Before Red could process the massive tactical advantage, a jarring burst of static erupted across his secondary communication terminal.
A system prompt flashed over the console.
[ System Notification: Incoming Secure Video Transmission Request from Rank 19 Summit Warlord (The Iron Arbiter). ]
Red tapped the glowing rune to accept the connection. The holographic projection shifted, opening a separate window alongside the live feed of the desert. The Iron Arbiter's mechanical visage appeared on the screen, transmitting directly from his own distant sanctuary.
[ Rubedo, ] the Iron Arbiter spoke. The metallic grinding of his voice echoed through the sanctuary of invisible speakers. [ I felt the detonation from across the ocean. The Radiant Monarch executed his own pieces. ]
"He did," Red replied, leaning forward on his throne. "We lost the captives. We did secure their entire continental map in the process. The Vanguard remains intact."
