“Fourth Bro, the Blood Sea Corps intends to play along with this scheme,” Shadow Five reported, appearing within the tent.
They were surrounded by a skeletal structure, a space manipulated by Shadow Three. With Shadow Four dispatched to the Shadow Fortress, Shadow Five had taken over communication duties with Thor.
“Play along…” Mike murmured, a gold coin flipping between his knuckles.
“What about the Ember and Iron Vanguard Corps? What are their stances?”
According to human protocol, large-scale operations of this nature required the consensus of all three Corps Leaders. If they disagreed, a designated mediator would be brought in.
“Ember Corps refused. Iron Vanguard hasn’t made their stance clear yet,” Shadow Five replied. “According to the preliminary plan proposed by the Blood Sea Corps, they want to open a passage between the Fifth and Ninth Abysses. Once the Fifth Demon God’s forces flood into the Ninth Abyss, we launch a simultaneous offensive from both sides.”
The plan, while crude, had potential.
“However…” Shadow Five hesitated, then voiced their concern. “Opening the passage will inevitably unleash stray demon creatures, potentially jeopardizing the summer camp training. That’s the primary reason for the Magmafist Corps Leader’s refusal…”
Mike understood without needing further explanation.
It wasn’t just Section C of the summer camp that had come to the Ninth Abyss. Over two hundred Supreme Being seeds were present, including numerous geniuses with SS-rank talents.
The stakes were too high to risk their lives.
Moreover, the Magmafist Corps Leader suspected that Thor himself was among those trainees!
The Magmafist Corps Leader wasn’t entirely convinced by James’ claims. When it came to matters involving the Demon Cult and Demon Gods, an abundance of caution was never a bad thing.
If James was feigning defection and planning to collude with the Fifth Demon Cult, proceeding with this plan would be incredibly risky.
Mike turned to Shadow Three. “What are your thoughts?”
“Well, I…” Shadow Three began, then trailed off, scratching his head awkwardly. “The Fifth Demon God… he’s full of tricks, but not very bright.”
Full of tricks implied that this plan might genuinely be the Fifth Demon God’s doing.
Not very bright suggested a certain level of stupidity. However, these two descriptions appearing together are quite puzzling.
“How high is the risk of James betraying us?” Mike didn’t know James well enough to make an accurate assessment. Turning back to Shadow Five, he asked, “Do we have any information on the previous leaders of the Fifth Demon Cult?”
“We do, but there’s only been one,” Shadow Five replied. “The Fifth Demon God himself.”
Leave it to the Fifth Demon God to do things differently.
That explained why the Blood Sea Corps Leader was willing to entertain such a risky plan. The price the Fifth Demon God was offering must have been too tempting to resist.
If James could truly extract valuable information from the Fifth Demon Cult, it would be invaluable.
“Earlier, a group of demon creatures escaped from the Supreme Abyssal, including the Progenitor of Ghosts,” Mike stated, glancing at Shadow Three. “They must have a base of operations somewhere in the Abyss. Combining that with the information we received earlier about Afterskin’s presence in the Second Abyss, I suspect those powerful demon creatures are hiding in the Fifth Abyss.”
The gold coin in Mike’s hand stilled. The pieces were falling into place.
“The Fifth Demon God wants to lure those demon creatures to the Ninth Abyss. No, it’s more than that. If he could, he’d drag everyone down with him.”
The Fifth Demon God’s dream is death. If he were human, he would be the first in line to try any death-defying stunt designed by Red Bull.
“Master Nine relayed a message earlier,” Shadow Five added. “Three individuals suspected to be level 999 escaped from the Supreme Abyssal. They belong to the Elf, Chaos, and Ghost races, respectively.”
“The one from the Chaos race is already dead,” Mike said, his mind racing. “This trip to the Ninth Abyss, eliminating the Progenitor of Ghosts… the passage between the Fifth and Ninth Abysses must be opened…”
Listening to Mike’s musings, Shadow Five asked tentatively, “So, we’re agreeing to James’ plan?”
“Heh.” Mike chuckled humorlessly, shaking his head. “I have a rooster in my home that lays eggs.”
Shadow Five: ???
What in the world did that even mean?
“Why fight a battle that isn’t yours to fight?” Mike continued, his tone serious now. “There
are rules governing decisions between the corps. We should stick to our duties as the Guardian
Shadows.”
Shadow Five nodded in agreement.
Mike’s words weren’t just for Shadow Five but for anyone else who might harbor similar
thoughts.
Focus on your own tasks, and that’s enough.
The Guardian Shadows excelled at protecting the Lone Wolf and gathering intelligence. Interfering in this situation would disrupt centuries of established order.
The three-hundred-year war between humanity and the Abyss had been waged by generations of individuals willing to sacrifice their lives, bound by rules and trust.
Mike understood this implicitly. He never involved himself in matters that fell outside those boundaries.
…
Half an hour passed after James’ meeting with the Blood Sea Corps Leader.
The results of the three Corps Leaders’ vote were in.
Blood Sea: Approve. Ember: Reject. Iron Vanguard: Abstain.
According to protocol, the Arbiter would now make the final decision.
The three Corps Leaders gathered in the conference room, awaiting the Arbiter’s arrival. Next door, concealed within a skeletal structure that blocked all forms of detection, Mike, Shadow Five, and Shadow Three observed the unfolding events.
A figure clad in black robes appeared outside the conference room. He held a book in his left hand, his right resting on the hilt of a short blade. Embroidered on his robe was a set of scales, each side bearing a book and a short blade.
“The Arbiter,” Shadow Five whispered, providing context. “Also known as the Executioner. Whenever a swift decision is required on the Abyssal battlefield, the Arbiter steps in. Their judgment is final and absolute. Any objections can be raised through official channels after
the battle.
However, defying the Arbiter during wartime grants them the authority to execute first and ask questions later. Only individuals of exceptional strength are chosen as Arbiters. Even the weakest among them is at least a Six-Star Lord.”
Mike was taken aback. This “Arbiter” was more like a formidable organization. Their absolute authority and ruthless reputation made him wonder who had established such a group.
“The first Arbiter was Supreme Being Ares,” Shadow Five added, confirming Mike’s
suspicions.
The Arbiter entered the conference room and emerged less than five minutes later.
The verdict:
“Execute the Blood Sea Corps’ plan. Cooperate with James and the Fifth Demon Cult to open a passage between the Fifth and Ninth Abysses…”
“The Guardian Shadows are to assume full responsibility for the safety of the summer camp
trainees.”
Mike: ???