INTERMISSION
In This Dark Dusk
The stage was the Imperial capital Yunmelngen around sunset.
As the city was steeped in an intense crimson haze, an event transpired deep underground. Nearly three miles down from the crust of the earth, the dark assembly hall echoed with applause.
“Brilliant.”
“I cannot feel the astral power of the Grand Witch Nebulis. It’s all but disappeared, which means he’s successfully neutralized her powers.”
“It is a pity that we have no images of this battle. Her astral energy was born from the deepest depths of this planet. If we’d gotten our hands on a picture, I’m sure our research would have progressed by leaps and bounds…”
“No. There is great meaning in having stopped the Grand Witch’s awakening.”
“Of course that man ’s successor was the one to do it. Well, well. The results of the battle were just as we’d expected.”
There wasn’t a single light fixture in the room, but it was dimly illuminated by the eight monitors that surrounded a round table, featuring the silhouettes of men and women. Their physiques could be made out from the indistinct outlines on the screens.
They were the executive body that decided the will of the Empire—the Eight Great Apostles.
“The Grand Witch has been silenced once more, though the Ice Calamity Witch is still of great concern…”
“It’s the mission of the Successor of the Black Steel to bring down the witch. If anything, he’ll eventually do it for us whether he wishes to or not.”
“Indeed.”
“The fifth Saint Disciple—Risya In Empire’s ‘experiment’ is also going smoothly. Now that the Grand Witch is asleep, the Nebulis Sovereignty will fall .”
“The man—the Black Steel Gladiator Crossweil—hid the secrets of the planet from us. It seems his successor knows nothing, and our guess was off the mark, but I suppose that’s fine. The prophecy of the people of this planet is fast approaching… We’re almost there.” It was the lyrical voice of a woman, mixed with a wry chuckle—a bewitching, intelligent voice, coolheaded enough to plant seeds of fear in those who dared listen.
“Iska, the Successor of the Black Steel. Your wishes will come true.”
“Yes. We will grant you everything you wish. If you wish for peace, we promise you will have eternal world peace.”
“—Once we’ve exterminated every last witch and sorcerer.”
“Because that’s what this planet wishes.”
That was the final word. All at once, the silhouettes disappeared from the monitors. With a veil of silence hanging over the Imperial Senate, the only thing that lingered was a faint echo of that applause from earlier.
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