Faced with his master Yusef's inquiry, the black-robed figure nodded slightly:
"The believers have successfully infiltrated the residential areas of the Holy Square. All fifteen vials of Chaos Essence have been placed!"
The blue liquid, just injected into the Gray Rat, causing its mutation, was none other than Chaos Essence.
It possesses an incredibly terrifying corruptive power, capable of turning any creature it touches into a horrific Chaos monster.
Yusef had expended vast resources to refine those fifteen vials of Chaos Essence.
These were his gifts to Eden Grant and the Royal District.
Once these "gifts" are unleashed, they will bring immense suffering to the Royal District!
In fact, Yusef had been closely monitoring the situation in the Royal District, fully aware of Eden Grant's uselessness despite his noble bloodline.
However, lately, Yusef had found himself unable to fully grasp Eden's actions.
To be precise, since the failed assassination attempt Yusef had meticulously planned over five years, Eden had become unpredictable.
Yusef had activated a sleeper agent who had been hidden for decades — Eden's personal maid.
The maid, using the most secretive means, performed a sinister ritual, intending to fully corrupt Eden.
The ritual had indeed succeeded.
Yet, Eden had somehow survived, an unbelievable outcome.
How did he resist the corruption of Chaos?
Afterward, Eden's behavior became erratic and completely irrational.
Amid the internal and external turmoil of the Royal District, he squandered enormous manpower and resources organizing the Emperor Ascension Festival.
What kind of foolishness is this?
Regardless, Yusef was determined to seize this opportunity.
To deliver a devastating blow to the Royal District, plunging it into panic and chaos.
The plan was proceeding smoothly.
At present, the believers of the "Broken Eye" cult, carrying those terrifying vials of Chaos Essence, had infiltrated the residential areas near the Holy Square.
Tens of thousands of citizens lived there, and with the current strength of the Royal District, it was impossible to search them all.
If the Royal District failed to deal with the believers and the Chaos Essence in time, then on the day of the Emperor Ascension Festival, the loyal followers would unleash the Chaos Essence into the crowds, creating countless Chaos monsters.
It would be a horrific celebration of suffering!
Chaos creatures would rampage through the densely packed crowds, slaughtering in front of the Holy Emperor's statue.
It would be the ultimate desecration.
The bloodshed and suffering would give rise to even more terrifying Chaos creatures.
Even if the Royal District managed to resolve the disaster, the losses would be catastrophic.
Of course, the Royal District had another option, which was to preemptively purge the residential areas.
Yusef knew that the Royal District's High Commandant, Bayev, would certainly propose this swift and decisive solution.
The Iron-blooded Commandant was well-versed in such matters.
But it didn't matter. If the Royal District initiated the purge, the believers would unleash the Chaos Essence during the cleansing.
Chaos monsters would then rampage through the residential areas.
The tens of thousands of citizens would become fuel, equally capable of giving rise to powerful Chaos creatures.
Yusef had already made preparations to spread the word that the Royal District had ordered the slaughter of innocent residents.
A Chaos attack, combined with a massacre ordered by the governor, would plunge the Royal District into a cloud of fear and despair.
It would strip Eden Grant of all authority and prestige.
This was Yusef's plan. No matter how the Royal District reacted, it would play into his hands.
When the believers successfully evaded the enforcers and smuggled the Chaos Essence into the residential areas, it marked the beginning of the Royal District's downfall.
Yusef could already envision Eden's distressed expression.
He silently mocked the useless governor, imagining him terrified.
However, Eden was unaware that an even greater disaster was looming!
Yusef could hardly wait to see the Royal District fall and the governor kneel before him, begging for mercy.
And he—Yusef—would be crowned as king!
He would become the new and supreme ruler of Urth!
...
In the administrative residential area:
The Rapp family was saying their prayers before dinner, giving thanks to the Holy Emperor and the governor for the food they were provided.
Ever since the governor had announced the restoration of food rations, they no longer had to rely on corpse starch as their primary food source.
Deville looked at his smiling mother and sister, his heart filled with hope.
"Tomorrow will be better!"
The same was true for many others in the nearby residential areas. Hope had returned to their eyes.
Food rations had been restored, almost twice the previous amount.
Though it was still not enough to fully satisfy their hunger, at least they no longer feared starvation.
People talked about the governor's mercy.
There were rumors that the governor had found an endless supply of sawdust bread, and everyone could eat their fill!
Others whispered that they had noticed a subtle change in the Holy Emperor's statue.
Surely, it was a sign of divine intervention!
Some of these rumors had been spread by Eden's orders, while others were the people's own imaginations.
Overall, things seemed to be improving.
There was a flicker of hope in people's hearts, a glimmer of anticipation for a better future.
But they didn't realize that all of this was an illusion.
So fragile.
It could not withstand any significant blow.
Now, as darkness approached, shadows flitted through the corners of the residential area.
Occasionally, a faint blue glow would flash.
It was an otherworldly and sinister light.
That was the Chaos Essence, a terrifying substance capable of bringing immense suffering.
The cultists were on high alert, ready to unleash these powerful forces the moment the purge began.
Perhaps tonight, everyone in this place would face death, with no survivors.
...
Outside the governor's office atop the spire:
Bayev waited patiently. He had already assembled the armed forces of the Royal District and had drawn up the plans for a full-scale purge.
The sacrifice of tens of thousands in exchange for the safety of the Royal District was undoubtedly worthwhile.
Now, all that remained was the governor's decision.
Inside the office, Eden watched the sun set completely, and he made his final decision.
He couldn't do it.
He couldn't order the purge, he couldn't sacrifice so many lives!
If he gave the order to slaughter so many, it would undoubtedly betray his principles.
It would be a betrayal of what he represented in the warp.
Because Eden Grant stood for hope!
He had already felt it, the flickering sparks of hope coming from the residential area.
These hopes gathered together, flowing into the psychic core.
There were now fifty thousand units of hope.
The power of the small sun had been further restored!
Those devout citizens, offering their hope as sustenance, were also saving themselves.
For their governor had found a way to resolve this!
Eden gazed toward the distant statue of the Holy Emperor, closed his eyes, and connected his consciousness to the psychic core hidden within the statue's head.
As his awareness merged with the core:
Hummmmm—
A vast psychic wave spread out, enveloping all the residential areas surrounding the Holy Square!
(End of Chapter)