19. A Meeting In The Shadows
Creak.....
The seats made an unsettling noise as the symbols on the tables glowed brighter with every passing second.
Ting!
Haaah....
A wide opening of the mouth, accompanied by a deep inhalation of air, followed by a slow exhalation.
"Old man...."
A strange figure covered in dark mist spoke lightly.
"What's with the sudden summons?"
The strange figure crossed their legs over the seat with the number 7 on it, a strange symbol imprinted on the back of their hand.
"No.7, it's quite unusual for you to be the first to respond to a summons."
The mysterious man stared intensely.
"Is that how you speak to your superiors!"
Another figure appeared on the seat with No.6 on it.
"Grand Overseer Kalmar!"
They spoke with a commanding tone, their mouth wide open, a strange symbol visible on their tongue. Their very voice exerted a strange pressure on the Grand Overseer, bringing him down to his knees instantly.
Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!
All of the seats were now filled, with the exception of one—the seat with No.1 on it.
The corrupt spirit energy in the room grew dense to the point that it began to seep out of the room.
A sudden cold spread across the room, enough to send chills through the air.
"What is the reason for this sudden summons?"
A female figure with frosty spirit energy, seated on seat No.5, asked calmly, her eyes closed as she faced the Grand Overseer.
He caught his breath under the immense pressure.
"It is in accordance with The Prophecy."
He spoke shakily, sweat dripping from his face.
"Can you release him now!"
A male figure with long, demonic-like nails, seated on seat No.3, turned toward seat No.7, releasing a faint hint of bloodlust.
"Ughhghhh..."
Seat No.6 groaned deeply.
"I was just reminding him who his superiors were."
She snapped her fingers, releasing the Grand Overseer from the oppressive pressure.
"No need to get all jumpy on me."
She streaked her rough, long hair.
"Hahahaha!"
A loud and distinct laughter echoed from seat No.4.
"Give me more, I even brought some popcorn!"
A bowl of popcorn appeared in front of her, a strange symbol imprinted on her middle nail. She dipped her hands into it, gobbling it up without restraint.
"I sincerely thank you all deeply for answering the summons."
The Grand Overseer placed his hand on his chest, bending his head respectfully.
'I had better say what I came to say quickly before one of these monsters decides to kill me.'
"I would like to—"
Slam!
An unruly sound echoed from seat No.8.
"Where the heck is No.1, huh!"
A male figure with an eyepatch clenched his fist tightly.
"Who the hell does he think he is, skipping out of a summons every time he feels like it!"
His voice carried immense hostility.
"Even if your way of phrasing is utterly repulsive, I agree with you."
Seat No.6 turned toward seat No.8.
"He has been skipping meetings for a long time now. Even if he is No.1, that doesn't grant him the right to always do as he pleases. Am I right, No.2?"
She stared directly at the calm and composed No.2.
"You all ought to know your place!"
No.2 turned her neck mechanically, her voice shaking the entire room.
'It feels like needles are being pointed directly at my skin..... What a monster.'
No.7 thought to herself.
"Whether he answers the summons or not is not a concern of anyone here. Do not attempt to slander his name just because you were too weak to attain his position."
The pressure suddenly dissipated.
Even beneath the dark mist covering their faces, their irritation was visible.
"Nobody can ever outdo you when it comes to shutting these foul-mouthed seaters up."
No.3 tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
The Grand Overseer continued.
"The key is almost complete. It won't take long before we break your shackles—and that of 'the Great One'. All that is needed now is to jump-start 'the Grand Summoning Seal'."
He maintained his bowing posture.
"Ahhh, finally after all these millennia..."
No.9 let out a long sigh of relief.
The symbol on No.9's eyes appeared within the magic circle above the table.
"I don't trust you to handle this, Grand Overseer."
A frostflake emerged from No.5's seat and entered the body of the Grand Overseer.
"I'm sure everyone here agrees. That will serve as a form of reassurance."
No.5 spoke calmly as her symbol appeared in the magic circle above.
Soon after, the others followed.
Nine out of ten symbols filled the magic circle.
"Here is the vote for No.1."
No.2 spoke faintly as the symbol from seat No.1 appeared within the circle.
"Thank you all for your cooperation."
The Grand Overseer remained bowed, avoiding eye contact.
"May 'the Great One' re—"
Before he could finish, they began to vanish simultaneously.
"Keep up the good work, Kalmar-kun."
No.3 blew a kiss as he disappeared.
The room fell silent.
"The final phase of my plan has been set in motion."
The Grand Overseer smirked deeply, letting out a laugh filled with satisfaction.
"Those fools should enjoy their remaining time at the top. Very soon, I'll bring them down to their knees."
He laughed schemingly.
"They think a mere curse is enough to keep me at bay.... pathetic."
He slammed the door behind him as his laughter echoed.
---
Over at the chapel—
Delta and Vroh noticed the sudden surge in corrupted spirit energy.
"Vroh.... What I felt just now certainly wasn't normal."
Delta's voice echoed in his head.
"I felt it too... like something that wasn't supposed to be here was forced in."
He replied calmly.
The Vice Overseer stepped onto the podium once again.
"I have just been informed by the Grand Overseer that 'the Grand Summoning Ritual' will happen in Four months' time."
She stated boldly.
Silence fell over the chapel.
"four months ...we have to let lady Nirvana know."
Delta spoke with a disturbed tone.