Chapter 1422 (2/2)

“They… they say that as you are not the one participating in the duos tournament, the vote will proceed as previously scheduled. Your presidency and that tournament… are entirely independent events.”

Theodora suppressed the urge to snarl. Really? After everything I have done for this Zone… They wish to push me out before I can win this for the Zone…?

“That’s fine. Thank you Victoria,” Theodora Greyman responded. The aide hurriedly nodded and closed the door with a sharp click, perhaps worried about Theodora’s temper in response to the news. But Theodora remained very still even after the aide had been gone for several minutes. Her mind was buzzing, carefully turning over possibilities in her mind.

The obstinance from congress… the duos tournament to name the Earth… the strange changes in Kharon’s government… They were like strange puzzle pieces in her mind. No matter how Theodora arranged them, she couldn’t figure out the larger picture.

Finally, she stood. Touching a painting that hung in the back of her office, Theodora opened up a secret passage and descended into the bowels of the building. The long corridors were dark but Theodora’s Perception allowed her to navigate them flawlessly. Besides, Theodora Greyman had taken this pathway down into the sub-basements quite often in the past week and a half. At this point, she had every corner memorized.

She reached out and brushed her fingers along the wall. The cool stone was reassuring. Heh, if I had known how things would end up… I was once the Chairperson of the World Council. I was the most powerful woman in the world… and now…

...now I wonder how much I really ever had...

Eventually, she reached a door that was guarded by two muscular men. In the dark passageway, it was almost impossible to distinguish their features even with high Perception. But Theodora didn’t pay them any attention. They inclined their heads as she walked forward through the door. Within the small chamber beyond the door, Richter was sitting in his wheelchair with his eyes closed. Strange energy filled the surrounding air and, most intimidatingly, the stone ground beneath him rippled like it was the surface of a pond in a rainstorm.

Wary of the energy he was releasing, Theodora stopped only a few steps past the threshold and didn’t proceed deeper. Instead, her eyes searched Richter’s face for hints of his waning longevity. She was relieved that there were no signs of corruption to be seen there, but she didn’t doubt that the strange corrosion of Richter’s skin was slowly spreading from his legs to the rest of his body. Her eyes went to his torso, wondering how much of his pale flesh had been twisted and warped.

However, Theodora didn’t dare disturb him. So she waited silently.

Soon after Theodora arrived, Richter opened his eyes. “Ah, it’s you. Still worried about me? Didn’t I tell you that I have it under control?”

“Richter, all of the other experiments have resulted in failure. Is it strange that I would be concerned about you?” President Theodora said slowly. She did her best to imbue her voice with warmth and authority.

Richter chuckled darkly. “True. Plus, without me… it will be difficult for you to hold onto the seat of the President.”

Theodora’s fingers twisted as though they were squeezing the last breath out of someone’s throat, but she kept those hands behind her back. Richter should not have so casually spoken of such things. Yet her emotions seemed to have been devoured by her circumstances; Her face was extremely neutral as she replied. “As it turns out, your efforts won’t matter at all. Congress will not delay the impeachment hearing. I suspect, even if I were to refuse to attend…”

That got Richter’s attention. He raised his head slowly, studying Theodora Greyman. “Perhaps. To think it has come to this point. You have not made many friends with your recent string of… actions.”

You were about to say failures, weren’t you? Theodora thought rather distantly. Her fingers twisted and wiggled around each other like blind worms searching for food. Ironic. Considering the energy that currently is devouring your body is exactly one of my actions. If I hadn’t decided on ignoring the words of the Ghosthound at that time…

Theodora’s expression tightened, but then her powerful self-control smoothed out those lines. Well, it is too late now. All of my most loyal followers have already been sacrificed. Congress has made up its mind in regard to my fate. Due to their participation in these experiments, the Order Valorem has fractured… heh. All I have left…

“Perhaps,” Theodora replied very calmly. In fact, she felt rather at peace with herself. After struggling for so long and trying to control things from the shadows, it was something of a relief to reach out with her own hands to try and defy destiny. “But I think Congress will find it quite difficult to be rid of me.”

Richter raised his eyebrows. “You have a plan?”

“A gamble,” Theodora Greyman whispered in response.