17. Melody of Alliance
He told them about his meeting with Nirvana.
['So that's all that happened on my trip.']
"Huh?! You formed an alliance without letting us know!"
Aria exclaimed loudly, her voice breaking through the silence.
"Aria calm down! That's the least of our worries now."
Duran calmed her immediately.
"Ahhhh, I forgot to mention it earlier but I felt some strange figures watching during the war with John. Most likely spies. But Fubuki's Chess field blocked them from observing most of the battle, thankfully."
Iris said, her angelic voice easing the tension.
"Hahahaha, interesting!"
Taumus laughed loudly.
"I got a closer look at them thanks to Iris informing me on time," he paused briefly. "They were three in total and they were all wearing bone masks crafted from a mystical beast's skull, clad in maroon cloaks with dim golden hems," he stated boldly.
Uriel turned towards Vampika.
"Wasn't that the same thing the lady we saw in John's domain was wearing?"
"Hihihihi, it must have been Nuxeon spies," Vampika replied.
"They kept saying something about 'the Great one' refining them," Hina added.
Entria's expression darkened immediately.
"Now it all makes sense." She rubbed her chin softly. "'The Great one' is one of the Beginning Entities just like me. They were sealed in the very depths of the Gates of Helm," she stated boldly. "We mustn't allow them to break it free. It must never be allowed to walk the planes ever again."
He watched her closely.
['I have never seen Entria this way before. I know this feeling all too well... It's fear.']
"Lady Entria I thought you were the only Beginning Entity left," Fubuki asked.
"There is much you don't know and many things I cannot reveal," Entria replied with a saddened look.
['That's enough for today. You all should go take a proper dip in the hot springs. After all, you just won a war.']
Soon after, they all dispersed.
['I don't know what it is, but I can't shake this feeling that Entria is deliberately hiding some things—dark secrets even. I'll get back to all that later, for now I need to check on my domain expansion.']
[Domain Expansion completed]
[The Dominion of the Heavenly Peak has expanded throughout the horizon]
[The buffs of the Rainforest domain: Skylark and Fertility have now been transferred to your domain]
[You are allowed to modify the Rainforest domain as you please]
He used Wainer to reconstruct the rainforest into the headquarters for all the squadrons, and he also added a training center to facilitate teamwork.
While he was doing all that, two days passed in a blur.
It was finally time to head to his first official alliance meeting.
"Revet-dono, how have you been?"
Nirvana's voice echoed softly in his head.
['Am alright. Is Beta here already?']
"Hehehe," she laughed awkwardly. "She isn't but Gamma is waiting for you outside your domain."
['That must be the strange presence Iris felt earlier. Ok, I'm coming out.']
"See you soon, Revet-dono."
Whoosh—
"Hohohoho."
A husky feminine voice addressed him immediately as he appeared in front of his domain.
A black wolf tail, ears, sharp claws, and cat-shaped eyes.
A wolf woman.
"You must be the big shot Blank," she scoffed.
"Am Gamma, Lady Nirvana's trusty—"
Aria appeared behind her instantly.
She took a few steps back.
"You must be asking for a fight, sneaking up on me like that."
Gamma exclaimed, her silky hair blowing in the wind.
"You wanna go? Let's go!" Aria crouched, her fist clenched.
"Aria, we don't have time for this. Even if you fought, that wolf doesn't seem like an easy target."
Duran emerged beside her, holding her back.
"Whatever you say, chump."
Gamma sneered.
"Say that again, I'll burn your tail hair off."
Sparks of flames began to emerge around Duran.
['Enough! Gamma, was it? Let's get going.']
She ripped a portal open with her claws.
"That's an interesting way to open a portal."
Aria exclaimed sarcastically.
['Let's get going.']
He stepped through the portal.
Sunlight flashed against his eyes.
He heard birds chirping.
A beautiful fountain scattered sparkling water.
Well-tilled ground.
A fantastical atmosphere.
At the center stood a high-rise castle designed with golden marble.
"This way."
Gamma walked past him.
Creak...
She opened the door.
Nirvana sat across a table with Beta behind her.
"Revet-dono, please have a seat."
Nirvana pointed toward the chair.
"Am back, my lady," Gamma said as she moved behind Nirvana.
"I hope you didn't cause any trouble," Beta exclaimed faintly.
"Hohohoho, whatever do you mean," Gamma smirked.
"Whoa, you have a fox and dragon. That's interesting!" Nirvana said softly.
"We are not—"
He tapped Duran lightly.
"No, nothing at all."
['I told them prior to this meeting that they should keep the fact that they are gods hidden.']
['Let's get down to business, shall we.']
They exchanged relevant information.
['It is most likely John was affiliated with the Nuxeon cult, that's why he could conduct a birth ritual.']
"It's most likely that the summoners Berry killed were used as fuel for the ritual," Duran mentioned.
"Of late, about 300 to 400 summoners have been eliminated from the war..." Nirvana paused. "It must be the handiwork of Berry and the Nuxeons."
['Our next course of action should be finding a way to infiltrate their ranks.']
"That has already been done by two of my colleagues — Delta and Vroh," Gamma stated.
['She already has her plans rolling.']
['And have they reported back?']
"The infiltration mission just commenced but they are keeping in touch," Beta answered calmly.
['Do inform me of any happenings. The next time we meet will be to discuss a strategy of attack. I, on my own path, will try to find out where Berry's hideout is located.']
"Until next time, Revet-dono."
Nirvana waved as Beta opened a portal.
The next day—
As he rose from his bed, notifications appeared before him.
[The rankings on the leaderboard will now be allotted based on Arstrea points]
[The most efficient way to gain points is by killing other summoners. But other alternatives will be from clearing Conquest Taverns]
[200 Conquest Taverns and 40 neutral zones have been added]
[The leaderboard has been updated]
[Congratulations you are still rank no. 2]