The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 537: Emergency Meeting (I)

Emergency Meeting (I)

Although Sirius showed up alone to handle the mess that occurred at the battlefield, his expression didn't lighten at all. Just as he suspected after receiving information about this matter, the Terrors were moving unusually. The scale of battle varied depending on the number and strength of the soldiers stationed at differing posts on the Catastrophe Line.

After learning of this predicament, the higher-ups of the World Reclamation Task Force understood that the movements of the Terrors were influenced by an entity with sufficient knowledge of their actions.

Terrors couldn't receive information through memories, so they didn't believe this to be the issue. In fact, the fact of the matter was much worse. Hence, Sirius's solemn expression.

Nevertheless, he didn't wish to risk anyone overhearing the critical detail he had to reveal. So, he first waited until the leftover Terrors performed an unusually tactile retreat before their entire forces were annihilated.

During that time, Sirius continued to examine Odessa.

"You used the Seraphic Exchange, didn't you? Luckily for you, you possess a Spirit that possesses an abundance of vitality. While it'll take some time, you'll have to rely on your spiritual connection to recuperate your exhausted vitality," Sirius said before glancing in Nadida's direction.

Unlike the rest of the Crux Family, Sirius was one of the members who wasn't opposed to an outsider taking up the Vice Commander role. Not only was this woman before him valiant, but she was also the former pupil of Irauk. Just that fact alone meant there was something special about her worth fostering.

However, thinking about this matter caused Sirius to grow curious. 'Just where have you disappeared to? It's been years since you showed your presence, and all signs of your existence have been erased. Even the Supreme Families are unable to locate you.'

It wasn't long after Apollo's departure that Irauk vanished abruptly. After ensuring that his pupils were all situated, he left an abundant collection of resources to tide over their cultivation needs. But, in doing so, he also revealed that it would be an unknown amount of time before he reappeared.

This only led to more questions since he was a pivotal figure in the prior war against the Terrors. Without his presence, it was unknown if the Grand Masters, who faced the weathering of time, would be enough to appease this calamity as well.

Meanwhile, Nadida felt Sirius's gaze and turned towards him with a complex expression. "The soldiers… they're not enough. If the Terrors continue to grow at this pace, the new batches of soldiers will become obsolete. But… I assume you're already aware of this."

"Correct," Sirius admitted before glimpsing at the battlefield filled with mutilated bodies and destroyed terrain. Although the scenery was enough to unsettle seasoned veterans, Sirius remained unperturbed by the sight.

Instead, he continued to speak shortly after. "Follow me into your headquarters. Allow the others to gather what remains of this battle's aftermath."

"Right now? Can't we hold off on any conversation until we've identified all of the casualties?" Odessa muttered in slight shock. It was customary for the salvageable remains to receive a proper burial as well as a consolation package for the kin of the deceased.

Sadly, it seemed they couldn't partake in these usual customs as Sirius shook his head.

"This is very important. Once you learn of what I have to say… you'll understand why this can't wait at all," Sirius answered. Although reluctant, Odessa was forced to comply as she sighed with a defeated expression. Judging from Sirius's tone, nothing good would come of this chat.

Eventually, the trio arrived within Odessa's personal quarters, cordoned off by a powerful formation to ensure her privacy and protection. Sirius wasted no time explaining the matter as he took a seat and leaned forward.

"The War Council, comprised of the Supreme Families, Great Families, and Headmaster of the War Academies have called for an emergency meeting. All leaders of battalions and larger parties are mandated to appear in the center of the Catastrophe Line," Sirius revealed.

For a moment, the room was silent as the atmosphere turned heavy. If an emergency meeting was called, that could only mean a few things. One, the War Council obtained proof of an unprecedented threat.

Two, the War Council is unable to ascertain how they should move forward and require the input of everyone to reach a suitable choice of action. Lastly, the situation has deteriorated so much that the leaders need to be made aware of vital information. Any of these scenarios were enough to make a leader wary.

If the War Council, which was made up of the most senior individuals of the World Reclamation Task Force, couldn't devise a proper plan, then that could only mean that this war had indeed taken a forsaken turn.

Be that as it may, Odessa didn't overreact. Instead, she sighed while looking directly at Sirius. "They're calling for an emergency meeting right now? What is the cause for it?"

"It's quite simple actually―there is an extremely pressing matter that the War Council needs to reveal. It hasn't been made known as of yet, but since you've been called upon, I can tell you beforehand―a mature Disaster has been born," Sirius admitted.

Brukti amassed enough Death Essence to solidify his transformation into a Disaster throughout the constant disputes. However, he had been inactive during this time since even the slightest injury could interrupt this process.

In his stead, Brukti exercised his influence over the weaker Terrors by mentioning the one they feared―Lord Az'kayzak. Just the mere mention of this name was enough to have all Terrors, Rank 3 and below obey Brukti's command. As for the Rank 4 Terrors, fear only worked to a certain extent since their sentience also awakened the urge to preserve their life.

Both Nadida and Odessa's expressions filled with horror as they learned of this information. Although they didn't experience the past firsthand, they had heard terrifying stories from that time. According to what they knew, Disaster-level Terrors were, in a word―nightmares.

The stories that circulated through the Supreme Families and Great Families inscribed the events involving those monsters as nearly hopeless times. So, the thought of sinking back into that mire was enough to frighten these two.

Not to mention, the fact that the War Council withheld the supposed birth of the Disaster. After all, a Disaster took ample time and Death Essence to mature, especially since the maturing process was, in truth, a consolidation stage.

From what they could tell, Brukti's current state was far from the true power of a Disaster. As far as they knew, this state consisted of many phases. The more Death Essence absorbed, the deeper they advanced into the stage. And only when the carnage of the battlefield reached its epitome could they genuinely flourish.

"That response is to be expected," Sirius said with a faint chuckle that soon turned into a grimace. Truth be told, he didn't expect to bear witness to the birth of Disaster-level Terrors once again.

"So, in a sense, you came to act as an escort for us to return to the central area?" Odessa asked while settling her troubled emotions. Even though she was a Paragon, she had yet to master all of the abilities that accompanied her level of Soul Talent.

Unlike her peers, the title of a Paragon meant her Soul was strong enough to delve deeper into the intricacies of the spiritual relationship shared between a human and Spirit. At most, most cultivators could only draw upon ~twenty percent of their Spirit's power by utilizing its spiritual body.

But, Paragons who mastered their Soul, it was a different story. Their solid Souls were resilient enough to withstand the tyranny of stepping before a genuine member of the Upper Races.

"Correct. But, you don't need to worry yourselves. I'll handle the transportation," Sirius said. A moment later, he retrieved an odd stone resembling onyx, except there was a rune letter emanating a bluish light embedded in the center.

Shock appeared across Odessa's face as she noticed the stone. She didn't expect the use of such an essential item just for something as simple as traveling. "A Teleportation Stone?"

"Your aunt is the one who supplied me with this and ordered me to use it now. Even I was surprised since this can be a tool to save one's life on the battlefield," Sirius said as the rune flickered right after.

A mystical ripple filled the room, vanishing instantly along with the three previously in the room.

…

Meanwhile, Odessa noticed many familiar faces present― the Astarte Family, the Dongguang, the Braum, and even her Crux Family. More importantly, members such as Solomon, Soren, and Valerie were present.