CHAPTER 156: FIRST SIGHT

In the First Division’s meeting room, a tense gathering unfolded. The highest seat, reserved for the overall leader, sat empty.

A sharp-looking woman, seated just second to the highest seat, sighed, "Is there really nothing we can do?" Her sharp features betrayed her frustration. She was Elien Veilspire, the 1st Chair of the Second Division,

"It’s not that there isn’t. Our focus is too split." Another man said.

He didn’t say the next words as it would only further dampen the mood.

However, another person said it. Simple. Straight. Flat.

"We are surrounded by enemies." He was the same man who conducted Jin’s entrance. Vorn Gravelight, 1st Chair of the Third Division.

High-ranking chairs from multiple divisions frowned at his words, their faces grim, but they couldn’t refute his words. It was the truth. If they didn’t have an answer, this war was going to swallow them. It was for that reason that they all gathered here.

Suddenly, the door burst open with a bang, and Yale Blure stormed in, panting.

All eyes turned to her, sharp, then softened in recognition.

"Yale, what’s the matter?" Elien asked, her posture shifting to readiness in case there was any news.

Yale caught her breath and handed a stack of papers to the division members, standing at the corners of the room. "Distribute these."

They moved with effect, and the reports were circulated, starting with the 1st Chairs, who then began reading with skepticism.

Their skepticism gave way to shock as they read. Vorn clutched the paper, his voice trembling. "Is... this true?"

"Yes," Yale said. "Everything we asked the criminal, everything we linked—it’s all here."

The revelation hit like a tidal wave. The clarity of the matter already simplified their strategy, and though the scale was daunting, they weren’t as clueless anymore.

"And you’re saying, a new entrant from the 7th division did this?" Ellien asked, incredulous.

"Yes," Yale went further to explain how they brought him, hoping to get information, and they pieced everything together. His value skyrocketed in their minds.

"Yale, this is brilliant," Elien said, gesturing for her to sit.

Ellien looked at the meeting attendants with a slightly relieved expression. "Now, with this, how do we proceed?"

They spent the whole day in that meeting; however, it wasn’t as pointless as it had been before they got the new information.

Afterwards, the red sun immediately reported their findings to the Emperor’s chambers.

"Your Highness! Good news!" Kiol, the Emperor’s aide, beamed.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you’re smiling. Then it must be significant."

Kiol explained the report, detailing the Storms’ alliance with the Iron Brotherhood and Black Sun.

The Emperor’s expression hardened, then softened into a rare smile. "Brilliant." He paused, his gaze turning serious, then issued orders. "Coordinate with the Red Sun and families near the seven posts. Take everything you need." He paused and continued, "Inform Lunar that the terrorist attack was the storm’s way of causing chaos, and provide evidence, send the criminal’s testimony to the Vodal. That will shut them up for a while."

"Yes, Your Highness," Kiol said, bowing before leaving to carry out the orders.

The Emperor chuckled. "It hasn’t been long, but we may need to grant another Sun Star soon."

For the first time in months, a flicker of hope stirred in his heart.

***

This place was engulfed in darkness, except for a man seated at the center of the room in meditation. Lying before him were large orbs usually used for long-distance communication.

Suddenly, the orbs whirred alive with a soft hum. A voice came from one of them.

"They know."

It was simple and direct. But held a lot of meaning.

The man in meditation slowly opened his eyes, but didn’t say anything else.

"How?" A voice asked from another orb.

"Torture"

They couldn’t believe their ears. Didn’t they train their spies never to reveal information? And besides, their soldiers were never the type to reveal information. Then what were they hearing?

There was silence for a while as they thought.

This meant something. Did they actually have a means of killing a god? If that was the case, was it also used to extract information?

This wasn’t a guess anymore.

Eventually, the man in the dark room spoke, "Doesn’t matter now. Just focus on the plan and limit the information." His voice trailed for a while before speaking, "...kill any caught soldier. We can’t risk it any further."

The orbs didn’t respond, but they silently agreed. The orbs went out, except the orb that reported the news.

"Explain in detail."

***

On another continent, Aires Perseus stepped into the Temple of Light with expectations of sanctity. The invitation from a mysterious woman, offering him a chance to become a hero candidate, had ignited his hopes.

But the scene that greeted him shattered those illusions.

When Aires was told that the good side, or the angels, meant not necessarily in their acts but compared to the demons, he didn’t think it was to such an extent. His first sight was a line of beaten, scarred figures bound by chains, led by a man in a red garment with a cross at its center, flanked by stern knights.

Aires’ breath caught, his mind reeling. Slaves

...In a holy temple?

The contradiction was unbearable.

Without thinking, he drew his sword and charged at the man with the red crossed robe, his blade flashing with fury.

The man noticed his presence and sidestepped effortlessly when Aires swung, his expression one of cold contempt. Before Aires could react, a heavy fist slammed into his stomach, doubling him over. A brutal kick to his face sent him sprawling against the stone floor, the impact blurring his vision. The movement was so fast. Aires couldn’t follow with his eyes.

"How dare you attack an inquisitor of the temple?" the man snarled, his voice dripping with disdain. He gestured to the knights. "Chain him."

The knights moved swiftly, shackling Aires and adding him to the line of slaves.