Chapter 1069 (2/2)

At that moment, Randidly saw it. How just like all of reality governed possessed ‘space’ in which to exist, everything that was Nether was composed of cores and bubbles. Sometimes many things formed a core or many things formed a bubble, but they were all repeated into infinity, animating the vast chasm of Nether that existed.

Even the inexplicable Nether moved in certain patterns.

The Randidly’s attention returned to his actual situation. Because although the two cores were a bubble around the core of pure Nether, they were actually the core to something else.

And of course, the actual bubble…

Randidly opened his eyes and smirked down at his bone spear. The variant visual effects that the Great Rift caused had tripled around his limb. Rather than a single deviant layer that was vibrating around, there were now five or six layers that spastically stretched and twitched every second. His bone spear was a blur of motion that was almost impossible to track with the naked eye.

In addition, a small glimmer of black flame danced around his limb. Although the thin and filmy flames were much less eye-catching than the visual effects, Randidly could sense that this condensed form of the bubble was much more dangerous than the average version.

Not only was it a shield, but it would also function as a weapon.

Pleased with himself, Randidly leaned back and closed his eyes once more. He allowed his consciousness to drift away toward rest, buoyed by the rhythmic breathing of his two wounded subordinates. If he planned to answer the Beacon of Duty of the neighboring camp, he would need his strength.

Just from Vualla’s bitter expression as she considered the option available to her, Randidly understood that this mission would be very different from his assignments thus far. Whereas his status as an image had seen him sent to relatively unimportant areas to waste Nether energy by affecting the space, this was an assault on one of the bases of Nether. A Nether Gatekeeper sat at its helm.

But despite that, it would also give Randidly a sense of the power possessed by those who fought here on the front lines. Something that he had thus far been unable to really intuit.

Randidly’s face split into a grin. The look on Vualla’s face when she sees me will be priceless…

*****

Commander Terith spent almost an hour making sure all of the chairs were in perfect alignment. Three tables were set up in his tent, surrounded by nine chairs each. Four on each side and one at the head of the table. Each table designated a separate team that would be sent to attack the base of the Nether Gatekeeper.

One table to perform reconnaissance and distraction. One table to strike once the location of the Nether Wells had been located. One table to lie in wait, a blade to strike at the Nether Gatekeeper if that beast would overextend pursuing the prior two teams.

Terith straightened to consider his work. Noticing that one of the chairs was slightly off alignment and pointed to the side, Terith frowned. With a short shake of his head, he returned to his work, this time taking the time to check every possible angle for any flaws. Then, for good measure, be produced a rag from his pocket and wiped down the wooden surface of every piece of furniture until it gleamed.

He could have asked a subordinate to do these mundane tasks, but Terith was entirely too familiar with the haphazard nature of his subordinates' work. No, if he wanted something done, he would need to do it himself.

Which was exactly why Terith had stepped out of his comfort zone and volunteered to handle this punitive expedition. Something extremely strange was happening on the frontlines, and Terith was too close to obtaining the requisite amount of fame to retire for him to allow it all to go to shit now.

In the last year’s meeting, quite a bit of the military’s budget for Aether had been haphazardly allocated in a way that made it obvious Lord Miln was embezzling the Aether for some personal purpose. One that appeared to benefit someone with connections because no questions were asked. Even more ominously, immediately after that Aether disappeared, the disposition of the Nether forces immediately changed. Their foes suddenly seemed to double in size and were much more aggressive in their attacks.

Since then, the forces of Aether had been constantly dogged by the flood of Nether Beasts. Yet Lord Miln remained completely calm. Which meant that there was something happening behind the scenes and Terith was determined to avoid the fallout of that.

Huffing in annoyance, Terith straightened and considered his work. A good chance to clean house, as well. Some of my subordinates have grown altogether too complacent. Without a firm hand, they will spoil and turn insubordinate. Just like that Vualla welp.

Shaking his head, Terith banished his emotions. He carefully constructed a firm face of conviction. Then he walked sharply outside and turned to his aide waiting beyond the edge of the tent.

Commander Terith cleared his throat. “Light the Beacon of Duty.”