The Pontifex Maximus stood at the head of the grand chamber, his voice carrying easily across the polished marble floor.
"As I am sure you all know, the earthquake that struck moments ago was no ordinary tremor. I do not know how many of you noticed, but with it came a blinding beam of light that tore through the skies. Something about that beam felt… unsettling."
His words hung in the air like an ill omen.
"The Pontifex speaks truth," Dominic said gravely. "It radiated a dark aura—unlike anything I have ever witnessed."
"Forgive me, Maximus," Raymond interjected, bowing his head slightly. "I was indoors when it happened. I saw nothing."
"I cannot yet say what caused the beam," Yvon added, fingers drumming lightly on the table, "but it's reasonable to assume the earthquake and the light are connected."
Maximilian leaned forward, frowning. "That is… troubling."
The Pontifex nodded once, continuing. "I also observed that the shockwave's point of origin seemed to lie on the border between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire."
"Then we can narrow it to the Forest of Tob, E-Rantel, or the Katze Plains," Berenice concluded.
"Exactly," the Pontifex replied. His gaze shifted to the assembled captains. "Captain Novus—you and your second-in-command will head to the Forest of Tob. You will work alongside the Sunlit Scripture and Captain Nigun."
Both captains inclined their heads in acknowledgment.
"Captain Safí," the Pontifex continued, "you and your Scripture will investigate E-Rantel. You will operate under the guise of a wealthy merchant and her retainers."
"Understood," Safí said crisply.
"And finally, Captain Rosalyne—you and your Scripture will move to the Katze Plains, aided by the Black Scripture's extra seat. I know the plains pose little threat to you, but remain vigilant—should a legendary undead emerge, you must be ready."
Rosalyne bowed deeply. "I hear and obey, my lord."
A shadow of frustration crossed the Pontifex's features. "We cannot deploy the Holocaust Scripture; the war with the elves binds our hands. Speaking of which—Captain Sinere, how fare our defenses?"
Sinere's tone was clipped. "The left flank is weakening. Supplies are low. I request that once this mission concludes, the Catharsis Scripture be reassigned to our aid."
"You shall have your supplies, and your reinforcements," the Pontifex assured her.
The meeting pressed on for a few minutes more, strategy and logistics traded in low, deliberate voices. Finally, the Pontifex rose.
"That concludes our business. You are all to depart as soon as preparations are complete."
At their god's dismissal, the Scriptures moved swiftly to ready their arms and equipment.
---
"Hey, Nigun," Novus called as they crossed the courtyard.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"My second won't be joining us until we reach E-Rantel. He's been assigned to keep watch over the emperor. After that, we head straight for Tob."
"Ah. That explains why I haven't seen him lately," Nigun said, the realization settling in. "Alright—let's make this quick."
"Agreed."
Nigun, captain of the Black Scripture, hadn't left Kami Miyako in months. The golden city, for all its grandeur, had nothing to hold his interest. The chance to finally travel stirred a faint excitement—though it was tempered by the gnawing question of what, exactly, had caused the shockwave. For the Pontifex Maximus to attend a meeting in person was rare enough; for him to issue orders directly was almost unheard of. Whatever had happened, it was serious.
---
As the Thousand Leagues Astrologer made her way toward her quarters, a voice called after her.
"Astrologer—may I have a word?"
She turned, startled to find the Pontifex himself approaching. "L-Lord Pontifex! How may I serve you?"
"I would like you to monitor the Scriptures during their investigation—use your scrying magic to keep me informed."
She bowed her head. "Of course, my lord."
The Pontifex's expression darkened. In all his years, he had never seen such raw power gathered in one place. The only comparisons in memory were the revival of the Catastrophe Dragon Lord… or the return of a Greed King. Ancient texts spoke of the Eight Great Kings—beings whose might rivaled the Dragon Lords themselves. And this… this had only been a shockwave, its strength fading with distance. He could scarcely imagine the force at its source.
If a Greed King had truly returned, the consequences would be catastrophic. Everything the gods had built over six centuries could be erased in moments. The Greed Kings had destroyed without hesitation, reducing thriving lands to wastelands. The Katze Plains themselves—now an endless field of the undead—had once been a fertile expanse of rivers and forests.
"Lord Pontifex? Are you well?" the Astrologer asked gently, seeing his gaze drift into the past.
He straightened. "I'm fine. Simply lost in thought."
He stepped closer, lowering his tone. "Inform me of anything unusual. Even the smallest detail may prove vital."
"I hear and obey," she replied in her usual monotone.
With that, the Pontifex took his leave, heading for his private chambers. There, he would dig deeper into the ancient records, searching for any clue—any weapon—that could stand against a Greed King.