[Chapter 40 part 1] Light – Shine Balladeer

-----------------------------

“The audacity.” Lily raged. Everyone was gathered in the Inner Palace to discuss Northern Emperor’s latest gambit. Last night during the outbreak, an elite squad, backed by an immortal, had seize the Pillar of Enera and set up a perimeter around its base. The Isle was in an uproar.

“It’s an inexcusable infringement of our sovereignty.” Lily seethed.

“Agreed, but we can’t chase them away.” Astra said. “Samuel has many convinced that securing the pillar was a safety precaution to prevent a Dark Age. If we interfere, it’d give him an excuse to escalate things. There are undoubtedly reinforcement ready to warp in. He’s that desperate.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Lily snapped back. Anger is making her fearless. “The one who led Arther to his death is right there, and we can’t afford to touch him. It’s maddening!”

“At least we know the identity of the Laughing Man impersonator.” Simon said.

“The immortal Sion Gale,” Lily spat. “I should have guessed he’d send the Child Killer.”

“What do you mean?” Astra asked.

“Right, you wouldn’t have heard.” Lily said. “He’s a newer state-sponsored immortal. Seventy years ago, he was assigned the eradication of a pirate’s nest deep in the Twisted Lands. Only when he arrived there, he found a village of non-combatants, primarily children. Someone had gotten their intel wrong. Since communications were cut off, Sion executed his orders and murdered them all, earning himself the title ‘Child Killer’. It was a major scandal at the time.”

“Wait,” Soul jumped in. “Shouldn’t he be in Tartarus?”

Lily shook her head, “From the Empire’s perspective, Sion wasn’t at fault. State-sponsored immortals are considered living weapons who ideally follow orders to the letter. Slaughtering those children only served to prove his loyalty. The ones reprimanded were those who’d organized the mission.”

Soul was speechless. Sounds evil even to me.

“I see.” Astra said icily. “Such an immortal is indeed perfect for acts of terrorism.” She turned to them. “Don’t approach him. He may only be a state-sponsored immortal, but you don’t stand a chance.”

Adventurers had to juggle their finances between their activities. Not all jobs offered by the Guild were glorious. Sometimes they were retained as backup by cities or large organizations. These gigs lasted months and paid well, but did little to further their renown ——except in cases like last night. In contrast, state-sponsored adventurers had teams dedicating to outfitting them and guiding their XP gathering. They could devoted themselves entirely to running dungeons and ranking up in coliseums. Those who survived reliably reached the wall through the quantity of their exploits.

They’re the weakest. Since their history was scripted, they rarely possessed Sublime Vagaries. Their progress also halted after immortality as they ceased unapproved risk-taking. States don’t want to lose their investments. While stronger than saints, they were lacking compared to peers.

“Doesn’t Sion wield a spear?” Rose asked. “With his reputation, surely some must suspect…”

“They do,” Simon said. “However, the real Laughing Man has been active, causing uncertainty. It’s also hard for many to doubt the Northern Emperor, at least openly. Lithorn is a master at cultivating trust, and his influence holds sway over too many to be ignored.”

“Why hasn’t he outed us?” Light asked. With the Pillar secured, there’s no reason not to. Anonymous sources had already leaked their identity, but these reports were being met with a great deal of skepticism. You can hear it in the voice of news commentators.

“He wants to maximize the political damage from the outbreak.” Lily answered. “In the same way the Tartarus news overshadowed the Undercity murders, your existence might eclipse everything else. He’s saving that for later.”

“Let’s hear from the ISF.” Astra said. “Rose?”

Their sister had visited Argent for a briefing. Since she took her role so seriously, everyone went along with it. Rose glanced at her report, “These are preliminary estimates. Thirteen hundred people fell under Kain’s curse. Another two dozen died in the initial explosions…”

Light was torn. On some level, he’d reveled in yesterday. Skydiving through the Isle’s smoky core and grappling with werewolves in a burning city was intoxicating. He understood why the HEAVENLY DAO had allowed it to happen. At the same time, he’d witnessed the tragedy first hand. He knew the numbers Rose read had stories behind them. I don’t want to take pleasure in other’s misfortune, but it’s hard…

“…This time differs from the last, when a minuscule quantity was used against victims primed for despair by impaling. Last night used RSF to spread an entire finger in population centers.”

“Displaced residents are…” At least the assassins are gone, although more might be contracted. As long as Lithorn wants her dead, Hope won’t be safe. “…Assuming no further trouble, the Undercity should return to normal in three or four months.”

“Finally, the cleanup of the blast sites will take several days. The ISF will turn over the fragments once complete.”

“That’s it.” Rose turned to Lily, “What will you do with Kain’s remains?”

“Lock them away until they disappear.” Lily Shrugged.

“What?” Rose asked perplexed.

“Kain’s corpse will gradually reassemble no matter how far it’s disseminate.” Simon explained. “The process takes several decades.”

“If his body could be permanently destroyed, we would’ve done so long ago…” Lily muttered. “Even starfire was useless. That bastard is too stubborn.”

“What’re we going to do?” Hope asked anxiously. We’ve seen what one finger can do.

“Nothing.” Lily sat back. “There’s no immediate threat.”

“How so?” Hope pursued.

“This conflict has turned political.” Lily sighed. “The Norther Emperor is gathering votes. Once he has them, he’ll convene the World Council to oust me. To thwart him, I’ll be warping around Enera shoring up support. By forcing me to travel, the Northern Emperor is weakening the Isle’s defense. The blame for another incident would fall equally on him, serving no purpose. There won’t be another attack unless his push fails.”

“When will we know the outcome?” Soul asked.

“Soon, within a day or two. Lithorn is coercing everyone to pick sides. Don’t concern yourselves, it’s my fight.” With that, Lily left. She’s under a mountain of pressure.

“I’ll withdraw too.” Simon said. “Message me if needed.”

Astra nodded then faced them, “Anything you wish to discuss?”

“What happened at the World Council?” Rose asked.

“It was a tedious affair.” Astra began. “A great many were in attendance, including Barsal Farran and Samuel Lithorn. I reported on the breach at Earth’s End and your existence, which Lithorn tried leveraging against me. Farran countered boisterously that the council’s inaction on Sola’s Legacy was to blame. He further declared the Barsal Empire wouldn’t allow my millennia vigil to be besmirched. Lithorn retreated, and the topic pivoted to doppelgangers.”

Astra smirked viciously, “Nero Ebonwood made a surprise appearance. While the Northern Emperor was displeased, Nero pointed out he’d a duty to testify as a fellow co-conspirator. This shifted dynamics. The Black Citadel is the only power Lithorn dares not disrespect.”

“I won’t bore you with details, but everything was progressing somewhat smoothly until news of the outbreak reached us. It was over by then, of course. The World Council is Lithorn’s tool, and he’d sacrifice thousands rather than give us an excuse to depart…” Astra sneered. “The focus turned to Lily’s tenure as regent. Lithorn and his proxies were far more effective at pressing this line.”

“Thank god we knew about Kain’s arm. If not for that, Lily might have been deposed then and there. Instead, we’re at an unstable impasse.”

“What’s the plan if they rule against Lily?” Dawn asked.

“There are several bad options, ranging from starting a military conflict to sheltering you in a friendly territory——Which might also lead to war. We’ll discuss further if it comes to it.”

Astra returned to the Guild, leaving only ‘mortals’ around the table. “Why don’t we review today’s match-ups?” Emelia suggested.

Wise nodded, “Actually, there’s big news there. Light, not only are you scheduled in the evening, it’s the opening match. Your opponent is Kaito Maedasa, a ‘real’ ninja.”

“What do you mean?” Light burst out. Is he implying I’m counterfeit?

“Kaito is from one of the ‘Hidden Villages’. Someone who’s trained his entire life as a shinobi.” Wise said. “Before you get too excited, let me give it to you straight: you’ll lose. The man’s nearly a saint.”

Light’s fury evaporated. The Hidden Villages! After the Fracturing, surviving ninja clans had migrated to a Twisted Land named Harakoune, forming mini-nation states. They’d thrived there, producing many saints and immortals. Due to this might, once they established a committee to present a unified front, the World Council offered them a seat. The only Twisted Lands officially recognized.

Tuning out his surroundings, he messaged Agata Nimrod, ‘Are they ready?’ and waited nervously. Wise’s warning hadn’t discouraged him in the least. Rather his blood was boiling. I’ll experience the prowess of the shinobi world first hand. I absolutely must put in a good performance! His wrystal flashed, ‘One is’.

“I must go.” Light sprinted off. They know what I’m like.

“Where?” Emelia cried out.

“To fetch a weapon.” He yelled.

The elevator was agonizingly slow, but soon he sped across rooftops and runways. Last week he’d listened to John’s advice and brought his cursed spoils to Agata. After an examination, the enchantress had asked how much money he had. After wincing at the answer, She’d demanding he ‘give it all’ and kicked him out saying, ‘stay away, must work’. He’d gone along as he’d understood he was receiving an exceptional deal. I’m dying to witness the results. He burst into Sunset’s workshop.

“That was fast.” Agata said. “What’s the rush?”

“I have a evening match against a Harakoune ninja.” Light explained.

“I see…” The turquoise-haired woman didn’t appear to grasp the significance. “Anyway, over here.”

(continued in part 2)