Chapter 35
Elias's heart pounded as he caught the shocked stares of Jack, the followers, and the congregation—all frozen in disbelief. What on earth was Frank going through here? Elias's gaze locked onto the blade suspended halfway to his face. Sweat trickled down his forehead.
What… what is happening? Where is the vessel? Jack's thoughts stammered silently, his voice barely a whisper inside his mind.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, growing louder.
"What just happened?" Spike demanded sharply, gripping her scythes that dangled at her waist.
"Alarms are blaring everywhere," Bill said urgently, eyes fixed on his tablet as he typed into his comm.
"Where did Frank go?!" Roi's voice cracked as he scanned the restless crowd.
"Something's wrong. I'm going back to check!" Bill declared before rushing off, accompanied by a swarm of drones.
"Who are you?! Where's the vessel? Where did you take him?!" Jack exploded, grabbing Elias roughly by the neck and firing off a barrage of questions.
"Too many questions," Elias muttered, struggling against the grip. "I can't activate my skills—my hands are cuffed. I don't think anything transported. My mana was imbued with him."
He locked eyes with Jack, who now looked panicked, frustration etched deep into his face. The followers beside Elias trembled uneasily.
"Well, Frank's somewhere safe… well, as safe as it gets. Probably finished clearing the area," Elias added carefully.
Jack straightened, regaining his composure. "How come?"
"Because," Elias said slowly, "your town—whatever this place is—is already under siege."
The congregation erupted in panic.
"You're bluffing! We're protected by a divine barrier!" a voice cried out.
"Are you sure about that?" Elias countered, folding his arms.
Jack's eyes scanned the crowd, then suddenly he called out, "Bill!"
No reply came.
Rushing footsteps echoed from the stairs. Astrid appeared, with Spike right behind her.
"He's complaining about technical issues. The alarms went off minutes ago," Astrid explained breathlessly.
Jack's panic grew, his gaze darting back to Elias, who merely grinned with unsettling calm.
"Quick! Round up everyone. There are residents here—tell them to surrender!" Elias commanded.
"Ignore him! Round up the forces—find Frank!" Jack barked, his voice tense.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jack caught sight of an orange glow steadily brightening near one of the buildings.
"What the—?" Jack gasped.
"Shit!" Elias cursed, ducking instinctively just as a wave of heat and light exploded nearby.
---
The streets erupted in chaos. Frank's breath came heavy as he stalked past unconscious bodies strewn across the cracked pavement.
"Small fry," he muttered, eyes scanning the crumbling facade of a nearby storey. An orangish flash cut through the smoky sky, racing toward the building.
"What the hell—"
The impact hit with earth-shaking force, sending debris cascading downward as the upper floors collapsed in a dusty cloud.
Missiles—Frank realized with alarm—more were streaking into the city, each one carving destruction in its wake.
"Woah, woah!" Frank shouted, sprinting down the shattered street as explosions bloomed around him.
The blast wave slammed into him, hurling him backward into the side of a building. The cold, rough brick scraped his skin as he slid to a stop, adrenaline surging.
The smell of burning wood and ozone filled the air, mixed with screams and the crackle of distant fires.
---
"Send a third wave—no, wait!" Raymond's voice cut sharply through the command center. "We need to assess the damage first. Confirm how much of their coordinated attack we've neutralized."
"Hey," Augustus interjected, "what if there are families inside? Are you seriously here only to eradicate them all?"
Raymond shot him a glare. "What happened to you, Raymond?" Augustus asked, lowering his hand.
"Too much," Raymond replied darkly, unsheathing his axe. "Let's finish this."
"All forces advance!" Augustus ordered Laura. "Support the left perimeter. Tanks hold the defense. Attackers maintain positions!"
Kaido frowned as he trailed the knights and La Jaran soldiers into the devastated town. "I don't see anyone."
"Maybe they took down the flag," Tayla suggested.
"Seems likely," Kaido nodded.
Suddenly, Laura's sharp voice halted the troops. "Halt!"
Augustus and Raymond stood just feet from the town's edge.
Scott crept forward, peering from behind boulders, joined by Joel, Piko, and a few knights with spears raised.
"You can come out now. No more hiding, cultists," Augustus called.
A shadowy cloak rippled up from the ground, forming a dome-shaped semi-circle. The veil lifted to reveal Jack, standing with several Vance followers.
"Nice job, Roi," Jack said, patting the young man's shoulder. Roi simply nodded.
"We wouldn't have survived that blast without him," Jack added, eyes narrowing coldly at Augustus.
Augustus returned his stare with unflinching steel.
"Not much for talking, are you?" Jack smirked. "I already know you detest the good news of Lord Vance."
"I don't see why—"
"Where the hell is Frank?!" Kaido cut in from his post.
Jack chuckled darkly. "A child among fighters? He must be skilled."
"I take it we're all the same then," Jack continued, eyes glinting.
Raymond interrupted, "Why's that?"
"Because," Jack said, smiling cruelly, "we'll use anything, anyone—young ones included—if they serve our cause, even if they perish."
"No one dies today except you," Augustus said grimly, his frown deepening.
Raymond noticed the anger flashing in Augustus's eyes.
"So... where's the adventurer you captured?" Raymond demanded.
Jack shrugged. "Lost sight of him minutes before this disaster... caused by your people, I might add. Made me... very, very, very angry."
Jack pulled off his garment, revealing rippling muscles adorned with black pigment from waist to chest.
"Let's get this over with," he growled.