The emerald-green rift that opened in the throne room emitted no heat, light, or sound; it was a wound of absolute vacuum that seemed to suck reality itself into its depths. Harribel, who until then had maintained a relaxed posture, straightened instantly, sensing the density of an energy that was neither aggressive nor peaceful, but infinitely hollow. Sirzechs watched with satisfaction as, from the center of that static darkness, emerged a figure with skin as pale as Avalon's marble, black hair, and green markings descending from his eyes like perennial tears.
Ulquiorra Cifer walked across the sacred floor of the palace without making a single sound. He wore the white Avalon uniform with minimalist elegance, and the hole at the base of his neck served as a constant reminder of the nature of his existence. He did not kneel with fervor or emotion; he simply stopped before Sirzechs and slightly inclined his head, keeping his arms at his sides with an indifference that challenged the very presence of a Demon Lord.
— Lord Sirzechs — Ulquiorra's voice was a cold whisper, devoid of any sentimental fluctuation. — The chaos of this region is unnecessary. Have you brought me to this world to give shape to the void, or to manage the insignificance of the masses?
Sirzechs rose, descending the steps of the throne until he stood face to face with his Fourth Sword. The contrast was absolute: Sirzechs' vibrant crimson aura against Ulquiorra's emerald nihilism.
— I brought you to be the mind that organizes what force conquers, Ulquiorra. Harribel protects the waters and the borders, Szayelaporro builds the future, but I need someone to manage internal order without the burden of empathy. Blumund is now our economic ally, but humans are volatile. I want you to oversee the contracts, intelligence, and the maintenance of peace within our new spheres of influence.
Ulquiorra shifted his gaze to the water projection where Mila Rose still watched over the convoy in Blumund.
— Humans are beings whose hearts seek meaning in ephemeral things like gold and religion. If it is your will that I govern them under the light of cold reason, so be it. They shall learn that, in Avalon, the only truth is the law you dictate. Everything else is merely noise.
In a matter of days, Ulquiorra's presence in Avalon became palpable. He did not lead parades or perform displays of brute force like the Tres Bestias. He created the Bureau of the Void, an administrative center where every citizen, merchant, and spy was cataloged with terrifying precision. Under his gaze, the corruption that had begun to sprout in the street markets simply vanished; no one dared to lie or divert a single cent when they felt the emerald stare of Ulquiorra, which seemed to see through flesh and read the emptiness of their intentions. Even Rimuru, visiting the palace to discuss new trade terms, felt a chill when crossing paths with Ulquiorra in the corridors. The slime realized that while Sirzechs was a leader who inspired greatness, he was now surrounding himself with subordinates who personified the most implacable aspects of power.
The collaboration between Szayelaporro's analytical mind and Ulquiorra's nihilistic nature gave birth to something that transcended simple security: the birth of the Eye of the Void. At the top of Avalon's tallest tower, Szayelaporro installed an immense black quartz crystal, polished to resonate with Ulquiorra's spiritual pressure. This artifact, which the citizens began to call the Sun of Avalon, emitted no light to human eyes but projected an invisible web of impulses that mapped every magicule fluctuation and hostile intent within a radius of hundreds of kilometers.
Sitting in a minimalist marble chair at the base of the crystal, Ulquiorra remained with his eyes closed, processing the infinite flow of data sent by the network. To him, the lives of the people in Jura and Blumund were merely insignificant dots of light in a sea of darkness.
— Szayelaporro — Ulquiorra murmured, his voice echoing in the sterile laboratory, — the pulse of the humans in Blumund is accelerating. Their fear of the new commercial system is generating a dissonance. Should I eliminate the pockets of instability or allow the fear to consume them until they reach inertia?
Szayelaporro, adjusting the frequency receivers at the device's base, let out a short, dry laugh.
— Eliminating them would be a waste of material, Ulquiorra. Fear is the catalyst of productivity. With this system, we don't just see where they are; we can predict when they intend to betray us. Every irregular heartbeat is recorded. Every whisper against Lord Sirzechs in the corridors of Blumund is transformed into data. We are building a world where betrayal is mathematically impossible.
The surveillance system extended through the marble rails, using the tracks as conductors of information. The gargoyles on the viaducts were now not just physical sentinels, but access points for Ulquiorra's consciousness. If a spy from the Holy Church attempted to cross the border, they wouldn't simply be attacked; they would feel a crushing pressure on their soul, a sensation of absolute emptiness that would force them to their knees before they even saw a guard. It was a form of control that left no scars on the body, only holes in the will.
Sirzechs visited the observatory at dusk, watching as the black crystal pulsed with a rhythmic emerald hue. He felt Ulquiorra's network stretching over his domain, sensing the cold, functional loyalty of his Fourth Sword. Avalon was becoming the safest city in the world, but also the most watched.
— What do you see, Ulquiorra? — asked the Sovereign, looking toward the horizon where the lights of Tempest and Blumund shone.
— I see only the void that tries to fill itself with lies, my Lord — Ulquiorra replied, opening his emerald eyes which reflected the crystal's glow. — But under your shadow, the noise is fading. The Church sent three infiltrators through the eastern pass ten minutes ago. They have already been marked. Their minds will be fragmented by the network before they reach the first station. There is nothing in this world that can hide from that which has no form.