Chapter 110 — A New Priority
Far from Helios Reach...
Within the heart of the Empire stood one of its greatest cities.
Aetherion.
Unlike Helios Reach, which served primarily as a major trade hub, Aetherion was one of the Empire's central capitals.
Its massive towers stretched toward the sky, surrounded by enormous walls reinforced with layers of defensive technology and magic. Imperial banners hung from nearly every major building, while soldiers constantly moved through the streets below.
This was where some of the Empire's most important decisions were made.
Wars were planned here.
Territories were managed here.
Resources were distributed here.
And today...
One particular incident had brought several of the Empire's highest-ranking commanders into the same room.
Inside one of Aetherion's military conference halls, a large table occupied the center of the room.
Several commanders sat around it.
At the head of the table sat Frostbyte.
His expression remained calm as he listened to the soldier standing before them.
The soldier held several reports in his hands.
"Commander Frostbyte."
He straightened his posture.
"We have completed our initial report regarding yesterday's incident in Helios Reach."
Frostbyte nodded.
"Continue."
The soldier opened the first report.
"Helios Reach is currently one of the Empire's most important trade hubs."
A large projection of the city appeared above the table.
"Because of its location, the city serves as a major connection point between several territories."
"Goods from different regions pass through Helios Reach before reaching the Empire's larger cities."
"Because of this..."
The soldier pointed toward the projection.
"The city plays an important role in maintaining the Empire's economy."
Frostbyte remained silent.
Everyone around the table already knew this.
But they needed the report documented.
"However," the soldier continued, "yesterday's battle caused significant disruption."
The projection changed.
Several buildings were highlighted.
"Fortunately, the damage remained limited."
"Only a small number of buildings suffered structural damage."
"There were no large-scale casualties among civilians."
"Trade operations have already begun recovering."
One of the commanders leaned back in his chair.
"So we're lucky."
The soldier nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Frostbyte glanced at the report.
"Compared to what happened here in Aetherion?"
The soldier hesitated.
"...Yes."
Everyone in the room knew what he meant.
Aetherion had suffered its own recent disasters
Compared to those incidents, the battle in Helios Reach had been relatively contained.
But that didn't mean it was unimportant.
Frostbyte folded his hands.
"What caused the disturbance?"
The soldier turned the page.
"This is where the report becomes complicated."
He brought up another projection.
Two names appeared.
ADMINISTRATOR ORION
PLAYER: BLAZE
The room became noticeably quieter.
Frostbyte's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The battle involved Administrator Orion."
"Yes, Commander."
"And Blaze."
"Yes."
The soldier took a breath.
"Based on the combat data recovered from the area..."
He hesitated.
"The player identified as Blaze is suspected of defeating Administrator Orion."
Silence.
Frostbyte's eyes widened slightly.
"...Defeating?"
"Yes, Commander."
One of the commanders immediately leaned forward.
"Are you certain?"
"We cannot confirm the exact circumstances."
The soldier quickly explained.
"Much of the combat data was corrupted or incomplete."
"But the remaining readings strongly suggest that Blaze successfully fought Orion within Orion's own domain."
Another commander frowned.
"An Administrator."
"Inside his own domain?"
"Yes."
The room fell silent again.
Frostbyte leaned back.
For the first time since the meeting began, his calm expression changed.
His eyes remained fixed on the projection.
Blaze.
So that's what you were capable of.
He had already considered Blaze troublesome.
A highly skilled player.
An unpredictable one.
Someone capable of surviving situations that should have killed an ordinary player.
But this...
This changed things.
Frostbyte slowly narrowed his eyes.
He can fight an Administrator.
That was the only thought occupying his mind.
And then another followed.
How?
The feat itself wasn't completely impossible.
Exceptional players had challenged Administrators before.
There were old records of players managing to defeat Administrators under very specific circumstances.
It was difficult.
Extremely difficult.
But not impossible.
An extraordinary player could theoretically defeat an Administrator.
It simply required an extraordinary combination of skill, preparation, knowledge, and circumstances.
Frostbyte knew that.
But Blaze had done it in the New World.
That was what mattered.
And that made him considerably more dangerous.
Frostbyte looked at the projection again.
"Increase his priority."
The soldier immediately nodded.
"Yes, Commander."
"From this point forward, Blaze is no longer to be treated as an ordinary hostile player."
Several commanders exchanged glances.
Frostbyte continued.
"Update every active intelligence division."
"Anyone who encounters Blaze is to report his location immediately."
"Do not engage him recklessly."
"And absolutely no commander is to underestimate him."
A voice suddenly came from the other side of the table.
"That's quite a promotion for someone who was just a troublesome player."
Frostbyte looked over.
His Two Officers stood nearby.
Led and Cass.
Both had been listening to the report.
Led crossed his arms.
"Who would've thought that Sir Blaze had that in him?"
He gave a small laugh.
"Beating an Administrator..."
"That's impressive."
Cass rolled his eyes.
"Impressive?"
"It's another headache."
Led looked at him.
"You don't sound impressed."
"I'm not."
Cass folded his arms.
"We already have enough problems."
"The preparations."
"The territorial situation."
"The Empire's expansion."
"And now we've got this."
He pointed toward the projection of Blaze.
"Another extraordinary player to worry about."
Led shrugged.
"Could be worse."
Cass stared at him.
"How?"
Led thought for a moment.
"...Fair point."
Frostbyte ignored their conversation.
His eyes remained on Blaze's image.
There was something else bothering him.
Not Blaze himself.
Orion.
Frostbyte knew Orion.
Officially, the two belonged to completely different sides of the world's administration.
But their history went further back than most people knew.
Orion was an old friend.
At least...
On paper.
Frostbyte knew exactly what kind of Administrator Orion was.
Playful.
Manipulative.
Overconfident.
And far more dangerous than he allowed people to believe.
If Blaze had actually managed to defeat him...
Frostbyte wondered how Orion would react.
Would he accept the defeat?
Would he retreat?
Would he simply laugh it off?
Or...
Would he do something reckless?
Frostbyte's eyes narrowed.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
Led glanced toward him.
"Sir?"
Frostbyte leaned back in his chair.
"Nothing."
He looked once more at Blaze's image.
"Continue monitoring Helios Reach."
The soldier nodded.
"Yes, Commander."
"And keep an eye on Administrator Orion's movements as well."
That caused several commanders to look at him.
Cass raised an eyebrow.
"Orion?"
Frostbyte nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Frostbyte's smile grew slightly.
"Because I know him."
He looked toward the massive windows overlooking Aetherion.
"If he really lost to Blaze..."
"...I doubt he'll simply accept it."
The room became quiet.
Frostbyte knew Orion too well.
An Administrator losing to a player wasn't something Orion would easily forget.
Especially not a player who had somehow resisted his Authority.
And if Orion decided to investigate Blaze personally...
Then things could become much more interesting.
Frostbyte rested his chin against one hand.
"Let him do whatever he's planning."
Led looked confused.
"Shouldn't we stop him?"
Frostbyte shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because whatever Orion does next..."
Frostbyte's eyes narrowed.
"...might give us more information about Blaze."
Cass sighed.
"You're planning to use Orion as bait?"
Frostbyte smiled.
"I never said that."
He paused.
"But if Orion decides to chase Blaze..."
"...I certainly won't stop him."
The projection of Blaze slowly disappeared from the table.
The meeting continued.
Orders were issued.
Reports were distributed.
Patrols were reorganized.
And throughout Aetherion, the Empire quietly began changing its priorities.
Blaze was no longer just another troublesome player.
He had become something far more dangerous.
A player capable of standing against an Administrator.
And somewhere else in the Empire...
Frostbyte suspected that the Administrator in question was already planning his next move.