Two days passed in a flash.
What was supposed to be the biggest war in the history of mankind turned out to be a one hour scuffle.
The warmongers were left feeling empty while the pacifists were left with the long list of casualties.
The abyssals and humans have achieved a breakthrough in dialogue and simultaneously withdrew the deployed forces, reverting to pre-war status quo.
Did humans know about the Sequoia plants and cluster cities' destruction conspiracy?
No.
Except for the top officials, the general public were mostly unaware. There were quite a few reasons, but the main reason was it showed the incompetence of the federation.
Thus, the news channels instead pedaled a propaganda that Human Armed Forces showed extraordinary valor and caused the abyssals to rethink their decision.
Smart people among the general public knew this was bullshit, but they kept silent.
This wasn't a society that valued truth or equality, but strength and survival. There were cases of people leaking government secrets being executed.
While the general masses filled the metanet with tributes to the army, an intense yet important mission was just finished near the Uranus cluster cities.
A few hundred thousand miles away from Valos, a team of two hundred looked down at the secret realm entrance visible below.
From time to time, a figure would emerge out of the entrance, typically in a space shuttle in a bid to escape.
Of course, they had no chance and were instantly killed by the time.
This continued for an hour before a man in blue clothes with red stripes exited. His body was drenched in blood and surrounding him was an extremely thick killing intent.
"They're finished." The level 9 man said, snapping everyone out of daze.
"Everyone sir?" A level 7 asked from her spaceship.
"Yes." He nodded, and then added. "Including the bunkers."
"Great! We'll conduct an inspection and contact the command with a report. This is the last secret realm!"
*** *** ***
Varian was laying down on an ice beach.
Uranus was famous for its cold temperatures and icy surface. Even though the treasures from the ruins made it 'hospitable' by adjusting the atmosphere and slightly tweaked gravity, they didn't take away the natural beauty of Uranus.
In short, this planet actually had no land and was made up of only fluids, which were mostly in frozen state.
As it was just two days after the war, people were still reeling in from the shock. So, the famous ice beaches were pretty much empty.
"The secret realms are all destroyed, master."
"Un." Varian sipped some warm juice and nodded. The corpses of Draven and the Chaos families' heads were bound to have the keys of the secret realms. From them, finding the secret realm wasn't hard.
It was only a matter of time.
"How are the cities now?" Varian stretched his arms and asked. To be honest, this coldness which would've killed normal people was just right for him. It was refreshingly cool.
"The martial law is being continued. Now that Order and families are no longer there, the army intends to clean up the cities."
"That is one heck of a good news." Varian grinned.
Two days later, the martial law was lifted in all cluster cities. That included Valos whose residents now were utterly bewildered.
"W-What should we do?"
"No one will collect protection fees from us anymore?"
"No more street murders?"
"No threats to our businesses?"
The official announcements sounded too ridiculous for the residents. Even the optimistic ones.
But it didn't take long for the public to realize that all the gangs were 'missing'. Their properties were nationalized and their liquid cash was distributed amongst the populace distraught by the martial law.
Taking this opportunity, the businessmen from Uranus started investing in the cities, including Valos.
They no longer had to worry about the gangs.
Valos, along with other cities found itself in a position of extreme growth. The positive forecasts and the federation's strong push increased the value of everything in the city.
The infrastructure was about to get a total makeover and Valos government vowed to make the city a model among the cluster cities.
As it was 520, it would take only a few weeks for these civilian constructions.
"I wonder if I can recognize the city the next time I visit." Varian said as he leaned back into his chair.
"You can stay here, you know?" Edwina chuckled as they waited for the dishes.
"Are you trying to recruit me or what?"
"Of course." Edwina nodded. "My new adventure team will now serve in the paramilitary. If you join, it'd be great."
"You know, whatever role I get into…I end up breaking rules." Varian shook his head with a smile.
Being a cadet, he didn't act like one. Being a participant in the solar trial, he did crazy things. Being a newbie guardian agent, he broke every rule under the sun.
If it wasn't Enigma, but someone else in charge of him, then Varian would've been fired from the Guardians long ago.
"Still, paramilitary, huh." Varian narrowed his eyes.
Paramilitary…a semioffical force. That meant the army was going to reduce deployments in the cities.
Previously, a lot of manpower was spent on patrol and defense against the Order and families. There was also a lot of spending on internal security.
Now, all of this would be revamped. The majority of the city army would go to the planetoids, allowing a strong paramilitary to take care of the city.
Of course, army would still be there, but it'd only protect the military region. Every other task would be delegated to the paramilitary.
Getting into army was difficult, understandably so due to the high requirements.
But paramilitary? It was pretty straightforward. Anyone with sufficient strength and clean criminal record could join. It's like adventurers, but kinda official.
The people of Valos initially didn't believe this too-good-to-be-true offer. But when some people from their own joined the paramilitary and got the initial payments, everyone was excited.
The city government started heavily advertising the paramilitary and in a few weeks, there'd be a couple of movies about brave and cool paramilitary forces.
The future would be—
"Here, sis and bro." Billy served the food and grinned.
"Hey, little hero." Varian smiled. "You still woking here?"
The kids under 18 were given a welfare of free residence and study until they graduate high school. So, why was Billy still here?
"Of course." Billy patted his chest proudly. "I can go to school from here and work here at evening. To be honest, I can't imagine spending more time in school than on work."
"Heh." Varian tapped his chin. "So, what about your dream? Still wanna a be gangster?"
Billy froze at his question and then deeply pondered. Raising his head, he shook.
"You know paramilitary right? Apparently, they pay more than gangs. And more importantly, you can travel in space shuttles! How cool! Like really, really cool! I've never boarded a spaceship. I want to join paramilitary and go on a space adventure."
Varian's smile brightened.
Then Billy's expression turned mischievous and leaning closer, he whispered.
"You know my Boss Oss? He's sacred of lockdowns. After I get into paramilitary, I'll threaten him with lockdowns if he doesn't cook my favorite dishes."
"Hahaha." Varian chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it."
Light was finally shining upon the City of depravity. It was everyone's responsibility to protect it.
*** *** ***
This pretty much ends this arc. Please give feedback.. (I think the biggest issue would be pacing).