On a certain desert hill, several hundred miles away from the bustling Golden City, there was a huge mansion. Basked in the natural beauty of the desert nightlives. The fleeting sound of hustling winds and the cricketing sound of insects brought a certain serenity to the place.
Hardly anyone lived in this huge stone house in the middle of nowhere.
Yet today, the place was hosting two special guests.
"Hahahaha!" A boisterous laugh could be heard in the exquisite hall of the mansion. "Not just one, but two young friends had come to see me today. What a special day, don't you two think so?" said an old figure, the owner of the mysterious mansion.
The two young friends who were currently at the old figure's mansion were King Alduin, who had been accompanying him since yesterday, and the other even younger figure was Supreme Commander Jesper of the Magus Alliance.
The latter had come to explain his findings to the old figure and to ask permission from the most influential person in Golden City to execute the plan.
"Hahaha, what a polite young man." Smiling at the Supreme Commander, the old man shook his head slightly, "However, there's actually no need for you to come here. I have no authority whatsoever with what is happening in the city."
"I understand, Senior. Still, I came here as a courtesy."
Hearing such words, King Alduin stood up and said to the Supreme Commander. "Now that you are here, I will excuse myself since my people need me."
However, he was quickly stopped by the young Supreme Commander. "Not yet, Lord Alduin. Please be patient. I still hope that you will stay here for another 48 hours."
Having been stuck here for hours, the half-blood king was naturally not satisfied with the answer. He had stayed far longer than expected. With a simple breath, his powerful intent burst into the area, causing waves of tremor all over the mansion.
"Calm down, my young friend!"
Saying those words, the old figure Rosin Karat released his domain to contain and deal with King Alduin's power. In response, King Alduin glanced wordlessly at the Old Devil and then the Supreme Commander, before eventually calming down.
"Thank you for your patience, Lord Alduin." Jasper said to the half-blood king.
He then explained how the lockdown was a necessary action, as it made sure if anything did happen to the Golden City, no fault would come to Zodiac City after, especially with the King's name being mentioned by those who worked for the culprits.
"I believe these people are trying to pit us against each other. For me, as long as a supreme figure like you does not get involved, things will be much easier to handle. Therefore I sincerely ask for your cooperation, Lord Alduin. All of this is the best for your people"
Although at first glance it seemed the Magus Alliance was trying to protect Zodiac City with the plan and subsequent lockdown, it also subtly showed that the Magus Alliance had no trust in the half blood city.
With annoyance he didn't try to hide, King Alduin said, "Twenty-four hours! As soon as the tournament is over, I will walk out of this place! I dare any of you to stop me then!"
Knowing this was the best compromise the half-blood king was willing to take, the Supreme Commander readily agreed. He then said, "Please rest assured we are doing everything in our power to stop any incident from even happening. In fact, things are progressing as we speak."
—-----
In one remote corner of the Golden City, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, a commotion broke out inside one of the abandoned buildings in this area. The sound of hurried steps was heard as the door was opened with a bang.
"The enforcers are here! They found us!"
A dozen figures in gray uniforms broke into a warehouse filled with more than 30 high-level fighters. These uniformed men came prepared, fully armed from top to bottom with various weapons in hand.
The leader of these fighters, one dressed in a black cloak that covered their entire feature, immediately cast a spell, conjuring a thick mist that engulfed the entire warehouse. His voice was heard loudly after.
"Flee!"
However, just as these people were about to flee in all directions, the roof above their heads suddenly caved in. Caught off guard, several people were crushed by the rubble. Those who were lucky not to be hit were also not safe either, as the destroyed roof revealed a person floating among the night sky.
"A grand magus!?" the cloaked leader shouted, exasperation apparent in his voice.
Needless to say, the warehouse quickly became a place where a one-sided battle unfolded. Some people from the fighters' side died from the conflict, while the rest were captured, none were able to escape, including the cloaked leader.
"Round them up!" shouted the grand magus to the men below.
"Yes, Minister!"
Before long, all the captives were lined up outside the wrecked warehouse. At the forefront of the line was the cloaked person who shouted orders earlier. When the cloak was removed, their identity was revealed.
The leader of these people was quickly confirmed from the database, a mercenary known as the Black Jackal.
The man chuckled as he came face to face with the grand magus leading this operation. "To think that Minister Barty himself would go down and rattle the streets. How unlucky of me."
Ignoring the words thrown at him, the grand magus said sternly, "Black Jackal, you are one of the known associates of Grand Magus Zenonia. Tell us what you are planning tomorrow, or you will receive swift punishment!"
Instead of an answer, another laugh rang through the air.
"Hehe… I'm sorry, Minister, but you really got the wrong person here." The man shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just a mercenary and you know how things are in this line of work. My loyalty is to money."
"Hah!" The grand magus, Minister Barty, scoffed at the answer. He turned to his men and said, "Take them all to the prison!"
"All of them, Sir?"
"Yes, everyone! We can't be too careful about this." A thoughtful expression appeared on his face for a moment before he said, "Send a spirit reader to dig information from these people. One of them must know something!"
Moments after the captives were escorted to jail, another enforcer magus approached the minister.
"We have found a new target, Sir. This one confirms preparing for an attack tomorrow"
"Good!" Turning to his men, Minister Barty said solemnly. "Let's go!"
That night, hundreds of enforcers moved in the darkness of night, executing operations at numerous places in Golden city. They located and broke into known hideouts, in which hundreds of suspects were arrested.
On a certain desert hill, several hundred miles away from the bustling Golden City, there was a huge mansion. Basked in the natural beauty of the desert nightlives. The fleeting sound of hustling winds and the cricketing sound of insects brought a certain serenity to the place.
Hardly anyone lived in this huge stone house in the middle of nowhere.
Yet today, the place was hosting two special guests.
"Hahahaha!" A boisterous laugh could be heard in the exquisite hall of the mansion. "Not just one, but two young friends had come to see me today. What a special day, don't you two think so?" said an old figure, the owner of the mysterious mansion.
The two young friends who were currently at the old figure's mansion were King Alduin, who had been accompanying him since yesterday, and the other even younger figure was Supreme Commander Jesper of the Magus Alliance.
The latter had come to explain his findings to the old figure and to ask permission from the most influential person in Golden City to execute the plan.
"Hahaha, what a polite young man." Smiling at the Supreme Commander, the old man shook his head slightly, "However, there's actually no need for you to come here. I have no authority whatsoever with what is happening in the city."
"I understand, Senior. Still, I came here as a courtesy."
Hearing such words, King Alduin stood up and said to the Supreme Commander. "Now that you are here, I will excuse myself since my people need me."
However, he was quickly stopped by the young Supreme Commander. "Not yet, Lord Alduin. Please be patient. I still hope that you will stay here for another 48 hours."
Having been stuck here for hours, the half-blood king was naturally not satisfied with the answer. He had stayed far longer than expected. With a simple breath, his powerful intent burst into the area, causing waves of tremor all over the mansion.
"Calm down, my young friend!"
Saying those words, the old figure Rosin Karat released his domain to contain and deal with King Alduin's power. In response, King Alduin glanced wordlessly at the Old Devil and then the Supreme Commander, before eventually calming down.
"Thank you for your patience, Lord Alduin." Jasper said to the half-blood king.
He then explained how the lockdown was a necessary action, as it made sure if anything did happen to the Golden City, no fault would come to Zodiac City after, especially with the King's name being mentioned by those who worked for the culprits.
"I believe these people are trying to pit us against each other. For me, as long as a supreme figure like you does not get involved, things will be much easier to handle. Therefore I sincerely ask for your cooperation, Lord Alduin. All of this is the best for your people"
Although at first glance it seemed the Magus Alliance was trying to protect Zodiac City with the plan and subsequent lockdown, it also subtly showed that the Magus Alliance had no trust in the half blood city.
With annoyance he didn't try to hide, King Alduin said, "Twenty-four hours! As soon as the tournament is over, I will walk out of this place! I dare any of you to stop me then!"
Knowing this was the best compromise the half-blood king was willing to take, the Supreme Commander readily agreed. He then said, "Please rest assured we are doing everything in our power to stop any incident from even happening. In fact, things are progressing as we speak."
—-----
In one remote corner of the Golden City, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, a commotion broke out inside one of the abandoned buildings in this area. The sound of hurried steps was heard as the door was opened with a bang.
"The enforcers are here! They found us!"
A dozen figures in gray uniforms broke into a warehouse filled with more than 30 high-level fighters. These uniformed men came prepared, fully armed from top to bottom with various weapons in hand.
The leader of these fighters, one dressed in a black cloak that covered their entire feature, immediately cast a spell, conjuring a thick mist that engulfed the entire warehouse. His voice was heard loudly after.
"Flee!"
However, just as these people were about to flee in all directions, the roof above their heads suddenly caved in. Caught off guard, several people were crushed by the rubble. Those who were lucky not to be hit were also not safe either, as the destroyed roof revealed a person floating among the night sky.
"A grand magus!?" the cloaked leader shouted, exasperation apparent in his voice.
Needless to say, the warehouse quickly became a place where a one-sided battle unfolded. Some people from the fighters' side died from the conflict, while the rest were captured, none were able to escape, including the cloaked leader.
"Round them up!" shouted the grand magus to the men below.
"Yes, Minister!"
Before long, all the captives were lined up outside the wrecked warehouse. At the forefront of the line was the cloaked person who shouted orders earlier. When the cloak was removed, their identity was revealed.
The leader of these people was quickly confirmed from the database, a mercenary known as the Black Jackal.
The man chuckled as he came face to face with the grand magus leading this operation. "To think that Minister Barty himself would go down and rattle the streets. How unlucky of me."
Ignoring the words thrown at him, the grand magus said sternly, "Black Jackal, you are one of the known associates of Grand Magus Zenonia. Tell us what you are planning tomorrow, or you will receive swift punishment!"
Instead of an answer, another laugh rang through the air.
"Hehe… I'm sorry, Minister, but you really got the wrong person here." The man shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just a mercenary and you know how things are in this line of work. My loyalty is to money."
"Hah!" The grand magus, Minister Barty, scoffed at the answer. He turned to his men and said, "Take them all to the prison!"
"All of them, Sir?"
"Yes, everyone! We can't be too careful about this." A thoughtful expression appeared on his face for a moment before he said, "Send a spirit reader to dig information from these people. One of them must know something!"
Moments after the captives were escorted to jail, another enforcer magus approached the minister.
"We have found a new target, Sir. This one confirms preparing for an attack tomorrow"
"Good!" Turning to his men, Minister Barty said solemnly. "Let's go!"
That night, hundreds of enforcers moved in the darkness of night, executing operations at numerous places in Golden city. They located and broke into known hideouts, in which hundreds of suspects were arrested.
