Chapter 105: Impending Doom

Chapter 105: Impending Doom

An intense vibration shook the hill and echoed throughout the capital. The sound of an engine could be heard in the distance. Suddenly, beams of purple light began to form on the Genesis, starting from the base and stretching to the top. The light seemed to emanate an extraordinary power, which was felt throughout the area.

The weapon fired a massive beam of light towards the Rift. The beam was so colossal that it illuminated the entire area. It only took a few seconds before the beam reached the vortex, colliding with the surrounding energy, and spreading out like water on tile.

Gradually, the Rift was covered by light. The process was quick, but the sheer size of the vortex made it seem like it took forever. The energy surrounding the vortex seemed to be getting weaker and weaker.

In the building, Dora was in a tank filled with a greenish liquid.

Several devices to allow him to breathe and measure his physical activity were connected to him.

In front of the tank, Agiel, Gloria, Eryl, and nine Holy Knights were watching.

Some scientists activated a mechanism in another room, and little by little, the greenish liquid turned red, then orange.

"And you're saying that'll be enough? Nothing more? Just bathing inside?" asked Gloria.

"Yes, this small operation was prepared as an emergency for this specific situation. According to Eryl's report, greed can absorb any type of energy and increase its level. The property of this substance is to replicate the energy particles present in the blood drops, so like I said, you only used one drop of your blood, but this tank is filled with your energy." n0VeLBIn

Agiel explained, with a satisfied expression.

"The premise is simple: Greed is currently divided into two beings, regardless of who is in control: the Sin and the Avatar. The Avatar can awaken at any time, but we are talking about the Sin of Greed, he would never let such rich energy to waste. Little by little, it will absorb all the energy particles and increase in power."

One of the holy knights, a boy with short blue hair was nodding.

"Can this really increase his power? I don't doubt the power of the Queen's blood but is it comparable to soul stones?"

"Not only comparable, but even better, for now. The Queen's blood is filled with a variety and quantity of energy beyond our imagination, stronger than what Candace fed him with."

"Hm? Stronger than souls stones?"

"... What I mean is, let's just talk about basics. There is a rule for emissaries to never try to assimilate soul stones beyond their level. If an E-rank absorbs a soul stone from an A-rank Rift, for example, the difference in power will parasite him. His body will convert the soul stone, but since the power is immense, it will block his power until the stone is consumed. This is why Candace doesn't just create S-rank Rifts... but now the particles surrounding Greed are beyond S-Rank, plus, the energy has the signature of an Avatar."

"Like the black crystals in the undead Rift..." Eryl whispered.

"Exactly, this is literally an overdose of energy that we've created, but Greed's natural ability is the absorption of energy, so we can only hope that he won't take days to be at his breakthrough point. Until then, we can only rely on the Genesis."

They watched the tank with various feelings. Some worried about the capability of the genesis to block a Rift of that size, others about the concept of feeding a Sin with greater power, knowing that his last action was an attempt to attack the Queen.

Eryl, on that second side, was thoughtful.

(... A Sin on the level of the Queen shouldn't be raised this way... This is too dangerous, Candace wasn't wrong to try to restrict him.)

The Queen groaned and turned to look at the Rift in the screen.

"If this keeps that way, maybe I should go too with him. I don't feel like leaving him all by himself in that Rift, there's always a possibility that he kills and absorbs anything coming from there."

***

Meanwhile, farther away, the nobles woke up in a train station.

They stood up difficultly, wondering what had happened, and noticed Elizabeth, Candace, and Peters.

"... Peet?" Mercy murmured.

Peters raised his head and gave her a remorseful look.

They came closer, troubled by the defeated eyes of Elizabeth and the dean.

"What's going on?... What happened?..." Iris asked looking around. Next to her, Zuri shuddered.

"Where... Where's Dora? And Midgard?"

Peters rolled his eyes and fixed Mercy.

"The Queen never asked us to let you go, we're putting everything on the line to give you a chance. I'll be honest, I don't see how we're gonna deal with this Rift, I don't see us win, so I really think that leaving the kingdom would be better. You will take the train and go to the south. If we lose, you'll have more chances to survive, and if by miracle, by a really unpredictable miracle, we win, the Queen might lose interest in you so you will come back. I'll make sure, on my name, to protect Anesidora's life with my own."

He stood firmly, the wind starting to blow.

* * *

In the building, the Queen was still watching the Rift.

Like hypnotized, she observed the gigantic mass of energy, her eyes shining.

"Maybe I should just give it a try?"

"Hm?" Eryl glanced at her.

The Queen took a few steps, not taking her eyes off the screen.

"The more I look at it, the less I feel endangered... I am Gloria, Avatar of Gluttony and very first Sin, I devoured a Player and submitted another one before reaching my peak. I am stronger than one thousand years ago... so why not give it a try?"

Everyone in the room looked at her with a growing anguish.

Her eyes shine brighter, again and again.

It was only for a short period, about a few milliseconds, but she felt a goosebump.

As she stared at the Rift, the Rift stared back.

"What are you doing?! Stop, you idiot!" A scientist scolding another one took her from her daydream.

She glanced at a man, surrounded by two other scientists who tried to keep him from doing a manipulation with a computer.

Agiel noticed them too.

"You three, what are you doing?"

"S-Sir Agiel...! S-sorry, this... our colleague is..."

A metallic noise echoed through the room's speakers, drawing all attention to them.

"The fuck man?!" The older scientists shouted while the second walked away.

The one responsible, a young scientist, frail and trembling with fear, slowly turned towards the Queen.

"I... I'm sorry..."

Agiel walked toward him, keeping an eye on the Queen who frowned.

"Gentlemen, please, could you refrain from such antics? You're supposed to be the finest of the kingdom both in talent and attitude, so... Is that vocal communication?"

The scientist, trembling more, nodded.

"We... received a calling... and they're asking to use loudspeaker..."

"... Why would you obey that? Who gave you the permission?!"

*Because I asked him to.*

A single sentence echoed throughout the chamber, capturing the attention of everyone present. Agiel stood frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. The Holy Knights were similarly stunned, their mouths agape as they gazed up at the speakers. The scientists all stood up in unison, their eyes glued to the source of the voice.

It was clear that the voice had come from somewhere beyond normality. The sound of the Queen's fan hitting the ground was the most significant indication of this fact. The Queen herself was visibly shaken by the communication, and even her maid, who had been standing by her side, seemed taken aback by this sudden voice.

The Queen slowly raised her head, her eyes still shaking, and her hands trembling with emotion. All eyes were on her as she tried to compose herself, and it was clear that everyone present was waiting with bated breath for her response.

"... Pride?"