NOVEL NEXT CH168-The Gala preparations.
"Project Illumination..." Icarius read as he swivelled around. "To think they've kept this secret so long astounds me."
"I've pulled the combined reports of missing children before or during the Starfall event," Nova announced as he entered Icarius's office, a frown present on his face. "It matches."
"Run it down to me." Icarius straightened his back as he leaned over his desk.
"There had been thousands of missing children and a noticeable decrease in children during said months. It begins around 2 or 3 months prior and spikes just before Starfall," Nova said. "But the strings of kidnapping were randomised and scattered to ensure that there were no loose ends."
"Cunning, now you all understand what I mean," Aphemis hissed.
"To make things worse, this is only for Erudicio," Nova added as he gave Icarius the file. "How much more if we include the other sanctuaries?"
"They would have thousands of soldiers, all awakened and ready for war," Icarius muttered as the temperature in the room dropped. "This war just got a whole lot messier."
"What do we do now?" Samael asked. Sure, they may now know the motive of the enemy, but then what?
"First we prepare for the Starfall event. The Gala will have to continue, but we will lay our traps." Icarius tapped his finger on the wooden surface of his desk, a low thud humming in the air. "Then we try to locate the labs they have."
"How?" Nova asked. "I'm pretty sure such a level of information isn't something any Omen knows."
"We don't need them to confess." Icarius's lips formed a smirk. "We just need them alive."
"You... you're planning to contact her, aren't you?" Nova's visage soured. "Are you certain this is what you need to do?"
Icarius swivelled back as he stared at the courtyard through his window. "You know we don't have a choice. Her ability is needed."
"Well, it's your problem, not ours," Nova shrugged.
A soft chuckle escaped Icarius's lips.
"It's about time we cross paths again."
***
With all their agendas out of the way, what was left was nothing but preparation and upgrades. Thus, Samael met with Lilith as they spent their time together for a few days.
The Gala is set for two weeks from now. It is the most awaited event of Ergo, with thousands of representatives from different sanctuaries attending.
It is where all the newly awakened talents are pooled in hopes of finding an appropriate sponsor to guide them to a better future.
Due to that, Icarius couldn't cancel the event.
In the following days of the week, the High Table, with the help of Mendez, began to study the potential attack of the enemy. With his past and the nature of assault the Church was planning, Mendez swiftly went to work.
It didn't take long for him to begin creating plans and counter tactics. Unfortunately, even he knew his counterattack was not 100% foolproof. Without real, credible intel on the enemy's plan, there was only so much their preparations could do.
The following was Mendez's counterplan.
The Gala was a massive event; everyone knows that. Because of that, it was also the only real event where all the Cardinals attended as part of the purifying rites.
It is a ritual where they bless the children with prayers and holy water, exposing them to the holy light of the divine fire, which is said to rid the world of evil.
This meant the firepower of the enemy was gathered in one place. Which also meant the entire High Table needed to be present there in order to balance the scales.
But considering how cautious the enemy was, they would most likely expect that. Ambush was not something the leaders could rely on.
But that is where Samael comes in.
Unlike the leaders and Ajax himself, who was once the honorary Saint of Tera, Samael only had a reputation with the general populace and watchers.
Sure, he was influential that way, but not enough to warrant his presence at the Gala itself. In fact, it may come as contradictory to the purpose of the event if he were there, as the ball is meant for the children to shine and extend their influence.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
At the moment, the enemy wouldn't expect Samael's affiliation with the High Table, or at least they would not be sure.
Though Samael did encounter the Cardinal Illial, it could be passed over as a mere coincidence since Mendez was sure that the Church knows of Samael's mission to liberate the Sanctuaries.
He has thwarted their plan so many times and interfered with their actions that he is now definitely recognised as a threat to the ministry.
Without certainty of his connections to the High Table or if Samael knows their plans at the Gala, he will be a looming threat that they'll be occupied to watch and wait for. Not knowing when he'll strike or where he'll strike.
That fear is their ace.
Mendez theorised that there was a high chance that a direct confrontation would not occur. Mainly due to the image the church was trying to maintain. But there was still a possibility that things may go south due to unknown variables.
There was also the possibility of using the Omens as a means to attack the party and disguise it as another terrorist attack.
Unfortunately, Mendez didn't have one choice for the potential escape route the church will take to kidnap the children.
Currently, there was one path that they could take. This is the underground tunnels. Since the event takes place in the Enerdian Highrise, the headquarters of the Knights of Glory, it possessed plenty of hidden passages beneath in case it needed a place to escape through.
Any other would involve a form of direct attack or chaos that could allow for the ministry to slip by unnoticed in the middle of the mayhem.
Regardless, the high table made sure to send out as many watchers as they could, filling the streets in guise as civilians. There were also evacuation paths and guidelines in case there was indeed a massive attack.
Samael's job was fairly simple. He just needed to watch from the shadows. Something he was extremely familiar and proficient with.
If he were to notice anything off or if the situation goes sour, he was to intervene to catch the ministry off guard. Even a few seconds could buy Icarius or Nova precious moments to act.
With that, the preparations were set.
Samael spent the rest of his time training and understanding his subzone better. Not only that, but he began to pick up on learning the ability Void Plague.
Upon Elyria's explanation, the ability will allow him precise and refined control of his element on the micro level. He could manipulate the Void matter to enter through the orifices and even skin of the enemy if he's mastered it enough.
Due to his level, the effects of the ability were still a little slow. But it did not make it less lethal.
As the ability's name suggests, it is like a disease. It gnaws away at the one who inhales it, ripping and destroying them from the inside. Inch by inch, nerve by nerve, they begin to liquefy and dissolve.
As long as Samael has enough essence, it will not end.
He chose it for Illial.
He may be able to regenerate, but how long will his tenacity last when his insides are spilling out his mouth?
He may have failed before. But next time he will not. Illial knew him. Thoughts continue to plague Samael ever since their encounter.
Did Illial know and orchestrate the death of his parents? Was he the one who sent him to that lab?
Why?
Why did Illial know him in particular?
Samael's roar thundered as the void matter around him subsided, vanishing and returning to nothingness as the area around him was left in ruined carnage.
"Samael," Lilith's voice swirled in the air as it reached the man's ears, causing Samael to cast a sidelong glance.
Approaching the man, Lilith wiped the sweat off his forehead as she held his cheek. "You're burdened."
Samael's gaze lowered to the ground, a frown present on his face.
"Tell me, confide in me," Lilith whispered.
Samael's gaze shifted back to the crimson iris of the woman, drunk on the sweetness of her eyes.
"Illial, the Cardinal of Purity, knew me and the madman back in the lab." Samael's face warped in frustration and pain, his brows furrowing as he bit his lips. "He plagues my thoughts. Questions I never had before now pester me."
Lilith's gaze softened as she brought their faces closer, touching foreheads as she whispered in Samael's ear. "You're not the person you used to be, Samael. You are stronger now, full of power and potential even they cannot ignore."
Putting her lips against his, Samael felt his raging heart calm. "You have questions, and they possess the answer."
"So show them who you are."
***
The following days went by like thunder, swift and fast, as the gala soon came. Before long, the representatives of the different sanctuaries had begun to arrive one after the other. Bringing along with them the rising stars of humanity.
Erudicio, the silver city, was soon filled to the brim with dozens of people. The inns were all flooded, and the people flocked to the streets.
The initial fear and unease of the populace was immediately overshadowed by the great event. Within two weeks, the rumour itself had completely died down.
Looking over the people below, Samael stood above the clock tower in the centre of Erudicio. Observing the shifting shadows of the joyful people.
"You ready for tonight?" A voice asked behind him.
"I should be the one asking you that, Nova," Samael replied as he turned to the man sitting by the ledge, the wind blowing his robe back along with his stained grey hair. "You look tired."
A chuckle escaped Nova's lips. "I don't think any amount of preparation will prepare us for tonight."
Samael's smile died down as he looked at the falling sun over the horizon. "Yeah..."
As the day slowly came to an end and the golden skies were reduced to darkness, the lights of the Enerdian Highrise lit the streets of the castle as hundreds of people walked the cobblestone paths, holding lanterns in their hands.
They were like fireflies in the night, casting light upon the cold darkness.
Everyone's heart raced for what's to come. Some were anxious if they'd find sponsors, while some feared if they'd even see the light of day.
Blending with the people, the watchers nodded at each other as they all went inside the castle.
Meanwhile, Samael walked amongst the darkness, hiding and watching the line of kids slowly walk their way to the centre of the palace.
He stood over the beams in the ceiling, his crimson eyes sharp and focused on the seven figures sitting at the front. Every single one draped with white robes.
Samael's eye locked upon one of them, Illial, who sat at the far left side wearing that same sinister smile as he did before.
Samael wanted to wipe it off, but the time was not right.
As the bell rang over Erudicio, the seven cardinals rose from their seats as all the watchers and high table leaders observed their next moves with anticipation.
Samael's jaw clenched.
It had finally begun.