434 The Worldwide Effect because of the Spirit Tree, The Incoming Convention of the Powerhouses (1/2)
Day 77 - 5:48 PM - Illusory Hidden Base, Aokigahara Forest, Narusawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi, Japan
Aokigahara Forest, it was a forest known for its mysterious and scary reputation. This vast forest area northwest of Mount Fuji was also known by the name Suicide Forest. This name was given to this beautiful forest due to the abnormally high cases of suicide that happened inside.
This beautiful forest had a strange allure to those who were on the verge of giving up on living. The forest's darkness was calling out to these people with its magnetic charm. And those swallowed by this darkness were never able to come back alive.
Inside this forest, large trees, strange landmarks, and other things could be seen. However, not everything that existed in this forest could be seen by the naked eye.
For example...
The main base of Auraboros in this Land of the Rising Sun.
Hidden under the roots of a very tall tree, there was a cave concealed with illusory magic.
Inside that cave, a rather large underground system was built under the forest floor. The cave system looked natural. No one would suspect even if they stumbled upon it accidentally. It was because even the large cave system itself was nothing but a diversion.
The true entrance... was actually found at the very entrance of the cave. It was a portal that could only be accessed by the members of the organization.
Passing through the portal, it was an entirely different world. A vast underground space surrounded by a wall of stone. The underground space was filled with floating bridges, floating rocks, floating crystals, and ancient-looking Japanese castle built on a wide chunk of floating land. There were also smaller ancient Japanese structures built on larger rocks, and on the walls of the underground space. Each structure was connected by bridges. It looked like a place that entirely defied gravity.
Many people could be seen roaming each area to fulfill their duties. Some could be seen entering and exiting the structures and even the underground space itself. Those that left the space surely had missions to fulfill outside.
In an elegantly decorated room within the castle. Several people wearing different colored robes were gathered. They were facing a screen on the furthest side of the room where the silhouette of a woman could be seen. At each side of the screen, two people wearing golden robes could be seen guarding the place.
”It had already been four days.” The alluring voice was heard as the woman behind the screen spoke. ”Had anyone found out about that strong fluctuation from the southwest?”
To the woman's inquiry, the robed figures gathered were rather troubled. One of them stepped forward.
”Empress. We seek forgiveness as we have yet to identify the cause. The only information we had now is that the strong fluctuation four days ago came from the Philippines.”
Hearing that, the woman called Empress expressed her acknowledgment.
”From the Philippines, isn't it? How about our members in that country? Have any of you established contact with them?”
To that question, the robed figure that stepped forward before retreated and another one stepped forward in his place.
”Empress, it is rather strange but we can't seem to establish a connection to our main forces there. The Space Cutter, Shin along with his group went to that country for a hired request from Thousand Identity, Dopp. However, we also lost communication with them.”
To that, the Empress seemed to be a bit surprised.
”Is it possible that our forces there had been annihilated?”
”About that, Empress... We don't think that it is possible. There were no known individuals or groups in that country that could possibly contest our organization.”
That was a reasonable answer. Compared to Japan that was known for its
samurai and ninja clans, or China that had reclusive martial arts sects, Philippines, should have nothing.
However, these robed figures seemed to have forgotten about something.
”Before, there is none.” The Empress said. ”How about now?”
That stumped the robed figures. The Empress then continued.
”You all should remember that we have also lost communication with that guy who calls himself with a very arrogant name. His last known activity is also in that country. There is also that lightning that traveled through the sky before that. The center of that event is also in that country.”
That made the robed figures silent. They had no answers to that.
”Do everything you can to gather information. If a treasure or a powerful figure was born in that country, we can't let the other people or branches have it.”
”Yes, Empress!”
After that reply, another of the robed figures stepped forward making the previous one step back.
”Empress, actually, we might find clues soon.”
The robed figure spoke.
”What do you mean?”
”We have lost communication with the Space Cutter and his group. However, we detected their presence recently south of this country. There is still no known reason why they had not returned here directly, however, I and my subordinates already sent a group to check on them.”
”Is that so?” The Empress nodded. ”Then, hurry up and find them. They might be our only way to obtain information about that country.”
”Yes, Empress.”
The robed figure bowed and retreated back to his place.
”Then,” The Empress seemed to be looking at everyone through the screen. ”Any information about the human settlements we are monitoring?”
”Yes, Empress.”
The robed figures replied in unison.
They then told their reports about the largest settlements currently in existence throughout Japan.
The problem was that they would have a hard time conquering these settlements. Especially since the ancient clans that hid from the eyes of modern society finally revealed themselves.
They led the settlements in their fight against the infected allowing the settlements to exist despite the overwhelming number of infected and Mutated Animals in this country.
After the audience had been dismissed, the robed figures left the room white the two golden robed figures closed the doors beside the screen.
”Sigh.”