Outside of Neptune was a region of space called the Kuiper Belt. It was a region filled with bits of rocks and ice, comets, and dwarf planets.
Pluto was the largest dwarf planet.
In this region where objects ranging from the size of a fist to the size of the earth's moon drifted around, abyssals set up multiple bases.
These bases served as a backup for the row of planetoids that were directly present between Neptune and Pluto.
A few minutes ago, from these bases, thousands of space ships took off and pursued a single target.
Quite a few level 9 were deployed and the biggest chase in history began.
…And ended quite anti-climactically as the ghost ship pulled off more and more distance.
Despite their tremendous powers, Abyssals found that they couldn't catch up, much to their frustration.
Then, their temporary agreement with humans came into play.
Human spaceships and powerhouses also joined in chasing down the ghost ship.
But as if fate was mocking them, they too were left in the dust.
No matter how many space shuttles and powerhouses abyssals and humans had, the solar system was just too big.
Thus, after a few hours of intense chase, the situation stabilized.
The enemies were still chasing, but they weren't anywhere near.
"…and so, I got the Blocker," Varian explained what transpired on his side.
Enigma, Blue Flash, and Bali listened with different expressions.
Despite being completely healed, Blue Flash was still tense.
Bali seemed to be uncomfortable with the way his expression kept changing and Enigma…she had a hard-to-read look in her eyes.
"So, a level 6…you thought you could pull it off? Are you crazy? Or am I crazy for trusting you without verifying all the details?" Bali leaned forward and glared into the young man whose face was no longer covered by a mask.
Bali was surprised since he already met Varian once at the solar banquet when he was with Sarah. He also knew of Varian's talent and his astounding victory in the solar trial.
To be honest, Bali cherished such talents and would've supported Varian.
Only if the mission wasn't so dangerous.
Varian stiffened at Bali's remarks and was about to reply when Blue Flash beat him to it.
"The plan didn't include his level."
Bali turned to Blue Flash and scowled. "And you are the one who planned this with him. Everyone nearly died."
Varian sighed deeply. "I am responsible for this. I could've done better. Or if I was a level 7, things could've never gone this way."
"…If things went really bad, I had a method to save myself," Enigma confessed, but no one believed her.
In fact, Varian felt worse. She was trying to console him after what she had just gone through.
"…" Looking at Varian's remorseful face, Bali fell silent.
Enigma, however, was visibly unnerved by Varian's words. "When you start thinking like that, you'll take the blame for everything. It eats you from inside."
Varian raised his head in surprise.
Enigma glanced at Blue Flash and Bali. Her violet eyes changed to tri-color as she said. "To be clear, this happened because of me and my weakness. The ultimate responsibility lies with me."
"Hmph!" Bali snorted and crossed his arms.
He was angry, but he wasn't mad. If he was, he'd be attacking them already…though a certain ghost repeated to him multiple times that should he try that, everyone in the ghost ship would die.
He thought back to Varian's condition when he was pulled into ghost ship. It was evident that his battle was far worse.
Any level 6 would've died already, but he was still active.
…And from what his comm's broken clips he showed them, Varian killed nearly thirty abyssals. Though they were seriously injured and had their combat power dropped, they were still level 7 abyssals.
A level 6 killing so many level 7s, despite the injuries and in such a short time was not only shocking but also unheard of.
Bali couldn't imagine the situation if Varian was a level 9. Such a person would be a nightmare for abyssals.
"It's not completely on you either." Bali finally said and his gaze landed on the floating disk in the room.
His expression darkened as he lowered his head. "We…We, the army pushed you. If people acted sensibly, this wouldn't have happened."
Varian was taken aback by his words while Enigma and Blue Flash clenched their fists.
"You guys really did…Shadow Guardians doesn't exist anymore. The shield that protected you from the Order doesn't exist anymore. The reinforcements you'll need in tough times don't exist anymore." Blue Flash said with a burst of mocking laughter, but everyone in the room was able to hear the plain hatred and grief in her voice.
Enigma's breathing ragged as she clenched her fists tightly. The pictures of their deaths filled her mind and her eyes closed in pain.
"…If they defied the military order and didn't kill the guardians, then they'd be labeled as a traitor and be killed," Bali said with a remorseful expression.
Then, he turned to Enigma and said frankly. "I can understand their reasoning for wanting to kill her, but destroying Shadow Guardians is—"
"It was done by Julius." Varian cut him off.
"Sovereign Julius." Bali corrected, while he shot a glare at Varian. It was apparent he was dissatisfied with Varian's disrespect.
Varian narrowed his eyes. "It's a personal vengeance against Enigma."
Then, he turned to the floating disk and muttered. "If they at least gave us time to negotiate or surrender, we'd have had the chance to retrieve the Blocker. Then, none of this would've happened."
In fact, the initial proposal was to lock up the Shadow Guardians for a few days. But Julius changed it citing 'There could be another alien'. It was absurd, but not impossible.
"Are you going to reveal this to the public?" Bali asked with an expectant expression. "…while I can't do much, I will use my influence to free the arrested."
The ones related to Shadow Guardians were also arrested. With the 'Blocker' clearing away allegations on Enigma, it'd also free the people from prisons.
Varian shook his head. "I still have one more thing to do."
"Huh?"
Varian's eyes cooled down. "Xanders."
Bali's eyes widened and he was about to persuade Varian when the latter shook his head.
"They aren't an innocent bunch. But I am not talking about attacking them. Not yet."
"Then…?" Bali frowned in confusion.
Blue Flash recalled Varian's words before the mission and realized the next step.
"The Expo."
"Hm." Varian nodded.
"Wait, you want to att—" Bali stopped abruptly as a wave of aura erupted from him.
Varian nearly suffocated under the pressure, but it quickly vanished as Blue Flash waved her hand.
"What was that…?" He stared at Bali who was now sitting cross-legged.
Bali suddenly opened his eyes and teleported to the exit. "I need to go. The origins are about to be completely merged."
'Master?'
Varian nodded at Boo and the exit opened.
Bali covered himself in fire armor and jumped out.
The space around his body began to twist. Bali's gaze shifted between Varian and Enigma.
He glanced at the Blocker and yelled.
"I hope you get justice without much bloodshed."
And he teleported to the boundary between the outer and inner space.