บท 363: Curtesy Call
While Gui told the other leaders about the situation as he understood it, Noble became lost in her own thoughts.
A Sovereign in the Waking World? Had she heard correctly?
Having close ties with the government, Noble was familiar with the word and concept. The term and those associated with it, however, had not really had much impact on her life. So she had never given the matter much thought.
Based on what she had just witnessed, that was a gross misjudgment.
Anvil.
She knew he was the nominal leader of Valor, though from her experience, most things were handled by Saint Madoc.
'But just this morning Madoc was announced to have died valiantly in Antarctica only a few days ago.'
That lined up with the cataclysmic Gates opening. Had he died while trying to fend off the creatures of the category four gates? Is that what had made Anvil act now? Or was the timing merely a coincidence?
'There are other options of course, but I would rather not consider those…'
Noble tried and failed to make all of the pieces fit into place. She simply didn't have enough information.
By the time she came out of her musings, Dimi was checking in as he continued to gather civilians from the debris.
"Keep up the good work, General Dimi," Fort nodded at his friend.
Noble had managed to peek over her husband's shoulder before the communication was cut.
In the background, Anvil was single-handedly protecting the area around his gate, subduing any corrupted abomination foolish enough to clash against his will.
He had asked the people to come to him, and the order was almost completed. That begged the question.
What next?
In answer to the silent question, Gui's communicator rang.
After looking at the screen, he held it out to Shafin, and the analyst connected it to yet another of the displays.
A beautiful woman appeared with vermillion eyes and the emblem of a sword piercing an anvil behind her. Noble immediately recognized it as the same pattern as the banners from Valor's manor.
The woman was familiar as well. Her ruby mouth twisted into a pleasant smile.
Too pleasant.
"You are a hard man to get a hold of, Chancellor. I have been trying to reach you with an announcement on behalf of Clan Valor." The woman's crimson eyes widened slightly as she took in the room. Her smile grew wider. "Ah, I see you have your Councilmen with you. That does make this easier."
"Good afternoon, Lady Morgan," Gui responded evenly. "Does your announcement have anything to do with Lord Anvil?"
Morgan clapped her gloves together lightly. "Yes, it is most excellent news! My father has just conquered the fourth Nightmare and has become Supreme! With his new power, he has found a way to open a gate into the Dream Realm which anyone can enter, even mundane humans."
Gui's expression darkened. "Allowing mundane people into the Dream Realm will infect them, Lady Morgan. By solving one problem, another is created."
The princess allowed emotion to leak into her voice.
"That is the best part! As long as the people remain in the Dream Realm within the Sword Domain, they are under my father's protection. They will never be infected by the Spell as long as they live!"
The news hit the room like a shockwave, rippling through the government agents as they understood the full meaning of her words.
"Is Lord Anvil sure on the final point?" Gui's eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
Morgan laughed as if Gui had made the funniest of jokes. "My father is always certain about everything. As soon as we are through, I will be heading to Bastion to welcome the first group personally. But I advise you to hurry. My father has many places in Antarctica to visit and many battles to fight if we hope to salvage this hopeless situation."
The implication was clear. If the government did not act quickly, Anvil would move on until he found people who were willing to come under his leadership.
"Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Please send our regards to your father for his hard work." Gui dipped his chin.
Morgan's radiant smile turned incandescent. "I look forward to our continued cooperation for humanity's future."
The Princess of Valor closed the communication, and the screen where her face had been went dark.
"That was...enlightening." Gui sighed. He looked even more done with the world than usual.
The rest of the room was far less calm.
"Morgan waited to contact us so that we would be scrambling and not have ample time to prepare!" Director Siv balled his fists, his anger flaring. His demeanor was a far cry from the jovial man who was a wedding guest just a short time before.
"Was what she said even true?" Director Luna in Australia chimed in. "I have read reports that the Sovereigns have existed for years."
The others in the room and on the screens agreed. In addition to the senseless war between the clans, Anvil had been holding back on them!
While Noble agreed that the clan was despicable, she wasn't so sure on the second point. She caught Fort's attention. He handed off his communicator to Shafin and moved closer to her.
"Is it possible that their anger over the war is clouding their judgment? Maybe Anvil just learned how to make gates recently," Noble whispered.
Hadn't Awakened Jeremy asked her how she had passed through a Nightmare Gate? What if that inquiry was for research leading up the this?
"It's possible," Fort was full of doubt.
The Chancellor seemed to agree with him.
"Morgan's message was propaganda to keep Valor from looking bad for not acting sooner," Gui acknowledged. "But there is not much we can do about it. I am sure his heralds are already spreading the king's victory to the media outlets. Morgan's call was a courtesy to get things moving faster."
"That is unacceptable." Siv's face reddened. "We should come out with a statement of our own!"
"To what end?" Fort interrupted. "Antarctica is lost. We all know it. If what Lady Morgan said is true, we may be able to save thousands of innocent lives. What will denouncing Lord Anvil do but cause distrust for someone who has real power to help?"
"Are we sure he wants to help?" Siv shot back quickly.
"Lord Anvil's reasons are his own, but he wants humanity to survive." Gui interrupted the incoming argument.
The rest of the room fell silent.
"Sir?" Fort felt the Chancellor was on the verge of a decision. "What do you want us to do?"
Gui shifted in his seat, deep in contemplation. "You saw the battlefield. That outpost is decimated. The options are to trust the King of Swords or let the people die."
Fort's communicator buzzed, and the Director quickly recovered it from Shafin to answer. "Yes, General Dimi?"
His friend cleared his throat. "Hello, Director. We have all of the civilians gathered. What is our course of action?"
Gui stood from his seat and took Fort's communicator in his hand.
"Dimi, this is the Chancellor again. Can you hear me?"
"I can hear you, sir. We have everyone assembled." Dimi saluted. "We are awaiting your orders."
In the background, Noble could hear the battle was still going on. She couldn't see the screen, but she imagined the landscape was even more demolished than before.
Gui nodded slowly, his face grim. "Your orders are simple, General. Evacuate anyone who is willing into the Dream Realm. The rest of you move back towards Antarctic headquarters. Get out while you can. Abandon the outpost."
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