Ice Nest

Alright, let them in.

...The Valley of Prophecy. Is her wish finally coming true?

Three thousand years of waiting... and now, the countdown begins.

Haven't had a meeting here in ages... Can someone crack a window in this place?

Lower your voice, Celestial. The raven is watching from above.

Oh... I'd better say less then...

Sounds like someone needs a whipping.

My kitten says... this place has a 'sickening scent of fate', don't you think?

Lord of Silence, may the truth shine upon your eyes.

May the divine illuminate your eyes, Agent.

It's a pleasure to see you again, Madam Chair.

...You've changed a bit since last time, Producer.

It took quite the effort just to get here... I hope my report meets your expectations, Madam Chair.

Thank you for your hard work, Judge. You won't leave empty-handed after the meeting.

Lady Anna, your knight is at your service.

May the divine bless you, Knight.

Where are the other five people? How dare they be late for the council?

The other five won't be joining in person due to work. I'll brief them through the ravens.

Now that everyone is here, let's start.

Let's hear how everyone's work is progressing.

The Bio-Chips system of Eastrise is running smoothly. Several high-ranking officials of the current Eastrise government are now clients of our Yorozuya.

Also, we turned a profit last month!

Money is never an issue... We can have as much Joint Bills as we need.

The Sentinels terminal has been updated to version 9.1. All registered identities are now connected to the central AI for data processing, and 7% of them show potential for Case compatibility.

Project Wonder continues steadily. The God Eaters have also resumed secret operations. It won't be long before Augustine descends into chaos.

Chaos? Witch, are you ready to face the storm?

Rest assured, Madam Chair. The mob of the Empire won't disrupt our plans.

Since you and Lady Solomon entrusted me with the Empire, I'll respond as the situation demands.

Besides, what kind of plot could possibly escape your keen eyes?

The chain coils tighter and tighter around Anna's fingers.

Hmph... I want a full report after the meeting.

Celestial, you seem unusually quiet today.

Uh, well... Things aren't going too well with Nebu... Most of the tribes remain loyal to the Ancient One, but Horus... she's not as easy to deal with as we thought.

With her support, Garula has overthrown several priesthoods, including our strongholds.

That's not quite what you promised us last time, is it?

Don't kick me while I'm down! Besides, I've made up for it with some achievements... Lady Anna, please forgive my, uh... lapse in judgment.

Oh? But I hear that in order to protect the interests of the Golden Marsh Tribe, your actions were less than honorable.

I-I...

No need for excuses, Celestial. The ravens will tell me everything.

The Sanctuary has always been clear about rewards and punishments. As your fellow, I don't wish to raise my hand against any of you. But... this is the duty bestowed upon me by the leader, and I have to execute it.

Please, Lady Anna, show mercy!

It is for a shared belief that we all gather under Lady Solomon. I hope that as you carry out your duties across the world, you do not forget your purpose.

Hmph...

God of Eternity, may your Advent come and unite this fractured world.

God of Eternity, may your Advent come and unite this fractured world.

Accept your punishment, Celestial.

The punishment is over, Celestial.

Ha... ha... I will remember this well, Lady Anna.

Next... Thousand Faces.

Why haven't you reported to the Department of Science for your scheduled checkups?

Madam Chair, I was on tour in the Empire at the time...

Is that so? And your condition, does it allow you to skip your medication?

The inhibitors from the Department of Science are distributed on a fixed schedule. If you haven't relapsed yet, that means... you've been hiding doses from us.

Lady Anna, I saved those doses by enduring the pain and spacing them out...

Why won't Headquarters give me extra inhibitors as backup? I want to have the same discretion as the Witch...

That decision comes from Lady Solomon and the Department of Science, not me. Clearly, you'll need to earn Lady Solomon's trust through action.

Speaking of which, your critical period should be within these few days, right? Do you need a little push?

No... don't look at me... not with that eye...!

My meds... where are my meds...

Oh dear, our superstar is about to run wild in the Sanctuary.

Calm down, Caroline. You've simply forgotten, who you are, and who's kept you alive until now.

The duty of a priestess is both a privilege and a shackle to us...

Remember the teachings of Lady Solomon, and do not play clever... On the day of judgment, the Divine will reward your loyalty.

Damonica, don't just stand there enjoying others' disgrace.

Madam Chair, I would never go against Lady Solomon's design... On the contrary, I wish I could serve at her knee every single day.

Lady Solomon is not here. Your loyalty is measured through your actions.

What a shame... Then allow my passion to pass through your cold and impartial demeanor.

Besides, I've never once seen you smile on that throne... Lady Anna, if the weight of the chair is too much, I'd gladly share the burden.

Aren't you tired of living a life with a dangerous smile, Witch?

I am sincere, and your magical eyes can discern it.

I know your tricks... Well, in that case, I'll give you a chance.

Huh?

Kneel down and kiss the top of my foot.

I'll show you what it costs to sit on this throne.

As you command, Lady Anna.

Lady Anna... these insane thoughts... do you endure them every day?

This is the power bestowed upon me by the leader. But to see through others' minds, what a cruel burden it is...

You will have no friends, only enemies, and the world becomes a purgatory, devoid of any pleasure.

And the deity we worship is the collective will of all people throughout history. To unify this fractured world, it suffers far more than I ever will.

If I could wield that kind of power, I would be willing to endure...

But you are not qualified yet, Witch.

You may now step down. I've got other matters to attend to today... One day, I will offer myself to the deity. When that time comes, you may come to inherit this burden.

The [Diviner] Hemetto, under Wadjet's command, has foretold the place where the Ancient One shall descend. Lady Solomon has approved her prophecy.

The Ancient One... Is She finally coming?

The Ancient One shall rise from the Abyss and descend upon the valley at the center of the world.

We shall build a nest, for Her.

Code name: Ice Nest plan. Initiating now.

Lady Solomon told us long ago: for a deity to descend, a human host is required. In ancient texts, this person is referred to as the Sacrifice of the Ancient One.

For years, we've been collecting physiological data from game players, but have never found a human who meets the criteria to become the Sacrifice...

The valley region lies at the border of Bifrost, Eastrise, and Nebu. Most of the locals are too poor to relocate, so it's quite possible they don't even play online games...

Now that we've narrowed down the location, our next objective is to find the Sacrifice and protect her.

At present, the major nations remain wary of Rasparta, and their Case technology is advancing rapidly.

Meanwhile, we know almost nothing about the Sacrifice herself...so we cannot allow her to fall into anyone else's hands.

But... wouldn't that risk alerting them?

I understand your concern. But no one can predict what the Sacrifice will do next. Besides, if we send someone to monitor the area, it will attract unwanted attention of other forces.

That is why Ice Nest plan must not fail.

Priestesses, submit your plans. Lady Solomon has ordered you to give it everything you've got.

Even if it means starting a war, so be it!

Still no word on the Sacrifice?

Not yet, Madam Chair.

The other priestesses are moving forward as planned. The Nebu forces will march into the valley any day now... Would you please not be the weak link, Judge?

Madam Chair, ever since the Bifrost military established a special organization called [Teslovik], the area has been flooded with armed personnel.

These armed Cases are elite warriors. Any one of them could be the Sacrifice...

Meanwhile, I've conducted a civilian population survey in the valley region within Bifrost.

But still no particular targets have been found...

Indeed. Anyway, our understanding of the Sacrifice is far too limited. This isn't your fault. You've done what you can, Judge.

Thank you for your understanding.

However, Lady Solomon's goal must be achieved. If the Ice Nest plan fails... you should know, there are countless ambitious vultures waiting to take our place.

So what now...

I will go to the valley myself. You continue gathering intelligence, and above all, do not expose our presence.

Yes, ma'am!