The two walked in silence as the First Pillar had his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes set straight forward. His assistant hastened his gait, coming side to side with him before speaking, "If they're going to have more than 15 Emperors, why are we only bringing 15? Isn't that a suicide path?" He voiced curiously, his eyes nervously glancing at the First Pillar.
Kalon, The First Pillar, peeked at the assistant from the corner of his eyes and softly smiled, halting his steps and turning his head. "Because you are my assistant, I assume it is best to keep you updated on these things." His words were unanswered, only replied to with a curious look from his assistant, who stared at his eyes.
Before he continued speaking, a translucent dome of blue encompassed them, just large enough to hold them within.
'A noise cancellation bubble?' The assistant chimed in his head. The technique was simple; A dome of mana to cut out sound, both in and out. The next words spoken would be meant solely for him to hear.
"The Twelfth Pillar isn't a traitor. It is all a scheme." The words were like a bombshell exploding in Ryan's face. Never did he think he would hear this as a mere assistant. "W-Why are we going to kill him then?" Ryan's tone was small and weak, as if the Heretic Cult was rotten, and he was now brought into the midst of it.
Yet, opposite to his expectations, it wasn't anything like that.
"We aren't. It is all a scheme, as I said. We make our people believe the Twelfth is a true traitor, then the Revered Spies will eat it up like candy, and that's when it starts. He feeds them half false, half truth information. He will be implanted into their hierarchy, and from there, he will be our spy. The assault on Fortress Kupali is truly an operation to seize one of their few fortresses. At the same time, they'll be forced to relocate him, hastening the process of him joining their ranks. Only I, the 9th Pillar, Vice Leader, and the Leader himself know of this plan.
As for the assault itself, the Twelfth Pillar will be disabling the Anti-Air systems, and from there, our troops will gain ground quickly. Even if the Pillars aren't at the Emperor-tier themselves, their power is at the pinnacle of the King-tier; they can stand equal with a Emperor, and Lorus will be on this raid himself."
The plan was bizarre, but beautifully a masterpiece at the same time.
It wasn't a plan with guaranteed success; The Revered could simply kill the Twelfth Pillar any time they choose after his usefulness dies out, but this whole operation rode on that not happening.
Even disabling the Anti-Air systems himself was a major risk, but if it worked, the assault on Fortress Kupali would be as easy as taking cake from a child. Their soldiers would be able to descend upon Planet Oxtal with ease, and it would turn into an onslaught quickly. The Heretic numbers would be far too overwhelming, even if the opposition had more Emperors; nearly a dozen King-Tier soldiers could battle a Emperor-tier soldier and win.
Kalon thought about it intently, and his target success chance was nearly 40%. A number that's not equal in his odds, but with the future impact it could have if successful, it was a risk he'd bravely take.
A spy that held substantial power within the Revered Ranks would prove enormously effective, as they'd be able to weed out the most troublesome spies and prepare for assaults on their planets. It was a mission that would birth success, and their future depended on it.
To Ryan, it was a master plan, even if the odds weren't exactly in their favor; success would be monumental. But in the back of his mind, his thoughts ran rampant before blurting out. "What about his family?"
Kalon averted his gaze, his eyes setting upon the descending Sun. His expression was blank, his thoughts a calm stream. "It won't be easy for them. That much I cannot deny. They'll be hated, but never hurt. They'll be without work, but never poor. I plan on supporting them. The Twelfth Pillar and I discussed this, and I happily accepted the role of taking care of his family. His wife knows of the plan, yet the child does not. For as long as he'll remember, his mind will label his father as a traitor. Only until the age he can protect himself, and the truth, will he be able to meet his father, and learn it all. He will be bullied, he will be hated. It is unfortunate, but it is what must be done. If one must suffer for the success of our Heretic Cult, then so it would be. If I had to die for our people to strive, I would kill myself on the spot. Life is unfair, but once the truth gets revealed, he will accept everything and come to terms with it."
The words were brutal, but conveyed a truth that Ryan understood. He was deathly loyal to the cult, and he'd gladly die if it meant a better future. But he couldn't help but let the claws of guilt clamp around his heart, as the life of the little boy wasn't going to be kind to him.
His eyes followed Kalon's as they both peered at the hazy sunset, illuminating their planet in a dazzling orange, a tinge of pink following above. There was silence, but a sense of security between the two, as they had grown from a mere servant relationship to one of true friends, and this was possibly the biggest secret Kalon had ever revealed to him.
Ryan sighed, and Kalon glanced in response, "Although I have no part in it, I'd like to act as a prominent figure in his life. It's the least I could do. A role model, be it." He stated boldly, his eyes interlocking with Kalon's. Their words were unspoken, but a curt nod gave him the answer he needed.
—
[Planet Hoam, Home of the Heretic Cult. 4/17/2241, 11 Years after the assault on Fortress Kupali]
A man with a military coat hung over his shoulder walked into a classroom full of dozens of children, his careless look enticing the worried exchanges of looks between the children. "Aren't professors supposed to look more... Professor-like? He looks like a random drunk guy." One of the children blurted out, their town just loud enough to playfully catch the ear of the Professor.
His beard was stubble, shaved without much attention, the lingering scent of cigarettes clinging to his clothes like the air. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, and his hair was a frantic mess. The look was unbecoming of a professor, but he had no choice.
"I am Legion Commander Jason. Unfortunately, Mr.Olson is bedridden, so I will be your temporary Combat and Heretic History Teacher." The murmurs of the classroom were quickly hushed, as the mention of his rank was a shocker.
The military's hierarchy was based on their value and mastery tier, and Legion Commander was one of the highest combat-active ranks, right behind Paragon and War Commander.
Each student in this classroom had aspirations to become a soldier, and that path started as early as birth. Disobeying or disrespecting someone of such importance was never forgotten. But for those who brushed past the fact that he was a Legion Commander, their excitement bubbled up to the deepest depths as training under such a powerful man was bound to improve their skill by miles.
"Someone tell me where you guys left off last time." He simply called out, pointing at the child who raised their hand first. "We just started on the Assault on Fortress Kupali."
Jason was looking at the papers on his desk when his head snapped upward, his pupils constricting as the mention of Fortress Kupali registered in his mind. The class went still, his gaze digging into the soul of the child in front of him, the poor boy squirming in his seat. "I see." A whisper came from his lips as his gaze turned a notch colder.
A gruff breath escaped his throat as he lost himself in thought before giving himself a light nudge and shaking it off. "Well, I was there personally for the Assault on Fortress Kupali, eventually leading to the downfall of 11 of our Emperors, and 5 of our Pillars, without being able to successfully capture the planet, nor our target."