“Here ye, here ye! Read all about it! The royal crooks of the Ellin Kingdom are demanding a meeting with the Amalgam!”
“Extra! Extra! Come grab the latest scoop! The Crystal Paladins of the Chlam Empire have been spotted crossing the Sermount Ruins! Are they declaring war!? Or are they here to prove their commitment to the ways of righteousness!”
“Slimes are in uproar! The Slimes of the Kingdom of Slimia don’t have enough slime to make the journey! Are they going to be the first Kingdom to back out from the Amalgam’s summon!?”
The Common Hub was in uproar. Sensationalism existed even in this world, not that it was surprising to Frost. Developments were constantly shouted out by paper boys and girls. The accuracy of their claims was questionable to say the least.
I’d expect them to bring a large entourage. It’s me that they’re coming to meet. Either they’re bringing it to showcase their Kingdom’s might, or they’re legitimately afraid. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent vassals in their stead.
Frost purchased a newspaper for 10 Nex, but she threw in an extra hundred unbeknownst to them. She found a seat at the closest café, watching the face of the child morph into surprise as they darted their head around, looking for the person who had transferred so much Nex into their System.
Then, she ordered a milk coffee with five sugars.
The atmosphere is a lot more tense than I thought.
“You would be annoyed too if your abuser was allowed to waltz into territory you call home.”
Nah. Beyond just being annoyed. I’d be pissed.
The relationship between the Blessed and the Kingdoms of the world had soured to the point where the Blessed openly despised them. It was mostly contained to known nations that had been confirmed to have committed heinous acts against the Blessed, but it unfortunately also spilled to other countries – barring the ones endorsed by the Nexus or in close collusion with an Atelier.
The Chlam Empire for example was an Empire located in Emvita that followed the decrees of the 10th Branch as well as provided Justica Arms with a steady stream of aspiring Peace Flock.
To say that they were here to declare war reminded Frost of a phenomenon of the modern era called ‘clickbait’, where people would put absurd titles or images for mediocre or mundane news.
Although, comparing it to clickbait was not right. Sensationalism relied on dramatization and emotional impact rather than enticing clicks, or in this case, purchases. A clickbait title would be closer to: The Crystal Paladins Are Done – You Won’t Believe What Happens Next!
“Frost, I need to ask you something. As a friend. Are you ok in the head?”
I was just thinking about how modern techniques would work in this world… Yeah, I’m sorry.
“Just remember that I have to hear it too.”
The newspaper didn’t have anything substantial.
Everything that was written had already been reported to Frost days in advance. The reason why she was here was to gauge the sentiment of the Blessed prior to the Assembly.
An Assembly was a meeting between 5 or more countries at once, which was always held within the Stage of Atlas. 7 countries was the most the Stage had ever hosted simultaneously.
In a few days, the record will be beaten by more than 8 times.
59 Countries, each of varying sizes, power and influence were to arrive in Atlas in the next 3 days. An Assembly did not do this historical event justice. As a result, the name Summon of the Amalgam was coined internally. Outside the event was called the Summon of the Head.
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“Hey! What do you think the Amalgam looks like!?” A child asked a parent as they walked by.
A cup of hot coffee was then placed on her table.
“The Receptionists refer to the Amalgam as a ‘Her’. It’s safe to bet she’s a woman.”
“Do you think she’s pretty!?” The child exclaimed, just passing by Frost’s table. “Like her!?”
The child glanced at Frost’s direction for a moment and beamed with a vibrant smile when she waved at her.
Frost gave her coffee a small swirl and gazed into her reflection when it settled. She took note of her completely black hair and casual wear, which was no more than a black turtleneck sweater and jeans. A CognitO Filter concealed the true colors of her hair and eyes. They were far too conspicuous to have out in public, or rather, at least within the Nexus.
Few, if any Blessed knew what the Amalgam looked like. But she felt like they’d immediately be able to tell her apart from the others from her hair alone. To prove her point, Demi-Humans and keen Elves were already onto her.
Sixteen people have noticed me through the CognitO Filter. I wonder if it’s the way I smell.
She paid them no heed and enjoyed her cup of coffee.
//////// < ALERT > ////////
< RAID IMMINENT >
< HAILSTORM >
< THE ARBITER’S TRUMPET SINGS >
The warning almost caused her to spit out her coffee.
Oh… It’s just a Raid. For as second there I thought a Corrupted found its way to the Nexus.
“That’s what a Raid is.”
… You know what I meant.
“The Head’s making their next move! Will we see bloodshed in the Stage for the first time in 5 years!?”
“The Nexus wants YOU to become stronger! Learn about the enemies of the Nexus and the Head HERE!”
“Here! Come here! Here’s what you need to know before the Nexus becomes a sovereign state!”
This news was supposed to be kept a close secret. However, the recent opening of the Hyperlink Site in the Bellum Empire invited speculation. That speculation evolved into delusions that so happened to be exactly what Frost was planning.
After all, the Bellum Empire were recognized as allies to the Nexus, rather than a mere Kingdom that was safe enough to house a Hyperlink Crystal. An ally meant that the Nexus had formally shifted away from a neutral position.
This paired with how the Head had been enforcing laws and consolidating the power within the Nexus; the only logical conclusion was that they were preparing to make their debut on the world stage.
… again, Frost hadn’t thought that far ahead when she reformed the Nexus.
40% of the Blessed were persecuted. Thousands are being treated by Hora Therapeutics for their trauma. 300 arrived in a catatonic state. Jury doesn’t directly deal with them, but she reads through their progress notes… I don’t want to think about what’s written on them.
“Jury has not grown used to it herself.”
And to think they want Healers. Tch. Have the Stars finished reporting their findings?
“You will find a summary of all 59 attending Kingdoms on your desk, as I’ve been told. It includes the crimes they have committed to the Blessed. Names, site of injury, type of injury, degree of suffering – it is all written down and documented through the Traumatic Clocks.”
Good. Haaaah…
The Blessed did nothing wrong. Blessed Adventurers were largely responsible for the rapid developments of many Kingdoms. Their strength, reliability, and ability to teleport into their territory at their time of need was invaluable.
And yet, they spat in their faces. Frost could only imagine how they felt. In the end, they were no more than tools, just like the Healers.
How many hours are away from the Assembly?
< Assembly Countdown >
< 63 Hours >
< Scheduled time: 12:00 hours >
< Nex Megalopolis Entry >
< 3 Hours >
< The Nex Megalopolis will become quite the sight for the next few days >
< They will want to showcase their standing amongst each other as well >
< Therefore, as the Stars have reported, they have brought along their strongest personnel >
Frost took one last sip from her coffee. Once it touched the marble table, she stood up and uttered:
“Then we will greet them with ours.”