'Is there real goal really Cluster cities?'
Enigma didn't know. The way they concealed everything was beyond expectations.
The federation, the abrax family, Shadow Guardians and Athena agents—all of them knew about the rising kidnaps. They knew about the theft of Ylocan flower and Goreiki. They were also aware of Roshnium smuggling.
Not just that, there were suspicions on deaths of some of the famous architects and scientists.
In their eyes, these events, while concerning were disjointed. Who would've thought that these normal crimes would connect to weave a web destructive enough to threaten lives of nearly half a billion.
And it was only the direct threat to the five hundred million lives. If the plan succeeded and the cluster cities were blown up, what were the consequences?
All supply chains to Neptune would be cut off. An isolate Neptune would have to face the two-front war against Thunder Abyss and Pluto.
Thunder Abyss could ask for help of other abysses, and get reinforcements. But Neptune couldn't.
The difference brought by reinforcements would be initially small. But as time rolls on, it would compound and create significant damage to Neptune army.
Not only that, Neptune would be starved off critical supplies like weapons, star treasures, potions, and advanced technological items.
Its emergency supplies would run out eventually and a depleted Neptune would dwindle down in all fronts.
If the Thunder King was bold enough, he would exchange his life for Sovereign Ares or at least hold him back.
Then with joint efforts of fallen pluto and Thunder Abyss, Neptune would be conquered.
Unlike Pluto, this loss would have a severe effect on the federation. As home to 7 Billion humans, fall of Neptune would kill 14% of human population.
The consequences would be felt in military, economic and technological domains.
Despite their losses in conquering Neptune, Abyssals would recover in a decade.
But humans?
Having lost Pluto and Neptune, they'd no longer be able to hold their ground.
Unless there comes a new Sovereign…there's a good chance that planets would fall one by one to the growing army of Abyssals.
And in a few decades, humanity would breathe its last.
Enigma's eyes snapped open and she took a deep breath, trying to calm down her agitating emotions.
'What was I thinking?' She rubbed her forehead. 'What I consider is the worst case scenario.. But like Varian said, if they are considering something even bigger, then…'
Enigma channeled her aura and calmed herself. In times like these, especially in times like these, she shouldn't lose her cool.
She went through everything Varian said and showed and raised a question.
"Why only seventeen?"
"Huh?" Varian looked at the files and frowned. There were twenty cluster cities. If they wanted to bomb every city, they'd need at least one officer per city.
Enigma tapped her cheek and said. "You missed them?"
Varian thought for a moment and turned to Boo.
"Just a few minutes, master." With a salute, Boo went off to check the records.
"Nope. These three cities don't have any cases of such disappearances. The underground networks of these cities don't have files on high ranking officers either." Boo replied with certainty.
Enigma leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "If the explosions only happen in seventeen cities, the army will send reinforcements regardless of the current situation.
In fact, the defense of these three cities would be raised so high. Whatever abyssals are trying to achieve through cluster cities destruction, it'd backfire."
Varian nodded in agreement and said. "So, they must destroy these three cities no matter what…but how?"
Enigma went silent for a few minutes before saying. "The chaos families' meeting."
*** *** ***
Seated in his black-red throne, Abrax looked at the three Chaos families heads and Shadow Order leader, Draven.
It was time for the final meeting before the attack.
As he learnt the origins of this grand project, Abrax felt equally honored and nervous.
Abyssals were planning this since Pluto War. The resources spent for this project were astronomical.
And this plan was supposed to be finished after 5 years. By then, they'd be able to bring all 20 high ranking officers under their control.
But for some reason, Abyss Emperor preponed the plan a few weeks ago.
At that time, there were only 16 military officers under their control.
The plan back then was to send the chaos families to one city each and use Shadow Order to wipe out the fourth city.
The plan to kidnap Betty was almost stroked off.
But right then, Abrax entered the scene. Through his clever manipulation of Eric, he got rid of a genius like Varian.
This impressed the Abyss Emperor and he gave this ambitious prince powers to participate in this mission.
Abrax wanted to prove himself. So, he requested the higher-ups to allow Betty's kidnap and convinced them to postpone the explosions.
His reasoning?
"Our emperor wants to save as many lives as possible. If we can use one Colin to destroy Valos city, why waste hundreds of thousands of Abyssal lives?"
And thus, the kidnap was successful, Betty was injected with poison and Colin agreed to do his bidding and place the ragnaroks in the city kernel.
All in all, Abrax felt pretty accomplished.
The time has come for all the planning and hardwork to pay off.
Abrax looked at the four people in front of him.
The Chaos families' heads. Uranus Cluster's Shadow Order head.
"This will dictate your fate. The better your performance, the better your life." He said with a generous smile.
"Yes, Sir!" The level 9s nodded and left to their lairs.
Right before explosions, the three chaos families along with Shadow Order would attack the three cities.
These cities would be blood bathed in no time.
Today, Uranus cluster cities would be erased.
"I'll tear down everything."
*** *** ***
"I'll protect everyone." Varian sighed and stood up.
Enigma stood up as well and said. "I have some level 8s in the cluster cities to stop these military officers. But sneaking into military region is impossible."
"We need a better plan. Something that can stop every officer." Varian said and closed his eyes in thought.
'He's grown up.' Enigma stared at him in silence. He still gave the familiar feeling, but he was no longer a weak boy.
Of course, she never saw him as a person with a weak heart. Even when he didn't awaken, he was willing to risk his life.
It's a pity that he didn't have the strength to match his ideals. But now, after so many struggles, he was on track.
In just two months, he already surpassed his peers.
As someone who watched him struggle all the way from his childhood, Enigma was proud of how far he came.
She also knew the main reason for his progress was a secret he harbored. A secret big enough to cause him to be chased by humans and abyssals alike.
'But his secret is not the only reason. It's his own will too…'
"Ah!" Varian snapped his fingers, causing Enigma to snap out of her daze.
"Hm?" She raised a brow.
"I'll call you soon." He hung up the call in a hurry.
"….." Enigma clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
