Meanwhile somewhere at the U.R.K.'s barracks on the base, Alicia was doing some stretches in her behind her bunk. Her mind was elsewhere, however, and the news about the nerve gas attack had rattled her. She knew the U.N.E. and the U.R.K. had been fighting hard, but using a chemical weapon like that was another level.

"Are we really the good guys here?" she wondered aloud.

"What do you mean?" an elf, who was sitting on his bunk reading, asked.

"All this death, destruction... it seems so unnecessary," she replied, her voice heavy with sadness.

The elf looked up at her, his expression serious. "There are no 'good' guys in war, Alicia. We're all fighting for our own reasons, and none of them are necessarily noble. But sometimes, you have to do the hard thing to make things better in the long run."

"I just don't want to lose myself in all this," she said. "I don't want to become a person I can't recognize anymore."

He shrugged. "That's the risk we all take when we choose to fight. Sometimes, it's a risk worth taking."

"I guess you're right," she said. "I just have to make sure I don't lose sight of what's important."

The elf smirk, "Like that brown skin human USMC named Kevin Towson?" He said as Alicia blushed and her tail wagging a bit.

Alicia quickly composed herself and went back to stretching, though the thought of Kevin lingered in her mind. "I just want this war to end so I can go home."

"And start a big family with the handsome man?" the elf teased.

"Shut up!" Alicia shouted at the elf.

"Hey, no need to get mad. I'm just saying, I know you got a thing for Towson. Everyone does in fact. Including his twin and older brothers." the elf chuckled.

"Well, they're not the only ones," Alicia admitted. "I've seen the way he looks at me too."

"Then why not ask him to get married after the war?" the elf suggested.

"Maybe I will," Alicia said, a determined look in her eyes.

"That's the spirit!" the elf encouraged.

Alicia couldn't help but smile. "Thanks. You're not so bad, you know. For an elf in his 90s."

The elf chuckled. "And you're not so bad, for a white tiger beastman. Even if you're in your early 20s."

With their hearts a bit lighter, the two friends settled into a comfortable silence, content to wait for the next call to action.

It was then that Kevin enters with a look of confusion, "Okay... you two are not going to believe me. But Ant's and Jacob's Head Maids are here. Both have bladed weapons and armor."

"Wait, what?!" both the elf and Alicia shouted in disbelief.

Kevin nodded, "Yep. Their names are Edea and Martha. Both are skilled fighters. So watch out."

Alicia and the elf exchange a look of concern, but before they could respond, the two got up to see what the commotion was about. As they approached, they could see a crowd gathering around a pair of figures, both dressed in maid uniforms and wielding swords. One was a young woman with brown hair and bright blue eyes, while the other was a woman with black hair and sharp black eyes.

The young woman with brown hair spoke up, her voice carrying a hint of authority. "We have come here seeking our masters. One goes by the name and rank of Captain Anthony S. Towson and another man by the name and rank Captain Jacob F. Rawlins." Edea said.

"You can't just show up here unannounced," a U.R.K. soldier protested. "This is a secure facility, and we have no idea who you are."

The two Marines came up to see their two Head Maids confused.

"Edea? Martha?" Anthony and Jacob both asked in disbelief.

"Master Towson? Master Rawlins?" Edea and Martha asked in unison, glad to see their masters.

"Several questions. What are you two doing here? How did you get here? And why do you have a sword and Edea why do you have a large scythe?" Anthony asked as the two maids sighed.

"We're here because we've been worried sick about you two. Edea here has the ability to teleport. And the sword and scythe are our old weapons that we kept locked away." Martha explained.

"Well, that explains it," Jacob said, trying not to laugh.

Anthony sighed, "Look, we're glad you're both here, but I think it's time we had a long overdue conversation."

Edea and Martha nodded in agreement, and the two Marines led them away from the crowd, determined to get some answers. As the two groups walked away, the rest of the troops exchanged confused looks, wondering what had just happened.

Meanwhile in a closed off area, Edea and Martha explain their buried past. Martha, known as Mary the Bloodiest and former 1st Apostle for her unmatched brutality in battle, and Edea, once Edna the Teleporter and former 2nd Apostle, whose magical prowess made her both an unstoppable force and an untraceable ghost on the battlefield.

Both men were surprised. Not only were they shocked to learn that their maids had such a history, but they were also alarmed at how much they had accomplished in their lives.

"So, you two used to be members of the Cross Army over hundreds of years prior?" Anthony asked.

Martha looked down, a hint of regret crossing her face. "Yes, we did. But we left as soon as we understood the real nature of their intentions. The Cross Army wasn't what we thought it was. It wasn't about justice or righteousness—it was about control, oppression, and power."

Edea nodded, her gaze meeting Anthony's. "We were young and foolish, but we were strong. Back then, we thought we could change things from within. We were wrong. It took us too long to see it, but once we did, we escaped. Since then, we've stayed hidden, living quietly, and eventually found our way to serve your families."

Jacob rubbed his forehead in disbelief. "Damn... You both have been through more than we could've ever imagined. I had no idea what your past lives were like."

Anthony looked at them both, a mixture of emotions playing across his face—surprise, admiration, and confusion. "But why didn't you tell us sooner? You know we'd have your backs no matter what, right?"

Martha sighed. "It's not that simple, Master Towson. We wanted to leave our past behind. We wanted to be just maids, to live in peace, to serve without the weight of our past haunting us. We chose to be loyal to your families. We wanted to be... normal."

Edea gave a soft chuckle. "Though I suppose 'normal' was never really an option for us."

Anthony shared a look with Jacob, both men trying to process the incredible revelation. Anthony leaned back and exhaled deeply, his voice softening. "And now, why have you brought those old weapons? Why are you dressed like this?"

Martha's eyes hardened. "Because we won't let anything happen to you, Master Towson. We've been silent long enough. We know how dangerous the Apostles are—how relentless the Cross Army can be. We're not just here to protect you as maids anymore; we're here as warriors, to ensure that no one—absolutely no one—lays a finger on you."

Edea nodded firmly. "We've lost too much already. The Cross Army's influence has to be stopped. If it means we have to return to battle, then so be it. We are ready to fight for you—to fight with you."

Jacob shook his head, smiling despite the gravity of the moment. "You two are incredible. It's like something out of a legend. I don't know how we got lucky enough to have you by our side."

Anthony looked at both of them, a smile tugging at his lips as well. "I guess we really hit the jackpot when we hired you two. But listen—if you're going to fight, you're fighting alongside us as equals. No more secrets, no more hiding. We're in this together."

Martha and Edea shared a look, and then they both bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Towson, Master Rawlins. We won't let you down."

Anthony straightened, reaching out to gently lift Martha from her bow. "No need for that. We're all comrades here. Just promise me you two will be careful. We've seen what the Apostles are capable of, and I don't want to lose any more people I care about."

Edea's eyes softened, and she nodded. "You have our word. We will fight, and we will protect."

Jacob gave a hearty laugh, patting Anthony on the shoulder. "Well, we have the two most badass maids in the world now. If that doesn't put fear into the Cross Army, I don't know what will."

Anthony smirked, his determination renewed. "Damn right. Let's make sure they remember just who they're messing with."

The group shared a determined silence for a moment, each person aware of the weight of what was coming. They were facing not only the Cross Army but also its legendary Apostles—powerful warriors unlike any they'd faced before. But now, with Martha and Edea at their side, their resolve had never been stronger.

They might not be able to see what lay ahead, but together, they would fight for each other, and for the future they wanted to see.

Edea looked between them and spoke with unwavering determination. "We're not just fighting to protect you, but to end what we started centuries ago. This time, we make sure the Cross Army's influence dies for good."

Anthony and Jacob both nodded in agreement, their eyes meeting. "Let's finish this," Anthony said. "Together."

And with that, they turned back toward the command center, ready to plan their next steps with renewed strength, knowing that their allies were not only skilled fighters but also legends who had risen from the ashes of their past to stand by them in the present.

It was then that as they enter, the two saw the pictures of both the dead and known alive Apostles. Kurono looked at the two maids with a raised brow, "Something you two want to add?"

Martha put a hand on her chin in deep thought, "Well, I have a suggestion... and your all probably not going to like it."

Vincent and a few shrugged, "Can't be as bad as that time I accidently drank a bottle of poison."

"Well it's—" Martha stopped and faced Vincent as did everyone else shocked at what he just said. "You accidently drank a bottle of poison?"

"It didn't kill me but gave me the biggest and painful shits I ever had in my life." Vincent said bluntly.

David coughed and cleared his throat, "Okay let's... not talk about that messy code brown. Martha, continue."

"I suggest that we have those three on our side." Martha said pointing at the known alive Apostles.

Everyone looked at Martha, dumbfounded. Anthony crossed his arms, his tone incredulous. "You can't be serious. These are the Cross Army's top forces. One of them even fought Kurono and Lily here. And from what Fiona here said on the photo there. The one opening the is 7th Apostle Sariel. On the left is the 3rd Apostle Mikael, the one in the middle is the 11th Apostle Misa who is already dead. And the one in the right is the 12th Apostle Mariabelle. What are the chances of them actually working and fighting with us?"

"60% to 73%." Martha answered.

"You know the stats on that?" Lily asked.

"I've been around for over 500 years. You learn a thing or two about odds." Martha replied.

"Plus, if push come to shove. We can just capture them." Edea added.

"Capturing them is sui-" Itami tried to speak but Edea interrupted him.

"Master Itami. I can teleport, and Martha can use her blood magic. Trust us on this." Edea stated.

"And do WE know that you two won't turn on us?" Stepan said as he cracked his neck.

"Because these two are our masters. We would never turn on them or their allies." Edea stated while looking at Anthony and Jacob.

"If that is all true, what would these three Apostles say?" Aten asked.

"If I know those three. They would jump on the chance to have a good fight and to end the Cross Army's reign of terror alongside two former Apostles." Martha said shocking everyone besides Anthony and Jacob.

"Hold up! How could you not tell me this?" Vincent shouted.

"Because you have a big mouth." Jacob replied.

"Hey! It's not like it's the end of the world that I know they are ex-Apostles!" Vincent retorted.

"We were going to tell you later." Anthony sighed.

"Wait! Did they really hire two former Apostles?!" Lily shouted.

"Yes. We did. And didn't know till a couple minutes earlier." Jacob answered.

"Okay. So we have the two maids on our side. But now you're telling us to recruit the Cross Army's three strongest soldiers. If that doesn't go wrong, I don't know what does." David said.

"Like I said before, it's either they work with us or be captured." Edea replied.

"And we can't exactly capture them without them wanting a fight." Mina said.

"Which is why us two would talk to them over tea on the airstrip with everyone having every type of weapon pointed at them while we chat." Martha said as she snapped her fingers.

In a blink of an eye, both she and Edea were armed. Both wore light armor that was the color red, with a scabbard containing their old swords and the handles of their weapons poking out of the top. Edea's outfit looked more like a maid's outfit but had metal pieces for armor while Martha's looked more like a combat uniform with her sword's sheath strapped to her waist.

"Fuck me... remind me never to piss you off." Anthony joked.

"Well, looks like we're doing it." Itami said as he turned towards the door. "Come on."

As everyone gathered their gear, their minds reeled from the sudden turn of events.

"Wait, wait, wait," David interjected, stopping at the door. "We're really going to have a tea party with the Cross Army's top Apostles, on an airstrip, surrounded by every gun we have?"

Martha smiled confidently. "Precisely. It's not as crazy as it sounds. In fact, they're warriors—fighters who live for challenge and honor. If we approach them with a willingness to negotiate, with a challenge that entices them, they'll hear us out. Apostles are not mindless pawns; they're people, and many of them don't fully agree with the twisted goals of the Cross Army."

Itami shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around it. "You sure about this? I mean, what if they just decide to start fighting right then and there?"

Edea looked at him, her gaze steady. "That's why we'll be ready. We'll have everyone on high alert, with a sniper in position, and backup plans if they decide not to play nice. It's risky, but every plan worth anything carries risk."

Kurono raised a hand cautiously. "If we really do this, we need to understand something. These Apostles are not like normal soldiers. Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle—they are all incredibly dangerous, and if they sense any deception, it could turn ugly very quickly."

Lily, still skeptical, spoke up. "And if they do agree to join us? How do we know we can trust them? I mean, they're Apostles. They've been fighting for the Cross Army for who knows how long."

"Trust is not something we're asking for lightly," Martha responded. "It's earned, and it'll be something we will monitor carefully. But consider this: if they choose to fight with us, they are turning their backs on the Cross Army, knowing full well that betrayal is punishable by death. If they decide to fight alongside us, they will have as much to lose as we do."

"Alright, I get it," Vincent said, shaking his head. "We're about to go bargain with the devils, huh? Sounds like a plan."

David snorted. "Bargaining with the devils? More like convincing the devils to fight a greater evil."

Anthony clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Edea, Martha, get us a meeting with these Apostles. If we're doing this, we better do it right."

Edea looked at Anthony and Jacob with a nod. "We will need to find the right moment. Teleporting directly into enemy territory to retrieve the Apostles isn't as easy as it sounds, especially with Sariel and Mikael. But given their personalities, they are likely in a forward command post or close to the frontlines."

Kurono rubbed his temples, still unsure about how this would play out. "The only thing crazier than fighting Apostles is trying to negotiate with them."

"Crazy or not, it might be our best shot," Jacob added. "If we can get them on our side, the balance of power changes dramatically."

As everyone gathered their gear, the tension in the room was palpable. They were preparing for something that seemed more like a madman's dream than a military operation. The idea of sitting down for tea with three Apostles, while the rest of their troops stood ready to unleash hell, was nothing short of surreal.

Still, each person strapped on their weapons, adjusted their armor, and steeled themselves for what was about to come.

As they headed to the airstrip, the base buzzed with activity. Troops whispered among themselves, trying to grasp the reality of what they were about to witness. The airstrip, once a symbol of their military might, was now the setting for one of the riskiest gambles in the war so far.

As the group arrived, the airstrip was already swarming with troops, snipers stationed at strategic points, and vehicles parked to form a perimeter. They weren't taking any chances.

Martha and Edea stood at the center, a table already set with tea and chairs for their guests. The Apostles would be arriving soon, brought by Edea's teleportation magic. They had sent a message through a covert means, inviting them to parley, to discuss the future of the Cross Army.

Anthony took a deep breath. "I can't believe we're actually doing this."

"Believe it," Edea replied, her tone calm. "And prepare yourself for anything."

In the distance, the wind howled as the preparations reached their peak. Silence descended on the base, with soldiers ready and tense. Then, in a flash of red light, Edea summoned them.

Suddenly, three figures materialized at the far side of the airstrip—Sariel, Mikael, and Mariabelle. They looked around, taking in the scene, their eyes narrowing at the sheer number of weapons pointed at them.

Sariel, the 7th Apostle, was the first to step forward, her gaze fixed on Edea. "Well, well. If it isn't Edna the Teleporter. I never thought I'd be answering an invitation from a traitor."

Mikael, the 3rd Apostle, raised an eyebrow, his posture relaxed but alert. "This is quite the reception. Tea, really? And here I thought this was going to be another battle."

Mariabelle, the 12th Apostle, looked at Martha, her eyes betraying curiosity. "Mary the Bloodiest... alive and well, I see. I suppose you have something very interesting to say if you've gathered us like this."

Martha took a deep breath, her voice carrying a confident authority that came from centuries of experience. "We have a proposition for you. One that may seem crazy, but hear us out."

Sariel's gaze darkened, and she folded her arms. "You better make this good, Mary."

Edea stepped forward, gesturing to the table. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss, and not much time. You know what the Cross Army has become. We know you three, deep down, are not loyal to their lies."

The Apostles eyed each other warily before Sariel gave a curt nod. "Alright, let's hear it. But don't think for a second that we're here to make friends."

Mikael chuckled, taking a seat and folding his arms. "Friends? No. But a temporary alliance? Now that might be worth considering."

The tension in the air was thick, but a sliver of hope began to emerge as the Apostles took their seats. It was a risk—a gamble unlike any other—but in this war, every chance at ending the bloodshed was worth taking.

And so, the tea began. A tea party surrounded by rifles, armored vehicles, and the anticipation of troops ready for anything.

Anthony and Jacob exchanged a look, the absurdity of the situation not lost on them. This was either going to be a turning point in the war, or one of the most explosive failures they had ever been part of. Either way, they were all in now.