Chapter 226: Auswählen
Within Las Noches' throne hall, all Arrancar had congregated. Facing the cold-featured Fiander positioned upon the throne above, these individuals exchanged nervous glances. No one wished provoking Fiander's wrath at this moment.
This peculiar atmosphere wasn't relieved until Ulquiorra dragged a Quincy captive into the hall.
"My apologies, Lord Fiander!"
Positioning his arms across his chest, Ulquiorra bowed slowly toward Fiander and declared: "The Espada fought independently. Facing the Quincy's peculiar abilities, they couldn't achieve effective results whatsoever."
"Is this your summary of events, Ulquiorra?"
"No. I don't intend arguing. Please forgive me! It represents indisputable fact that we—superior in numbers—retreated steadily under the Quincy assault!"
Witnessing Ulquiorra's serious expression, Fiander raised his finger. Soon, the Quincy beside him floated upward.
Fiander pointed at the severely injured Quincy and addressed Ulquiorra: "Is it because of this individual that you arrived late?"
"Yes. This person had been masquerading as our ally's identity, commanding those Quincy forces against us before the enemy's genuine leader appeared!"
As Ulquiorra spoke, he extended his finger toward the other party's forehead. A stream of azure spirit particles transformed into a ribbon and began dancing throughout the hall.
"These are the other party's memories and intelligence. Before they attempted evacuating, I mistook him for the enemy leader and utilized Negación's properties to lock him within the Garganta for combat. Although his power aspect proved genuinely troublesome, Quincy appear extraordinarily wary of Arrancar Reiatsu contacting their bodies. Finally, I invaded this individual's defenses after the other Quincy retreated."
While listening to Ulquiorra's report, Fiander extended his hand to grasp the Reishi memory ribbon, closed his eyes, and meditated.
After brief duration, Fiander opened his eyes and smiled approvingly at Ulquiorra. "Well executed. We within Las Noches remain far too passive when facing the elusive Quincy. I cannot initiate attacks proactively—only respond defensively to enemies. This situation makes me extraordinarily dissatisfied! Once you possess intelligence, you can seize the initiative in warfare. The Quincy's attitude toward Hollows permits no alternatives beyond destruction. Hollow Reiatsu constitutes bone-deep poison for Quincy. The relationship between our two existences represents a racial incompatibility that cannot permit coexistence."
Through the Quincy captured alive by Ulquiorra, Fiander learned this individual was named Royd Lloyd—a member of the Wandenreich's Sternritter, designated "Y," possessing the ability called "Yourself."
This capability allowed transforming oneself into another person's appearance while replicating the transformed individual's strength and combat techniques.
The sole differences lay in mental state and personal combat awareness.
Royd Lloyd also possessed a twin brother, Lloyd Royd. Both served Yhwach in critically important scenes as body doubles.
Additionally, the twin brothers both possessed identical powers while simultaneously receiving the holy letter "Y's" abilities.
Through this Sternritter's memories, Fiander learned tremendous important intelligence regarding the Wandenreich. Just as Fiander planned extracting additional information, Royd Lloyd's body suddenly convulsed. Tremendous blood flowed from his five sensory organs. Blue spirit flames materialized across his body's surface. Everyone witnessed the Quincy's strength being incinerated to death by the spirit flames.
Fiander acted immediately. He attempted isolating Royd Lloyd's body's spatial connection, thereby extinguishing the blazing flames upon his surface.
However, the spirit flame burning from inside outward emerged from the depths of his soul. Completely extinguishing it through external methods proved extraordinarily difficult. Within less than five seconds, Royd Lloyd's flesh and blood transformed into spirit particles and dissipated, leaving only a charred skeleton collapsing to the ground.
"Auswählen?"
Observing the scene before him, Fiander couldn't help murmuring. He'd clearly sensed soul fragment essence drilling into the space before him.
Aside from perceiving the slight fluctuations caused by space being touched—like raindrops falling upon a lake's surface, producing rippling waves—everything proceeded soundlessly.
The prisoner's sudden death before him didn't cause significant commotion among the Arrancar assembled. They even believed Fiander had executed him.
After all, eliminating enemies represented normal procedure for them. Except for several Reiatsu-powerful Espada who regarded Fiander with thoughtful expressions, the remaining Arrancar kept their heads lowered, not daring to observe Fiander directly.
A Sternritter falling into enemy hands constituted tremendous disgrace—particularly for the two Lloyd brothers who impersonated Yhwach.
Yhwach, having returned to the Ice Palace, summoned all Sternritter members to await him outside.
After reabsorbing the soul fragments he'd distributed previously, Yhwach released a prolonged breath of relief.
Having only recently regained his strength, he remained far too weak. Whether Hueco Mundo's Arrancar or Soul Society's Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, neither represented opponents he could handle at this stage.
"My judgment proved erroneous, Haschwalth!"
Yhwach's broad palms gripped the throne's armrests. The faintly throbbing veins across his forehead became barely visible.
"I believed Yamamoto would constitute the most difficult obstacle preventing my ascension to God's throne. However, I hadn't anticipated such an individual emerging!"
"Didn't Your Majesty state that Yamamoto presented nothing fearsome? Even if this Arrancar proves comparable to or even stronger than Yamamoto, Your Majesty shouldn't concern yourself!"
Haschwalth understood Yhwach profoundly. His Majesty represented an extraordinarily conceited and aloof existence. Any individual capable of making him feel uneasy indicated that party proved genuinely formidable.
However, as a subordinate, what he could accomplish presently was helping Yhwach regain his confidence.
"You needn't console me. Infiltrating Las Noches seeking Aizen represented my plan. I wished witnessing how arrogant this Shinigami—who nearly destroyed Soul Society—truly was. However, the result proved extraordinarily disappointing. After being defeated by Kurosaki Ichigo, he appears to have lost all ambition. How ridiculous that such a weakened individual dares coveting the Soul King's position!"
Apparently, Yhwach felt profoundly dissatisfied with Aizen's refusal of his invitation. He was merely a Shinigami—still a prisoner. Yhwach had personally extended an invitation, yet couldn't comprehend why the other party had refused him.
When departing Las Noches, Yhwach had shattered the Muken stand's seal. He felt curious regarding what manner of mentality that Arrancar would display when Aizen removed his confinement.
Witnessing that Yhwach appeared in improved spirits, Haschwalth positioned below quickly inquired: "Your Majesty, regarding our plan to assault Soul Society in several days...?"
"Wait momentarily. The individual dispatched to the human world should return soon. I genuinely cannot wait meeting my son born within darkness..."