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Volume 5
Chapter 207: Conversation
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Siva’s body lay on the wall of the all-angle viewing sphere, unmoving, eyes closed as if he was just sleeping. Siva had already logged out.
“We have to start preparations as well.”
Thorn spent a glance at him and after with a thought used his authority as the Right Minister to pull up the [Management Window] to call on the Ten Acolytes of the «Church of Donar».
FLASH!
His body disappeared and when Thorn reappeared next, he was already in one of the green plains, one of the nine islands that surrounded Akhenaton.
In the plains, there was an erected platform surrounded by five metal pillars. The pillars weren’t in uniform position around the platform for three of them were behind the platform while the other two stood at the sides like security guards.
This platform looked human-made —a product of the game’s The Naturals race, but in truth, this platform was part of the features of Akhenaton.
Although there are no magical runes that could be seen in any of the area occupied by the platform nor there are in any of the pillars, it was still possible to discern that this platform was part of the lost ancient technology that created Akhenaton.
Of course, this was trivial to everyone else except to the three core members of the Church Of Donar.
“Siva really pulled out all the guns with this Akhenaton Warship. These platforms are all present on the nine islands and serves as their connection to this warship.” Thorn exhaled upon seeing this.
The platform had five stair levels and if one would look closely, the levels weren’t equally raised and it was even more appropriate to call it a throne pedestal with the highest level having an empty space for a throne.
Looking far at the horizon then glancing behind him, Thorn smiled bitterly at the sight.
“Such a grand sight…”
The background was the blue sky and the position of Akhenaton was directly in-front of this island.
Like a guardian deity, Akhenaton stood there stiffly, holding his staff on his right side and looking blankly in front of him, observing the horizon beyond everyone’s eyes as if pondering on whether to conquer it or not.
It was the feeling one feels when they knew the background of the name Akhenaton.
The eight other islands had stopped moving around the warship as the people on them could only look on through the illusion of the sea of clouds.
Such a scene was like those portrayed in the stories regarding Immortal Islands —in the sea of clouds lay the cities and residences built by the Immortal Beings. One could only glance at them but never step on the lands for they are separated by the sea of clouds, protected by a deity.
Through this illusory projection of a sea of clouds, one thing was sure… the residents of the nine floating islands sure can go to the other islands by means of either flying or using their authorities to use the exclusive ‘inter-island teleportation function’ of the warship called Akhenaton.
Flying to go to another island gives one the rare and soothing feeling as if he was on a stroll.
Only when Akhenaton is physically moving and pouring all its energy like it did the past few days and just earlier will the illusory projection of the sea of clouds vanish, rendering everything bare in one’s eyes. That’s why the residents of the islands were in a panic when Akhenaton went on a rampage like it was on great haste… because they could see everything moving so fast and even the sight of Akhenaton roaring while he destroys everything on its path.
FLASH! FLASH……! FLASH——!!
With one whipping bright light after another, seven people appeared and all of them saw the platform in the somewhat outer-middle part of the clear grassy plains.
But before they could even begin to feel awe in the seemingly heart-warming and soul-soothing view of the clear sky background, the smell of clean green grass painted their emotions with a great sense of reverence towards the inclined throne platform.
“Everyone…” Thorn’s voice rung on their ears and those eyes who’s wandering around them all focused on him on the platform. “I will be direct on this so you all should listen to me very carefully.”
On the last note, there was a short pause that enabled those “Nine” to look at one another.
Even until now, they were still unable to believe that a mere NPC has enabled these nine great figures of The North to assemble in one place.
10: Diyers
9: Niobe
8: Otus
7: Pitou
6: Red Metal
5: Coralline
4: Debra
3: Heller
2: Rentaw
1: Dilim
Of the ten said acolytes, only nine were present but it doesn’t mean that the one missing was the weakest and the most neglected one.
“Tsk…” clicking her tongue in secret, Coralline was not pleased with the special treatment that Dilim, the Reaper Summoner, was getting from The Church.
Sensing her displeasure, Thorn cleared his throat, “If you’re wondering why Dilim is not here, you can be assured that he is not getting the best treatment of all of you. In fact, he is currently on a mission that was given to him personally by His Majesty. His mission is not even as easy as the mission assigned to all of you today.”
When he spoke, the eyes of the nine were focused on him. He continued, “Diyers, Niobe, Otus, Pitou… you four will be responsible for guarding the southern Islands. Coralline and Debra, you will be assigned to the northern side. Heller and Red Metal will be responsible for the eastern side while Rentaw will be assigned to take care of the western side. Is there any concern with your assignments?”
Rentaw looked around him and then cleared his throat before raising his hand and speaking, “We are alright if we use our forces, right?”
Thorn nodded firmly, “That is already considered when these assignments were decided.” Thorn looked around him and then continued, “We are currently in the middle of a monster-infested forest and from the looks of it, the ranks of the monsters here aren’t low and it just so happens that His Majesty is resting and so it is decided that those who have no subordinates when they joined The Church will be assigned to one place. Those who have no objections, dispatch immediately.”
Right after he finished, Heller, who’s been frowning and has always been displeased for being called and yet had no choice but to join because he had no place to go to, raised a hand and spoke angrily.
“What about that Dilim’s forces? Did he not forcefully taken and enslaved five guilds under his own banner?”
Thorn looked at him for a moment as if to have taken offense of his tone. The calm and almost indifferent gaze he put the Archmage caused the latter to frown even more in displeasure before turning his gaze away towards the bottom of the platform.
Seeing this, Thorn chuckled in his heart and said, “They will be assigned as the contact forces in case there are monsters or other things that does want to get close to the Islands. As I have said, your jobs are only to guard the Islands in case it gets in trouble. Making contact with external threats will be taken over by the auxiliary army. Does this answer your question?”
Heller bit his lips and nodded quietly. Of course, the question he threw out was directly related to how his pride was hurting.
Whether this Donar is a real god or not is yet to be proven but as he had already [agreed] to a contract that binds his identity as an Acolyte of The Church, and seeing that he had no place to go in order to prove his power… Heller had no choice as of the moment but to allow himself be ‘enslaved’ like a laborer, just like the rest of these Ten who were willingly abiding the jobs that were assigned to them.
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Seeing his agreement, Thorn smiled and then dismissed them.
With simultaneous bursts of lights, eight figures disappeared with only Rentaw being left there for an afterword.
“Do you really have to order me around?” Ren said with a tone of displeasure. But it only lasted for a moment before he sighed and asked, “Why did the ship stopped anyway?”
Thorn sighed and answered helplessly, “You also know that he hasn’t taken much rest these few days. He’s really agitated right now and considering the gravity of the situation, if you were on his shoes, would you also take a rest…? Additionally, if you’re on my shoes, are you also capable of stopping him all this time?”
Ren’s throat emitted a sound as if he choked some words to death. Really, he never expected to be able to discover the weight behind the strength of the one called “The Destroyer”.
“True.” Ren said and nodded.
“Volt and I aren’t capable of stopping him. Only now that we are almost there that I was able to give him enough reason to take a rest and replenish his energy for a difficult clash. He will be back shortly. It’s afternoon right now back there on his country.”
At one point, Ren truly regrets being entangled on this mess and knowing it but on the other hand, he was really pondering of how pitiful Rex Kingsley has been.
Personally, Ren couldn’t take it to himself to abandon him, right now, that he was in need of help. As a fellow human being, his conscience was gnawing at his reasoning.
It wasn’t his job to actually join these guys to their cause but ever since he heard the last call they made to their allies back in the Archangel, Ren’s view of the entire situation had been rocked to its core that he wasn’t even able to summon the strength to utter a single syllable of the word “No” to their request of aide.
Thorn looked at him as he descended from the fourth strata of the platform, removing his mask and saying with earnestness, “I am not a part of Rex Kingsley’s circle but I have met him when he was still starting the game. Heh… you might not even believe me if I tell you that he hasn’t even played this game for a year.”
“…!!”
“Haha. It’s true. Back then, I’ve even warned my Guild Members to never make contact with him because I’ve felt that there was something dangerous about the nature at which he played.” At this point, Thorn raised his head and looked at the sky to the far distance as if he was recalling some unforgettable memory. “Back then, I saw him fighting nine D-Ranked monsters on his own and saw the desperation in his movements. We joined forces and even fought a motherbeast to defend ourselves. That was a tough fight but we managed somehow. After my team had defeated the motherbeast, we looked back and saw him standing atop a mountain of monsters that he defeated all on his own. I only now realize that the source of that kind of strength wasn’t something that anyone of us could imagine. His circumstances were so heavy that I can’t even imagine how he was able to hold himself intact despite it all.”
Ren looked at the helplessness on the man’s face and recalled the news of that accident not even a year ago.
He sighed, “Siva… such a name…” as he spoke, he also looked at the far distance that Thorn was gazing at before he continued. “In all my years living, I’ve never seen such a tragic life as this kid’s. Heh… as ironic as it may seem, now that I’ve been aware of it all, wouldn’t my pitiful struggle to follow The Union’s every whim like a worker bee be like a selfish joke if I don’t finish what I’ve started?”
Thorn laughed lightly at it, “We’re adults but when we put ourselves on his shoes, we look like a kid, especially inside this game in front of that strength.”
“Sigh… a game, huh? For many us, RPG: Terroa is a recreational place, a place to find work, and a place to let out the steam of life. But to him, this place is a cursed land that serves like his shackles. He was like a slave forced to crawl his way up while carrying the weight of his brother’s impending demise. If Rex and Baron survives this, whether my help matters or not, I’d be more than proud of myself and would truly call it living to the fullest watching them smiling somewhere on live media.”
“I hold the same thoughts. It is really tragic that Baron is under DNI Therapy. Of all the patients… there was no guarantee of… sigh… it’s depressing to talk about it.”
A moment of silence were shared between them and on the next, Ren tapped Thorn’s chest with the back of his hand.
“Well, I’d better be going. The east side, is it?”
“Yep.”
Ren frowned although smiling, “Why am I alone by the way?”
“Because you have the largest forces.”
“Aren’t Dilim’s Company have the largest forces?”
“What are you talking about? Didn’t I say that they’re the advanced forces while the four sides are just there to hold off the fort.”
“…”
“Just go, man, time’s a’wastin’.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
FLASH!
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*****
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Five Lambda-Class warships were in a formation flying in the sky, escorted by 21 Gold-plated Jet Cyclones that flew in a uniform speed and manner around them.
One look and anyone would think that it was an expeditionary force of an invading army, comparable to an entire force the same number as three entire divisions back at the War of Two Powers.
Counting the number of the fighters in this command, it would be an understatement to say that it was enough to render the entire force of the Sylphiadora Guild back during the War of Two Powers to crash down completely.
In fact, comparing the two was even unfair.
The Sylphs is just a second-rate guild with a limited number of forces that only happens to be friendly and had a lot of connections, while the Blue Card Legion is as their name implies: a legion!
Kladis had authorized a dispatch of a total of two divisions of first-rate, high quality, excellently-trained fighters to welcome a renowned Elder God.
Just this act alone clearly noted how he takes this existence called Donar seriously.
And yet, this imposing array of five Lambda-class warships still declared his intention otherwise.
If Donar doesn’t listen, kill him. If he listens to reason, negotiate.
Lambda-Class warships were shaped like “Y” and are specialized on long distance-agility warfare. They can snipe a warship at 15km away and their hulls are also made up of lightweight materials that enables the warship to maximize its maneuverability to neutralize threats.
Flying in a triangle formation, the foremost tip on the five-unit formation was a different themed flagship.
A striking gold, green, and blue warship bore the flag of the Blue Card Legion on the right flank and the flag of the “Turquoise Unit” on the left flank. It arrogantly leads the two divisions’ worth of forces towards the eastern horizon with quite a distance from the rest of the two divisions and, bringing a headache to the pilots and navigators of the rest of the fleet.
“Hmm…”
Arms crossed and wearing gold and deep navy blue military uniform, Strike Leader Marshall D’Catch stood there firmly like a pillar with his golden sabre strapped on his waist and his thick black mustache curved upwards covering his mouth, stiffly resisting the blowing wind.
His demeanor was cold and uncaring. He stood there on the very front tip of his Flagship “Turquoise” and his eyes were fixed at the far distance towards the eastern horizon.
“Hmm…”
It was still morning and yet the sky had long since been covered in a layer of dark curtain, a night shade that could spell nightmare to those unaware.
“Hmm…”
An unknown time passed and his unmoving expression flickered in a moment. His eyes then caught that bright golden glowing figure, hovering in the sky like a guardian deity of some kind.
“Hmm!”
This change on his tone alerted the NOC attendants behind him and they too stared up front and saw the distant image of the Godly Figure that shook their minds when it descended and hit the news channels.
“That’s…!”
“It really is somewhat scary.”
“Damn, we’re still far but this eternal night curse of Akhenaton is really giving me the chills.”
While the attendants whispered to themselves, Marshall D’Catch gared attentively to the image as he heard from the communicator on his ears the rumbling reports of the Navigations Officer. “Hmm…”
Marshall D’Catch raised a fist and immediately, Flagship Turquoise slowly came to a halt in the skies.
Following this signal, the armada behind the Flagship also stopped moving, forming the triangle formation with the Marshall’s flagship serving a spear point.
Right after the rest of the fleet had stopped three black dots rose from the image of the islands and quickly flew towards the Hello Party led by the renowned Marshall D’Catch.
Seeing this made him frown a little.
DING!
A video call holo-panel popped out on the Marshall’s vision and he glanced over his uncaring eyes at it to see the stiff face of his Comms Officer.
[Sir, a direct communication link from the incoming warships of The Akhenaton…!! Energy Signatures indicates them to be warships “Lord Elton” of the Nine Dragons Gate, “Sekiya’s Sword” of the Sisters of Valkyrie, and the “Black Ebony” of the Ebony Sanctuary!]
“Hmmmmm…?” A long grumbling noise came from his throat and the Marshall looked intently at the officer.
“Yes sir.” The officer replied sternly.
A pop up window appeared and a call was connected.
Thorn’s masked look appeared on the panel window and he calmly studied the mustached face of the Strike Leader of the armada.
[Such grand display of might…!! Are you provoking His Majesty’s patience?]
On the other side of the panel, the Ten Acolytes of the Church of Donar watched the scene attentively. They were also looking at the panel view of the mustached Strike Leader.
Ren, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes and tapped his communicator device, muttering something. Thorn nodded slightly on his panel view and Ren continued to watch the reactions of the Strike Leader.
“You are from The Legion?”
[Hmm.]
“State your name and purpose.”
[Hm. Hmm… Hm! Hmmmmmm…]
The members of the Ten Acolytes were aghast and the look they displayed on their panels froze and stiffened.
Who would understand that?!
Thorn had a contemplating look as he looked at the panel and from his vantage, he glanced over the still unconscious avatar of Siva.
Sighing, he looked at the mustached Strike Leader and nodded with a reply.
“Unfortunately, I cannot accommodate you with your request. His Majesty is currently resting but he had given clear instructions. Since you have initiated the contact, I shall not beat around the bush. His Majesty demands that you stop your attack at Alexandria.”
There was a pause at the Strike Leader’s expression as he closed his eyes and made some passionate hand gestures like signing in an opera along with his “Hm” replies.
Listening to this, Thorn seemed to frown. “No. We will not withdraw this demand. If you insist on pushing on your request, we will burn you down in the skies.”
“…”
The Ten Acolytes felt their hearts stopped. Their eyes almost popped out of their sockets as their teeth were razor sharp in a unified exclaim.
““““WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATION IS THIS?!””””
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Hmm… hm! Hmmmmmmm…
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Next chapter: Hmm… hmmmmmm…