23 Prelude

27th of December, 1349.

The stars were shining mythically in the dark blanket spread over the earth by the Evernight Goddess, as if they were feeling the approach of something epochal, something monumental, something memorial.

In the disputed borders of the East and West Balam, there wove a mountain range, tall and mighty, spitting the Southern continent. Illiniza, they called it, and it housed the headquarters of the Numinous Episcopate.

It would be an understatement to describe the headquarters as grim, as it was a relic from bygone times, representing everything that the Balam Empire represented—cold, drafty, and cruel. And within it was the main hall, raised by black-gold pillars that all wove higher to support a dome surrounded by stained windows, and behind them was the crimson moon, casting its ominous light into the halls.

Crimson drapes swirled across an unusual table. It was shaped like the known world, with all of its major landmarks inscribed on it. Military bases sprawled throughout the southern continent and the seas, shining ever so eerily in the red of the crimson moon.

A hand abruptly reached into the crimson, darkening it, and rhythmically knocked on the table.

"Let's begin." Lucien declared, retracing his hand. He sat at the head of the painted table, surrounded by grounded angels. On his right were his angels, Sia Palenque Eggers and Haiter, and on his left were his allies, Reinette Tinker and Hermes—all sombrely gazing down at the table.

The Reaper stood up from his silver chair. Under the cordial gaze of everyone, he stepped closer to the painted table and placed his index finger on a specific section of the table, where a crimson mark glinted specifically next to the silver letters of Kolain.

"The military base of Loen in Kolain." Lucien stated. "It is the world's largest base, and it also houses the majority of Loen's Navy Fleet." His finger slid smoothly across the table to the next nearby crimson mark, which was in the location of Western Balam. "The Intis Navy Base in Caesar Harbour." He slid to the island near the edge of the Sonia Sea. "The Fesyac military settlement in Konotop Island..."

To summarise, Loen, Intis, and Fesyac—all have military bases throughout the southern continent and islands that surround it.

The Loen bases were in Kolain City, Waypoint Island, Dilynius Island, and Bayam.

The Intis bases were Caesar Harbour, Beherns City, Halman Island, and Poto Island.

The Fesyac base was on Konotop Island.

The majority of bases were headed by demigods, while the most important ones, such as Kolian, Bayam, and Caesar, were overseen by saints. In terms of angels, there was only Silvia Augustus, sequence 2 of the Justiciar Pathway, who controlled the entire theatre of the southern continent for Loen.

"By the twilight of tomorrow, all of these bases must be completely destroyed." Lucien concluded deeply, his gleaming eyes tracing the angels seated in front of him. They wore a dark expression as his words poured into their hearts, compelling them to comprehend the gravity of what they were about to unleash on the world.

"Bayam." Hermes shattered the deafening silence of the dark chambers, pointing at the Rorsted Archipelago. "Are we sure about this?"

At Lucien's request and Adam's directions, the creator of Ancient Hermes had come to assist with the assault.

"The situation of the Rorsted Archipelago is indeed complicated." Sia leaned forward in her seat, weighing her options. "We have little to no sway there. It also has an important division of the Church of Storms, with its headquarters right nearby."

"The storm will rage on." Reinette spoke up silently, her bloody eyes fixated on the Rorsted Archipelago.

She looked like a huge cloth doll with blonde hair and bright red eyes, and she wore a long black gothic dress with countless mysterious patterns engraved on it. Swirling around it were sinister vines. Her skin had a lustre that no human should possess.

After attending the healing sessions with Lucien, Reinette Tinker had returned to perfect and peak condition.

She was a true Ancient Bane, the Queen of Curses!

"Indeed, "He" will." Haiter raised his voice. "If we stick to the same plan we have for island bases, we may end up facing the full might of the Church of Storms in the Rorsted Archipelago."

"And that's why we won't—as we previously discussed, we won't be occupying the Rorsted Archipelago like the other island bases." Lucien stated matter-of-factly, his legs were crossed.

Given the importance of the Rorsted Archipelago on the global stage, Lucien was determined to bring it under the jurisdiction of the Numinous Episcopate. Whoever controlled the Rorsted Archipelago would have significant power over the world's oceans and trade. If his organisation seized it, they could use it as an avenue to invade the Northern Continent.

However, the Reaper understood it was a pipe dream to try to occupy the Rorsted Archipelago during their assault, unlike the other sea islands. The best they could do in their assault was demolish the military base and throw the administration there into chaos, removing it from Loen's control. And, if his assumptions were accurate, the entire Rorsted Archipelago would be turned into a battleground between the Northern and Southern Continents, where the initial phase of the World War would be decided.

Lucien continued, his silver gaze flicking to Sia. "You will personally lead the assault on Bayam since there is a good chance that an angel of the Lord of Storms will intervene in the end."

Sia stood up and accepted his order unfeignedly.

"Just in case, take a grade-0 sealed artefact with you." Lucien said, after a moment of consideration. "Which one do you want?"

"The blood necklace." Sia immediately said. Bayam spelled trouble; she could feel it in her bones; therefore, she ought to be cautious.

And the blood necklace was one of the Grade-0 sealed artefacts held by the Numinous Episcopate. It was created from the sequence 2 characteristic of a Bloody Archduke, who was slaughtered by Sia and Haiter during their wars with the devil families.

"You may retrieve it after the meeting." Lucien hummed and pointed at the Loen military base in Kolain. "The destruction of this base is critical to our assault, but Silvia Augustus is the obstacle we must overcome in order to win." He shifted his gaze to Haiter. "So, Haiter, I bestow this responsibility upon you."

"I will bring you the head of Silvia, my lord." Haiter rose up and spoke vehemently, his voice full of confidence, which was not unfounded since if things seemed dire, he could pray to Artificial Death and allow its power to seep into reality. It was a dangerous bid, but triumph was never attained without taking risks.

"No need." Lucien shook his head, his lips twitching. "Just bring her characteristic."

Haiter nodded vehemently, accepting his order.

Lucien then pressed on the Caesar harbour. "The Intis Navy Base at Caesar Bay." His gleaming gaze wandered to the doll-like angel to his left. "You will take the lead here."

Reinette Tinker gave him an impassive stare. "I will, but once I reveal myself, the Rose School of Thought will no longer be able to sit still."

"In fact, the Rose School of Thought will attack us with full force." Lucien relayed the prophecy he had received from Adam, causing a haze of heaviness to descend over the painted table.

This was actually inevitable, for the Rose of School wielded great power in the western Balam, second only to Intis, so it was a hurdle they had to overcome one way or another to take complete control of the western Balam.

The indulgence faction of the Rose School of Thought was strong—extremely so. It was led by Suah, an archangel, and Barrcana, an angel, both of whom were certain to take part in the upcoming assault. And there was also a chance that the corrupted chained god could make an indirect appearance.

"I will draw Barrcana and face him in Caesar Bay." Reinette Tinker declared.

Lucien concurred "I think that only leaves Suah." He came to a halt, gazing around. "I will have to face-"

"My lord." Haiter spoke up straight away. "Please reconsider."

"Yes, my lord." Sia concurred.

Reinette Tinker merely gazed at Lucien deeply, while Hermes spoke up in warning, siding with the death counsels. "I think we can all agree this is a trap."

"The only reason they'd go all out is to get you." The Creator of Ancient Hermes met the silver eyes of his student gravely. "Mother Tree of Desire intends to corrupt you during the attack, Lucien."

"I understand your concerns." Lucien replied in a tone that left no space for further debate. "However, just as our conflict with the Rose School of Thought was unavoidable, so is this."

"I will face Suah and slay him." The Reaper declared.

Silence fell over the table, as everyone knew that once Lucien made a decision, it was final—no amount of argument or persuasion could change his mind. He could be headstrong like that. But they weren't that worried, as he was as cautious as he was obstinate.

"Moving on." Lucien continued, breaking the silence. "Teacher."

"I understand." Hermes nodded, well aware of his role in the impending assault. "I will provide support and prevent the information from spreading."

It was a crucial duty. As everyone else was engaged in conflicts, an angel was needed to swiftly respond to requests for help and deal with any unforeseen variables. And, despite the fact that the visionary pathway lacks information authority, they were nonetheless unrivalled manipulators, all too perfect for keeping a tight lid on information.

Then the meeting carried on. After delegating tasks to Angels, Lucien moved on to Saints and Demigods. They were actually the main force in the assault, backed by the middle sequence beyonders.

Yes, the Numinous Episcopate was going all out tomorrow. They had to, considering the success of the assault completely depended on speed. They couldn't hold back, even if they wanted to.

Lucien and his angels had already devised strategies and plans and also drafted the position and role each high-sequence beyonder would have to play tomorrow. They had even separated a group with a saint, three demigods, and many mid-sequence beyonders, with the role of confronting the forces of the indulgence faction.

Nonetheless, the Reaper briefed everyone on the plans for last-minute checks and changes. All listened closely, occasionally chiming in to turn their assault into an airtight attack.

Finally, Lucien began to draw the curtains on their meeting. "Remember that our goal is not to fight but to destroy and occupy, particularly Sia." He emphasised. "You don't even need to occupy; you just need to destroy."

"Tomorrow, my lord, Bayam will burn." Sia declared, her countenance marred by grim anticipation.

Lucien stepped up and declared, each syllable punctuated with graveness. "Tomorrow, as Backlund covers in smog of despair, we shall rain down hell on the world."