If he had to choose to save his people, he would probably just retreat, abandon Abruzzo altogether and head off to the mountains to the north of Veneto. He would have used the presence of other Demonic Beasts to curtail the Charybdes. He could even send some tip-offs to stronger monsters.

However, it would mean that Italy as a whole could become a war ground, and all the people left on it would die.

His inner Grandmaster Strategist was telling him to run. There was no cleanly winning this battle. They had no tools, no possible advantage. They were all so weak, and the others did not have any hope of fighting a terrifying monster like a Mantis realm.

Well, I don’t actually know yet.

He heard the cars rumbling in the distance and exhaled.

“Ok, all of you, get up,” Jacob said.

Frederick and the others opened their eyes with a hint of surprise on their face.

“Didn’t you say we have to cultivate?” Helena asked.

“It was a lie. If there is a Mantis realm, we have around four hours. Not forty-eight. There is no way that Helena will cross to the Mantis realm. And before you finish replenishing your Qi and Mana, I have to teach you something.”

Jacob had really wanted to avoid this scenario, but fate was forcing his hand.

“Is there time to teach us another Martial Technique or a Spell?” Helena asked.

The other three were a bit scared by Jacob’s words. The fact that he had just lied about how many hours they had left and that he did not even ask if they wanted to fight to the death was weird for them.

“It’s not a Martial Technique or a Spell. Unfortunately, we have no time for those nor to build the necessary tools that would make this battle easier.

“Jake, I’m not sure Helena and Frederick volunteered for any of this,” Juliet offered to the other. She could feel the blaze in him through their Ancestral Bond but could also tell that both Helena and Frederick were somewhat worried by what had just happened.

Jacob stopped to look at the two aforementioned kids.

“You could have told us the truth before taking the decision,” Helena volunteered.

“I have no complaints. I understand where he’s coming from. If we don’t kill whatever is inside Fort Mountain, everyone else dies. So there’s not much to ask there.”

Jacob bit his lower lip, trying to suppress for a second the sense of urgency.

“No, Fred. Helena’s right. I’m asking you to risk your lives without taking into consideration what you want.”

“So,” Jacob continued, “are you ready to fight what will be one of the most terrifying battles of your entire life? The odds that we will die, by the way, are quite high. I would say 10% chance we actually survive at the moment. A bit higher after I’ll be done explaining my plan.”

“You lied about the odds to the others,” Helena stated, and it wasn’t a question.

“My aunt would have never let me go, Helena. Nor would Joseph have accepted. But we need to be swift, and not one person among them is strong enough to survive what we are going to do.”

“And what is that we are going to do, pray tell,” Helena was losing her patience.

For the first time since Jacob had guessed what was happening in Fort Mountain, he displayed a huge smile on his face.

“Well, if there is indeed a Mantis realm like I suspect. We are going to use Forbidden Techniques. They will harm your body and put you through unimaginable pain, but every single one of you has a body tough enough to use what we need without crippling yourself.”

Frederick looked at Jacob from head to toe and spoke: “Jake, your body sucks, right?”

“Yes, it does,” Jacob kept smiling.

“So, how can you use one of these Forbidden Techniques without crippling yourself?” Frederick asked.

“I’m not going to use a Forbidden Technique. They are used to enhance the strength one already has in their cultivation. My cultivation sucks, as you have noticed. But what I can do now that I have a sword is an attempt to use one little trick.”

“A little trick, Jake? You just said we are going to die, and you talk about little tricks?” Helena was getting antsy.

“Helena, show some fu**ing gut, for God’s sake!” Juliet told the other girl.

“Oh, Juliet, be quiet! Your body has become as hard as your goddamn thick skull now. It’s easy for you not to complain!” the usually calm and well-mannered Helena was slowly spiraling.

“Guys!” Jacob shouted and then walked in front of Helena. “If you have any problem, Helena, feel free to go.”

“Yeah, sure!” she said, “like it’s a choice! So let’s say I go, and not only you all die, but then I also die when those monsters come knocking!”

“I’m sorry about the little trick remark. I have a sword Technique I can use to harm whatever is hiding inside Fort Mountain. Also, thanks to the Forbidden Techniques, you will be able to fight on par with those monsters temporarily. We are strong enough to take them down. I’ll teach you the Forbidden Techniques, and then we will set up some surprises for the smaller Charybdes.”

Helena looked unwilling, but she still nodded her head, balling her fists to inspire herself courage.