Chapter 20: The Seven Days of Silence (Core Refinement and Trust)
[A Week in the Sepulchre]
The seven days following the coastal deception were a period of intense, quiet activity within The Immortal Sepulchre. Outside, the Stellar Halo, satisfied with Liaison Kim's report, maintained a perimeter of distant surveillance, confident that the Sentinels of Necessity were merely a static, specialized cleanup crew.
Inside, the indigo gloom of the Sepulchre became the crucible for Rudraunsh's next stage of growth. He remained in the core chamber, constantly channeling the ambient mana of the reinforced structure to refine his expanded capacity.
His goal was simple: push his 155% High D-Rank capacity to the very edge of C-Rank potential, ensuring he could withstand the energy shock of integrating the Grade 5 Catalyst (the Spectral Lich essence) without burnout.
The key to the Immortal Dao was not speed, but perfect, ordered permanence. Rudraunsh utilized his meditation to enforce this order upon his energy. He wasn't simply filling his pool; he was fortifying the "walls" of his core, making the next evolution safer and more efficient.
> [Core Refinement Log]
> Day 1: 156% Capacity. Stabilizing the Soul Chain resonance.
> Day 4: 160% Capacity. Undying Authority fully integrates the new volume. Limit Expansion Protocol initiated.
> Day 7: 175% Capacity. Mana core achieves peak efficiency for current D-Rank structure. (Functional Capacity: Mid C-Rank Potential).
>
The silent increase in his mana pool meant he could sustain his army with far less effort. He now maintained the four C-Rank Shadow Legionnaires at a mere 30% total upkeep, leaving a full 70% reserve for the mission and emergency defenses—a significant improvement.
[Sera's Defense and the Deepening Alliance]
While Rudraunsh was focused internally, Sera handled the logistical and existential defense of their operation. She spent the week securing backup exit routes, preparing the deep-sea transport, and, most importantly, managing the political narrative.
She also took on the task of integrating the two spare D-Rank Steelbone Warriors into the Sepulchre's passive upkeep system, ensuring they served as an auxiliary defense if an unexpected B-Rank threat slipped through the cordon.
One evening, Sera found Rudraunsh resting outside the core chamber. She approached, not with a report, but with a refined Light Mana ration—a pure energy paste designed to maximize non-dark mana recovery.
"The Spectral Lich essence is pure spiritual energy," Sera noted, placing the ration near him. "Your body will take a heavy toll. I trust the Authority, but I don't trust the sheer shock of a Grade 5 integration."
Rudraunsh accepted the ration, not consuming it, but allowing the subtle Light energy to stabilize the air around him. "The risk is calculated. The Undying Authority requires the spiritual resilience the Lich provides to reach B-Rank. We cannot fight an S-Rank response with C-Rank speed."
Sera sat beside him, the cold indigo light casting long shadows. This was one of their few moments outside the scope of strategy.
"I saw the way Paladin Lee looked at your Legionnaires," Sera said softly. "The fear wasn't about the power; it was about the endless necessity. You are truly necessary, Rudraunsh. The world needs your order, even if it rejects your methods."
"Order requires power," Rudraunsh replied, his voice still low and measured. "And power requires trust. You are the only one who sees the necessary structure behind the destruction, Sera. You manage the light so the darkness can remain absolute."
This was the core of their bond: a profound recognition of their unique, complementary necessities. Rudraunsh trusted Sera with his exposure to the world, and Sera trusted Rudraunsh with her entire future.
[Final Preparations and Strategic Risk Assessment]
On the final night of the waiting period, Sera presented the final mission parameters for the deep-sea facility infiltration.
"The contaminated fuel cells have done their job," Sera confirmed, projecting the facility schematic again. "The Light Mana Crystal Array surrounding the Lich's containment cell is oscillating. Its defensive integrity is down to 30%, and the S-Rank automation is glitching. This is the window."
Rudraunsh studied the route. The main risk wasn't the compromised containment, but the journey to and from the facility through the deep-sea pressure.
"The submersible will only get us to the main external airlock," Rudraunsh explained. "From there, we are operating in total darkness, navigating compromised, unstable tunnels. We must use our most subtle power."
The plan focused on the Shadow Legionnaires' unique C-Rank abilities, previously hidden from the Stellar Halo:
* Phase Infiltration: Rudraunsh and Sera will use the two Shadow Legionnaires as Phase Vehicles. By linking physically to the Legionnaires, they can utilize the constructs' Shadow Phase ability to pass through the compromised containment walls, bypassing the remaining B-Rank interior security lasers.
* Lich Containment: Upon reaching the Lich's cell, the Legionnaires will deploy the Soul Chain Link not for attack, but for containment. They will physically bind the Lich's essence as Rudraunsh prepares the final extraction.
"We have exactly 30 minutes from breaching the airlock to completing the extraction and returning to the submersible," Sera calculated. "Any longer, and the facility's emergency S-Rank failsafe will activate, freezing the entire area."
Rudraunsh stood, his body radiating the quiet power of his newly refined core. "We will be faster than 30 minutes. We will show the Spectral Lich the order of the Immortal Dao before it can even fight back."
He gazed at the four Legionnaires, now silent, poised, and radiating a low, controlled indigo power. The waiting was over. The functional C-Rank Necromancer, shielded by the strategy of his S-Rank ally, was ready to take on the Grade 5 challenge.
"Prepare the submersible, Sera," Rudraunsh commanded. "It is time to descend into the deep."