SWNOVELXO Chapter 24: Is the mastermind suspected to have appeared?
"So, you've finally resorted to the Divine Vessel, Calderon."
Elegantly poised atop the imperial chamber's domed ceiling, the Avenger of the Gods, weary from the extensive war damage, spoke to Kriz, who stood by his side.
"I initially thought only the Divine Vessel could resolve this battle, but that young man's strength far surpassed our expectations."
The early stages of the conflict were grueling, with multiple divine generals lost in quick succession. However, once the young warrior known as Dazni Enoch entered the fray, the tide shifted almost immediately.
"Reports from the frontlines are pouring in—there's a boy who single-handedly slew multiple enemy commanders without so much as a scratch…"
"Those defeated were the highest-ranking combatants of the invading force. It's thanks to his heroic feats that we managed to turn the situation around."
Kriz gazed up at the clear sky, as if lost in thought.
"As for the Emperor… that old fool is probably feigning death again."
"Let him recover. I'll handle the coordination of the cleanup effort—you should get some rest."
Even Kriz, after enduring prolonged battles and leadership duties, could not help but feel fatigue.
The Avenger of the Gods patted Kriz's shoulder before morphing into a scorpion and scuttling away.
"…"
Kriz remained silent, merely overlooking the empire's war-torn capital with a quiet, contemplative gaze.
"This war ended in complete failure, didn't it? Reincarnation, your command skills are certainly something to be admired."
"I deeply apologize. I hadn't anticipated the empire possessing such a formidable warrior..."
In a pitch-black void where not even a hand could be seen, a subordinate reported the results of the battle to a superior.
"I see… I see… So, you and Destiny were both too afraid to face that boy and opted to retreat together?"
"Y-Yes, exactly."
From Reincarnation's perspective, she could only make out a pair of deep emerald-green eyes glaring at her from the darkness above.
The owner of those eyes was an existence she absolutely dared not provoke—both Reincarnation and Destiny knew this well.
"Heh. You and Destiny recommended the Heavenly Judgement Empire as our target, and now… it seems attacking the subterranean Stavkarn Nation would've been a better option, wouldn't it?"
At the mention of Stavkarn, Reincarnation's voice trembled slightly.
"M-My deepest apologies. That boy was a recent addition; I truly didn't expect him to be the empire's hidden trump card…"
"How surprising. Even you, known for your keen eye for talent, managed to misjudge someone."
"Ugh…"
The malevolent green eyes seemed to hold an infinite abyss within them. Even while standing on solid ground, Reincarnation and Destiny felt an overwhelming sense of vertigo and disorientation.
This oppressive sensation made both of them eager to conclude the conversation as quickly as possible.
"You're dismissed. Your punishment will be determined by 'Eternal Judgement' and communicated later—your performance as the Fourth and Sixth Seats of us Exceptional Ones was thoroughly disappointing."
"…Understood."
Reincarnation and Destiny saluted the mysterious figure with a knightly gesture before vanishing from the space.
"Dazni Enoch... That name rings a bell."
Seated atop the godly pillar of the Court of the Exceptional, the enigmatic figure muttered to themselves briefly before falling into a contemplative silence.