I, the All-Class Magus, All My Awakening Skills are LvMax

"So, who shall we send?"

Isabella's question brought an instant silence.

Cecilia knew better than anyone.

At this time, hiding inside the fortress was the safest; going out could lead to monster attacks or even being preemptively killed!

That's why, although 500 people could have sufficed, they now arranged for 700.

This was their saturated rescue operation! Better to have too many than too few at the crucial moment.

"We'll operate on a voluntary basis! If it really comes down to it… I'll go myself."

John could mobilize some minor creatures within the secret realm, but only in very limited numbers.

Moreover, when monsters helped transport goods, there was a high risk of damaging the cargo, and they might even become immobilized by the presence of more powerful creatures!

They could even end up as prey for other monsters, so there were many complications involved.

Truth be told, no one could do the job better than they could themselves! But transporting supplies this time came with a risk to life!

Once Alastair noticed something amiss, they could be attacked at any moment!

This meant that going out this time might lead to their permanent demise, never being able to return.

Today was already the 12th day!

Many people felt that if they could just hold out until the 15th day, they would surely be able to leave and might not have the courage...

Isabella fell silent as well.

She knew better than anyone that as an excellent heir trained by a noble family, nothing was more important than their own survival!

Only by staying alive could they shoulder the responsibility of their family's revival.

Even if this expedition could bring many opportunities and advantages to their family, what would it matter?

If they died, everything would be lost.

Only by living could they possess everything.

"It should be made clear that participation is entirely voluntary," John decisively declared.

After all, regardless of whether anyone signed up, they needed to prepare everything in advance.

Even if, in the end, not a single person joined, he would have to come up with a backup plan.

When the people of the three fortresses learned of this, they immediately fell silent.

No one spoke; they all just bowed their heads, seemingly deep in thought.

John understood the crowd's hesitation.

"I know what you're thinking, so this mission is entirely voluntary. You can choose to go or not to go."

"Let me be clear upfront, even if you decide to go, there's a chance of death, and your body might be shattered beyond the possibility of using a Resurrection Spell. I might even be unable to retrieve your belongings."

"There's also the possibility that you'll die in a corner of this secret realm, unknown to anyone except your family. Perhaps no one else will even remember your names."

"But if we succeed, we can all leave together and once again enjoy everything that belongs to us!"

"Time is short and the task is critical, I don't want to waste time talking here. You have ten minutes to volunteer and sign up with me."

"We need a total of 700 people; our fortress will contribute 300, including at least 50 support players."

"Think it over carefully, and come to sign up with me in ten minutes."

John looked over the crowd on the plaza, then sat down to meditate nearby.

Having captured nearly 56% of the power of control, he definitely needed to assimilate it properly.

This 56% could potentially be a huge help!

John remained silent, and nearby, Archibald and others also fell into silence.

Darius glanced at his companions.

Leopold was looking down, lost in thought.

Edmund didn't speak, simply silently polishing his sword.

Lavinia was absentmindedly holding a HP recovery potion.

On the square, some people were deep in thought, some were quietly crying, and others seemed to be muttering to themselves.

Time passed by the second, with no one speaking.

Archibald was biting his lip, his mind in turmoil.

He knew this mission was a life-and-death affair! Any one of them could lose their life along the way.

Outside the silver mirror, people were staring intently at the scene displayed before them.

Some had swollen eyes from crying, just watching their children in the mirror.

Some even tried to reach through the silver mirror to touch their children but touched nothing but air.

Some parents covered their mouths, continuously sobbing, while others, with red eyes, refused to look down.

Some turned their heads away as if unwilling to watch any longer, but the moisture at the corners of their eyes betrayed their emotions.

Everyone was waiting for time to pass.

Ten minutes seemed short, but at this moment, it felt incredibly long.

John slowly opened his eyes again.

He stood on the platform, overlooking everyone in the square, his hand tightly gripping his staff.

"Next," he said, a word that seemed to quiet everyone.

All heads lifted to look at the man on the platform, their expressions indeterminate.

"Those willing to join this mission, tell me your names, step forward!"

Silence…

The scene was utterly silent.

No one stepped forward; no one spoke, as if they had all fallen into a deathly quiet.

Archibald closed his eyes.

If it weren't for John saying he must stay here, he truly wanted to stand out himself.

"First Combat Squadron Leader, Dubhe's Leopold Hargrave! Requesting to join the battle!"

In a moment of silence, Leopold stepped forward decisively, his chest out.

He gripped his spear and shield tightly in his hands! He was a warrior, in the past, now, and in the future!

"Third Combat Squadron Leader, Megrez's Edmund Warrington! Requesting to join the battle!"

Edmund also stepped forward, clutching his longsword tightly.

"Logistics Squadron Leader, Phecda's Lavinia Montague! Requesting to join the battle!"

"Second Combat Squadron Leader, Dubhe's Darius Ashford! Requesting to join the battle!"

One after another, firm voices rang out! Everyone couldn't help but look at the four who had stepped forward.

John was not surprised at all; he had guessed from the beginning that these four would step out, but…

"You four cannot go."

"Why?!"

Not just the four, but even the people below couldn't help but look at John with a questioning gaze.

Why couldn't these four go?

"Yesterday, you were all on the city walls, and Alastair has already memorized your faces. Moreover, he knows from his observations outside the secret realm that you are the combat squad leaders."

"I have different plans for you."

"So no matter what you say, you cannot go."

Edmund and the others were stunned, completely taken aback by such a reason preventing their participation.

Clenching their lips tightly, they wanted to argue but forced themselves to hold back.

They all knew John was right.

If their departure tipped off Alastair, then all their efforts would have been in vain!

No matter what… they had to endure!

"Anyone else?"

John looked calmly over the people standing in the square.

They all bowed their heads, seemingly deep in thought.

John's heart sank to the depths, and he had already begun to consider a backup plan.

Leopold and others were anxious! Why were these people silent?

What were they hesitating about?

Wasn't this the time for everyone to step forward?!

If they chose to retreat, then no one would survive; only united could they have a sliver of hope to live!

"First Squadron, Sixth Team member, Silas, requests to join the fight!"

"Third Squadron, Tenth Team member, Winston, requests to join the fight!"

"Second Squadron, Ninth Team member, Ezekiel, requests to join the fight!"

...

One after another, names were called out, and one after another, figures stood before the crowd.

In no time, several rows of people had formed in front of the square.

Each person clenched their teeth, looking determinedly at John.