10. Squadrons
'First up, the surveillance squadron: Lovian, Reima, and Shina.'
"Looking forward to working alongside you." Reima shook both Lovian and Shina simultaneously.
'Next up, the attack squadron: Duran, Sekrah, Asmaroth, Kaimaroth, Fugil, Lamina, Cassie, Nina, Gina.'
'I look forward to working together!' Sekrah stated boldly.
'The guardians of the Dominion, Defense Squad: Famel, Hona, Baskiel, Aria, Serina, and Revena.'
"Let's take up our pride as Guardians." Revena stated boldly.
'A much needed squadron, the Intel Squadron: Hina, Vampika, and Uriel.'
"I can't believe I have to put up with this blood freak—Vampika." Hina sighed.
"Hihihihi, you are just annoyed that I found your blood disgusting." Vampika replied abruptly.
"I don't really care, as long as none of you get in my way." Uriel stated unenergetically.
'Last but not least, the brains of the Dominion, the Strategic Planning Squadron: Entria, Taumus, Iris, Fubuki, Dina and Kamen.'
"Let's have a productive journey." Iris said calmly.
'All the squadrons will not have a leader, but are to follow my orders. If my orders don't seem viable, a meeting will be held. That will be all.'
The days went by with Revet creating individual rooms for all his summons and a Squadron Operation Center for each squadron.
He walked towards the central hall, then Entria suddenly approached him.
"Kid! I would like to have a private conversation with you."
A conversation. There was no harm in that.
'Okay.'
"Nice!" She grabbed him by the wrist and they vanished.
Whoosh—
'Where are we?'
It looked like a vast, starry endless space. It did not seem to have a ground since they were floating.
"Welcome! To Entria's subspace. Let's have a seat." She snapped her fingers and a pair of royal chairs appeared.
She took a seat.
"Would you like some tea and snacks?" She pointed at the table in between.
'Surely you didn't call me here for tea.'
She laughed.
"Hahaha, so you are a straight to business kind of guy, huh? Well then…"
Her expression darkened.
"I'm sure you must have heard of the Eros?"
'Duran mentioned it earlier.'
"Great!" She interlocked her hands and placed her chin on them.
"Up till date, the question of the entity or being that is responsible for the making has been left unanswered. The Eros is known to be the first to exist. Maybe it has the answer, maybe it doesn't, because it keeps refusing to answer the question."
She paused briefly.
"Now onto my main point. The Eros has vanished. What makes it more concerning is that it vanished on the day that this Summoners' War started."
'So you're implying that its disappearance has something to do with the Summoners' War.'
He exhaled.
'This must be the reason why you took my offer.'
"Some of the other gods may be aware of this development, I'm not really sure. When I heard of the Nuxeons and the Apollix Seal, my doubts became clearer." She took a deep breath.
"The Eros' disappearance, the Nuxeons reappearing, and the duplication of the Apollix Seal. All these events point to the prophecy of the GRANDEL FALLING. It is a prophecy that was carved into the Forbidden Hall."
'What does this prophecy you speak of entail?'
She smirked.
"I can't reveal the details to you just yet for my own personal reasons."
'That's okay with me. Is that all you have to say? I have other things to attend to.'
"Such a lackluster attitude…" She sighed slightly.
"I also wanted to ask what your plans are now that you know the Summoners' War is no longer controlled by the Eros." She asked meticulously.
'Whether it is controlled by Eros or not, I couldn't care less. Even though it is filled with unknown odds and unsolved mysteries, my plan won't change.'
He stared straight at her.
'I will dominate them all—the Nuxeons and any other shady bastards that are involved behind the shadows.'
She looked at him with a deadly stare.
"I hope your arrogance won't be the end of you."
'There will be a general meeting in three hours. If you will excuse me.'
Whoosh—
He appeared on the podium of the central hall.
After a few minutes everyone gathered.
"Revet-san will now be passing a very important announcement." Aria stated loudly, grabbing the attention of the other gods and goddesses.
'Good day, Heavenly Peak Phalanx. I trust you are all enjoying your stay in the Dominion.'
"I personally enjoy the booze!" Taumus exclaimed abruptly.
"Hihihihi, what a drunk." Vampika cut in.
'I called this meeting to establish the motive of Heavenly Peak Phalanx. Earlier I mentioned the carrot and stick strategy. Allow me to elaborate.'
'In this war it is mandatory to expand one's territory. To that end we can either offer the carrot, which means the summoner in question will become my subordinate, if they agree of course. But if they insist on fighting instead, we offer the stick—we kill them and take over their domains.'
"That seems fair enough." Fugil stated.
"So basically semi-tyranny. I like it!" Famel exclaimed softly.
'In that light,' he paused briefly, 'I hereby declare the commencement of Operation Carrot and Stick. And our first target will be—'
He snapped his wrist and a map displayed.
'—the neighboring domain. Intel Squadron, your first mission will be to observe the domain and collect every and any useful information.'
"Finally something to alleviate my boredom." Uriel stated tiredly.
'That will be all!'
A few hours later he stood on the balcony staring into the setting sun.
"Mind if I join you, Revet-san?" Aria approached from behind.
'Do as you wish.'
She turned towards him.
"You know I haven't been able to thank you properly for saving me." She took a deep breath. "I'm really glad I got to meet someone as kind as you." She exhaled. "Thank you so much for not giving up on me."
Tears dropped down her pale cheeks.
'I will never abandon my comrades nor my friends. You needn't thank me. I'm just glad I could save you.'
"Just look at me, tearing up." She smacked her cheeks lightly. "You never saw that, got it?!"
'kk.'
The emptiness within him was gradually fading.
He did not know if it was a good or bad thing.
Emotions usually cloud judgment, but a leader without compassion was bound to make wrong choices.
At least that was what his mother always told him.
But was she right?
He would find out soon enough.
The next day arrived.
It was finally time for the Intel Squadron to commence their mission.
'I should check in on them before they head out.'
He snapped his wrist.
Whoosh—
He appeared at the Intel Squadron's Operation Center.
'You must all be preparing to head out?'
"Yes we are, Revet-sama." Hina replied.
"So no killing, just observation?" Vampika asked.
'Exactly.'
"Boring." She exclaimed.
"Can we get going already? I might die due to boredom." Uriel stated calmly.
'Alright then!'
"Intel Squadron commencing operation."
They all said in unison as they vanished.
Whoosh—
"Hello. I must be on with Blank."
A female voice echoed in his head.
"I have something to tell you about Berry."
'Berry?' He exclaimed inwardly