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Book 12: Chapter 28: Hole (1)

“Old Bear died?”

A baleful aura filled the underground base. A man with a towering presence sat on a throne forged of beast bone and covered in their furs.

“… Yes, Commander. We found their corpses strewn in the Wasteland…”

“And the sand serpents?”

“… Dead.”

A skull Commander clutched in his hand shattered, a gloomy expression practically coagulating. He didn’t need to ask to know that the shipments were also stolen. But, he really couldn’t think of who could have done this. He had hush deals with Blazen and Metodei City.

Of course, there were some who weren’t fond of these deals, but they shouldn’t have dared to act so brazenly. Especially not with his temper.

“Comm –”

“Call me Skull.”

The subordinate giving the report shuddered. There was only one particular circumstance their commander asked to be called by this moniker.

“Commander Skull… I don’t think this enemy is simple. The remains show that there was only one of them, but no one lasted more than a single strike. Even a Middle Immortal Essence expert wouldn’t be able to do this, they would have to be at least of the Higher Immortal Essence realm.”

“…” Skull looked toward his subordinate dully. “Gather up the men. The target is Zaneta City. It seems that those on the sidelines have forgotten how dangerous I am.”

Just as the subordinate feared, those words came. Launching an assault on a city as a mere gang was something only a madman would do. Yet, whenever Commander insisted on being called Skull, this was precisely what happened. It’s just unfortunate that Dyon didn’t have enough mental energy to check the situation underground, or else he would have realized that though Zaneta was a puppet state just as he deduced… There were still three centers of power in this place.

“… B-but Commander Skull…”

“Do you want to die? Go and execute my commands.”

The subordinate gritted his teeth and managed to stop himself from falling face first into the ground for but a moment before his cheek was firmly plastered to the coarse floor.

“I…. I don’t mean to refute Commander Skull… I only want to remind Sir Skull that the next shipment will be due soon. If Zaneta’s economy is halted, it may not be possible to recover the quota. If we fail even once, there won’t be anyone to protect us from the Void Creatures for another hundred years…”

 “You know nothing. Piss off and go prepare.”

With a wave of his hand, Skull’s subordinate had half his body destroyed into a bloody pulp.

“Trying to lecture me. I’ve been around since before you were born, how can you know things that I do not. The tributes will soon be obsolete. Mount Volare is about to erupt.”

Skull coldly glanced at his subordinate crawling out in a trail of his own organs.

“Shadows.” Skull suddenly spoke. “Go make sure they’re preparing properly. I want to be laying siege to Zaneta by tonight.”

**

“What’s the matter, Taline? Why are you in such a state?”

Taline actually looked just as refined and arrogant as she usually did. As the vice deputy, she was used to her lofty status, so of course she wouldn’t allow herself to sink too deeply.

However, what this unknown man was referring to was the gloomy expression on her face and the deeper frown lines that now made it difficult to hide her true age.

“Hubby, you’re sitting here without a care in the world while your woman is having her face slapped in public by a mortal rat. Are you very comfortable?”

“What?”

This man was obviously the Head of the alchemy guild, Venerable Zabel, a lofty Immortal Saint. With his status, there was no need for him to personally oversee a certification exam. He spent most of his time in seclusion, refining his craft. Occasionally, he would indulge in some woman like vice deputy Taline.

After hearing Taline’s story Zabel was both enraged an apprehensive. It was only after a long while that he spoke again.

“… Don’t provoke him again. In fact, it would be for the best if you could make amends.”

Taline was stunned. A moment later, a deep grievance welled up in her heart and she began to cry. It didn’t seem fake, but actually seemed to be her true feelings.

“It’s all your fault.” She said between choked sobs. “I’ve waited by your side for millions of years, tending to your every need, yet you’ve never taken me as your wife. Now a mortal rat all but calls me a whore to my face and you sit here and do nothing.”  

Zabel felt a strong headache coming on. “Have I not treated you well? Is there anything you ever want for? Any resources you’re ever lacking? There’s no need for this, please stop crying.”

“So you think I’m a whore too, right?” Taline gasped for air, her throat choking up. “These resources, this money, you think that’s enough to shut me up, right?”

Zabel squeezed his forehead beneath a palm. “Silence!”

A torrent of energy strangled Taline’s sobs to a complete halt, leaving her stunned. Despite the disparity in their strength, Zabel had never actually raised a hand to her, nor had he ever oppressed her. This was the very first time he crossed that line.