In the deepest section of the banquet hall was a large round table. It was separated from the rest of the hall by a translucent barrier.
Seated across the round table were eight people. To be precise, the holograms of the six Sovereigns, one peak level 9 and a man whose level was unclear.
Given their strategic importance, a physical meeting between Sovereigns was never possible.
And even if they wished to meet, their schedule was too tight and erratic. None of them knew which planetoid would need their assistance in the next five minutes.
The previous family head of Xander family once aptly said.
"Being a Sovereign is being a guardian. You watch out round the clock for the enemy that might never strike.
Because by the millionth of chance they did and people lost lives, you'll always be tormented by the fact that you could've saved them."
Thus, even if virtually, seven of them attending the meeting was enough to explain its significance.
Of course, other than the six holograms, the seventh Sovereign was attending 'mentally'.
Kreo Bell. Psychic Sovereign. Wielder of Aether Helmet, one of the six artifacts.
He was able to 'link' himself with another awakener and attend this meeting.
Of course, even with the help of the artifact, if the distance was too large, the 'link' would sever.
Fortunately, Infini City was close to Mars, where Sovereign Kreo Bell was stationed.
Thus, he temporarily took over the body of his subordinate and attended the meeting.
And the peak level 9 attending the meeting was Evander.
Sin Abyss King suddenly launched an offensive against Mercury's planetoids and Albert was busy staving him off.
Thus, Evander was the only non-Sovereign amongst them.
After some pleasantries, they had quickly gotten into important discussions to take decisions that would shape the course of humanity.
The first topic was always Pluto.
"Sovereign Ares, how is the situation on pluto?" Vianne, the leader of Trade Union, unfolded her red fan and said.
Even through the hologram, her voice was gentle like water.
If not knowing it personally, Evander would've never believed this gentle-looking woman was the one who devised the devious schemes to squeeze money.
'Whatever, she has been guarding Venus for the past 40 years anyway.' Evander shook his head and turned to the man in question.
Sovereign Ares.
With blonde hair and golden eyes, his appearance resembled that of a young man in his late twenties.
With a golden battle suit and a spear in hand, even during the meeting, he appeared combat ready.
Ares leaned back into his chair and swiveled the spear. Without any enthusiasm, he opened his mouth. "It's fully fortified. In the beginning, we used Pluto's frontline was a whetstone.
Now, Abyssals are doing the same. They send geniuses from every Abyss and let them train. To be honest, with the current status quo, I see no hope of a successful pluto invasion."
"Reclamation." Sovereign Irene Nial corrected. "We are driving away the invaders."
Everyone nodded lightly.
Ares turned to Julius Xander and raised a brow. "Julius, if your father didn't die so suddenly, perhaps we could've driven away the invaders already."
"…"
Julius closed his eyes and didn't answer.
Ares was the disciple of his father, and he revered the man. As the son and disciple, they got into rivalry.
When Ceaser died and Julius shortly advanced to Sovereign, Ares claimed that Julius killed his own father.
Even though their relationship didn't blow into a fight, it was very stiff.
Evander coughed slightly and said. "Once we get a new Sovereign, Pluto's problem will be solved."
Every Sovereign turned to him in an instant.
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"A lot are hoping that the new Sovereign is you, Evander." Julius Xander said with an expectant face.
"Yes. Some times, I'm just waiting for your news." The only other man physical present spoke slowly.
No. It was Sovereign Kreo Bell speaking through him.
Each of their well intentioned and hopeful words cut Evander like a knife. As he maintained a smile outside and replied appropriately, inwardly, he felt like he was tortured.
The deep pain seared through him as every time they wished him good luck, unintentionally, they were only reminding him that he'd never be a Sovereign.
But...he had to keep up the lie.
'But…am I right to deceive everyone like this?' Evander asked himself many times.
A part of him wanted to tell the truth and disappoint everyone.
Yet…
Because of that one lie, Sarah was happy. Albert was proud. Everyone was hopeful.
Varian could remain safe as Xanders didn't want to mess with a future Sovereign.
'He was just a peak level 4 back then. Now he's peak level 5...this speed is just absurd, but if he can maintain this speed, he'll be a level 9 in a few years at most! What if I lie?'
Was it too much to hide a lie to keep them happy for a long time…even if that happiness was bound to crumble one day?
Evander was snapped out of his thoughts as another Sovereign started speaking.
"We're in a delicate balance, even though it never happened, what if Abyssals got an extra Sovereign?
We'd likely lose a planet. So, I'm in a hurry to hear your progress."? Sovereign Micheal Caron said with a serious expression.
He looked like a harmless middle aged man with shoulder length red hair as he kept a normal expression most of the time.
"You've been telling that for decades, Micheal. Have some faith in our race. We are almost equal to Abyssals now.
I think it's only a matter of time before we surpass them." Sovereign Kevin said with a cheerful smile.
The others in the room looked at him and sighed inwardly.
In his eighty years of life, he faced hell. Yet, he managed to stay optimistic and reached this high.
No, perhaps it was because he was so optimistic that he was here.
The optimism even spilled into the Adventure Guild he founded and turned it into one of the small two.
"If that Dreamer comes out and joins us, we'd gain an upper hand." Vianne said with a soft smile.
"Dreamer? Who?" Ares frowned in confusion.
"Ah, forget it. You were facing off pluto for the past two months. A lot happened." Irene Nial whispered as she tapped her comm and sent the classified, sorted information.
Ares was younger than her. And in those days, she treated him like a little brother. Even though he was stronger than her now, she didn't treat him any differently.
Ares nodded at her and went through the files. His brows furrowed as he muttered. "In short, from his actions, we suspect he's a Technocrat Sovereign. But there's no concrete evidence."
"Exactly! You are too optimistic. Even though his actions so far yielded only positive results, his anonymity makes me question his motives.
I checked all peak level 9 Technocrats in the past 30 years. There's none showing any connection to him.
So, where the hell did this guy pop up from?" Micheal Caron said sternly. He didn't care if people called him a pessimist.
He was the kind of guy that watched out for shadows while everyone enjoyed the sunlight.
This world was very dangerous and full of uncertainty.
If one wasn't cautious enough, everything could be lost in a split second.
That's why, as a Sovereign, he must ensure they never take a dangerous step.
"Well, you're right. He could be an Abyssal agent. The last two events could be done to win our trust." Vianne gave a wry smile and sighed. "I guess I was being too hopeful."
"Hm. He sneaked into Julius' islands, remember? Very suspicious." Micheal Caron shook his head.
Julius' face stiffened for a split second before he returned to his emotionless expression.
But Ares caught that slight change and his lips...curled up.
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