Chapter 1329 Humanity's Gambit
Meanwhile, Ratmawati City.
Despite the recent losses of the human race, the situation gradually improved.
President Sebrof was slowly earning the trust of the people back—by becoming more open, about certain aspects of the world, gathering a tournament where the winner would gain an elemental affinity provided by the Silverstar Pack, and giving quota for those who were loyal to Humanity but was blocked by circumstances such as not being an Awakened.
He even improved the communication with the military, giving them more credit.
It was the military who had the inner heart of the people.
Loyal men and women who fought bravely despite being outmatched entirely.
Including them in his campaign and such is a strategic move to earn back his reputation.
Great news also came not too long ago.
King John has awakened from his unconscious state and is now in the process of recovery.
Rumors spread from the healers that he would regain full recovery in a couple of months.
Due to his condition, the SCO was in a great pinch but that wasn't the case anymore.
All of them could find solace in this rumor to keep their peace for several months.
Not to mention, the arrival of Richard Dunkeld was also announced.
Even though Richard came from a different continent entirely—his reputation as the epitome of an Awakened is known worldwide, and the people accepted him. It was a natural effect as Richard was extremely charismatic.
Compared to President Sebrof's usual campaign, Richard's presence shed some light.
It made the people more attentive and vibrant than usual.
Of course, the people were excited with his arrival since his reputation of having—to destroy multiple Supernatural kingdoms was enticing. Losing the rising star—Rex Silverstar is a great loss for Humanity but with Richard around, the people were not helpless.
Some began to understand the bitter truth that Humans and Supernaturals must co-exist.
But there were still some who secretly shipped Humanity as the overlord.
And for those people, Richard was a beacon of light that could still make that possible.
President Sebrof knew that this was the case—the people were still split into two sides.
Considering the pain from—the Supernatural Emergence was too great, it was hard for some people to lay down their hostility towards the Supernaturals. It would take time or perhaps, it would take their entire lives to heal.
Nevertheless, President Sebrof couldn't force one side to surrender.
All he could was to do his best to keep regulating the city.
One is by informing clearly that Richard was here for safety measures, nothing else.
Now, this night, President Sebrof came out of a black sedan.
A crowd was already expecting him, it was the new academy for the 'Elite' Awakened.
Since they now possessed the affinities gifted by Rex out of goodwill—this academy was made to nurture the lucky people, chosen to absorb the elemental affinity. Of course, the elimination was very fierce.
Out of twenty million people who participated, only a couple hundred were accepted.
President Sebrof did the ribbon-cutting ceremony and made a few handshakes.
He posed for the paparazzi before going back to his car.
The Rising Star Academy was now open, and tomorrow would be the start of its operation.
It only took two hours and now he could finally go back home.
President Sebrof rested his head back on the headrest—and clasped his hands in silence.
He cleared his mind from the headaches for ten minutes before he opened his eyes again.
"Have the Grand Duke answered?"
"Yes, president. Do you want to read his message?"
"Put it on the screen, I'll read it now"
Upon hearing this, the assistant clicked on a panel to the side.
A holographic panel levitated and flew over to President Sebrof, displaying an inbox.
Scanning the inbox, President Sebrof clicked on a message before reading its content.
It was a message sent by the Grand Duke of the Elpida Alliance.
President Sebrof had sent a complaint to the Elpida Alliance about Richard and his intentions of coming here without notice. He wanted explanation—Ratmawati City was already beat up, another full-scale war and the city might be eradicated.
He was hoping that Richard came and gather his forces here through his connections.
Because of that, he tried messaging the Grand Duke.
Surely, the Grand Duke wouldn't let Richard make his continent a battleground.
Reading through the reply, however, made President Sebrof's expression sour.
Blitz!
His red lightning began going out of control, starting from small static to lightning strikes.
Had the car not been reinforced with runes, it would most likely have exploded by now.
...
President Sebrof,
The strength of Humanity rests upon the shoulders of its pillars, our cities, our leaders—and our choices. Each city has its role—to play in shaping the future of our race. Sometimes, it is not in standing unshaken that we protect the greater whole but in enduring the storms.
Richard's purpose may seem brazen to you but understand the existence of your city, like others, is not merely for shelter. Should your walls tremble, it will not be in vain.
—Grand Duke
....
"Each city has its role to play?" President Sebrof gritted his teeth. "Should your walls tremble, it will not be in vain?! Bullshit! There are other ways to approach this opportunity but this was their chosen path? What in the world are they thinking?!"
Blitz!!
He was angry, very angry.
Ratmawati City has passed through a storm and now they were forced to brace another.
Its people wouldn't last.
Seeing this, the secretary kept silent, nervous as President Sebrof never acted like this.
Pressure was normal for the president but none could make him like this.
"Is it really that bad for Sir Richard to capture the legion of invading Angels and use them as bait for Void? With so much Aether Venom, he might have a chance to really end the Angels for good" the secretary asked.
Upon hearing this, President Sebrof became angrier, "Of course, it's bad!"
"Angels were awakened recently, and we know very little about them. Now that the existence of Aether Venom was known, the Elpida Alliance decided to strike. I know that this invasion is a good opportunity for us to strike but I'm sure there are other chances before this,"
"And yet, have you heard the Elpida Alliance go all-out like this?" He asked.
Naturally, the secretary was silent.
She hasn't heard any news regarding a full-scale attack on the Angel race.
Most of the time, the other big cities only protected their borders from the Angels tightly.
"No, right? So why do you think they came here to attack?" President Sebrof asked again, his eyes were bulging with bloodlust. "I will tell you the answer—it's because attacking from here would put the blame on us if the attack failed. Void would attack us for attacking his forces"
"So we're a scapegoat...?" the secretary asked, sucking in a deep breath.
President Sebrof could only lean back and massage his forehead.
"Ever since the Great Barricade bloodbath, when they ignored—my call for help, I decided to distance myself and this city from them," He mused quietly. "Those bastards cared only—for themselves, selfish to the core. And now, when one city must be sacrificed, they've decided it will be our city..."
Gloomy, President Sebrof looked out of the window of his car.
Street lights and the nightlife pass through his vision like a frenzied blur.
It was never easy to be the leader of Humanity but these kinds of times are the worst.
"What are we going to do, president...?" the secretary asked meekly.
Upon hearing this, President Sebrof firmed his decision.
Glancing over at the secretary, he replied, "We need to get the Silverstar Pack involved"
"Should we send an envoy to Dargena City?"
"No, there's no need for that. Contact Captain Gelmar, I'll have a meeting with him"
"Yes, president. I'll arrange it for you immediately"
"Also, how about Richard? What has he been doing?"
"He spent most of his time in the penthouse. I have talked with the building manager, and he said that Richard has been mostly renting escorts and partying in his room. It does not seem like he was doing anything in particular, including his forces"
President Sebrof frowned in contemplation.
He was troubled as Richard had never told him when the attack would happen.
With Richard and his forces under surveillance, President Sebrof is under control.
But it was precisely because President Sebrof felt like he was in control that he was uneasy.
"Don't let down your guards, he's planning something. I'm sure of it..."
As he said that, President Sebrof looked out the window again.
"Just how did Richard get the permission from the Grand Duke—like this," President Sebrof whispered to himself. "out of all the boards of the Elpida Alliance—I knew for a fact that he was the only good one. What changed...?"
...
Meanwhile, somewhere near the Great Barricade.
An encampment was made and roaming there was a mix of Humans and Supernaturals.
Clad in dark red armor, these forces were not associated with the Human race.
Inside one of the huts was a man with a sharp and steely gaze, polishing his blade silently.
Soon, a soldier came inside the hut and saluted towards him, pulling his attention.
"Captain Gelmar, I'm here to report today's achievement," the soldier spoke with a clear tone. "We managed to take down five eighth-rank realm mutated animals, and save eleven cities in the process. Mutated animals in the area are being neutralized rapidly"
"What about the casualties," Gelmar questioned.
He and his forces had been trapped in a perpetual battle with the arising mutated animals.
So the only thing that concerned him was the casualties.
"Three people died in the process, unfortunately, should we bury them here?"
"No, we'll bury them back home"
Upon hearing this, the soldier nodded in understanding.
It was unclear whether these fallen soldiers had families but it's best to bring them home.
Just then, the soldier remembered something.
"Also, your theory was correct. We found more Awakened amongst the small cities we saved, I think the Second Breath stimulated the normal Humans—to be Awakened. I could prepare a message for President Sebrof to inform him about this"
"Yes, do that. Many of these small cities are detached from Dargena City so we should help"
Dismissing the soldier, Gelmar was back to sharpening his weapon again.
He took a cloth and wiped it clean after.
It was the weapon made by his son who became an expert blacksmith back home.
Of course, Gelmar would take care of it with all his heart.
But his thoughts were interrupted when someone entered his hut again, another soldier.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, captain. I'm here to inform you that there was a convoy wishing to talk to you"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
"A convoy? Who are they?"
"I believe they were sent here by the president, they said they have an important message"
Upon hearing this, Gelmar stood up and followed the soldier.
President Sebrof had been keeping contact with him and his forces these past weeks so this is not out of the ordinary. Heading to the edge of the encampment, Gelmar saw a couple—of soldiers in glossy advanced armor.
Four of them to be exact, and they weren't the regular convoy sent by President Sebrof.
But then again, the Human race has a lot of factions inside of them.
It was not that weird to see another regiment like this.
"Are you the one called Captain Gelmar?" A soldier holding an advanced rifle asked.
Gelmar frowned, these people should've known about him.
"Yes, I am"
"Follow us, we have an important message from President Sebrof"
"Alright"
Just as Gelmar was about to follow, the soldier stopped him again.
"Nobody else but you should come, the message is classified"
"I trusted these men in battles, you could also trust them"
"Please understand, this is not about trust. Some things are better not known by many"
Although this was quite odd, Gelmar followed the instructions and continued ahead alone.
He was led to a more secluded place with two soldiers behind him and another two in front.
Gelmar glanced around the place, he sensed several more auras hiding.
Only then did he realize what was happening.
"I think this is far enough," He said—as his aura began to steam. "I know you're not sent here by President Sebrof. If you're planning to attack me, I suggest you rethink your decision. I am taught by my Emperor to show no mercy so if it started, I can't hold back..."