"12 hours ago, the IGD (Information Gathering Department) received information that James was involved in suspicious activities," said Amelia. "After analyzing the news, the Auror Department invited him for interrogation."
"Wait, why didn't they take care of the matter themselves?" asked Edward. He knew this was a time of war, so the Intelligence Department's power reached an unprecedented level. So, it's odd they did not arrest James themselves.
"They have been getting too powerful lately, so I've been using the Auror Department to quell their growth," explained Amelia. She saw the Intelligence Department start to get out of control, so she began to suppress their rights and power.
"Harry has been a great help in the process; you should give him some reward after the war." Amelia did not mention a promotion since Harry recently took over the entire Auror Department of Earth.
"I will."
"This is not the time for this," chimed Luna.
"You're right," said Amelia before continuing. "The time of the fluctuation corresponds to the time the Aurors should have arrived."
"Something happened to them?" thought Edward. "Even if they fought, there should not be any fluctuation."
"During the war, we have lost too many people inside Demiplanes and dimensions. So, we created new ways to ask for help in case of danger," explained Amelia. "My guess is the fluctuation is the result of James trying to keep the signal from departing."
"You might be right." Under normal circumstances, such fluctuation would remain undetected, and only a freak like Edward would discover.
"You should move swiftly," added Luna. "James might be preparing for his escape."
Edward nodded. After killing the Empire's people, his next course would be to run away.
"Don't worry. I already blocked his demi-plane," said Edward. "One last thing: why did the Intelligence Department take 12 hours to act on a piece of information?
"I'm fine if you want to weaken their power. But, their efficiency must be better."
Many things can happen in the span of 12 hours, so Edward was not happy with such a long delay.
"There is too much information to process every second," replied Amelia, shrugging. "James' information was not verified and was not labeled as the highest priority."
"Don't we have AI?" asked Edward.
"Because of you, we are only using the lowest level," explained Amelia with a sigh. "I tried to change things during this time of war, but the Anti-Artificial Intelligence Factions have become a headache, using you to make trouble for me."
Edward groaned. He was not happy with AI having access to the Empire's highest secrets.
"As long as we have Netheril, we don't have to worry about the 'threat' of AI. So, you can use it more widely."
"Excellent," said Amelia, with joy in her voice. With the widespread use of AI, many departments of the Empire will enter an era of ultimate efficiency, making her job easier.
"Alright. I'll deal with James."
Edward disappeared and appeared inside another demi-plane; he easily forced himself inside despite the protest of its owner.
As soon as Edward entered, he saw a desolate city with a magnificent tower at the center. Demi-planes are private properties of Arcanists, where they are basically the rulers.
However, there are rules to follow. The people inside the demi-planes are citizens of the Empire and are protected by law. So, the owner of the demi-plane cannot treat them in certain ways.
This rule is to prevent these people with godlike powers from enslaving weaker individuals.
As such, most Arcanists with a private demi-plane will fill it with automatons. Based on the data he read, James' demi-plane contained countless people working for him.
But now, Edward could not see a soul.
He controlled his anger before flying to the tower at the center. He sensed residual energy aura and guessed this was the place the Aurors confronted James.
"Why don't you stop wasting our time and come out?" said Edward, as his voice penetrated the magic tower and sent his message inside. The biggest mistake was to enter an Arcanist's magic tower.
However, this point was useless, given the vast difference between their strength. Regardless, Edward decided to be careful.
No one answered him, so Edward raised his hand to create a miniature star, prepared to pulverize the tower with one attack.
Swish!
The tower disappeared, and James appeared. Edward purposely looked in the distance. He knew James sent the tower to another dimension, so he could prevent him from destroying it. Then, James can continue to access the energy from the tower to boost his strength.
Finally, Edward focused on James–blonde air, brown eyes, slightly muscular, and a well-defined jaw-line. However, he did not care about these things.
Edward could see a red light flash deep in his pupils. Furthermore, his overall aura was different.
"Your mana?"
"You discovered it? I guess I should not be surprised."
"The Abyss corrupted you? How is that possible?"
He could sense Dark Mana from James' body. The concept of Dark Mana was long theorized after the Empire discovered different energies. No actual development manifested from this theory until Edward brought Dr. Jekyll from the Mummy 4 World, and it was finally proven to be true after the Empire encountered the Abyss Plane.
However, knowledge about the Abyss and Dark Mana is the highest secret, only known to a few people in the royal family and the Illuminati.
"Hehehe, why are you surprised? When you look into the Abyss, it gazes back," said James Carter with a twisted laugh.
"Are you related to Guzznad? Is he the one who used the Abyss to corrupt you?"
"Him? Is he worthy?"
"Yes, something is odd. Even if Guzznad had access to the legacy of the Magus Race, there is no way he could completely bypass our system."
Luna used Netheril for her divination but did not get anything, which is abnormal.
"Does he have the help of an Abyss Prince (Tier 10). No, maybe even the legendary King (Tier 11)."
Edward recently confirmed the existence of Tier 11 in the Wizard World, so it's not out of pocket that the Abyss has one too.
Edward looked at James, and the latter felt every single thing about him was being seen through, and he hated this feeling. So, James began to release his power, preparing for a confrontation.
"I sense a subtle will in your body," continued Edward. "I see. This is not just the work of a King. The Abyss Will is also involved, trying to interfere in the affairs of our plane.
"If there ever was a plane that Will wishes to swallow, it would be the birthplace of the Magus Race. The only issue is why would Guzznad risk everything to work with Abyss Demon? He should know the result."
James Carter made a growling sound before creating a large sun made of dark fire. The intensity of that attack reached Tier 8 because he used his Arcane Spark to boost his spell with the Karma he had gathered.
Wish!
James' spell suddenly disappeared as if it was never here.
"Anti-Magic?" he said in shock. He remembered the library was recently updated and there was knowledge about Anti-Magic on it. However, the classification of Anti-Magic was very high.
James was flustered for a moment before regaining his bearing. He was an Arcanists, the perfect magical class. Without hesitation, he controlled the earth and metal energy coming from the city in his demi-plane.
"Yes, good response," commented Edward, who proceeded to forcibly regain control of the earth and metal energy of this entire place, once again rendering James powerless.
"How is that possible?"
"It's a new ability I've recently learned after increasing my Energy Control Talent," explained Edward briefly; he acquired too many chances during his trip to Naruto.
"If I guess correctly, Guzznad must be playing a dangerous game. He probably cannot keep the outside Gods for too long, so he wished to deal with us with the Abyss before breaking up his words and forcing you, demons, back to your plane.
"What a stupid decision."
The moment Guzznad chose to work with the Abyss, his fate was doom; he would forever be unable to live peacefully in this plane as the Gods will hunt him down to their last breath.
"What do you know?" said James as he mobilized the Aura inside his body, preparing for a close-combat battle.
Edward shook his head before suddenly stopping. Then, his face turned ugly, "No, you're only a sacrificial pawn–a distraction."