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Various Artifiers attempted to analyze the intricacies of the armor and equipment, delving into discussions on magical theory in hopes of replicating their astonishing capabilities. However, their efforts were hindered by the limitations of the modern-day mage mindset.

Despite the modern world being filled with advanced weaponry, firearms, and technology, mages remained a force to be reckoned with. This was primarily due to the compulsory education imparted by the Hightower, wherein mages were taught spells specifically designed to counter modern-day weapons.

For instance, every mage underwent training in the utilization of mana shields, which were supplemented by anti-missile spells capable of neutralizing the force of bullets and missiles before reaching the shields. In terms of offense, mages could easily dispatch an armored vehicle with a simple fireball, thanks to the mages \'Insignia\' that frequently embedded with the "Armor Penetration" property.

However, this amazing effect can only be achieved with non-magical alloys or materials possessing low magical properties, such as iron, titanium, ceramics, plastic, depleted uranium, tungsten, and similar substances. Against magic metals like gold, mithril, orichalcum, adamantine, and others, these methods become ineffective. As these metals could utilize magic fields from the special design insignia or magic array to counter these effects from the caster.

Nevertheless, despite these facts, the magic continues to prevail in the Curtained World due to its widespread knowledge and understanding. This is primarily because magic metals like gold and orichalcum are prohibitively expensive, making them impractical for use in the armor and equipment of foot soldiers, as depicted on the screen. It would be even more unthinkable to employ them in the creation of magic bullets capable of effortlessly penetrating mana shields like sheets of paper for these foot soldiers to use.

Nevertheless, the emergence of Magitek and the Atlantean vanguards presented a challenge to conventional magical combat. Their advanced armaments and combat prowess demanded a higher level of strategic thinking and adaptation from the gathered leaders. It was imperative for them to expand their knowledge, transcend their current understanding, and devise effective countermeasures to confront this unprecedented threat.

Within the clamor of the meeting room, Cyrus sat at the seat of honor, awaiting the end of the ongoing discussion and debate between mages and artificers in his faction. However, as time passed, the discussion continued without any viable solutions to counter the formidable equipment they faced.

Cyrus\' patience grew thin, and he finally spoke up. 

"I have been waiting for two full hours for someone to propose a solution or two, but all I have heard are debates and heated discussions no different than an academic meeting. Does anyone have even the slightest idea of how we deal with these threats?" Cyrus\'s annoyance was evident as he glanced at the screen displaying an Atlantean vanguard in its imposing power armor.

The room fell into a heavy silence. No one dared to admit that they still hadn\'t found a solution, fearing Cyrus\'s potential outburst of anger that could even lead to fatal consequences.

Cyrus scanned the room, hoping to find someone who might possess the answer he sought. However, whenever his gaze met someone who seemed to hold the key, their eyes quickly averted, avoiding direct contact with him.

"Very well! I swear upon my position as a Grand Councilor that I will not harm anyone who speaks their ideas," Cyrus declared, resorting to such a promise in order to ease the tension in the room.

In a moment, one of the eager artificers raised his hand.

"Okay, you! Speak up. What do you have in mind?" Cyrus pointed at the artificer who was eager to speak.

"Yes! I propose creating an adamantine power armor that..."

"Impractical and too expensive! Next?" Cyrus quickly cut off the artificer\'s opinion and turned his attention to the waiting mage who had raised their hand.

"Yes? What do you have in mind?" asked Cyrus.

"I propose that we utilize our Grand Magician Enforcer rank to surround and eliminate them. I believe their armor is ill-prepared for decay spells and curses. Additionally, I think that these armors should not be able to be mass-produced and should only be worn by their elite forces," the mage proposed.

"Great idea. But what would you do if these armors and equipment were the mass-product models? And do you have any information on the number of their elite forces?" Cyrus inquired, but the mage remained silent and couldn\'t provide a better explanation.

Cyrus continued to ask for several more ideas, but as none of the people in his faction could come up with a practical and effective solution, he began to lose his patience. This situation nearly drove Cyrus to madness, as his confidence in his faction was severely shaken. He had believed that his faction was filled with knowledgeable individuals.

However, Cyrus couldn\'t blame the people in his faction. This new threat was something they had never encountered before in their long lives.

Then, a voice broke the silence.

"Lord Cyrus, I believe we should employ the same tactics we used during World War II against the Hellsing to the Magitek," said Magnus Alchemont, the patriarch of the Alchemont clan.

"You mean... using ordinary people?" Cyrus asked.

"Yes. While they may not possess extraordinary abilities, the sheer number of ordinary individuals could overwhelm the elite few. Furthermore, if we closely monitor Magitek activity, we can prevent them from using mind control magic. And if they do use it, we will have just cause to rally the entire Hightower, even Envy, against them," explained Magnus.

Hearing his trusted right-hand man speak, Cyrus couldn\'t help but smile. Magnus was indeed reliable.

"Then, do you have any ideas for dealing with Magitek artifacts?" Cyrus inquired further.

"As I am not an artificer, Lord Cyrus, I cannot provide a precise answer. However, I believe that if we were to capture Sloth and force her to work for us, we might find a solution," suggested Magnus.

"You do realize that Sloth is a Witch, don\'t you? She is also a friend of that cursed Witch, Greed," Cyrus said with a grudge, still resentful over his recent defeat at the hands of Greed in a battle of wits in court.

"Yes, I am aware of that, Lord Cyrus. But considering Pride\'s who are working for our faction and Envy\'s belief that she is the mother figure of this new generation of Witches, she will likely protect them and grant them freedom as long as they refrain from harming each. She won\'t intervene," explained Magnus.

"How do you propose we make her work for us?" Cyrus inquired.

Magnus grinned cunningly and replied, "That... I would prefer to discuss with a select few individuals in our faction whom Lord Cyrus can trust."

Cyrus nodded, satisfied with Magnus\' response. As he scanned the room, he tried to gather any hints or cues from the others present. Based on what he had heard, Magnus seemed to suggest that their faction likely had spies embedded within other factions, a practice that was not uncommon as Cyrus himself had spies in both the "Magic Harmony" and "Golden Scale" factions.

_____

— Morning - Tessia Kingdom - Secret Base Hospital  —

Within the pristine VIP patient room, Daniel slowly awakens from his slumber, finding Wrath\'s face up close, peering at him from the side as she rests on the long sofa.

"Good morning, Danny. Did you have a pleasant dream?" asks Wrath, a mischievous smile adorning her face.

"No, I don\'t believe I dreamt of anything," Daniel replies, teasingly.

"Aw, come on, Danny. You could just pretend and tell me you dreamt about me," suggests Wrath.

Daniel maintains his smile, but something in Daniel\'s demeanor alerts her to danger. She recognizes the sensation and is about to retreat when Daniel\'s reaction is faster. His hand swiftly grabs both of her cheeks, stretching them mercilessly.

"Yes! I dreamt about you. I dreamt about how you constantly try to worry me to death! Why must you always do foolish things? Do you lack common sense? Or has your power made you dimwitted?" Daniel scolds Wrath, forcefully tugging her cheeks apart, disciplining his mischievous girlfriend.

"Ouch! I\'m sorry, I\'m sorry," Wrath tries to apologize, her cheeks still being pulled taut by Daniel\'s grip.

"Will you do it again, huh!? Will you dare to do it again!?" Daniel asks repeatedly, his face still displaying a smile, but his voice filled with clear anger towards his girlfriend, who had caused him immense trouble and worry.

"Ouch! No, I won\'t. I promise I won\'t dare. It hurts, it hurts!" Wrath protests, feigning pain.

"Oh? Does it hurt? Yes! That\'s why it\'s called punishment, you silly girl!" Daniel stretches Wrath\'s cheeks one last time before releasing her and pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I\'m glad you\'re safe, Koyuki... This is good. Please don\'t vanish or do anything foolish again, okay?" He holds Wrath tightly, as if afraid she might suddenly disappear.