Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 285 The Merger I

The return to the throne had been something Altair desperately sought. It felt natural. Calming the mind of unwavering convictions.

Presently, in his court stood Athena and Aurora, both locked in a sort of debate.

"No God will simply agree to lose their land even if Altair is the Ruler. To suggest that any sort of property without reason could simply be taken away is inconceivable."

Aurora remained impassive. "Land that isn't beneath the Emperor's Reign is subject to be conquered. We've little time to care about the morality of action. Not when—"

"Aurora," Altair interrupted. "Why are you debating Athena? Thaan is the chancellor."

Aurora lowered her head respectfully. "Forgive his absence. He wanted to review the three-day event we had planned—the coalition party."

'Ah, I see. Athena is trying to change Thanatos' mind through Aurora. Cute.' He thought, 'So that's his intent.'

"Athena," Altair said. "Thanatos is right, but neither are you wrong. So how about you take over diplomacy between the various secular kingdoms on this new world coming into being? I've no interest in waging war, but I will without hesitation. Unlike the previous rulers, I already instructed Genesis to send agents. Ninth circles.

Aurora, what's their ETA?"

"Two days," Athena said. The two looked at her strongly, and she explained, "I can sense everything that occurs in this entire quadrant in space. Based on their speed. Two days."

Altair, while surprised, didn't show it. "Yes. They'll probably use these...agents to broker new deals and so on, especially now that we have a bit of funding from the GCA. Although, I don't like that they're late. We called them months ago."

"We acquired A few Arcane Suits. Giving them to a few shadows could drastically aid us." Aurora said, padding something into her datapad. She looked up, a frown nearly visible. "Oh, and... Syris just sent me an invoice for..."

"Give her whatever she pleases. Have you seen her in person today?" Altair asked, wondering what sort of Authority Syris might have over his Shadows.

"Not yet."

After a moment, Aurora padded away, nodding to herself.

"Ah, and do start giving out salaries. God knows how dull life is without money." God and Shadow chuckled, beginning to discuss the empire's current state for the next hour and a half.

By the time his court was out of session. Altair returned to his study to catch up on all the work he'd missed. Glaring at the paperwork stacked on each side of his desk, nearly half the length of a sword, he nearly cried.

"Screw the Upper Moons for messing with me." He told himself as Aurora laughed behind him.

"Call me Altair when we are outside the palace," Altair interrupted, glancing at the stunned Raven. She smiled, nodding quite eagerly.

"Then Altair," she said a little awkwardly. "What are we doing here?"

Just then, one of the working women fell, and tendrils of azure veins rose across her throat. Mana poisoning.

"We are observing." Altair narrowed his eyes, perfectly visualizing the world through his mind's eye with the aid of his Spirit Domain. From the slightest movements to the woman counting the Sols they were given in their hotel room, to those enjoying the taste of a woman's touch, to some awaking from the cool embrace of dreams, he smiled.

"Only the rich or the well-off can afford the luxury of this Five-Star Hotel."

Atelia tilted her young head. "Papa, can I have some ice cream?"

Altair revealed some of his presence, signaling to one of the waiters to order three drinks and some ice cream before sending them off, and continued. "This entire trip was to observe the people. I wanted to know if they're happy or at least capable of sustaining themselves." Revealing that Neuolink was giving information about anyone he watched, he patted Raven's surprised expression.

"What did you think? I just did this for fun. Of course, my data is screwed with my limited interaction, but... Seeing the state of my kingdom with my own eyes rather than through numbers makes everything seem real. Plus..."

And he poked Raven's cheek. "I've never got to hang with my favorite guardian."

"More like your only guardian," Raven said, arching her head, pleased with herself.

Altair snickered when the ice cream and drinks arrived. It was one hell of a combination, but no one bothered to call him out about it—not that they could, as it had taken only a few seconds for many to recognize Altair.

No one moved to greet him as more and more began to fall prey to Mana Poisoning. Convulsing over the ground, foaming at the mouth, as a few staff rushed to deliver medical attention.

Soon, many more began to plummet to their knees, gripped by death's sudden embrace; the blistering streets and the entire city became alert. Screams of panic followed, and sirens resounded across the skyscrapers, alarming many to the changes facing their world.

Altair suspected a thirty percent mortality rate—a lower number than he had originally suspected, but Ava had affirmed that percentage.

Those who could not hold would die; those who could become something more, something that rose to the minimal standard the Emperor had set for them, would rise.

The deafening roar of explosions echoed through the skies as numerous flying cruisers burst into flames through crashes and began falling towards the earth. It was a catastrophic scene that left onlookers feeling helpless and afraid. In an instant, emergency services around the world sprang into action, working tirelessly to manage the situation and prevent further damage.

Your next chapter awaits on empire

The global response was swift and resolute, with authorities ordering the immediate grounding of all non-emergency vehicles to ensure the safety of people on the ground. Meanwhile, civilians still conscious were in shock and disbelief as the once-blue sky grew dark with smoke and ash, and the sound of sirens filled the air.

Altair watched it all, lifting the amber whiskey to his lips, "It's starting... Gaia and Earth are beginning one."