The members of each group watched with suspicion as the gentleman curtseyed to them. He gave a teasing smile to Candace who grumbled, annoyed, and he made them sign to follow him.
They walked around the building for a while and reached the main part of the base, at the top of the building.
The structure was a huge base, with many scientists working on different technical structures, and many screens.
The main screen offered a perfect view of the gigantic Rift that haunted the capital.
The mere sight made some of the emissaries break out in a cold sweat.
"So what? What to talk about? How long does it take to realize that we should go already?" asked a woman with a greatsword on her back.
Agiel, one hand behind his back, gave her another of his smiles.
"I understand your eagerness, but there are still citizens evacuating, so we would like to give them the chance to save their lives before we trigger this thing, besides..."
He turned his back and nodded to a scientist who activated a screen displaying what appeared to be thermal waves.
"This thing here, dear friends, is a map displaying the amount of energy emanating from the Rift, the redder a part, the stronger the level."
"... Everything is red." Another guild member whispered.
"Exactly, we already told you that this Rift was above the average S-rank level, but it seems that even that was an understatement. The level that this thing reaches is beyond anything we have seen so far, both in size and power. Given this, we cannot take any risks in the coming battle. If we fail, the world is doomed, simple as that."
Everyone gulped and looked at the gigantic vortex again.
One of the guild members, a young man with distinguished clothing thought for a moment and turned to Agiel.
"It's really convenient that this Rift hasn't opened yet... Even too convenient, you seem to know more about it than what you've shown."
Agiel smiled at him and nodded.
"Good observation, but you're overestimating me, my friend, we didn't know how to react to this the 4 first days, so we planned to fight whatever would come from this, but since we got lucky enough to have the right to be prepared, we would like to take every necessary measure."
At these words, a group of scientists began a maneuver and a great vibration ran through the building.
"Dear friends, allow me to introduce you to Ambrosia's finest technology: the Genesis."
On the screen, the spectacle of a gigantic building with the shape of a satellite culminated on a hill near the capital.
Everyone looked in amazement at this sleeping machine.
One of the holy knights, a man with short red hair and a fine mustache scanned the thing.
"I heard legends about an ancient weapon, from the previous era... It was called the Eye of God, because it was reputed to watch over the whole civilization, and capable of destroying a city in one hit. Many descriptions existed, but converged on a gigantic metal entity flying in the sky."
"Wonderful, I'm glad to see that you've done your research, it shows why Holy Knights are in their own league, don't you think?"
The Holy Knight frowned and crossed his arm in response.
"Well, I see where you're going, my friend, but let me stop you here. This is not the legendary weapon of the legend, but a failed attempt to replicate it. The original one bore the name of Doomsday, the Destroyer world, and could destroy way more than a simple town. This replica is the result of a millennium, benefiting the fruits of generations of minds, all culminating in this very unique weapon. The Genesis is a weapon gathering all the ambient energy present in air, ground, even living beings, and converting it into a ray of energy repelling any entity coming into contact, not destroying."
He drew the group's attention to the main image of the Rift.
"The Genesis will play an important role in our raid. First, we will shoot a massive energy beam right under the Rift, this should force the energy to convert inside and force the Rift to stay closed. For the next step, once the capital is properly evacuated, the team will penetrate the Rift, using the spatial power of Saint Angelo to teleportate and the shield of Lady Elizabeth to penetrate safely. Finally, once inside, you will do what you've all become famous for and subjugate this Rift ."
Everyone looked at him with slight intrigue and turned towards the vortex.
Was that really possible? Was there really a chance to achieve this?
The thing looming over the world was more intimidating than ever, and Agiel's hopeful speech did little to motivate the troops.
"And of course, failure isn't an option." An old man, a guild member in a light outfit mumbled.
"Failure is always an option, and as with any option, it has its consequences," Agiel answered sinisterly.
"Well, then I'm on the youngster side and suggest we hurry inside since we're not waiting for any help in particular, what's the difference if we go now? This thing will open if we fail anyway!"
"Let's say... we need an authorization for that, my friend."
The old man, visibly annoyed walked toward him, grabbed him by the collar.
"Listen, boy, I've wasted enough time in my life to play the game of an egocentric idiot. Do you want us to help you yes or no? Do you think this is funny? Every word you've spoken has been an insult to us, so now, either you let us go or I'll make sure you have no more opinion."
Agiel, the more and more strange, nodded to the old man and walked away calmly.
"Fine, maybe you're way more qualified for the task than I think. Maybe you could save the world?"
"At least I'll be fighting, not just waiting patiently outside."
"Oh, trust me, sometimes being on the sidelines is worse, when your loved one goes into Hell... But let's trust you for now, how about a test?"
He slowly turned toward Dora with a mischievous smile.
"This boy is our ultimate weapon for this event, if he can convince you that he can defeat you, you calmly follow the plan, how does that sound?"
The old man frowned and turned toward Dora.
He looked at him for a moment then looked back at Agiel.
"What are you trying to prove? That I might lose to a child and my experience would mean nothing? How long do you plan on insulting me?"
"You're terribly mistaken, my dear friend, in this world, what really matters is the power. The power to bend someone to your will, the power to decide the fate of a civilization, this is only accessible to the one who rises above everyone else. So let's say that this boy is stronger than you and wishes to follow my plan, wouldn't you be overstepping your limits by forcing him to follow you?"
The man was confused by Agiel's words and shook his head in annoyance. He leaned towards Dora.
"Listen, kid, I don't have the time or the will to play around. Just refuse to do as this guy says and listen to the elder, alright?"
At first, Dora appeared unfazed, but then quickly opened his eyes widely and glanced at Candace with a mocking smile.
"Kuh... The audacity..." she groaned.
Agiel couldn't hold back a muffled, well-meaning laugh, but the timing was bad enough to make it look like he was mocking the old emissary.
The latter, more and more furious, took a big step towards Agiel, his aura gathering in his hands.
"... Dammit, Dora!" Candace shouted, and Dora's eyes turned yellow.
The old man suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground. The suddenness of the event caught everyone off guard, and they looked around in confusion, trying to understand what had just happened.
The old man was lying on the ground, motionless, as if he were sleeping. Everyone in Candace's group was relieved and turned to Dora to thank him for his quick response.
However, two other guild members suddenly collapsed and fell unconscious. Everyone was shocked by this turn of events and couldn't understand what was happening.
"Huh? Even them? Was that strong?" Mercy wondered, but the show was about to get crazier.
Most and most people fell unconsciously, without any resistance, a scene reminiscing of Dora's entrance into the Hunters Guild.
"Dora, I think that's enough," Freya warned, then realized a pattern in this scene that she hadn't been able to see until now.
Dora stood in the same position, his facial expression showing immense shock.
Beside him, Midgard, Candace, and Eryl began to tremble, the dean's eyes glowing a bright white.
Freya looked around, Zuri and Mercy seemed fine, but Agiel and the Holy Knights had serious and anxious looks.
"Dora, please stop now, they got it!"
Freya shook him by the shoulder, but the boy didn't respond.
"Mercy..."
A voice rose from the Holy Knights. The young girl, recognizing her brother's voice, was a little surprised, but when she saw the anguish on his face, she understood that Dora had to be stopped.
"Dora, seriously, stop now! It's enough!"
"Mercy!!!" Peters shouted more frustrated than before.
He had fear in his eyes, not anxiety. The Holy Knights, who were standing behind him, had their heads lowered and were sweating profusely.
"Seriously? Doing this here?" they mumbled among themselves.
Agiel, forcing a smile, nodded to a few scientists who quickly rushed to another room.
"Now, I said it would be faster but isn't that too much?" Mercy and Freya, who were already worried, turned to Dora, whose arm was slowly coming down but his eyes remained yellow.
"Please, Dora, stop now! Please!"
Mercy pleaded desperately. Suddenly, someone gently caressed Mercy's neck, causing her to let go of Dora. She turned around, only to be frozen in shock.
"A young lady shouldn't be so loud," Gloria said in an ominous tone.