Amplification magic.

Frost could see a number of disastrous outcomes already. There were Conditions that might be applicable to it as well. She wondered if the Seeds could be used in conjunction with it too.

Whatever the case was, she could not let the Impuritas achieve it.

“The Aztra Res is a Gift, huh.” Frost ruminated over this Gift. “It sounds useful.”

Gerina froze. She seemed to sense what Frost desired. Was it worth asking them for help in exchange for what allowed her Empire to stand?

It was. Because it was not her technology that determined whether it would continue to stand.

“I can help, but as I said, there are things I’m far more preoccupied with. I can’t save everyone, and I will not deviate from my goal to save another life when countless more are on the line.”

Frost made her position clear. If she was faced with the choice of a family held hostage or to further her goal, then she would choose the latter because it would save more lives.

Ideally, she’d choose both.

Reality on the other hand was much crueler.

“But I will try what I can.” Frost said, further fanning the spark of hope in Gerina’s heart. “I am the Black Dove, the Black Incandescent Color and what they call the Amalgam. You may only call me Frost. For now, I see where you are coming from.”

“Is our Gift what you seek? I can promise you it. All of it. All of our treasures, our land…”

“Then if I were to ask for your people, then would you give them to me?”

Gerina bit her tongue. As blood trickled down her chin she finally managed to stare into Frost’s eyes and answered from the bottom of her heart.

“I’d rather die than to betray my own people. We are able to live because of them. Every farmer and every person from those villages gave back to our Empire. How can I even look at myself knowing I’ve betrayed them?”

Frost’s gaze mellowed.

“Then we’re on the same page.” She said warmly.

Gerina’s shell broke, and she burst into tears.

There was certainly a lot more she could get out of helping the Bellum Empire if this was the princess. It would be like shooting two birds with one stone. Although, the brunt of the work would not be done by her.

She had the Exalted to sort this out.

They could move far more effectively than her, and plus this was their area of expertise. Frost simply wanted to hear this person’s conviction, and she flew with flying colors.

If Grandis were to be under the control of the Nexus in the future, then it would be wise to make powerful allies and figureheads along the way. Gerina Aztra of the Bellum Empire was the first candidate.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

And in exchange, Frost was promised to receive a taste of a Gift From a Star.

I should also call my Hired Arm to make a move…

“Will you send her to the Derma Layer through one of your portals?”

I will. I’ll see if she can find Knalzark and some Vermilion Moon. Just in case. I should start farming coins from the Memento Mori soon. I have a feeling she’ll eat through my reserves in no time.

It didn’t take long for Gerina to recompose herself. When her tears were wiped away, and after she put on Cer’s receptionist suit meant for a larger version of herself, she sat back down and apologized.

“You want to stop the outcome. I want to stop the processes…” Gerina simplified what they were after. “The Red Baron. Was he also the Color you wanted to know about?”

“I want to eliminate him.” Frost was not going to let an ally of Iscario die soundlessly, but she didn’t want to expose her true intentions.

“So do I. I can tell you where he is. That bastard… is one of the reasons why the villages keep on disappearing. The women mostly.”

Frost recalled how Iscario brought up the Red Baron and the women of the Village of Virt. It nearly brought her into the First State, but she remained collected. Gerina clarified that it was a mix of depravity and as material for the Red Baron called his Trophies, who were a collection of 15 individuals brought from across Elysia with flawless skin like that of a Healer.

“He and I have been calling for a Healer. He needs someone to maintain them. The Corpse… Memento Mori want them for something else. The other reason why they were after me is because I’m hiding one.”

“Huh? What kind of Healer?” Cer split the table in half with her tail, even more furious than Frost. “That slimy scumbag wants a Healer, and there’s one in that Empire right now!?”

“Under our protection! I promise you! The reason why I’m looking for another is to help them!”

“A Healer that can’t heal?” Frost urged her to answer.

A Black Wing?

It was neither a regular Healer nor a Black Wing.

“The Wandering Healer. Her name is D-13. I’ve been hiding her from the Memento Mori for months now. Her wounds have only gotten worse since then. It’s selfish to ask of you now after we came to a deal –!”

“No. It’s fine. We’ll handle this ourselves.” Frost asserted, her aura shifting the moment she knew that a Healer was involved in this. It also didn’t help that the Red Baron desired for one. “They’ve tried to touch something that doesn’t belong to them. It’s only fair that we respond appropriately.”

The Red Baron was definitely involved in the scheme in Northern Grandis. An opportunity to strike two rats with one stone arose, and she could not help but indulge in the thought of taking her time rending that Color down.

“… is it still too late to ask who you are?”

“The mother of all Healers.” Cer announced. “And… Oh, hey. Frost. They’re here now.”

A multitude of steps shook the cabin and stopped right outside the door. After a series of knocks, the door was effortlessly pulled from its hinges. The walls broke as figures walked right through without a care in the world, leaving behind perfect silhouettes.

Four entities had joined them.

“Greetings Amalgam. Forgive us for our unsightly entry.” Abadona, the Destroyer entered.

“We have arrived in full. My strongest Tear Retrievers will be accompanying us under the guise of civilians.” Teardrop, the Sight for Sorrow, announced whilst shedding tears from his giant eye.

Behind him were Cara, Usa, the Tamer Fran, Anpu – a Hora Therapeutics Moon, and a single Black Wing.

“So it begins. The Memento Mori… I am indeed familiar with their kind.” Devoid, the Microscopium emerged like a shadow. “Therefore, they are undeserving of pity.”

And finally, Lunaria the fox-eared and tailed Founding Moon appeared, brushing off the debris from her maid outfit. In her hand was a giant broom, and she began to sweep the splinters into a single pile as she hummed:

“Lunaria is here. She hopes to impress the Amalgam. Her tail wags happily knowing that the Amalgam’s eyes are on her tail and not the Fang’s. But she is impressed. The Fang is slightly taller. Annoying.”

“Heh, what can I say?” Cer grinned.

Everyone was here. The only person they were missing was Moses. Although, she was tasked with manning the Ark of the Covenant. For what reason remained unknown until Moses contacted them again.

All the pieces were on the board now.

It was time to make their move.