+ro smiled as the party nodded their heads.

As for Asphil, she was shocked to hear that three others are joining the fight and couldn't help but feel relieved that she had joined this side and was actually accepted.

Thinking back, she couldn't help but pity the other rankers that will face the party.