The grievances continued to pile up.

Ignis’ sheer size was the warning for all to begin the evacuation of S4. Whether it be Syndicates or the ordinary, the telltale signs of a calamity were present.

The flames and smoke were the second. The third was the ominous blue glow that illuminated their slowly darkening world.

And the fourth was the prowess of a certain white-haired figure. In terms of raw strength, she was roughly on par with Frost bearing in mind that this excluded Frost’s Corrupted skills and her own powers as a Beholder. Comparing both whilst at their fullest might was a difficult game, but as things were, Jury would undoubtedly claim victory so long as she possessed a surplus of Nex.

|| Retrocausality || was undeniably stronger than anything Frost had at her disposal, and not to mention || Localized Entropy || and || Doppler Strike ||, the latter of which had vast potential to become an unstoppable power.

Jury laid rest to numerous Complex Hearts, and budding Plague Hearts along her warpath in S4. Her movements were extraordinary, and it was as though she possessed invisible wings as she blitzed through the streets.

Her figure bounced from structure to structure like a pinball underneath Ignis’ skittering skeletal feet. Footprints akin to craters littered the world as the air burnt with each overwhelming movement. Turbulent winds battered the world and whisked the layer of smoke. But by some magical force, the smoke eventually returned to smother the darkening skies, enshrouding the stars beyond.

With the rising heat of her skeletal mass and as she devoured the biomass of the Hearts with her bone, spider-like legs – she then utilized another [Extended System] in conjunction with her current [Musculoskeletal]. Tendrils burst forth from her back like parasites exploding from the belly of an insect, sputtering strands of thin, pulsating tentacles.

This was [Extended System – Lymphatic]. The tentacles squirmed into the alleyways and backstreets, scouring for life to save. To an outsider it would appear like a Corrupted was abducting the denizens of S4 to feast upon, but that could not be further from the truth.

These people were wrapped in a pocket-like cocoon for safekeeping, who were later set free to run in the opposite direction. One could imagine the shock of having survived that was perceived as imminent death. None thanked Ignis for her efforts, their mind too clouded with fear as pure instinct drove them.

Jury watched in awe as they took on yet another Heart; her claws cleaving through its membrane from one end to the other in an instant. The Fragments of Ber had ominously ceased spawning for some time now, and the Hearts themselves did not even attempt to defend themselves against Jury’s prowess.

Not only that –

It’s not here either! I think they’re afraid of me! What do you think!?

Jury was curious as to why it felt like she was being avoided, even by the talkative Memory Bistro. She could not kill permanently even if she tried. Her curious nature strove to understand why their encounters were so barren compared to Frost’s, aside from the Impuritas’ primary targets being Ber and Frost.

“The possibility is not zero. It would be a waste of their resources attempting to stop what is synonymous with unstoppable.” Nav explained. “The same could be said on Frost’s end. But their goal is to elicit emotions from her…”

Nav – I need to ask you again – Is Ber ok!?

Jury had asked this same question for the last 10 minutes now. Ber was an irreplaceable friend, and in spite of how little they knew one another, she considered her to be one of the most important people in her life.

Furthermore, if something happened to Ber, then Frost would be the one who’d suffer the most. A two birds with one stone attack left Frost and Ber in a precarious state, and she vowed to destroy the Impuritas for even thinking of laying a hand on them.

“Frost is currently engaging with Ber’s Corrupted form. A Realization is unlikely, but there is still certainty that she’ll be able to rescue Ber!”

Anything if it means bringing both of them back! I don’t… want to imagine the face Frost’s making right now trying to fight her.

Jury’s face soured at the mere conception of such a sight. Through exceptional acrobatics and her razor-sharp claw, she reduced wall after wall of the Heart to mince. There was not a single flawed or unneeded movement. While she couldn’t see seconds into the future like Frost, she perceived time slower than usual thanks to her Heart of Time, which steadily ticked down in slow motion whenever this effect occurred.

This did not happen during combat. Rather, it occurred when her own emotions spiked. From this she deduced that the higher her emotions were, the more pronounced the effect was. This, however, increased the rate that her Heart of Time devoured Nex.

Interestingly enough, from an outsider’s perspective it would appear like she had gained a sudden boost in AGI, proving that it wasn’t a mere alteration of perception like what CogitO was capable of. Rather, she quite literally altered the pacing of time itself on a localized scale.

“Her emotions are stable. But I imagine she’ll require some consolation for yours truly.”

I’ll be there when she needs it the most! Like always! No exceptions! Are Cer and Res ok!?

Ignis lumbered towards the direction of Frost’s last known location. Despite her height, finding their exact location was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. Their haste was compounded when they noticed certain oddities in the distance, relayed by Ignis who became their lighthouse in this sea of flames.

“Unconfirmed I’m afraid. Jury. Ignis is spotting traces of Scarlet Logic forces moving through the streets. They are numerous and seem to be in the process of transporting goods.”

Jury, using the gargantuan Complex Heart, rose to the top before she began to scale Ignis. Her tail flung her from bone to bone as she burst through clouds of superheated steam unscathed. Along the way she momentarily paused to give Ignis a cheerful thumbs up, to which Ignis’ ears happily fluttered.

Upon reaching the top, Jury visually confirmed the situation, finding Scarlet Wolf-drawn caravans sneakily smuggle good through the city. With all the train lines gone, it appeared that Scarlet Logic had returned to collecting individuals for Atelier Acquisition the less efficient way.

Jury however did not believe for a second that these ‘Collections’ were normal. Ignis’ thoughts mirrored hers as upwards of dozens of caravans steadily paved their way towards the glowing City of Spades.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Are they finally making their move!? We gotta stop them before things get even more out of hand!

“We don’t know their intentions –!”

I’ve already marked them as bad people! I’ve already marked them for judgement! I am not going to back down when they’re right there in front of me!

“You misunderstand. I did not intend to stop you. I fully endorse your approach. I am merely curious of their intentions.”

Jury overserved the caravans roll through the putrid territory of the Crimson Hunger unscathed. Not a single Impuritas was sent their way as they were offered access through their desolate lands. She entertained the idea that perhaps the Crimson Hunger were afraid, much like how they were of her. But considering everything they knew – this became proof of their partnership with the Crimson Hunger.

She was tempted to eliminate them on sight, but behind those curtained caravans were potentially people. And in several she found evidence of a healer on board, carrying vials which indicated that they were relatively low level.

But something seemed off about them.

“Um. Do you have a plan in mind?” Ignis politely asked through Nav.

Jury descended from the skull and regrouped with her, preferring to speak personally. She smiled at the young feline Demi-human, pet her head and said:

“I’m going to go investigate. Keep heading towards Frost. Let me know when you find them. You can do that. I believe in you~” Jury always spoke in a positive-reinforcing manner, which was important for someone like Ignis who emotionally resonated with the tragedy unfolding around them.

“Will you be ok?” She sweetly asked.

“Hmmm~ Of course. We both need to do what we can while the others are busy trying to save Ber. I don’t want to be useless like what happened in Divas Pass. And Ignis.”

“Yes?”

“Keep saving people. Not even Frost can do what you’re doing. Not while she’s on fire. I can’t do it better than you either.” She motherly scratched Ignis’ hair, causing the girl to warmly relish and rub against her hand with a cute purr.

“Mhm. I will… papa… and everyone deserved to be saved. Even if people in this place are scum of the world. Even if they eat each other, I don’t want to risk hurting someone that’s a victim of all of this. I’m shocked that Frost… has killed plenty already.”

Jury froze for a moment, her smile dampening as she looked out into the distance and whispered:

“I’m sure she hates it too. Much more than we both could ever imagine. Ignis. Tell me if anything happens!” With a yell, she launched herself forth with her tail towards the closest speeding caravan.

“That’s right. And – Good luck JURY!” Ignis’ yell barely managed to reach her as she sped through the air like a meteorite, gaining strength the longer she fell.

This was due to her Slipstream Passive Skill.

PASSIVE: Slipstream

< EFFECT: You’re aerodynamic. Your speed gradually increases the longer you move uncontested in a single direction. Gain additional speed whilst moving through the air >

Seconds later, after immersing herself in the violent rush of air, she crashed in the direct path of the caravan. It steered uncontrollably and grinded to a chaotic halt as the screams of various individuals could be heard.

This was Jury’s first red flag as the dust settled. For an Atelier with highly disciplined members, screaming because of a near miss meant they were either newly recruited, Fodder, or were people unaffiliated with them.

The person driving the caravan was one of the Managers for the Dawn Collection Teams. Collection meaning that they likely had people aboard.

“What the fuck – Didn’t they say we wouldn’t be touched!?” The Manager shouted, tugging on the reins of the Scarlet Wolf. “Move! What’s gotten into them! All units out! NOW! Tamer!?”

Jury’s silhouette was still muddied by the residual debris that cascaded down like filth in an aquarium. Her Mantle of Sin activated, and red symbols oozed from her grey apparel, giving her a sinister appearance as her tail slithered and rose like that of a scorpion’s.

If anything, they could only see a pair of golden eyes burning like embers behind the smoke. The Scarlet Wolf froze. Not a single word left their lips, and their heads were drooped down almost in a prostrating manner. But to Jury, who understood animal instincts for she had essentially been one for better part of her life until Frost’s intervention, knew that they were submitting to her.

“They’re playing dead…?” A voice uttered from behind the heavy curtains, as Scarlet Logic personnel spilled out with various weapons in hand to confront the threat.

The Scarlet Wolf was playing dead. Its instincts shut off entirely, like it was already dead. The beast’s fangs compared little to the serrated teeth that lined her maw. It became the second visible thing, and in that moment, fear struck them like a blade in the thorax.

Dawn Team Collection Manager (56)

< Dawn Team Collector >

< VICE: Deceit >

< Negligent >

Dawn Team Collection Captain (12)

< Dawn Team Collector >

< VICE: Wrath >

< Blissfully Ignorant >

Dawn Team Collection Tamer (30)

< Dawn Team Collector >

< VICE: Sloth >

< Purposefully Blinded to Suffering of One’s Cause >

Dawn Collection Personnel No. X (X)

< Dawn Team Collector >

< VICES: Wrath/Fear >

< Unwilling Engagement of Atrocities >

These were the sins that her Mantle fished from their beating hearts. With such a lackluster RESIST stat, she had free reign to pluck their most egregious sins that they unknowingly adorned. Judging by the names, she deduced that they were not as despicable as she had been led to believe. Rather, the name of their sins implied that they, for the most part, were unaware of their doings.

If they did know, then their sin would have undoubtedly mentioned the Crimson Hunger.

“Interesting. These weren’t shown until you officially became a Beholder. RESIST is a mysterious thing. But to begin with, it does not work on the Blessed, Impuritas or the Corrupted. Of the 9 known vices these do make sense considering their ‘sins’. Very well Jury. Please, engage with them however you wish.”

The 9 vices were Wrath, Pride, Deceit, Envy, Avarice otherwise known as Greed, Fear, Gluttony, Lust and Sloth. These were standardized by Justica Arms according to Nav, but interestingly enough, it was actually CogitO that created these distinctive vices.

Not that it mattered. Jury did not speak. But when she was about to, another figure emerged from the caravan. It was a pale-haired woman, dressed in the same blue robes of a healer.

But this person was not a healer.

“I sympathize with Frost. If she saw this kind of deceit, there’s no telling what she’d do to them.” Jury solemnly spoke with edge in her voice, her anger directed at this so called ‘healer’.

Noon Team Gambit Personnel No. X (3)

< Noon Team Gambit Personnel >

< VICE: Deceit >

< Impersonation of Healer; Torture of Healer; Mass Conspiracy Against White Doves >

“I’m not like Frost. But right now, I desperately wish I was.” She gutturally growled.