97 The Forgotten One, Awakens

"What did you say?" the elder, Aegis, exclaimed from the high table, his face filled with astonishment. "Say it again!"

The subordinate on the ground lowered his head and nervously repeated, "When the Rome district judge was announcing the new manager of the Rome Hotel, he was shot and killed by Gaius, the former manager of the Rome Continental Hotel."

"In the Continental Hotel?" Aegis asked, pausing for a moment.

"Yes," the subordinate confirmed, nodding. "And after that, Gaius, the manager of the Continental Hotel in Rome, publicly announced that he would join the Knights Templar. Even the local [Mole] organization joined forces with them, and they mounted a formidable siege... resulting in heavy losses."

Aegis pondered for a moment before asking, "Where are our people?"

"The elite troops were dispatched, but they faced an overwhelming force. It was like a massacre when that mysterious figure, Jack, appeared with the Holy Sword of Eden. He single-handedly wiped out our entire army!" the subordinate reported.

"It's him again, Jack... with the Holy Sword of Eden," Aegis muttered, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, determination in his gaze.

"Send out our forces with suppressive firepower weapons. I don't believe he can advance wantonly in a hail of bullets!"

"And also... prepare the missiles. If this batch is also wiped out, then we'll have no choice but to launch them directly to destroy that entire area," Aegis commanded firmly.

The subordinate raised his head, wide-eyed, as if he couldn't believe the orders he heard. "Elder..."

"Are you questioning me?" Aegis asked coldly.

The subordinate trembled, quickly lowering his head. "This subordinate dare not."

"Then get out of here and do the work!" Aegis roared angrily.

As the subordinate hurriedly left, Aegis's chest rose and fell rapidly, trying to calm himself down. The scorching desert air only seemed to make him more irritable.

"Damn it!" Aegis shook his hand in frustration and sat back in his seat. He knew the consequences of using missiles, but doing nothing was not an option either. The betrayal of the Continental Hotel had shaken the core organization of the High Table, and he had to show that they wouldn't tolerate such actions.

Aegis needed to show the world that the High Table was still the dominant force in this fight against the Templars. He couldn't let other factions see them as weak and rush to take a share of the power.

The mention of the Continental Hotel affiliating with the Templars was especially troubling. It was a core organization of the High Table, and this move suggested they had doubts about the High Table's chances of victory.

Aegis couldn't risk losing more allies. Though they couldn't use missiles in New York, they had that capability in Rome, and he was ready to use it if necessary.

Meanwhile, Aegis called for Sloan, who had been imprisoned, to be brought before him. He wanted to know more about the Holy Sword of Eden and how it worked.

Sloan, unenthusiastically, shared what little information he knew about the sword, but it wasn't enough for Aegis. He wanted to understand how the Apple of Eden worked too, believing it was the source of Jack's power.

He tried using Sloan's blood, hoping it would activate the Apple of Eden, but it failed. Just as Aegis was about to give up, a sudden surge of golden light emitted from the Apple of Eden. Entranced by its brilliance, Aegis was momentarily lost in its glow.

But then, without warning, the golden light exploded violently!

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Jack noticed a peculiar change in the Holy Sword of Eden he wielded. A thought crossed his mind, remembering the cryptic message he received from the system when he first acquired the sword: "I didn't expect it, I'm back again!"

....

Several attendants dashed towards the tent, their footsteps echoing like war drums as they gripped their guns tightly. Upon reaching the scene, they couldn't help but gasp at the peculiar sight before them.

Inside the tent, an aura of mystery surrounded Aegis as he stood tall, holding the fabled Apple of Eden in his hand. The artifact emitted a faint, ethereal glow, captivating everyone's attention. The attendants exchanged astonished glances, unsure of what they had stumbled upon.

"Go out," Aegis commanded icily, his eyes fixed on the bewildered attendants who had barged in.

"Sorry, Elder..." The attendants stammered apologetically, their initial bravado fading as they retreated one by one, not daring to challenge Aegis's authority.

Meanwhile, Aegis, observing the scene with a mix of curiosity and concern, instructed, "Bandage him."

In an unexpected turn of events, Sloan, seemed surprisingly unperturbed. He lifted his head, and as the sunlight danced upon his eyes, a flicker of gold shone within them. A smile graced his lips as he greeted Aegis , "Hello, Elder."

Aegis brow arched in response, intrigue replacing his initial sternness. "Hello, Sloan," he replied, reciprocating the respectful tone.

The attendants, busy tending to Sloan's wounds, didn't seem to pay much attention to this peculiar exchange. They continued their duties diligently, oblivious to the unfolding conversation.

Yet, at that very moment, a mysterious occurrence took place - a golden light flickered in the eyes of each attendant simultaneously! A sudden sense of camaraderie washed over them, as if a shared secret had united their souls.

Sloan's smug expression became even more pronounced. His knowledge from ancient tomes had proven accurate - the golden apple required the blood of an assassin to be activated. And now, as it glowed softly in Aegis hand, it possessed the power to sway the hearts of men.

....

In a temple buried deep underground, hidden from the knowledge of the outside world, an eerie atmosphere had lingered for centuries. The air was heavy with a sense of mystery and forgotten secrets.

As the darkness settled around the ancient chamber, all was quiet, save for the faint echo of footsteps. But suddenly, a mystical event unfolded - the three round spheres, seemingly dormant for ages, burst to life in a spectacular display of golden radiance. Their light spilled across the room, revealing intricate carvings and symbols on the temple walls, hinting at a civilization long lost in time.

But that was not all - at the heart of the radiant trio, lay a woman of striking beauty, lying peacefully as if in a profound sleep. Her presence seemed to hold an air of ethereal grace, adding to the mystique of the moment.

As the golden light continued to bathe the chamber, the woman's hand, firmly grasping a magnificent scepter, adorned with intricate carvings of two serpents coiled around each other, culminating beneath an awe-inspiring eagle with wings outstretched.

Suddenly the woman's hand trembled then her eyes flung open. Her eyes sparkled with an otherworldly golden radiance, as if channeling the divine.

"They're back... how is that possible?" she pondered aloud, the words resonating with an air of uncertainty and awe at the unexpected turn of events.

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