Defiance of the Fall

Zac's situation, or rather his public explanation for his split, had already spread outside Earth. The more he accomplished, the harder the established factions worked to install spies among his ranks. No matter how hard Julia worked to root out traitors, it was impossible to catch them all.

Besides, even if he hadn't explained the circumstances to the leaders of Port Atwood, there were simply too many breadcrumbs for the Havarok Empire not to connect the dots. The Havaroks would have launched an investigation after seeing Arcaz Umbri'Zi appear on the ladder, especially since his affiliation was listed as the Atwood Empire rather than the Kavriel Province.

The factions that had gained an incursion on Earth had already made a fortune selling information on Zac and the Atwood Empire. Half of them had been routed by him in his Draugr form long before the planet became death-attuned. He and Catheya were also seen together in the Tower of Eternity, where she'd helped him by killing a large number of Tsarun scions.

The Havaroks Empire had even more to go by than the natives since they knew about his actions in the Twilight Ocean. He'd met Ykrodas in his undead form, but there should be multiple records of his human side.

"Arcaz is Arcaz and I am me," Zac said. "And I'd say I'm more human than some outsider who teams up with the Kan'Tanu to harm Zecia. I did what I had to do to protect our sector."

"You dare speak of protecting your sector? Killing one of their heirs will bring a calamity to this whole region. Can you bear that responsibility?" the Havarok scion retorted.

"I never said I killed him. I said he's dead," Zac said with a lazy expression. "A powerful Technocrat showed up shortly after the others left. She was the one who took him out."

"You worked together with those Heaven-cursed heretics to kill someone from an Imperial Clan?" Ardos Havarok sneered.

"We didn't work together. The Technocrats just popped up and started fighting with the Imperial. We saw similar battles on the way to the Control Center. Why should I stop them? My goal was to prevent anyone from accessing the controls until the weapon couldn't be stopped," Zac shrugged.

It was difficult to explain how he'd resisted someone like Yselio Tobrial without exposing his secrets. Luckily, the mysterious Technocrat had given him the perfect excuse that would alleviate some of the pressure on him. By choosing his words carefully, he could paint a picture of himself as an innocent bystander in a struggle between the Seventh Heaven and the Sindris Clan, and he wouldn't even be lying.

"If anything, the Imperials were the ones who worked together with the Technocrats until they had a falling out," Zac added.

"The Imperials and Technocrats working together?" the Havarok youth sneered. "You should have devised a better excuse to cover your crimes."

"Oh, is that so?" Zac smiled as he glanced in the strategist's direction. "You should already have some preliminary findings, right?"

"Young master, I fear what he says is true," Warlin, the Chief Strategist, said with a helpless look.

The general clearly didn't relish being dragged into this mess, but Zac wouldn't get anywhere by relying on his word alone. He was obviously not an impartial witness, and the Havaroks had it out for him. Zac was more curious whether there was any connection between the Imperial Clans and the Havaroks. The Havarok Dynasty hadn't joined the struggle for the Left Imperial Palace of their own volition, yet Zac still hadn't uncovered the party behind them.

Things would get thorny if they belonged to the same camp. Hopefully, the annoying princeling was only using the situation to their advantage to get at Zac. Otherwise, an imperial fleet could very well be on its way already.

"You arrived in such a hurry we didn't have the chance to explain the whole situation," Warlin explained. "The Heretics infiltrated our command center with the help of deathsworn soldiers already embedded in our ranks. In return, the Technocrats manipulated our orders to send potential sealbearers into deathtraps."

As expected, Zac wasn't the only target. He wouldn't be surprised if several rankers had disappeared when the ladders updated in a few hours. He'd only survived by the skin of his teeth by taking a huge risk; how could a normal sealbearer survive an ambush arranged by such powerful parties?

"Why did they have a falling out at such a critical moment?" Prostez asked.

"It's possible both sides planned on seizing all the fruits of their cooperation from the beginning," Zac offered, nodding at Ardos. "Like he said, it was an unusual alliance, bound to fail sooner or later."

"Is that it?" the Everfast Monarch asked with a neutral expression.

It was technically within reason the Imperials and Technocrats would betray each other for no other reason than they saw an opportunity to deal a blow to an old enemy. The ancient grudge between the Limitless Empire and the Selvari shaped the world to this day. However, why would those people rush to the top of the tower when all the sealbearers were either at the outer fort or fighting on the outside?

Zac was yet unclear whether Yselio was involved in dragging the fortress to the frontlines as part of his plot. He could just have been waiting for fate to gather before making his move. However, one thing was for certain. Those two would never be willing to jeopardize their main mission over a crumbling C-grade fortress. For them, the Sixth Centurion Lighthouse didn't matter. The only thing they cared about was Ultom and the Left Imperial Palace.

The Everfast Monarch and the others could figure out that much, so Zac knew he had to give them something.

"They were fighting over information on a weapons research project," Zac said.

Truthfully, even such a prize seemed worthless compared to harvesting more seals. Most likely, it was only upon realizing the Sixth Centurion Lighthouse's secret project was related to the Lost Plane that Yselio and the Sindris Clan turned against each other. For all they knew, it might be a back door leading straight into Ultom. If that were the case, its value would greatly exceed any number of seals.

"What kind of weapon?" the Everfast Monarch asked with a somber expression. "Who seized it?"

"I'm not sure what kind of weapon," Zac said, only half-lying. He was still really just guessing at this point. "And I'm not sure either side got it. The Imperial said he was still looking for something when he intercepted us. Our activation of the [Centurion Spear] might have interrupted their plans and forced them to hurry to the command center."

"Sounds like you were the last man off the ship," Ardos said with a ruthless smile. "And according to my cousin here, they found a castle picked clean and a Realm Spirit gone berserk when the Twilight Ocean collapsed. Someone had absconded with the trove while the rest suffered. History often repeats itself, does it not?"

"Me? You think I got the weapon?" Zac said with a raised brow. "I wish."

"And we should just take your word for it?"

"He's right," one of the generals who had been silent until now said. It was the one who seemed more aligned with the Havarok scions. "A weapon that can move even the hearts of such powerful factions is a critical matter. It can change the course of the whole war. Your word alone is not enough. Better we commit a small taboo by searching your belongings than letting a critical strategic resource slip through our fingers."

Zac frowned in anger while inwardly celebrating his obscene Luck. [Purity of the Void]'s upgrade was a huge lucky break, and he'd already moved any sensitive items to his other body. These people could look all they wanted. They wouldn't find a thing.

"I'm sorry, young friend. We'll have to impose on you," Prostez sighed, nodding at Tusko and the hostile general. "Both of you. Only scan."

Zac suddenly felt a pulse spread through his body while all his backup Spatial Rings flew out of his bags. Someone had scanned him for Spatial Skills like those most Merchants owned. Zac didn't resist. The Void had already retreated to the depths of his body, and even most Autarchs would fail to uncover any of his secrets.

The two generals appeared before him the next moment, going through his rings one by one. One looked increasingly displeased, while the other appeared about ready to defect and join his camp.

"There's nothing," the first general eventually said and flew back to his seat.

"Holy hell," Tusko exclaimed, his eyes as wide as saucers as he turned to Zac. "How?"

"The Cosmic Vessel business is pretty lucrative," Zac smiled.

He'd already transported all resources critical for his breakthroughs and half of the top-tier treasures he'd gathered at the end. What was left was far less impressive, but it was still enough to make most Peak Hegemons go green with envy.

"I bet it is," Tusko muttered as he returned to his seat.

"There is still one suspicious spatial treasure on his hand, and you barely checked it! " Ardros said. "It reeks of energy."

"Young master, it's a World Ring housing a Plant King," the general said. "There are no items inside."

"It might be hiding the weapon inside," Ardos said, turning to Zac. "Take it out and cut it open."

"You want to cut open my companion?" Zac said with a chilly smile as he held up the World Ring. "Why don't you do it yourself, mister twenty-three?"

Ardos' eyes thinned into slits, and he rushed down the dais with a growl, his hands suddenly covered in cracks that spread into the surroundings. Haro had already stirred from the murderous intent in Zac's heart, and boundless wrath flooded Zac's mind as Haro realized they were under attack.

Zac had no intention of calming Haro down. Instead, he unlocked the spatial seal, and a storm of deadly vines covered in serrated thorns burst forth. Not stooping to the level of others was a virtue, but some would just keep taking and taking until nothing was left.

Ardos fought with far greater ferocity than any of the werewolves he'd encountered inside the Mystic Realm, his hands turning into primal claws infused with the Daos of Nature and Earth. They bit into the slithering vines, but Haro's appendages were more durable than the roots of ancient oak. Still, more and more vines fell onto the ground as Ardos forced his way over. The problem was that Haro was blindly lashing out, guided by blind rage.

As despicable as Adros was, he was ultimately an elite warrior of a B-grade faction. Such a crude fighting style couldn't threaten him.

'Follow me!' Zac urged in his mind, showing the way to the Evolutionary Stance through their shared Dao.

The Heavenrender Vine resisted at first but soon began listening to his calls. The reluctance disappeared when a surprise turnaround drew a line of blood on the princeling's forearm. Zac could feel Haro's desire for power, pleading with Zac to show him the way of unleashing carnage on their enemies.

Zac was happy to oblige, but a pang of danger warned him things were about to take a turn for the worse. A frown had appeared on the Havarok leader's face. One of their elite soldiers had been wounded by a young and inexperienced Early Plant King in front of a large audience. Even if Ardos wasn't using any skills or equipment, it was a huge blow to their prestige.

Rekodes Havarok, the ninth-place holder on the Middle D-grade ladder, was about to enter the fray.

Things had already reached a point of no return, so Zac could only keep going. He stepped into the writhing storm of vines with incredible speed, seemingly fusing with the Heavenrender Vine through perfectly synced movements. A burst of energy surged around Ardos, but his plan was thwarted by a punch that would have thrown the princeling across the room if not for Haro.

Instead, the semi-conscious princeling was dragged back with such force his arm was ripped off. Zac didn't care about the bloody scene as he grasped his neck with enough force to hear bones creak and groan, turning him into a human shield against Rekodes, who had finally stood up with a spear already in his hand.

"You piece of trash, you want to cut open my companion?" Zac growled as he levied [Verun's Bite] against Adros' midriff. "How about I cut you and your cousins open instead? If the Havarok Empire has a problem with it, they're welcome to ask the Undead Empire or the Tayn Family for compensation."

A clamor erupted around the dias, calling for Zac's immediate execution, but the commotion was immediately quashed by immense pressure.

"Enough. This matter is over. If you enter a fight, you better be prepared to lose. Your name and background will not protect you on the battlefield," Prostez said with an unmistakable glint of appreciation in his eyes. "That's a fine specimen."

"Thank you," Zac said as he hurled his captive at the Havarok platform like he was a piece of trash.

He didn't like using Iz's name for protection, but his situation wasn't great. And it might have made the Everfast Monarch step in and deal with the matter.

"Such nonsense," the Everfast Monarch sighed. "How could my generals fail to sense the weapon if it were inside the World Ring?"

"The matter of the fortress and its presumed weapon can be put aside, but this man cannot be spared. He's an enemy of the empire," Rekodes interjected.

"Let's not pretend this is about some distant war," Zac snorted, looking at the prince with a mocking smile. "That's right. I'm a sealbearer. You're welcome to test whether my fate or yours is stronger."

A sharp killing intent gleamed in Rekodes' eyes, and the banners in the large hall fluttered from a growing wind.

"As I said, this matter is over."

The words contained unbending determination that pushed down on the room like a thunderstorm.

"Zachary Atwood has contributed greatly to the war effort this time. First, he sent a warning of the Technocrat infiltration, saving the lives of innumerable soldiers. Secondly, he was instrumental in the battle for the fortress. An unthinkable calamity could have struck our frontlines if not for his efforts. Not to mention the vessels his empire is supplying the frontlines. How could the Alliance show its face if we turned our backs on such a hero? Who'd be willing to contribute?"

"Lord Dravorak, this is a matter of the upper dynasty," Rekodes frowned. "Lord Refus tasked you with assisting us in this endeavor. Are you rebelling?"

"Rebelling?" Everfast repeated with an icy voice while his four generals looked at the Havarok youths with undisguised Killing Intent. Not even the general who leaned toward the Havarok's camp was any different.

"It's true. You have your pursuits, and the Dravorak Empire is a subject of the Havarok Dynasty," the Field Marshall nodded, but there was a biting chill in his eyes. "But so what? Is lord Refus here? Even if he were, would he dare break the seal on his power to ignore my orders?"

"You—"

"This is just a game for you little brats. An opportunity," the Everfast Monarch pressed on, his momentum growing increasingly overbearing. "You avoided the battlefield while our men bled, only teleporting over upon hearing potential sealbearers were dropping from the sky.

"Do you think I'd let you touch Zecia's heroes just so that you can reap some benefits without exerting any effort, in blatant violation of your agreement, at that? Audacious! How could I face my ancestors if I sold my honor like that? How could I face my martyred soldiers?! Speak of this again, and I'll break your limbs and throw you onto the frontlines."

"I hope Lord Dravorak won't regret this decision in the future," Rekodes slowly said as he led his men out of the hall.

"This trial... It's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse for Zecia," Everfast said with a shake of his head as he watched more than half the officials scurry after the trio. Eventually, he turned back to Zac. "I apologize for our unseemly behavior. Even with our recent victory, disaster looms just beyond the horizon. We depend on outside assistance, even if their goals are not aligned with ours."

"I understand," Zac said.

It was impossible to say whether Prostez's intervention was because of his namedropping or whether he felt bad. Still, the Monarch had undeniably stuck his neck out for him.

"Is there anything else you can tell us about the weapon or our new enemies?" the Field Marshall asked.

Zac thought for a moment before throwing out a piece of intelligence. "The Imperial called the Technocrats the Sindris Clan. From how he talked, it sounded like he'd defeated them before intercepting us. I'm not sure if that's of any use?"

"Sindris? It's not a name I'm familiar with," Everfast muttered, but Zac noted someone else recognized it.

The veiled woman, who hadn't so much as opened her eyes during the previous commotion, stirred upon hearing the name. Zac could suddenly feel two piercing eyes stare at him, and it felt like they could see through his past and future.

Oddly enough, no one else noticed her reaction. Come to think of it, it was almost as though she didn't exist. Not a single one had glanced in her direction since Zac arrived, from Prostez to the dozens of attendants standing at attention. What was going on? Zac quickly averted his gaze, fearful making eye contact would result in a disaster.

It was too late.

"I will forward this information to the Alliance. There might be recordings of these heretics somewhere," Prostez said, but Zac could barely hear him.

It was like the timeline had split, where Zac had one foot in each reality. In one, the generals continued discussing the Sindris clan as though nothing had changed. In the other, time had stopped except for him and the veiled woman. He found himself unable to move as she stood up and walked over, her steps sounding like the ticks of a clock.

"History repeats itself," she said. "How will you respond to the pull of destiny, young Void Emperor? Will you fight back? Or will you swim with the current? What will your heart tell you when you gaze upon the Terminus?"

"You're from the Vigil," Zac squeezed through a locked jaw, having confirmed her appearance wasn't just a passing resemblance thanks to her aura. "Aren't you people supposed to stay on the sidelines?"

"Oh?" the woman said as she looked at Zac with an inscrutable gaze. "You are right, for the most part. We are flawed, and there is no such thing as a truly neutral observer. Look at our local chapter, participating in a war whose fate has been entwined with the Era's direction. However, I am just here to observe."

"Observe me?"

"In a sense. I'm here to witness the shift," the woman said before her gaze grew distant. "It has begun."