Chapter 133: Myriadspire (2)
"Welcome to Myriadspire."
It was said with such a cheerful tone that Kevin and his unit wondered if they hadn’t come to the wrong place, as if they had somehow ended up at a tourist site.
Ignoring their unease, Zero casually gestured for them to relax, wiping away with one hand the map he had drawn on the ground.
"The journey must have been exhausting. You are free to rest. There’s plenty of space for all of you. Make yourselves comfortable and get a good night’s sleep you’ve earned it."
As he spoke, he pointed to a cavity behind him, divided into several small individual rooms, built to provide a minimum of privacy.
However, Kevin’s men hesitated in the face of their deputy director’s nonchalance, fearing it might be a test. Kevin had to step in and enforce it as an order before they finally allowed themselves to relax.
Once they had all left, Kevin remained alone with Zero.
Sitting cross-legged in front of him, he was about to recount their journey since their separation, but Zero stopped him with a simple wave of his hand.
"That can wait. There’s nothing urgent, is there?"
Kevin nodded despite himself. Satisfied, Zero placed his hand on the ground, brushing aside the top layer of dirt as if lightly digging. He unearthed three organic spheres of dubious appearance, as though secreted by an insect, the kind of food meant for larvae.
"I was lucky enough to come across some high-end food. These are usually reserved for high-ranking nobles, so why not celebrate your arrival with them?"
Kevin looked deeply flattered.
"It’s an honor."
He extended his hand, his appetite awakened.
Zero didn’t bother with ceremony: he took one sphere and handed the other two to his subordinate.
Kevin nearly wept at the exquisite taste.
During the years he had carried out missions deep within calamity territory, one truth had become evident: securing human food was a dangerous luxury, one that could cost him his life and compromise his mission.
Human food, rich in foreign scents, strongly attracted the attention of calamities with a keen sense of smell. That alone could betray his position. While there was an alternative nutrient tubes their bulk made it impossible to carry them in unlimited quantities during long-term infiltration missions.
Thus, enforcers assigned to perilous operations had no choice but to adapt to local food.
Over time, Kevin hadn’t just adapted to it he had come to appreciate it.
So receiving a dish meant for nobility deeply flattered him.
He savored each bite carefully: the sandy texture, the organic blend, the taste... everything was exquisite to a refined palate.
Only after he was full did he allow himself to return to the matter at hand.
"What are your orders?"
Zero closed his mask before answering.
"All units have successfully reached their objectives. The infiltration phase is now complete."
Kevin felt a surge of relief.
"Then what are we to do now?"
He had a vague idea of the operation’s goal, but only the higher authorities knew all its phases. Each level received only the necessary information, minimizing the risk of leaks.
"About that..."
Zero was interrupted by the creeping sound of a creature reaching their ears.
"Lord Zero, my lord requests your presence."
Kevin recognized the calamity that had escorted them earlier.
Zero stood up energetically.
"What good news. I must also introduce him to my companion."
He gestured for Kevin to follow.
They followed the creature, climbing an uneven slope. There were no stairs, the wide, spacious tunnels made movement unstable.
That didn’t bother the two enforcers.
Along the way, Kevin noticed numerous empty cavities nearly a hundred on top of those occupied by his unit.
Zero noticed his gaze.
"Our host overestimated our numbers. He prepared more rooms than necessary."
Kevin simply nodded.
They continued for about ten minutes without encountering any other calamities besides their escort. Intrigued, Kevin eventually asked:
"Are you the only one serving your lord?"
The creature stopped and slowly turned its head toward him.
"How could I be? My lord is noble and powerful. He has thousands of servants."
Kevin looked even more puzzled.
Zero spoke up.
"Each spire of Myriadspire represents a noble who has either been granted territory by His Majesty the King or received a particular distinction. As you know, not all nobles necessarily possess land."
Kevin nodded.
"Those who receive this favor see a spire rise for them in Myriadspire. The higher their rank, the taller their spire and the closer it stands to the King’s."
He paused.
"Most of these nobles have territories to govern. They can send a representative here or come themselves, but the majority of their subjects remain on their lands."
("He must have sent his servants away to preserve the secrecy of our presence.")
After this explanation, they resumed their ascent. Gradually, the tunnels gave way to blood-red, organic walls, characteristic of the spires.
The smell grew stronger, almost oppressive.
Finally, the creature stopped before a vast chamber that served as a throne room. It bowed before leaving, allowing Zero and Kevin to enter alone.
---
"Lord Vratos."
Zero gave a slight bow upon entering. Kevin immediately imitated him.
At the top of a throne made of the same organic material as the walls sat a calamity.
Its pale pink skin, greasy and segmented, its dark eyes, and its grinder-like teeth gave it a disturbing appearance. Its humanoid form indicated that it was in its true shape.
"Zero... Are these the subordinates you’ve praised so highly?"
Its filthy voice betrayed a certain arrogance.
("A marquis...")
Kevin bowed more deeply, averting his gaze.
Zero adopted a flattering tone.
"Yes. And like me, they share our vision."
Vratos lazily rested his hand against his cheek, examining Kevin.
"He doesn’t seem particularly strong."
"If he gave you that impression, I wouldn’t have invited him to a project of this scale. Discretion is their hallmark."
Vratos seemed unconvinced but did not press further.
"No matter. He’ll prove it sooner or later."
Zero continued.
"How did your meeting go?"
Vratos’s smile stretched wide, as grotesque as his joy.
"Magnificently. Thanks to your advice, I’ve entered the inner circle of that foolish prince. He suspects nothing and considers me a valuable ally."
"Oh, what wonderful news," Zero said, his voice carrying genuine delight.
Vratos burst into a coarse laugh.
"If only he knew he’s nothing but a pawn in our plans a puppet king who will hand me the place I deserve at the top of this kingdom’s throne..."
"A dream I share... and one I will have the honor to serve," Zero replied with satisfaction, a smile hidden beneath his mask. His voice carried convincing enthusiasm that perfectly concealed his true thoughts.
("Everything is so simple with simple beings.")
Once Vratos’s satisfaction settled to a reasonable level, Zero resumed:
"Were you able to meet Marquis Mephisto, as planned?"
At that question, Vratos’s face twisted with rage. His hand smashed into his throne.
"That bastard!"
Behind his mask, Zero smiled and this time, it was genuine.
