RUMMBLLLLEEEEEEE!

Randidly watched the clashing forces in the sky for several long seconds. There were no impacts in this all-out war, there was only a steadily growing energy imbalance. There was only momentum. The rigid shape of the Aether defense began to warp further and further. The effects were still minor at this point, but Randidly’s Grim Intuition could predict that soon the effect would spiral out of control; at this rate, they really might lose the Fifth Cohort to the Nether.

That prospect finally triggered a strange suspicion that had subconsciously itched at the back of his neck since he had arrived. Lady Iellaya’s reports of the behavior in the Military Headquarters was one thing, but witnessing the clash in the sky… Blue-black energy flared to life around Randidly’s eyes. With it, he could get the slightest glimpse of the future waiting around the corner. The Nexus… still doesn’t understand the sort of foe they are facing here… They don’t realize the threat the Nether King poses...

Congratulations! Your Skill Revelations of the Atramentous Threshold (T) has grown to Level 371!

Congratulations! Your Skill Revelations of the Atramentous Threshold (T) has grown to Level 372!

With his significant capability to observe and understand Aether and Nether, Randidly could just barely make out the particulars of this showdown; things were going to get much worse before they got better. He pursed his lips as he considered the moves that he should make. For several seconds he hesitated between the choice to intervene or not, but then his eyes flared a bright emerald as he focused on Commandant Wick’s image in the sky.

I could assist you… perhaps help you stabilize the situation on the Fifth Cohort… but would you reward me for that? Or would you only view my action of coming here and not serving you as an aide as petty… and punish me for it?

No… when it comes down to it, I don’t give a shit about the Nexus. It’s the lives on these planets that I want to protect. And the Nexus has already condemned them, no matter what happens. Today, Wick… you are on your own. Besides… who knows if showing myself now would make that strange Nether Being chase me once more…

It’s not the Nether King that pursued me last time… but my shade didn’t observe it well enough to get any of its characteristics… perhaps it was a Nether Prince…?

Still, letting the Commandant struggle on his own didn’t mean Randidly would allow things to go easily for the Nether forces.

Even if he didn’t move directly, Randidly could sense that ripping up a few more Nether Pinions would delay the Nether King’s victory over Commandant Wick. Which in turn would give the military more time to reposition its forces, preventing a mass loss of life when the Commandant's battle collapsed.

So Randidly sent out messages to his forces. The patrolling squads, led by the duo of Kallum Xeruth and Benjamin Rex, would bring all the Lancers to rendezvous with the forces of Commander Shilling. With all the squads gathered together and the other Tier III Lancers, the group would try and take down two more Nether Pinions over the course of the next few hours.

Randidly’s eyes pierced through the intervening distance and witnessed the expressions of helpless exhaustion on the faces of Vizzeret, Jieu, and Charlotte when they received those orders. Very quickly, that expression shifted to resignation. He could practically read their inner thoughts: ‘I thought I would be done with the Head Drill Sergeants insane demands once I deployed, but he still haunts us…’

Randidly couldn’t help but crack a smile.

In the final confrontation against the Nether Herald, Commander Shilling and the Lancers had been the meat shields, but it was the there who inherited bits of Randidly’s images that needed to strike the final blow. Even DiOrtho Vant’s powerful image couldn’t rival the peak combined strike of all three of them. And his chosen recruits had managed to mix their three images together in a powerful force, barely. Yet due to their efforts, their Willpower was currently squeezed dry.

But those resigned expressions quickly shifted to determined professionalism. They had their orders, they would do their utmost to accomplish them. Randidly felt a tingle of pride in his chest. Then he sent another message.

Have you recovered enough to talk?

If Raymund Ballast had taken too long to respond, Randidly would have moved directly to a rapid conquest of his accumulated Paths. But it appeared the Vulpine had been waiting for Randidly to reach out and sent a message back almost immediately. My mental state is stable. We should speak.

Randidly nodded lightly as he used the Philosopher’s Key to open a portal. If Raymund was back in fighting shape, the Vulpis Squad would have a much easier time defeating the two Nether Pinions. In addition, the squad leader’s visible movements would help cover up Randidly’s presence here.

The Vulpine stepped out of the portal with his chin high in the air and with his spirit burning visibly through his eyes. Randidly mentally adjusted his expectations; it seemed that after the near-death experience, something had changed for the Foxman. And the shift was a positive one. Randidly prodded him to give a report on what had happened to him and Raymund succinctly summarized the events of earlier today and then relayed what his brother Techetadore had said.

There were a few seconds of silence after Raymund’s explanation finished while both were alone with their thoughts. After barring his teeth from reliving the memory, Raymund continued to speak. “There are several irregularities in the circumstances of our meeting. Based on the capability he demonstrated, my brother clearly acted with the malicious intent to lure me outside of the military compound for purpose of killing me. In addition, his overwhelming prowess is almost nonsensical. His aura was comparable with yours, Head Drill Sergeant.

“Yet that is not the only suspicious point. Previously, my physical abilities were one of the few areas where I could rival my brother. Yet now, he crushed me in that regard, after I had spent five fruitful years of training with Lady Vualla and Overseer Helen. When combined with his behavior and manner of speech… I suspect foul play. Something… has clearly happened to my brother.”

Randidly tapped his cheek with his fingers while nodding slowly to the foxman’s conclusions. Raymund hadn’t needed his help at all finding his brother, so now Randidly’s promise to help would transfer to helping him understand his brother’s state. And certainly, such a sudden increase in power was a dangerous sign. Perhaps Techetadore had accepted a deal similar to what Commandant Wick had offered Randidly.

Yet that wasn’t the most important discovery. While Raymund had been passionately speaking, Randidly’s mind had been fixated on a different detail.

So, you’re here on the Fifth Cohort to play too, Shal…? And you are as cold-blooded as ever… Randidly grimaced as several emotions warred within his chest. Obviously, he was furious that Shal had allowed his subordinate to lay fatally wounded on the ground without providing assistance, and that he didn’t even punish his subordinate Techetadore for inflicting the wound, but Randidly also knew Shal. If his mission required his group to remain low-profile for the greater good, Shal wouldn’t blink at eliminating a witness.

Violence had been all too common on Tellus. Even if the image he had used to overcome the Second Calamity had been one regarding a dream of a hero, the foundations of the man Shal were soaked in blood.

Plus, you have my next Fatepiece… cheh, there are too many moving pieces right now… Randidly raised his eyes and looked at the conflict in the sky. The crackling black lightning had grown to be a near-permanent presence as the Aether defense was forced into a more passive state. It was like a massive obsidian jellyfish, its tentacles constantly flicking and booming as it expanded its reach.

Finally, Randidly shook his head. Now’s not the time to go searching for you and to see how we stack up against one another. Or a good time to confront Raymund’s brother. But… it’s still good to know you are alive.

Then Randidly turned back to Raymund. He fished in his interspatial ring and brought out Raymund’s identification card. “Join back up with the Vulpis Squad. Help them eliminate the Nether Pinions around our area. Achieving outstanding results here will open doors for you in the future. As long as we keep rising within the Nexus… I believe we can track down the information you want regarding your brother.”

Once Raymund bowed and left, Randidly turned back to his Paths. Rubbing his chin, he couldn’t stop a smile from stretching across his face as he considered his options. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be rich. ‘Why choose, can’t I just have it all?’

Heh, actually, I’m probably quite rich on Expira, aren’t I? Just never really thought about it… I just asked for things and Tatiana usually gave them to me…

After forcing down another pang of guilt over how much he took Tatiana’s efforts for granted, Randidly began completing Paths.

Congratulations! You have completed the Friend to Humanity Path! As you have moved through the wilds, you have relied on the support of your race in order to survive in the dangerous and cruel environments. It is one thing to brave the dangers with only your body but is quite another to be part of a tribe that can watch your back. With numbers walks safety.

Congratulation! Resistance and Reaction +20! Congratulations! You have gained the Skill Tribe Reliance (Un) Lvl 1!

Tribe Reliance (Un): When acting toward a common goal with someone of the same race or organization, you will receive a slight boost to all stats. The individual or individuals who help the user trigger the Skill will receive a smaller percentage of the same bonus. Magnitude of bonus increases with Skill Level. Percentage amount given to allies slightly increases with Skill Level.

Randidly shook his head slightly. Hum, this might have helped me a bit if I had taken the Path in the past. But now… better to let it serve as fertilizer…

And so he continued to rip through Paths.

Congratulations! You have completed the Order Ducis: Font of Guidance Path! Sometimes it is possible to establish order in the vast Wilderness. Through your own effort, you might provide safety to others by the auspices of your organization. To achieve such an effect is a testament to your personal power and growth. Your reach can spread and provide a sense of security to those who assist your exploration.

Congratulations! Wisdom +50! You have gained the Skill Reliable Aura (R) Lvl 1!

Congratulations! You have completed Humanity’s Torch Path! The light you can bring to others is spreading. Although it is but a small glimmer in the vast darkness, that glimmer has incredible meaning to those who see it. To them, after so long wandering in the darkness, that light is the brightest thing that they have ever seen.

Congratulations! Fidelity of the Ascendant Moirae and Focus +40! You have gained the Skill Compelling Order (Humanity) (R) Lvl 1!