Chapter 60: Seat of Evil!
Standing at the very top of the towering dome structure protecting his territory was Roy.
He gazed across the outskirts of his land, lost in thought.
[Calamity Impending: 1h:18m:32s]
The calamity was very close, but therein lay the problem.
Where would the calamity originate from?
Unlike the first, which was a beast tide with clear directions and motives, this calamity seemed more elusive in comparison.
Apart from the fact that Roy was aware he would be attacked by Variants, he didn’t know how or why.
And according to the system, Variants were actually races and worlds that had fallen into corruption.
Meaning these Variants could be of any race and originate from any world.
Roy sighed laboriously, caressing his forehead with his hand.
He was on the verge of war, and he knew next to nothing about his enemy — or even their mode of attack. For all he knew, these things might just start falling from the sky.
He had asked the system, and it told him that the Variant attack was his territory’s calamity — meaning they would source from somewhere within his land.
He had sent all officers and K-9s to scour the whole plains, and so far, there was still nothing.
"Master! Master!" A civilian hunter ran toward Roy, shouting, short of breath but filled with urgency.
Roy turned toward him. "Hm? What is it?"
"Master, Squad A02 just called in. They found a mysterious anomaly!
According to descriptions, sire, they said there was a fracture — like a tear in space!
Your attention is needed!"
Roy’s heartbeat quickened. Could this be it? Have they finally found the forbidden gateway the Variants would surge through?
"What location are they at?" he asked quickly, space already undulating around his figure as he prepared to teleport.
"Sir, they are beyond Ageis, just around the north borders—" the hunter had barely finished relaying the location when his Lord had already vanished.
...
"Do you think it’s a black hole?"
"I don’t know, but it sure looks like one..."
"I think this is the anomaly Master had us on the lookout for."
Two officers chatted together, keeping watch over an ominous fracture in the void a few feet away.
"How the hell did something like this escape our notice all this while?"
"I think it wasn’t as large — it probably grew... I just hope it’s not something as disastrous as a black hole."
"Even if it is, this is Arcana. I doubt it would be as hazardous..."
Suddenly, the void beside them warped, spitting out a figure.
Thud!
Both officers dropped to one knee. "Greetings, Lord!"
Roy remained silent, ignoring them, his eyes trained on a system notification.
[Spatial Fracture Detected!]
[The destined gateway of the corrupt Variants has been found!]
So this was it! Roy exclaimed in relief.
Roy turned to the two solemn officers still kneeling. "You two — go relay my orders.
All Ageis offense operators should start making preparations, especially those facing the north. All laser and turret units should be ready to engage and directly aimed at this fracture.
And also tell the captains to rally their squads and be prepared for battle. They should all be upon Ageis by the time I return."
"Yes, Master!" The two branded each word their Lord relayed to memory before taking off to deliver the order.
Hands clasped behind his back, Roy glanced at the fracture with a frown.
I’ve found their gateway, but still have no info on the type of foes we’ll be facing... Guess I’ll have to be satisfied with this then.
He sighed inwardly before his figure vanished.
...
Upon the massive dome of protection called Ageis, there were openings — massive-sized windows of sorts — scattered across the structure.
And from these openings, massive humming sounds resonated from within as gigantic turrets and complicated laser cannons were ejected.
All buzzing with power and ready for sudden assault.
Within the structure at the base, in a hall standing tense, were a total of 290 individuals — ranging from police officers, prisoners, K-9s, and a few civilians who would be playing crucial roles in the upcoming battle.
Before the crowd stood the higher-ups — the members of Roy’s inner circle.
Suddenly, the void trembled and their Lord was suddenly before them.
A chorus of thuds rang out as they all dropped to one knee, with the exception of the inner circle members.
"Greetings to the Lord!"
Roy gazed through the crowd, nodding, feeling pleased with what he was seeing.
Among this bunch, the lowest level was 23 — just two levels short of his.
Thanks to Ashley, running out of resources was almost impossible. All one had to do was provide the capital, and she would start doubling away.
"At ease!"
Only upon hearing their Lord’s permission did they rise.
Roy took a deep breath before beginning to address them.
As a leader — especially before a great battle — it was a given for him to address them and boost their morale.
"Most of you don’t know me...
And I don’t know most of you either...
But we are all united by one bond. And regardless of rank and position, we are all Cosmic Police officers.
It might sound weird... and most of you must be wondering:
What use would there be for police in this new world?
What good can we even do?
How can we enforce the law in a world where humans can ascend the heavens and achieve godhood?
How do we bring to justice vicious Lords and terrifying tyrants who can annihilate mountains with as little as a flick of a finger?
These questions will be answered today!
We will be facing a grim battle today — a mere prelude to our conquest in Arcana.
And in this world of chaos and power, in order to show the world that justice still has teeth, we must first sharpen our fangs!
Polish our claws!
Train our eyes!
And that chance — we have been given today!
A chance to shine!
A chance to shed away mediocrity!
Each kill will bring you closer to greatness!
Each victory will show our enemies we aren’t just mere justice enforcers — we are vanguards of justice, the sworn blades of justice!"
Roaarrrrrr!
The crowd of both police officers and prisoners — who seemed to have forgotten their status — cheered, their morale at an all-time high.
This was the importance of getting a briefing before battle, morale rise, beliefs affirm and loyalty becomes more steadfast.
And for Roy, as his subordinates’ morale rose, his own declined — his heart sinking as he gazed at a sudden notification...
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[Quest Issued! Victory Against the Odds!]
Details: The odds are stacked against you, and you are about to face horrors far beyond your imagination... Survive Variant tides, and vanquish the Six Fingers of Gluttony.
Warning!: Beware — you must prevent the descent of the Seat of Evil: Gluttony. For if he descends, nothing will matter, and you and your territory will be eradicated from the face of Arcana! Such a figure you are not capable of posing a threat to — so do not test your luck!
---
Roy hid a grimace, his eyes dulling. Well, shit!.