"Half of the city is gone?" Youden covered his face with both hands, at a loss for words.
That shouldn't have been possible with Jamal's power, and he witnessed it firsthand. Sure, the kid had real potential given enough time and all, but losing his mind caused him to do that? Those eyewitnesses had nothing to lie about over the caller, and yet Youden felt as if something was missing. Where did Jamal obtain that sudden growth?
"He's probably using one of those vials." Youden could only assume as one possibility. "Boom and those old damn Supers poisoning the youth, and bringing up shit like this!"
"Um, sir?" he forgot that he was still on the machine, as they heard everything he was saying.
"No more, if the Defense General is still alive, send him the message to retreat out of the city and move towards the next defensive line five miles away. The place has no more value to us."
Before they could reply back, Youden hung up on the personnel, still in a state of shock. He had to hope that the general was still breathing, but the chances of him surviving were slim to none. Did Jamal really only have one power? His power to control fire was beyond anything he had ever known was possible, and the thoughts would only bring up more theories in his head that he didn't wish to answer. Plus, he had bigger fish to fry, and a nation to lead across multiple other conflicts.
Getting up from the table, the man took a quick peek at the dimming sky, taking in the city view one last time. Youden couldn't be too pent-up over that frontline city, the thought would simply be useless. His coronation was coming the very next day, and an event so personal to him was now becoming his top priority. He'd just have to let his military people deal with that twisted man and his followers.
The temporary silence was once again broken by the calling machine, with Youden staying in place for a brief moment. Another distraction, he practically hissed at the noise, but reluctantly picked it up anyways.
"Hello." He muttered, tired of these people.
"Sir?" a feminine voice he hadn't heard for a while responded with a hint of concern.
"Wait, Lina?" Youden was a bit surprised, considering that she or the research organization of the nation never called him.
"Yes sir, it's rather urgent. It's about the energy bombs." Lina rapidly blurted out, in a bit of panic.
"Alright, please go on quickly."
"After the initial testing, we'd assume that the bombs would be able to maintain their power once built for at least ten years, at most."
"So?" Youden wasn't understanding the point.
"It turns out that other scientist who brought up the technology and power to your realm, Terrence, miscalculated a few key steps in the powder refining process."
"Meaning?"
"Well," Lina took a deep breath, "Considering how quickly the enriched powder was refined and made for use, a select few conducted further testing and learned that even in its new state, it's still not pure enough."
"What?"
"In reality, the powder is able to maintain its current form for up to a week, and that's if it's even in the right conditions throughout the process. Otherwise, the bomb's power is reduced by over ninety-five percent."
Youden literally had no words to say, as he clenched the caller tightly with his fist. He held his expectations way too high, and it turned out that their entire stockpile of weaponry was now nothing more than slightly powerful variants of what they were already using. The amount of wasted material and mechanisms were all for nothing, and were honestly just for show at that point. What more bad news was the world holding for him in this very moment, Youden wanted to know now so his thoughts couldn't go any lower.
"Begin research in a longer and more stabilized form, and begin decommissioning the older made ones. I'll just have to use the newer ones on the enemy stronghold. So be it." Youden replied with no emotion after a minute of silence. "It's not your fault, but mine. I've pushed our ideals onto the world too soon, but the fight isn't over, Lina. No, it's only now beginning and they'll get a sweet taste of what's coming their way."