2252 – Support
Three weeks later—Middle Sector 98—Curse Galaxy
"Things have been quiet since Marshal Aru's last attack on the galaxy; since then, we haven't dealt with any major assault. Sure, we run into occasional individual sector-level attacks, but they're nothing like before," one person in the Throne Hall spoke calmly.
"That doesn't mean Aru is actually dead as you claim; perhaps it's the calm before the storm," another replied with furrowed brows. "We haven't managed to injure Aru in any way—in fact, I can still hear the sound of his laughter from the last attack ringing in my ears to this day."
"Believe me, he's dead. He's still just a Martial Emperor, with no great spiritual power—how could he withstand the Negative Karma? Especially after the curses we planted around the galaxy to intensify the Karma Aura's effect? He probably choked on a grain of rice while fleeing!"
"Have we sunk so low as to bet on whether a Martial Emperor is dead or not?!" one person raised their voice in anger and embarrassment. "Does anyone have any real information we can work with?"
"......"
"...The individual attacks carried out by the Royal Spirit Masters and the Nexus States have completely ceased over the past two weeks for some reason, and that hasn't happened in a long time."
"The forces of the Time Sand Galaxy remain stable on the border of Middle Sector 98, even after the destruction of our reinforcements and the killing of our brothers. They haven't tried to return and take control of Sector 97 more quickly... They're just standing there, and they've even spread out heavily along the border. No vehicle will get past them and enter Sector 97 without colliding with them."
"And who would even want to go there in the first place?!"
"I wanted to go with some reinforcements... If we could move the battle to the adjacent sector, we'd relieve the pressure on what's happening here."
"..."
"Young Sector 98 is also in a major crisis. The forces of the True Beginning Empire attacked our strongholds there, and then the forces of the Time Sand Galaxy also entered... If it weren't for that group that left, we would have lost everything there."
"We have already lost everything in the Young Sector. Supply chains for resources and soldiers have been cut off, and we are besieged by a large number of fleets from below. From there, they can attack us easily. Within a month or two, you will find all those vessels roaming in Middle Sector 98... our sector!!"
"No, they haven't... even here there is a state of stagnation, a state of silence."
"....."
"The Supreme Sword of the Shadow Swords, Theo, appeared in the Great Space Gate area exactly two weeks ago."
"............."
"How the hell did we end up at this point?!"
Beside that group of men and women, in a deeper voice, a voice dripping with disappointment, words were heard: "Oh, my joy in you."
Everyone lowered their heads and turned their bodies toward a specific direction.
There, three identical thrones stood.
The owner of the voice was the one on the left throne. "In front of our honored guests, you behave like this? I asked you to gather information about our situation in the war, and this is what you bring? A debate among children?!"
"Father, to put it mildly, our situation is shit." Someone spoke from below the Throne Platform. "Even if we set aside everything that's been said, we have confirmed intelligence that the Grave Empire is currently mobilizing a massive force involving all the Wings, and is conducting a military parade showcasing a terrifying display of strength to intimidate their enemies... And who are their enemies if not us and the Endless Chaos Empire?"
Then that person furrowed his brows. "A terrifying military force appeared in that parade. We can even set aside the fearsome fleets of The Note, for just the fleets and armies of the Wings alone can cause concern for any power, no matter how great... The one who came up with the idea of these Wings is a devil! A devil!!"
Thump
Thump
The veins on the forehead of the person sitting on the left throne, on the forehead of Zargul the Sorcerer, began to throb violently. Even he didn't know if he was this angry at the current situation, or at his son who didn't know how to phrase his words more tactfully!
"There's no need for anger, Brother Zargul. Our situations are similar, and there's nothing to be embarrassed about." The person sitting on the right throne spoke with some calmness. "A curse upon the Cosmic Elder who afflicted us with that filthy gang!"
The person was dressed in black, with a sturdy build, appearing to be in his forties. He had long black hair, a clean-shaven face, pale skin, and unsettling eyes.
"Brother Darvion, this is a conspiracy—a plot devised by the Cosmic Elder. He wants to overthrow all those under his authority, clearly but indirectly, and that friend is carrying it out for him." Zargul ground his teeth. "It just so happens that we are the first two on the Cosmic Elder's path to turning toward evil, but we will also be the last obstacle!"
"Well said, both of you!"
The person in the center clapped once firmly, then straightened up again on his throne.
"The Archon was not wrong when he decided to teach you the Truth and support you in standing against tyranny and evil!"
"Ah, of course he wasn't wrong, and we will undoubtedly cut off the path for him and his apparent partner." Zargul showed a fawning smile, one he hadn't used since he was an ordinary Spirit Master. "But we need some support... Your Excellency, Marlik the Butcher."
"And support... is what you will get."